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Hiring A Car In Sweden With Winter Tyres

September 19, 2019 Sweden, Winter Comments Off on Hiring A Car In Sweden With Winter Tyres
Winter car hire Lithuania

Car Hire With Winter Tyres In Sweden

Sweden is located in Scandinavia in northern Europe, it is a diverse country with a range of food, music, fashion and tradition. While you are there, you can enjoy the picturesque landscapes and many places of interest like the Stockholm Palace and several museums. The country also has a good amount of ski resorts that will please any skier whether you’re an expert or beginner.

If you plan to travel in the Winter to make the most of the slopes, you need to know what is required by law regarding your car. We have collected all the information you might need when hiring a car in Sweden in Winter and condensed it into one blog. Below you will find all the information you may require about snow chains, winter tyres and ski racks.

Do I Legally Need Winter Tyres In Sweden?

Yes, between 1st December and 31st March it is a legal requirement to have your car equipped with winter tyres. To keep it simple for you, winter tyres are fit as standard when you hire a car at this time of year and the cost is included in the full price. As well as this, you are also required to carry a shovel in your boot, this will also be provided by the car hire supplier.

Do I Need Snow Chains In Winter In Sweden?

No, in Sweden there is no legal requirement to carry snow chains in your car. For this reason we do not have snow chains available to include when booking your car hire.

What else should I consider?

If you are hiring a car and plan to bring your skis, you will need somewhere to safely store your skis while you travel. We have ski racks that can be included when you book, unfortunately we do not have a set price for this as the price varies depending on location. If you would like to include a ski racks call or email our team to enquire about prices. The ski racks carry 2 sets of skis, so if you plan to carry more than 2 sets of skis it may be a good option to hire a larger car and fold down the seats.

If you wish to take advantage of our cross border car hire offer, you must make sure you are aware of the laws of any country you plan to visit. If you require anything extra, this must be added when booking or you must make alternative arrangements before you get to the country. If you break the law in another country, you could get in trouble with the local law enforcement and it may make your insurance void.

We always suggest that you call us if you would like to book a car, even more so if you have specific requirements. Our knowledgeable team are always happy to answer any and every one of your questions to make your car hire experience as pleasant as possible. Get in contact with us today!

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How To Travel To São Paulo For The Brazilian Grand Prix

September 11, 2019 News Comments Off on How To Travel To São Paulo For The Brazilian Grand Prix
How To Travel To São Paulo For The Brazilian Grand Prix

F1 Brazilian Grand Prix

Formula 1 returns to Brazil for the penultimate race of the season, will the championship have been won or will it be a fight down to the last 2 races to be crowned world champion? It’s all to play for and Brazil promises an exciting race as every driver tries to grab as many points as they can before the season ends. Over 20 years ago in 1994, the Brazilian GP was the last race to be won by over a lap, will we see history repeat itself this November?

Closest Airport to Autódromo José Carlos Pace

Sao Paulo International Airport (GRU) – The only airport that has direct flights from European countries, making it the only viable option. The airport is located less than 50 kilometers from the circuit.

Travelling From Airport To The Track

Taxi & Metro

You can use either an uber or a taxi to travel from the airport to Interlagos and this will cost you around £40 for a one-way journey. Please be aware that this journey can take anywhere between 50 minutes and 3 hours depending on traffic. Once you are in Interlagos, you can then take the Metro to the track. The Autodromo metro stop is near the southern terminus of the light green Line 9 (Esmeralda). Please allow at least an hour for travelling as the Metro can be busy on the F1 weekend.

Car Hire

Hire a car from the airport and drive to the track gives you independence, but still has the unavoidable traffic. You can hire a VW Golf size car for 7 days for just over £80 on the week of the race, add petrol and your total price isn’t much over £100. Please be aware that the prices are on a live rate price system and can fluctuate. The track has free on-site parking but do be sure to check that this is available when before you visit as there is limited access. Although car hire costs more than the alternative method, you are getting a car for 7 days. This means you have the freedom to explore the outstanding surrounding areas in Brazil.

If you are travelling to Sau Paulo for the Grand Prix or Brazil for any other reason, then we are here waiting to find you the hire car that best suits your needs. Contact us directly prior to making your booking and we will make sure you find the best package possible for you. Call us on 0113 88 00 748, chat with us online or email sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk.

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Maestro Cards Now Accepted

September 4, 2019 Debit Card Car Hire News Comments Off on Maestro Cards Now Accepted
Valletta Debit Card Car Hire

For years we have been leading the way when it comes to hiring a car with a debit card. Many suppliers would not entertain you unless you had a credit card but with a lot of persistence that began to change, using a debit card to hire a vehicle is now possible around the world, however, that does depend on the type of debit card you want to use.

Maestro cards for one reason or another have been one of a few cards that no supplier would accept, others being Electron, Solo, Switch and Lazer. We have been asking why for years and have never really been given a straight answer. With debit cards becoming ever more popular we decided to start a new conversation with one of the biggest suppliers in Europe as to why they still do not accept Maestro cards. Their answer was, “there is no reason. We just don’t, we never have.”

We asked them if they would like more customers from the UK & Germany (Large amounts of Maestro cards are issued here). They said, “Yes Please!”

Car Hire With A Maestro Card

While hiring a car with a Maestro Card is now possible, before making a booking we need to speak to you about your card and any restrictions there maybe in place. It is ALWAYS best to contact us about your rental needs so we can ensure that you are placed with the correct supplier at the very best rate available to you.

Which Locations Accept Maestro Cards

You can hire a car with a Maestro Card from hundreds of locations in the UK, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and France. If you are travelling to a country not listed here then please let us know and we will do our best to find a supplier at a location that suits you.

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How To Get To The F1 Mexican Grand Prix

August 22, 2019 F1, Mexico, News Comments Off on How To Get To The F1 Mexican Grand Prix
HOW TO GET TO THE F1 MEXICAN GRAND PRIX

At the end of October Mexico invites Formula 1 back for its annual fix of Grand Prix action, hosted at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The Mexican GP is the 18th track on the F1 calendar out of 21 in total. With it been so late in the season drivers are pushing harder than ever to try grab some extra points before the season ends. The track is located 2,240 meters above sea level making it the highest track on the calendar, nearly 3 times higher than any other track! No driver has ever won more than twice at this track, but with Max Verstappen on form this season could he be the first to pick up his 3rd victory here?

Closest Airport To Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez

Mexico City international Airport (MEX) – Located less than 5km away from the track and hosts flights to and from most European countries including England, France & Spain. Mexico City Airport is the only feasible choice, with it being so close to the track and the only airport nearby that flies to and from European countries.

Travelling To & From The Track

Metro

You can get on the Metro at the airport that takes you to Downtown for just £0.20 for a one-way ticket. Once you arrive you can then get on the Metro again which will take you to the track. There are 3 stations that are located nearby to different areas of the track, the stations are as follows:

Velódromo – for Grada 15 Foro Sol Norte (Brown Zone) & Grada 14 Foro Sol Sur (Grey Zone)
Cuidad Deportiva – for the Main Grandstand (Green Zone)
Puebla – for Grada 3,4,5,6 (Blue Zone) and Grada 9-11 (Yellow Zone)

When leaving the circuit make sure you have already purchased your return ticket to avoid queues at the ticket machine. Also, it is recommended to take the Metro for one stop in the opposite direction then double back on yourself to miss the crowds.

What To Do Near Mexico City

If you are travelling from Europe the chances are that you are not going to fly over 12 hours and only stay for the weekend. With it been so far it makes sense to spend a week there and make a holiday of it. The city itself is very busy, however there are loads of great places to visit that are just a short drive away. Here are just a few ideas of places to visit while you are there.

Cholula, Puebla

One of the longer journeys, taking just under 2 hours to drive to, however, Cholula is worth the journey. This peaceful town has colourful architecture scattered across it, with over 40 churches. The city is Surrounded by breathtaking views of mountains and even has its own pyramid, Pyramid Tepanapa.

Teotihuacán, State of Mexico

Arguably one of the best day trips to take from Mexico City and it is less than 1 hour away. This Mesoamerican settlement contains pyramids and ruins that will blow you away. Two of the pyramids, Pyramid of the Sun & of the Moon can both be climbed and when you reach the top you are rewarded with a full overview of the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site.

Toluca, State of Mexico

Again, less than a 1-hour drive is Toluca de Lerdo, rich with history and art the city has lots to see. One of the most impressive attractions is Cosmovitral Botanical Garden which is surrounded by stained glass murals. The Museo de Bellas Artes and Centro Cultural Mexiquense are 2 of the most popular museums in the area, so if you love history and culture make sure to give them a visit. Toluca is also known as the hub of Mexico for producing chorizo, so make sure you try some while you’re there.

If you do need car hire while you are in Mexico City, we offer car hire with in terminal collection at the airport. If you are interested in booking car hire at Mexico City Airport or any other part of Mexico, please contact us via call, email or by using the live chat function.

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Is There A Baggage Allowance When Hiring A Car?

August 21, 2019 News, Travel Advice Comments Off on Is There A Baggage Allowance When Hiring A Car?
Is There A Baggage Allowance When Hiring A Car?

Recently on several occasions we have been asked, is there a baggage allowance when hiring a car? We thought the best way to cover this would be to explain everything you need to know in one blog.

The confusion arises when using our booking engine. When you look at a car, there is a symbol for a bag with a number next to it. This is common across most car hire companies, and the point of confusion can easily be identified. People assume that the baggage symbol works in the same way as person symbol, which tells you the limit for the number of people allowed in the car at once. However, the baggage symbol is only to be used as a guideline for considering what car size you should hire, it is not a maximum allowance. The baggage guidance can be useful however, you might have different size baggage and it should only be used as a guideline.

luggage space

The attached image shows a Nissan Qashqai with the number of bags being 4, if you hover over this symbol during the booking process it will tell you “This car can fit 4 small suitcases” now I am not sure on what scale a small suitcase is measured but again, it is there to be a guide. If you turn up with 4 Kardashian sized suitcases then your may be in some trouble. Now I have driven one of these and know for a fact that more than 4 small suitcases will fit, but when you consider everything else in this class, this is probably the right amount. There are a number of smaller cars is the same class like, Nissan Juke, VW T-Roc and Audi Q3, all of which have 5 doors, 5 seats and pretty small boots.

So what is the right size car for me?

Well there are several factors that need to be considered when choosing what size car you need to hire. The first and most obvious is the amount of people who will be travelling in the car, make sure you choose a car that has enough seats. Secondly, you need to consider how much baggage you are taking with you. For example, if you are taking just 5 people with a bag of hand luggage each, you will not need a car that has the recommended amount of luggage as 5.

The majority of deciding what size car you need is down to your own research and judgement. Make sure you know how big your cases are and how many you are going to be taking. Once you have this information try and compare it to different cars you are familiar with and decide if you think it would be suitable for you. Better still, if you have a friend who owns a different size car to you, ask them if your luggage and number of passengers would fit in. If you are planning on taking a lot of luggage and only 5 people, it might be better to hire a people carrier, as instead of using all 7 seats you can use that area as luggage space.

If you have any questions and would like further clarification of vehicle sizes, do not hesitate to get in contact with our knowledgeable team. Once you have decided the right size car for you, get in touch with us and we can get you booked in, you can contact us via call, email or by using the live chat function.

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USA Road Trip Offer

August 14, 2019 Car Hire Offers, USA Comments Off on USA Road Trip Offer
USA Road Trip Offer

What Is So Good About A USA Road Trip?

The USA is a very popular destination with tourists around the world, best known for its delicious food that’s served in portions you will struggle to eat. One issue with visiting the USA is that it is so big, spreading over 9,000 kilometres squared, it is the 3rd largest country in the world. From national parks like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon to the statue of liberty or Disney World, each state of America has so much to offer. The best way to see as much as possible is to hire a car and road trip around several of the states over the course of a few weeks or even a month. If you are not sure where to start check out our Top USA road trips for inspiration.

The Cost Of A Road Trip In The USA

The problem is, if you are going on a road trip you will quickly find out that it isn’t cheap. To add to the costs, the chances are you will want to have multiple drivers eligible to drive the car, so you have the option to share the driving. Multiple Additional drivers are a great idea and can take a lot of stress out of your road trip, however, once you have multiple additional drivers the price soon skyrockets. This high price tag can quickly convince you that your dream USA road trip holiday is not as close as you originally thought.

Our Exclusive Offer In The USA

We have the perfect offer for anyone wanting to hire a car and road trip around the USA on a budget. This offer includes 3 additional drivers for a fraction of the price you would pay if you were to add the drivers without the use of this offer. In addition to this we will throw in a free tank of fuel for you to kick start your journey. If you don’t need 3 additional drivers, we have other suppliers who offer 1 free additional driver, given that they are your partner or spouse. With that been said these other offers don’t include a free tank of fuel.

If you are interested in booking either of these offers, we recommend you get in touch with our knowledgeable team who can find you the best deal tailored to your requirements. You can get in touch directly via call, email or by using the live chat function.

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Top 5 Destinations For Labor Day Weekend

August 8, 2019 Canada, Hawaii, Iceland, Jamaica, Mexico, News Comments Off on Top 5 Destinations For Labor Day Weekend
TOP 5 DESTINATIONS FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND

What is Labor Day?

Labor Day was created back in 1882 when a Labor union leader proposed that there should be a celebration honoring the American worker. Since then, Labor Day has been held annually on the first Monday in September. This date was chosen because it lies in the middle of the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. Although Labor Day is still celebrated today the focus of the day has diminished and is now a day that marks the end of the summer season and start of the school year. This makes it the perfect time to squeeze in one last vacation before Fall arrives. There are plenty of destinations to choose from, here are my Top 5 Destinations for Labor Day Weekend.

Iceland

A nature wonderland, boasting hot springs you can swim in and towering mountains you can climb, it’s the ideal place to unwind before Fall properly begins. You can even take advantage of the once in a lifetime opportunity at Silfra, to snorkel between two continents in some of the clearest water in the world. Alternatively, you can partake in glacier hikes or visit one of the many waterfalls that are scattered around Iceland. If you love mother nature and natural beauty you won’t want to leave Iceland once you are there.

Mexico

Despite been in the rainy season over Labor Day weekend, Mexico has plenty to offer, whatever the weather. Mexico is also on the doorstep of southern USA, so if you live in the south, Mexico might be the cheap getaway you’re looking for this Labor Day. Mexico is rich in history and historic buildings can be found around every corner. With over 150 museums, you’ll have no problem finding somewhere to visit on a rainy day. If the history doesn’t persuade you to go, try visiting Cancun. Here you can party the night away and finish Summer with a bang.

Canada

From the South to the North, Canada is only around the corner from the north of USA and it has lots to offer, whatever your taste. Another destination packed with natural wonders, the most obvious been the Niagara Falls that you can find in Ontario. The nature doesn’t stop there, you can watch whales In Vancouver or visit the picture-perfect Lake Louise, a glacial lake that is surrounded by peaks and trees. If nature is not your thing, try exploring the one and a half square mile underground city in Montreal. Canada has lots to offer and is a great place to spend a relaxing Labor Day without breaking the bank.

Hawaii

For many people Hawaii is a dream vacation location and for good reason, but why not visit for Labor Day weekend? Spend your weekend visiting volcanoes or relaxing on the white sand beaches that surround the island. You might even get to swim with Turtles If you’re lucky! Unlike other destinations on this list you will be glad to hear that the weather is dry and warm at this time of year, making it perfect location to top up your tan for the last time this year. If you want to relax in the sun and be surrounded by a beautiful landscape, Hawaii is the place for you.

Jamaica

Although a slightly longer Journey than most locations on this list, the trip is definitely worth it. The average temperature is over 82 Degrees Fahrenheit meaning the sun is never far away. Spend the day relaxing on the white beaches that spread across the island and maybe try snorkeling in the blue waters that border the island. Not to mention, the haunted mansion waiting to be explored and an array of sea life you can get up close and personal with at dolphin cove. If you are looking for warm weather and lazy days at the beach, Jamaica is where you should spend your Labor Day.

Whatever you decided to do, make sure you have a great Labor Day! If you choose to travel and need car rental, get in contact with our team so we can get you the best deal.

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Travelling To Monza For The Italian Grand Prix?

August 6, 2019 F1, Italy Comments Off on Travelling To Monza For The Italian Grand Prix?
F1 Car Monza Italian GP

Formula 1 is returning to Italy at the start of September and you won’t want to miss it. If you are lucky enough to be going to Monza to watch it live you may find this guide helpful. If you are like me, you won’t want to be spending all your money on travel. Hopefully this guide helps you save a bit of money so you can spend it on doing things you love.

Closest Airport to Monza

Linate (LIN) – 25km from circuit: Limited locations to fly from, London, Frankfurt, Madrid, if you can fly to this airport it is recommended.
Malpensa Airport (MXP) – 60km from circuit: Wide range of flights across most European countries including 13 UK locations.
Bergamo Orio Al Serio (BGY) – 50km from circuit: Flights from a range of countries in Europe, including 5 UK locations.

Travelling to and from the track

Train

If you can fly to Linate Airport you can get a taxi for 7km which would cost around €20 and then a train to Monza for between £6-£18 for 3 people to travel one way. Once at Monza you can either get the free shuttle bus, which will be very busy, so you will have to stand on a warm bus. In addition, there is no guarantee you will be on the first bus that arrives. Alternatively, you can walk or use one of the regular bus services which will add a little bit of extra money on.

If you are from UK, you can only fly to Linate from London so the chances are you will end up flying to Malpensa Airport. The train from the airport to Monza would be £30-£45 one way making it between £60-£90 for the round trip.

Car Hire

Although not the cheapest on the list car hire should still be considered. The price is based on what I could find today so the prices may change. If you arrive at Malpensa Airport you can hire a car that will carry up to 4 people with luggage for 4 days and will cost just over £50. On race day you will then need to use the park and ride situated around the track which will cost about €10. So, all in price if you include petrol would be around £80, but keep in mind you have the car for 4 days so you can do some sightseeing while you are in Italy.

Other transport options

You could also look into how much a coach would be from where you are to the track, but some people don’t like to sit on a long coach journey especially if it’s going to be warm. If you are ok with travelling by coach, you should definitely look into it.

If you are travelling to Monza for the Grand Prix or Italy for any other reason, then we are here waiting to find you the hire car that best suits your needs. Contact us directly prior to making your booking and we will make sure you find the best package possible. Call us on 0113 88 00 748, chat with us online or email sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk.

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Do you research car hire suppliers prior to booking with them?

July 31, 2019 Car Hire News, News Comments Off on Do you research car hire suppliers prior to booking with them?
DO YOU RESEARCH CAR HIRE SUPPLIERS PRIOR TO BOOKING WITH THEM?

Another question we asked our customers in a recent survey was Do you research car hire suppliers prior to booking with them?

From those who completed the survey, a huge 79% of you said NO, you do not do any research on a supplier before making a booking. Now my first thought on this was that it shows how much trust our customers have with our team and feel comfortable that we will always do our best to select the right supplier and deal for you. I think there is a lot of truth to that and it is a fantastic feeling.

On the other hand, we estimate that around 15-20% of bookings made with us are done online via our booking engine, with little or no input from the team. While this is pretty normal in our industry, it is still a little concerning that potentially 80% of those 15-20% are booking without any prior knowledge on the supplier they are choosing.

We know that cost is the main driver for peoples decision, we covered this recently in our blog on ‘Why Cost Should Not be Your #1 Consideration When Hiring A Car‘ have a read.

What Is There To Worry About

The reason we find it a little concerning is that a large proportion of our customers require something a little different to the norm when booking a car; some do not have a credit card, some are under 25 and even over 75, others have points or convictions and some have only just passed their driving test.

Not all suppliers offer services for all circumstances, all of the above are covered in the suppliers terms and conditions when booking online to avoid problems but with so many people admitting not doing their homework it is a little worrying.

Thankfully our after-sales team are on the ball and no bookings go unnoticed, meaning we can help customers avoid potential problems before they happen. This isn’t always the case however, somethings can go wrong, very few and far between it has to be said but we do find the majority of those that do go wrong have been bookings made with no input from the team ahead of the reservation being made.

We also asked people how important it was to them that a supplier is based directly at the airport when collecting a car. 47% of you answered that the supplier must be based on site and that a shuttle service is not what you are looking for. Whilst this is a perfectly normal request, the only way to know the collection procedure before booking is to do your research or speak with our team.

You can call us at any time, email us, tweet us, send us a Facebook message or live chat with our team on the website. Any questions you may have can be answered quickly so you do not have to book a car without a little bit of prior knowledge.. We are here to help!

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Electric Rental Vehicles Now Available

July 24, 2019 Electric Vehicles Comments Off on Electric Rental Vehicles Now Available
Electric Rental Vehicles Now Available

We are very pleased to announce that as of today, we now have access to one of the largest fleets of Electric Rental Vehicles and Hybrids around the world.

We work with a number of household rental brands who currently have Electric Hire Vehicles in 16 countries and counting. We expect this number to grow to 30 countries by the end of 2019. Coverage at the moment is limited to airports and major cities, but with the rate electric vehicles are hitting the roads we expect the number of locations in each of those countries to rise rapidly.

Electric Vehicle Availability

As you can imagaine, availability of the electric hire cars will be limited until fleet numbers are increased but right now, we can arrange rentals in any of the below vehicles, subject to location.

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Reasons To Hire An Electric Car

Below are our top reasons to hire an electric car, or even a hybrid. You just know the top one is going to be about climate change don’t you 🙂

  1. Electric cars have zero emissions, which is fantastic for our planet and everyone/everything on it.
  2. Electric cars are silent, enjoy your music more than ever.
  3. Lower Running Costs, fully charge it every night and see your cost per mile plummet.
  4. Congestion charge exempt, drive into London for free just to laugh at all the Boris Bikers.
  5. Great performance, beat almost anything off the line with instant acceleration.
  6. Reliability, no engine, no gearbox, no clutch, no cam belt, no radiator, no starter motor, not much to go wrong.

What Are The Downsides?

At the moment the only downsides I can suggest are; A) The need to keep charging it. I assume this will be come the norm over time and you won’t even realise but i think it will take some getting used to, especially for a short period, like a weekend hire. B) The cost, it costs more to hire an electric car, plain and simple. However, compare the costs of the fuel you may have used in the same period and you may just be surprised at the value.

If you are interested in renting an electric car, a hybrid or indeed any car, speak to our reservations team. They are here to help and guide you through the process, taking the hassle out of car rental.

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