Taxis & car rental

[travelingsuep]

Hi
Can anyone give me info on how much a taxi is from Lamezia airport to Scalea?
Also, where is the best deal for car hire? At the airport? In Scalea? Somewhere else?

Thx Sue

[Doug]

Hello Sue-
We are not the most experienced visitors to the area, but if a taxi going 8 km between Scalea and Santa Domenica cost someone 25 euro, I imagine Lamezia to Scalea would be totally unaffordable. I'd look at the various old posts on this site as there is good information on Tren Italia which you could catch from Lamezia after a taxi from airport to stazione.

Look around this site and that of Calabria Properties as there are those in Scalea that will fetch you from Scalea for a fee.

You can hire a car in advance thru most of the regular companies. We used Hertz at Lamezia last fall and they were fine. We even dropped the car off early in the morning before they were open and just dropped the keys in a box. There's some risk to this in that unexpected charges could be billed to your card (see the SCALEA posts here about car hires)

Good luck,

[brynithel3]

Hi Sue

I agree with Doug the taxi fare from Lamezia to Scalea would be extortionate. There is the option advertised in Scalea properties or an Italian, in Petrosa, called Luigi (a different Luigi than that of Parco Meridiano) who does the journey for 40 euros each way.

Car hire in Lamezia is easy, most of the international firms are represented and it is an good 1hr and 50 minute drive. Depending on traffic.

I am assured by locals that car hire in Scalea is cheaper, but I have yet to try it.

Ciao

John

[travelingsuep]

Thank you both for your replies.

John, I read your post about Auto Europe in Rome after I posted my question. A lot to be aware of, thxs for bringing to peoples attention.

My problem is although I have an arrival date, I currently don't know when I'm flying out and more importantly from where. My partner, another John, flies from Rome. This is one reason why I was thinking of getting to Scalea then renting.

[melanie1]

A taxi from Lamezia to Scalea costs about €150 each way, mae sure you agree a price before getting in.

Otherwise take a taxi from the airport to the train station approx €10and catch the train, this a lot cheaper.

You can rent a car from Budget which is in Scalea
Budget Car Rental Online

Hope this helps
Melanie

[Italy_lover]

Hi there

I always use this site to check the best prices for car hire at Lamezia or the airport - lamezia airport car hire.

I have used them many times now

hope this helps

[claire tudge]

I think nick would be able to collect you from lamezia terme he is on this site under nikoup, otherwise the trains are cheap, taxi from airport to the station is 10 euros and the train takes 1.30 hrs from lamezia to scalea, trenitalia lists all trains and fares, so you can select the cheapest, most direct, i think they have a buy one fare get one free on sundays, i think there are buses (details on this site, but have never used one)

[billy]

I see that Hertz have an "up to 30%" reduction in car hire prices in Italy. This offer only started today. For anyone interested in this offer [which also includes unlimited free kilometers ], if you use the CDP code 569608 you should receive a further reduction in price for every complete week of hire.
Cheers, Billy.

[annetigano]

Hertz 30% off is not such a good deal. Just looked at 4 weeks for June and they wanted over £600. Auto Europe price was £433 for the same period for same type of car.
Shop around . . . .

[billy]

Hi Annetigano,
Just been on the Hertz site again and from 20th May until 1st July--exactly 6 weeks-- for a Fiat Panda ,I am being quoted £678 using the code I mentioned earlier. This is from Naples Airport. I then substituted Lamezia for Naples and, for the same 6 weeks, a price of £660 is being quoted so I suppose it depends which airport you are hiring from.However I can't understand why you are being quoted over £600 for only 4 weeks unless you are hiring a much bigger car. I've always found the Fiat Panda ok for MPG and comfort. Are you perhaps using Hertz via the Ryanair site? I have found it is sometimes cheaper to go directly on to the Hertz site rather than through Ryanair. I have deserted Ryanair this year and am using the Easyjet Edinburgh to Naples route.
Caio, Billy.

[annetigano]

Hi Billy
We fly to Lamezia, car hire is always for 4 weeks at a time and only for a small car like a Panda. I did go to the Hertz site direct with your code but I have to say I always find Auto Europe cheaper. Also I purchase car hire through Quidco so I get 7% cashback which is good. Also Auto Europe is easy to cancel if you find a cheaper rate (done that several times).
Our next two trips are with Ryanair but the following two we have booked with Alitalia from Heathrow to Lamezia with a connection in either Milan or Rome. Price £120 return and if you miss your connection they put you on the next available flight. Also get hold luggage included in the price.
Got to save every penny huh?

[billy]

Hi Annetigano,
You must have some Scottish blood in your veins, trying [like me], to get the cheapest rate. I haven't used Auto Europe for a few years now as a result of some bad publicity on this site. At one time I used them a lot for car hire but I was frightened off by various stories. However, I may have another try with them as, up until now, I haven't personally had any trouble with any of the car hire companies. You probably find as I do that the cost of the car hire is the most expensive part of the holiday. I always seem to pick up reasonably priced flights between Scotland and Italy but the car hire can be expensive. However,when I arrive in Scalea, I feel that it's worth all of the expense so, I can't wait for May to arrive.
Cheers, Billy.

[bella_ciao]

Hi Billy & Annetigano,
If you trawl through the other threads on this website re: car hire, you'll find that the main concern with certain firms is that different members were finding unauthorised charges had been added to their credit card bill when they returned home to the UK. The difficulty seemed to be with proving that these charges were, indeed, invalid and then trying to get reimbursed for them.
I think it simply highlights the need to be vigilant about these matters, whoever we decide to use for a service such as car hire, particularly when we're abroad because there is always the possibility of a mistake being made, especially with the language problem, and it can be a real hassle trying to put it right after the event.
That said, I'm not aware of any recent problems experienced by members and I would have thought there's a fair bit of competition out there between companies, which should mean there are some good deals to be had, especially during a recession.
It's always good to know when someone has found a deal that saves money, whether it's car hire, train fares or flights, as it all helps to alleviate the overall expense of travelling, which makes the whole experience more pleasant and affordable.
So, thanks very much for your tips and advice and buona vacanza!
Ciao a tutti,
Frances.

[annetigano]

Arrived in Scalea today and, yes, the car hire (whatever it costs) is worth every penny!!!