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Check with the hotel; who knows, they may even have a shuttle; if not, they can have input on prices and recommend cab companies. It may be a good idea to phone the cab company in advance and book it, negotiating a flat price for the ride.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I second the idea of calling the hotel. Call the local number (not the reservation number) and ask for the Concierge. Most of them are pretty good at the Hyatt chain, and they might have a good recommendation for you.
palmland Member # 4344
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Might be more convenient to get a rental. We used Avis. Although not at the station, they were there by the time we got off the train (we called as we were pulling in) while still a long line at Hertz counter.
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Listen to Palmland. Orlando is very spread out, and the airport is a long way from the train station. Cab fare will be astronomical. Having your own set of wheels will be well worth it.
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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There can be some really good deals on car rentals out there. Right now I am renting from Hertz in Albuquerque at $12 per weekend day if you prepay. They paid my cab fare from Amtrak to the airport. They will drive me back to Amtrak. And it is cheaper than if I rented at the airport because the airport daily surcharge is avoided by listing Amtrak as my rental location.
And to top it off I got my personal favorite, a Subaru Impreza, with only 400 miles on it.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr. Twin Star, Florida was once the mecca of auto rental deals; not so anymore.
I had occasion to check auto rentals at West Palm Beach Airport (KPBI) and found the rate for an Intermediate during week of Feb 18 using Hertz will be $110.49/da plus the usual taxes and fees.
I can recall when that was a weekly rate.
Finally Mr. Talk, I certainly agree with Messrs. Bowen and Palmland. While your originating post suggested that you simply needed a one way ride from the train station to KMCO as in simply to catch an early flight next morning. However if you contemplate "doing the attractions", the only reasonable and practical way to get about is rented auto.
sojourner Member # 3134
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A family member got a very good weekly car rental deal at West Palm Beach airport last week, Mr Norman, and also last November; it wasn't from Hertz but I can find out from whom. She also got a decent rate last March; but she told me she paid an arm and a leg last winter when she went Christmas week. Sounds like you are going to Florida the week of President's Day, which is why your rates are so high. Are you just getting the car for a couple of days? Because, frankly, especially if more than 2 days, what you are paying sure sounds pretty exorbitant to me. Maybe you need to shop around?
palmland Member # 4344
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Clearly, Mr. Norman, the only sensible thing to do is to fly into Washington Reagan (sorry, I'm not into codes) and get a Hertz for $66/day. Then shoot on down to Lorton for the Auto Train. You'll be in Palm Beach the next afternoon.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Always happy to use AT Mr. Palmland; as noted here in the past, I have had 17 voyages using such to date.
Lest we forget, DPM once did just what you have suggested, and I have suggested same here to Ms. Birdchop. However, that was back during 1972 when most auto rental agreements were comprised of time and mileage charges. As I recall his chronicle in TRAINS, he reported that there had to be a "mite bit' explaining to do when he returned the auto at Orlando - 900 miles away with some 75 more miles on the OD.
Ms. Sojourner could also benefit from DPM's experience; take any train to Wash where within Union Station, every major auto rental concern has a counter, and otherwise replicate DPM's odyssey.
As I've often noted here in the past, owing to the existing contractual agreement between Amtrak, as successor to the Estate of the Auto Train Corp, and CSX, passengers, save an emergency rising to the level of 9/11, cannot be handled on Auto Train without an auto.
Oh and Wash Reagan is IATA DCA; ICAO KDCA
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Mr. Talk -- I took a taxi from the Orlando Airport to the Winter Park AMTRAK station at the end of my 2002 trip, and the fare was about $50 -- of course, the Orlando station is a little closer to the airport than WPK. Have you checked into renting a car at the Orlando AMTRAK station? They have rentals available there, but I've never taken advantage of that, so I don't know anything about prices or what the procedures are to get a rental car.
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