CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

Hi everyone, am I able to hire a car WITHIN Ayamonte, or would I have to collect/return at say, Faro airport?
Cheers, XFILES

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

There are a couple of car rental companies in Ayamonte and at Isla Canela. One is opposite the Marina - I think that is Vostok - and there is one near the bus station. I know the hotels in Isla Canela can arrange car hire for their guests.


Car hire in Ayamonte is likely to be more expensive than at Faro because there is not the competition, but I guess if you add the cost of getting to Faro from Ayamonte then it may be cost effective.


You might also look at VRSA and Monte Gordo (which as a holiday destination is bound to have some)- there are several rentcos there and you can nip across on the ferry. Google is your friend ;)

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

bear in mind that if you ONLY want to use the rental car in Spain and you are going to rent from Faro most rental companies will charge you extra 'over the border' certificate costs

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

Thanks for the info. I'm still to attempt driving over here, and renting/collection from the airport late evening fills me with dread, hence the "local" query. BTW, what docs would I need to bring over with me? I only have the old fashioned green drivers licence, is that ok here? XFILES

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

Just a thought - if you are arriving late anyway how do you intend to get to Ayamonte? Taxi? Its going to make it doubly more expensive i.e taxi + local expensive hire. Then at the end same problem.

May I suggest if you are wary about the 'cheaper companies' with a car park 4 pick up then you book with one of the bigger operators that have onsite pick up, there you are 'safe' the desk is at arrivals immediately as you come out of the baggage area. Then you nip across the road to the central office and pick up the car - same with drop off. Being an airport - security is tight and you would be safe, but of course I understand that you might not feel safe.

There was a thread a while back saying that you need a separate document for car hire now in addition of the green licence. This has a certain validity and you need to download it from some site soon before coming. This thread died so I don't know if the rental companies are actually implementing it. You could call them and ask before renting and they will tell you what's needed and how to get it. Of course being a government sponsored IT system, I recall that it crashed within 48 hours! (No surprise there :sarcasm:)


Sorry I wouldn't know how to find this thread.

Good luck
Jon

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

I have had late landings and picked up from P4 without any problem. We did arrive after midnight once as the plane was an hour late so Travel rent charged their out of hours fee which I was a bit grumpy about at the time but could understand it. As far as cross border fees are concerned, some (eg Rentauto) don't make any charge and other fees vary. Travel rent charge €10 so you need to check when booking.

I have only ever produced my pink driving license and my passport. You will also need a credit card in the name of the renter and will have to pay €15 for the car park tax. Some want this in cash (egTR) but others (eg RA) are happy to take it from your card. Similarly with the fee for the transponder for the tolls: some want cash and others use the credit card. It should all be explained when you book.

As for the tolls: there is no way I would use the N125 if landing late as it would take too long.

One final point: depending how late 'late' is, there is a new Pinto Doce supermarket only 2 minutes from the airport but it does close at 9.30.

Hope this helps.

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

Hi xfiles, I've picked up a car as late as midnight once or twice, I think one was Rentauto and the other Travelrent, both on CP4. No problems really and there is sufficient light to work out all the car controls etc, before you leave. Despite other comments about the old N125, I find the new Faro outer ring road quite useful and late at night its empty of much traffic. I usually pick up the mway about 1 mile east of Olhao. ( Roundabout on N125, 2nd exit (north) signposted Mway). I find this easier than going north at Faro. If its before 22.00 hrs I often pick up a few bits of food for the morning at LIDL Olhao en route. I believe that when you have the courage to do it ONCE, you will think nothing of it in future. Your only problem might be changing gear with the right hand initially, but after a few days even that becomes natural. We don't even think about it anymore. I urge you to give it a try , as I believe it is much easier than you think and it provides a new dimension to life at Esuri.

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

Actually you are better with the old paper licence - with the photo card licences - as Jon says below - you need to visit the DVLA web site within 72 hours before travel and get a code to give to the rentco. No need with the older licence. You will, of course, need your passport and a valid credit card (not debit card).


As long as you arrive before midnight then you should have no trouble collecting your car, as Jon says the on-airport operators are simplest but more expensive. It is wise to get extra insurance - I have used EconomyCar Hire - now rebadged as Zestcarrental - and taken their insurance as well, it is simple for a single trip insurance, covers all the hidden extras like glass and tyres etc., which the standard rentco insurance doesn't and you will have no trouble with the rentco, which have been selected by Zest, accepting the policy. You should, however, expect them to block a few hundred euros on your CC to cover damage. Some rentcos do charge extra if you cross into Spain but most don't unless you are going to go very far from the border. Some will also charge extra for additional drivers. Make sure you get a fair fuel policy car (i.e. full-to-full) - research using the broker sites will soon show which companies to avoid.
Make sure you thoroughly inspect the car for any damage before you drive off, take a torch and take photos if necessary.


If you are worried about driving 'on the wrong side' for the first time in the dark then spend some time tracing the journey using google maps and streetview, it's amazing how easy it is when you have familiarised your self in this way. Once you are on the A22 towards Spain it's lit motorway all the way. You'll wonder what you were worried about once you've done it.

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

You no longer need to get this code.We didn't last time ,and had no problem.If you want to reassure youself visit DVLA

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

Whilst practically this is true - the code scheme is used mainly in the UK where the rentcos want to see your driving history so they can charge you a lot more :sneaky: - in most EU countries they are just happy to take your money and don't bother to check. However, you will be the first they do decide to check when you arrive at 23:55 and don't have a code.

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

I think that what has changed is that the code (or however they do it) now lasts for longer than 72 hours. However, this code was introduced to replace the counterpart licence: how many people were asked to produce this when picking up a hire car?

Another point: make sure you always carry your driving licence and passport with you when driving. I was stopped this morning in Portugal at a police check (there are lots of them) and the nice young officer let me off when I produced my DL but had forgotten my passport!!

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

Many many thanks for all the replies. Food for thought indeed. Will certainly bring my driving licence on my next visit.
XFILES

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

The first few times you drive abroad can be stressful. I do not know your area but if you pick up in town you are straight in to everyday town traffic that can be busy.
If you pick up from the airport it will be far less busy getting to the motorway where all the traffic is then travelling in the same direction giving you a chance to acquaint yourself with the road without having to deal with on-coming traffic.

Re: CAR HIRE IN AYAMONTE
 

Hi ...

Just another thought.

You can take your passport and DL with copies to the town hall and for a small charge they will 'notarise' them, with an official stamp confirming that they are a proper copy. (Or any document like a vehicle reg document)...

I don't think a nice smile would let me get away without ID, wrong sex :)

Jon