Should we drive?

Mands

Traincrashing wrote: »

We're doing LA to Las Vegas and then Las Vegas to San Diego and I was considering maybe driving to one of these places. Does this sound like it would be a good idea, and if so, which one should we do? Also, is it easy just to rent a car and then drop it off at the next destination?

Who are you traveling with Traincrashing? You mentioned in another thread that you are 21; car rental places are often very reluctant to hire car to under-25s. Some refuse entirely, some price to discourage.

Mands

Traincrashing

Do you mean who are we flying over with? If so, we're flying over with Lufthansa, operated by United, and then back with Lufthansa, but operated by Continental. I know, I found a few websites that are for over 25 only, but then I found a few that will let us drive, but you have to pay an extra fee everday of $25-$30.

Does anyone know roughly how much it is get a transfer from LAX into a hotel that's near the walk of fame/kodak theatre, as that's where we're staying? I'm trying to figure out whether we should just rent the car from when we get off the plane until we arrive in Las Vegas, as it might work out cheaper than paying for an airport transfer, and then getting public transport around LA while we're there.

Margaret52129

I'd definately drive. Long time ago when we were in USA we found a place that organised drivers for folk who had moved from the state to a new place far away and didn't want to drive, but still wanted their car. We joined the scheme and drove cars all over the states for the price of gas and overnight stops. A brilliant way of getting around on the cheap! Firm were called Auto Driveaway.

This was 20+ years ago so not sure if they are still doing the same thing. There were plenty of cars going to many different places so we were never short of place to go to and we were able to move from place to place and only needed to hire a car at the beginning and end of holiday to get from/to the airport and also when we wanted to go to Vancouver. It was a brilliant adventure!

I had family based in Ohio where we stayed when not travelling around and were able to be taken to the offices before starting on any journey.

If you were just there for a specified time and don't have the time to check it out, I used Dollar rentals when I was there last (4 years ago) - it was the best deal around at the time.

Good luck - and enjoy the scenery and USA!

ffotogirl

Traincrashing wrote: »

Do you mean who are we flying over with? If so, we're flying over with Lufthansa, operated by United, and then back with Lufthansa, but operated by Continental. I know, I found a few websites that are for over 25 only, but then I found a few that will let us drive, but you have to pay an extra fee everday of $25-$30.

Does anyone know roughly how much it is get a transfer from LAX into a hotel that's near the walk of fame/kodak theatre, as that's where we're staying? I'm trying to figure out whether we should just rent the car from when we get off the plane until we arrive in Las Vegas, as it might work out cheaper than paying for an airport transfer, and then getting public transport around LA while we're there.

We got a taxi from LAX to Hollywood and it cost $80 You can get a shuttle bus for about $16 dollars per person but I was too cranky & exhausted to sort it out when I arrived and my boyfriend is completely useless in such matters so in a moment of money wasting madness we got the expensive taxi. The hotel arranged a taxi back for us a couple of days later when we went to pick up our car for $50 which was cheaper but still felt like a waste of money.

All the places we wanted to visit in LA at the start of our trip were close enough to walk to (Hollywood sign, walk of fame, Sunset Strip etc) but you do need a car if you're planning on going further afield. If all the places you want to visit in LA are close enough together to walk or get taxis cheaply it might be a better option for you to get a shuttle from LAX to your hotel, taxi/walk around LA and then get the hotel concierge to book you a cheaper taxi back to pick up the car. Parking in lots of hotels is $20 a day and it can soon add up. It all depends where in LA you want to visit really.

Traincrashing

That's true, I forgot about parking in hotels. Well, we're staying near the Walk of fame etc so we can walk there quite easily. I was wanting to do a few bus tours as well, and go to Universal Studios, so I suppose there isn't much point really getting a car as it might be a waste of money. Do car rentals let you use it just for one day though? One website I was looking at said the minimum and maximum use was 7 days :S

Traincrashing

Also, your boyfriend sounds like mine I'm organising our whole trip. He gives me his part of the money and I do the rest. I love it though.

neilbond007

netflights.com. Less than 20 quid for 24 hours. Make sure you pick up at, for example 2pm and drop off before 2pm the next day (or you'll be charged for 2 days).
Get the smallest car (most US companies have ever heard of a 2 door economy, never mind have one). Went to Phoenix and got a 2 door economy. As always an upgrade was offered. As always, I refused. Got a 4 door that was plenty big enough for 2 people, 2 cases and 2 sets of golf clubs.
All insurances needed are included.

LA - I always get a car. I normally stop in El Segundo. Much cheaper hotels. Free parking and only a couple of miles from the airport.
Then drive to Venice, Santa Monica, Hollywood etc...

ffotogirl

Traincrashing wrote: »

That's true, I forgot about parking in hotels. Well, we're staying near the Walk of fame etc so we can walk there quite easily. I was wanting to do a few bus tours as well, and go to Universal Studios, so I suppose there isn't much point really getting a car as it might be a waste of money. Do car rentals let you use it just for one day though? One website I was looking at said the minimum and maximum use was 7 days :S

I'm sure you are able to rent a car for just one day. My boyfriend was there for a week before me for work and some of his colleagues rented a car for a night as it worked out cheaper than a taxi for 5 to Santa Monica & back. It's better value to hire one for more days though... I think Alamo do 5 days for the price of 7 and in California the second driver is free so you can share the driving without paying extra

My boyfriend is totally useless at organising ANYTHING but I don't mind because I love doing all the planning & research! Mine just gives me the money and I book everything too, haha! At least we know we're getting everything right though

Oh also, some of the bus tours will pick you up from your hotel. I think there was even a Universal Studios shuttle.

Traincrashing

netflights seems good, it's saying it's £31 for the cheapest car with full tank, and satnav. Is this an accurate price, or are there charges or anything added on do you know?

ffotogirl I know, I like to do everything myself so I know it's been done, and right I found a website, starline tours or something, and it has a list of all the ones we can go on. I'll be booking before we go probably.