I’m getting married! My fiance and I are USA based and and are doing a elopement style wedding / mountain bike trip to Finale Ligure area in Italy. We’re flying to Nice with a couple bike bags and all our luggage. I’m considering just renting a car for the 3 week stay, to help make the airport transfers and getting around for day trips easier with all our stuff. Is this a bad idea? I know we can get there just fine on the train, but maybe this is easier?
Are there recommended car rental companies that would allow France - Italy travel?
Advice on what car to get that can hold 2 bike bags and all our luggage?
Seems like I need to get an international drivers license?
I’m pretty sure most car companies will let you cross the border to other European Union countries (I’ve done so a few times). Do expect gas to be expensive (2 euros/L for gas, maybe 2.3 for diesel, = 7.4-8 euros per gallon.
I’ve driven in the EU many times on an US driver’s license without issue.
Definitely get full vehicle coverage, through the rental agency or your insurance company. Parking lots in France (& I imagine Italy, though I know it less well) often feature tight turns, oddly placed pillars and narrow parking sport, all of which are very handy for scraping the paint off of your rental.
If you’re just going to be riding the trails around finale then you don’t need a car. Would recommend you get the train across. If you don’t want to climb every morning there are shuttles running up to NATO base non stop. You can use trains to move around the coast. I’d only go for a car if you plan on doing day trips further into the mountains.
On a side note about 20km n from the coast, infrastructure starts getting dry. Food a transalp there a few years back, the Ligurian Alps are pretty empty. Was hard to get something to eat at times. No problem on the coast though.
We go on cycling trips in Europe all the time. If you want to take the car between countries there is a cross border fee. We’re renting from Sixt - an electric car to save on gas this year. Most agencies are pretty good but beware of fine print of course. We got nailed in Spain once. Take a video of the exterior and interior before collecting if you don’t take the CDW. This saved me last year in France.
Make sure you get a decently sized car. The cars in Europe are tiny compared to the US. We’ve been able to fit two Evoc bike bags, two medium sized hard suitcases and carryons into a small SUV but it was super tight. I’d recommend something the size of a Renault Captur.
Not having a car is a PITA if you aren’t staying in a town. Otherwise, it’s way cheaper without one of course.
My tip is about insurance. If you rent a car in France for example, the companies don’t normally automatically insure you to drive in an adjacent country, and if you buy it on the desk, they usually sting you. So make sure you have proper coverage, especially in Italy where the driving has to be seen to be believed. The roads there are not for the weak.
Also as others have said, plenty of photos before, personally the rental market still feels like the Wild West.
