Zurers in Italy 2027

[Jim Zurer]

I just bought our tickets for our regular month in Italy next Spring. As we have done for the past several years, we are flying out of Newark non-stop on United to Rome. I was able to snag basic economy tickets for $705 p.p. plus seat selection fees. As usual, non-stop flights on United from Dulles to Rome were almost double that price.

For me, the price differential more than makes up for the inconvenience of getting to and from Newark. I realize that not everyone would chose that option.

Anyway, we are set for takeoff on April 26, returning on May 25. Now I have to find a reasonable rental car option and start the fun part of planning our itinerary.

Stay tuned for updates....

 

[Alpinista]

I just bought our tickets for our regular month in Italy next Spring. As we have done for the past several years, we are flying out of Newark non-stop on United to Rome. I was able to snag basic economy tickets for $705 p.p. plus seat selection fees. As usual, non-stop flights on United from Dulles to Rome were almost double that price.

For me, the price differential more than makes up for the inconvenience of getting to and from Newark. I realize that not everyone would chose that option.

Anyway, we are set for takeoff on April 26, returning on May 25. Now I have to find a reasonable rental car option and start the fun part of planning our itinerary.

Stay tuned for updates....

We have been using the Europcar lease program for several years (there for 6 weeks in spring and 7 in fall each year). There is a significant savings -- I believe the savings for lease versus rental shows up at the 6 week mark, but might be worth doing a cost compare for your four week trip. It is a little more time to pick up the car (need to be chauffeured to an offsite location, but much easier on return -- drop keys and get driven to the FCO Hilton front door).

 

[Allen]

Our 2027 round trip travel dates ORD-FCO virtually match Zurer travel dates and we have many years ago been converted to the virtues of short term leasing via AutoEurope. For the last few years it actually cost us more for 6 wk rental but avoiding the common car rental kiosk pickup hassles and unpleasant uncertainties on return, as well as free second driver and no-deductible insurance, is more than acceptable trade off for us despite increase cost, which can run up to a few hundred dollars! And we actually like the pickup/dropoff personalized shuttle service (to/from Hilton or terminal), though I fear that service won’t remain free forever. So for us it’s a matter of significantly less stress for definitely more money.

 

[Alpinista]

Our 2027 round trip travel dates ORD-FCO virtually match Zurer travel dates and we have many years ago been converted to the virtues of short term leasing via AutoEurope. For the last few years it actually cost us more for 6 wk rental but avoiding the common car rental kiosk pickup hassles and unpleasant uncertainties on return, as well as free second driver and no-deductible insurance, is more than acceptable trade off for us despite increase cost, which can run up to a few hundred dollars! And we actually like the pickup/dropoff personalized shuttle service (to/from Hilton or terminal), though I fear that service won’t remain free forever. So for us it’s a matter of significantly less stress for definitely more money.

We are there for 7 weeks this coming trip and there are cost savings. When doing the numbers, the 7 week rental is $2,380; the 7 week lease, $2,333. However, the additional rental costs for GPS (minimal) and the extra driver (significant) fall in favor of the lease. There are just the two of us with not much luggage (we have clothing at the house, so we pack little), so getting the smallest car available. As noted, the pleasure of a quick drop-off and front door service to hotel also factor in.

 

[Jim Zurer]

Thanks....I agree with all the reasons that short term leasing is attractive. In the past, it was less appealing to pick up in Rome with the Renault lease program but I will investigate to see if there are more options now.

 

[Allen]

If history is any guide, the car rental price is likely to decrease a couple/few times before next May, (though can increase again as well), while the car lease price has typically been relatively more stable (though did decrease at one point last spring).
We have been happy with the compact Peugeot 208 leased through AutoEurope. But note that in case of a price decrease, emendations/cancellations on a lease agreement have to be done 30 days out, and therefore somewhat more locked in than most car rental modification option dates.

 

[Jim Zurer]

I must admit to have been spoiled by my incredibly low car rental price last year with AutoEurope through Hertz....$850 for 29 days including zero deductible and a hybrid car. Previous years--both rentals and leases--were more in the $2K vicinity.

I will be checking frequently to see if any bargains materialize.