car hire

[stephen2504]

could anyone tell me where i could rent a car to travel abroad for 10 days i live in northeast england and what sort of price

[mushroom25]

I don't know where you're going, but by the time you've driven to a channel port from the NE & paid to get across, you may well be better to fly to near your destination then hire a car.

There are several hire brokers, this one http://www.novacarhire.com/
is probably as good as any.

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

As Mushroom25 states, there are several online car hire brokers who (just like insurance brokers) will all claim that they'll get you the cheapest price. However, my preferred option would be to pick up the telephone and ring round lots of the firms in your area. (Don't forget to mention that you'll be taking the car abroad). Then you'll be be able to discuss the various options, such as the type of vehicle you require. Just look in Yellow Pages under 'Car Hire - Self Drive'.

However, you asked for an estimate of cost. Based on a quick look at http://www.holidayautos.co.uk , prices start from around �180 for a Ford Ka or �230 for a Ford Mondeo.

As I assume that this is a follow-up to your previous question, I'll tell you that ViaMichelin estimates the total driving time, from Newcastle to Barcelona, as 18 hours 55 minutes. That excludes the time waiting at Dover for the ferry and off-loading in Calais. It also excludes any breaks. Realistically, you're looking at two full days travel, with two people sharing the driving. e.g. leave early on a Saturday morning and share the driving until the early evening. Stop overnight in France and then spend another day driving, before arriving in Barcelona (or on the Costa Brava) on Sunday evening.

ViaMichelin also estimates the total (one way) cost of the journey as approx �250 (about �170), with two thirds of the cost being petrol and one third being tolls. (Remember that you'd also have to pay for the ferry and for overnight accommodation).

[Buenchico]

These links might help you plan your journey:

Route planner:
http://www.viamichelin.com

Ferry (Dover-Calais):
http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages /template/routes_dover_-_calais_routes_-_dover _-_calais.htm
or
http://www.seafrance.com/seafrance/opencms/uk/ en/passenger/

Ferry (Dover-Dunkerque):
http://www.norfolkline-ferries.co.uk/EN/Ferry_ routes/Dover%E2%80%93Dunkerque/

Ferry (Dover-Boulogne):
http://www.speedferries.com/

Channel tunnel:
http://www.eurotunnel.com/ukcp3main

Cheap overnight accommodation in France:
http://www.hotelformule1.com/formule1/index.ht ml

Cheap hotels in Spain:
http://www.hostelworld.com/
(Use 'Additional Search Options'. Select 'Budget Hotels' & 'Guesthouses')

Chris

[Buenchico]

PS: Just a thought - does it have to be Spain? If you want a continental family holiday, based at an attractive beach resort, with loads to do around the area, why not go to Ostend? It's a wonderful place, with a good beach and loads of superb restaurants and bars. It's also a great base for touring, with the historic city of Bruges only about 15 minutes away. (If you'd rather go somewhere livelier, there are several good theme parks which are easily accessible).

Ostend is only about 15 miles away from Zeebrugge. If you're in the 'top' part of the north-east, you can get a ferry from Rosyth. If you live further south, you could travel via Hull. It would be far less hassle than non-stop driving through France, you'd waste less of your holiday travelling and you'd still have a great time!

Further information on request ;-)

Chris