I will be taking the Silver Star to Tampa,FL in June. Do any of you have experience in renting a car at or near the Amtrak station in Tampa? My research so far indicates the airport (8 miles away) may be the nearest rental locations. Thanks, Andy
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Meyer, the only station anywhere in 'vacation destination" Florida with an auto rental facility is Orlando. Hertz has a staffed (at train times) desk and autos ready to go right at the depot. If you want something special like an SUV, reserve in advance and they will have run it in from another facility - on their time, not yours.
This might be reason enough to have Orlando your rail destination. My usual Florida destination is Boca, but I have used Orlando as my rail destination solely for the rental auto availability I note.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Mr. Meyer -- your best bet is probably to arrange with Enterprise sometime in advance of your trip -- they can probably pick you up at TPA and take you to their rental facility, wherever that may be, and get your car for you then.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
It seems that Enterprise has their fans around here. Apparently they are now in the daily rental business; I thought all they did was "insurance' (Temporary Substitute Auto) rentals - or at least that's the only thing I've ever used them for.
As for myself, I'm pretty much "Hertz forever" as they have bailed me out of situations of my own making. At Riverside CT station, they sent a tow truck for me at 1130PM after returning with my Sister from a Philharmonic concert in town. It was my own darned fault I left the headlights on; I guess I'm spoiled as my own auto takes care of "that little detail' for me.
If that wasn't enough, they bailed me out again for the same "offense", but at least this time it was during regular business hours and at a hotel in Greenwich.
"You don't just rent a car, you rent a company" is one advertising slogan I believe in.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
Enterprise has multiple offices in most places they operate. That is their major advantage, plus normally about as low a rate as you can find from anybody. Living carless in San Francisco, if I want a car, there is an Enterprise office 1/2 block from our apartment. We simply figured out for less then the cost of ownership and parking, we could rent a car when we need it and be ahead, even if we did it a couple of weeekends a month and occasionally for longer periods.
Posted by a meyer (Member # 4954) on :
Thank you, all for your info. and suggestions. I'll probably do some calling around to see which agencies with good prices will offer pick-up or drop off services. Andy