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Is anyone familiar with the rental car situation in Denver these days? I'm planning a trip this summer where I would like to come off the EASTBOUND California Zephyr, rent a car, and pop down to the Cumbres & Toltec while I'm in the neighborhood.
Is there a rental agency in Denver Union Station (or nearby) where I could rent a car at that time of day without having to take a cab to the airport to pick it up?
Thanks,
------------------ David Pressley
Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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If anyone else around here is a mariner, all I need say is that I would sooner navigate about Long Island Sound or The Solent than i would Hertz's site.
But I did glean from a "visit" that they apparently have a location at Denver ("Union?") Terminal. Amtrak and Hertz still remain as "Travel Partners" so there is apparently an additional "Guest Reward" for using them.
Unfortunately, I must note I'm somewhat 'less in love" since my recent rental experience @ ORL. There is no longer an attended counter there, as there was during Feb 02. This meant I left the auto in the yard and the keys in a dropbox. They never sent me a closed Agreement and I had to call American Express to find out what the charges were.
I always feel more comfortable when someone is there to note that I haven't banged up their auto and/or haven't helped myself to the radio or whatever.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Sounds like a great trip, but I hope you have allowed enought time. It is 250 miles +/- from Denver to Antonito with the La Veta Pass along the way if you travel 1-25, or several miles of mountain road if you go by way of Salida. The C&T Scenic leaves in the AM from Antonito so if you get off the CZ in the PM in Denver you will have to drive all night to make the C&TS the next morning, or catch it the next day if you need some sleep.
The C&TS is a great trip that should be enjoyed and photographed while somewhat rested. It takes all day to ride to Chalma and then return by van to Antonito so you may need to sleep after your trip before driving back to DEN. Let us hear from you after you return.
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by RRCHINA: [b]Sounds like a great trip, but I hope you have allowed enought time. It is 250 miles +/- from Denver to Antonito
Take 2.......had a technologically challenged moment a second ago....
I am planning a drive day in each direction. I may stop over to visit the Royal Gorge Scenic on my drive back up to Denver. I'm curious whether you prefer the C&TS rail trip originating in Chama or Antonito.
Thanks
[This message has been edited by notelvis (edited 03-15-2004).]
Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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The trip either way is great. The two trains meet in the middle, I forget the location, where a meal is served and then each proceed toward their destination station. You will probably want to leave your car at Antonito and you have two choices: 1. Take the van to Chalma early and ride toward Antonito on the train which then allows you to immediately get in you car and leave. 2. Ride the train to Chalma and then take the van back to your car which puts you back in Antonito about 1 1/2 hours later than if you got off the train there.
Talk to them on their 800 number, I don't know it, and get the specifics about schedules for vans and trains. May they are on the internet!
Posts: 467 | From: Prescott, AZ USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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I live within walking distance of the station here in Denver - a mile and a half or so. I was just there to arrange my April trip and I don't recall a car rental facility in the station. I don't think they have those drict link phones either. But there is at least one - I think it is Enterprise - in the downtown area. That means a short cab ride. Short as in $3 - $5 dollars. There are also agencies that will meet you. Consider riding our light rail while you are here. It's just a walk across the platform at Union Station.
Hope you have a good trip.
Posts: 300 | From: Denver, CO USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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We rented from Hertz in Denver on our trip in 2000. Things may have changed since then, but here's what the situation was.
The Hertz office was less than a mile from Union Station. It turned out to be just a block or two away from the Queen Anne B&B where we stayed. However, their downtown office closed at 6:00pm, well before the eastbound train's arrival. We had to get our car the following morning. I believe they offer a courtesy pickup, but don't quote me on that.
When I made our reservation I was able to talk to the local agent directly. They were quite used to dealing with Amtrak passengers, and promised to get us to the station on time if we returned the car by a certain time. The morning we returned the car, everything went very smoothly. Check-in took less than 10 minutes, and they drove us over to Union Station. Very courteous.
I might point out that I also checked with Avis, which has an office in the same neighborhood, but they wouldn't guarantee to get us to the train on time like Hertz did. Needless to say, Hertz got our business.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ira Slotkin: There are also agencies that will meet you. Consider riding our light rail while you are here. It's just a walk across the platform at Union Station.
Thanks for the tip. I worked with a youth organization in Denver for a couple of summers nearly 20 years ago. I had forgotton that Denver had light rail now (I've not been there since 1993).
I'm thinking the safe plan would be to arrange lodging in Denver the night I arrive (perhaps a hotel accessible from the light rail) and plan to pick up the rental car the following morning. I love it when a plan comes together!
------------------ David Pressley
Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Your decision is definitely the right one. I suggest the Hertz website hertz.com to spot the location and hours of the downtown Denver location. The light rail map can be found on rtd-denver.com. The 16th Street shuttle also passes several downtown hotels, including the Adam's Mark and the Holiday Inn. (It's on the RTD website, also.) Hertz is only a block or so off the light rail route, but because the arrival time of the CZ is often late, plan on the overnight. The Odford Hotel is next to Union Station, but it's a little on the pricey side.
Posts: 87 | From: Snowmass, CO USA | Registered: Jun 2003
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions....my itinerary is set and everything is booked. My wife is tied up with work that week so I get a 'guilt-free railfan holiday'.
Here's the plan;
June 7: Fly Charlotte, NC - San Francisco. Use BART and Amtrak Capital Service to Sacramento. Stay over two nights.
June 9: Depart Sacramento for Denver on detoured California Zephyr. Stay over June 10 in downtown Denver.
June 11: RTD Bus to Denver Airport. Pick-up rental car (bus fare is $8.00......saves $12.00 a day in car rental by picking up and returning to same location). Drive to Alamosa.
June 12: Up early, drive to Antonito. Catch C&TS motorcoach to Chama. Return by train. Drive to Canon City.
June 13: Ride Royal Gorge Scenic Railroad. Drive back to Denver.
June 14: Return rental car....fly home.
Ought to be a really great trip.
------------------ David Pressley
Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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