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From: glen@hpfcla.UUCP (glen)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: Transportation in Europe
Message-ID: <23000011@hpfcla.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 25-Jun-85 22:30:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: hpfcla.23000011
Posted: Tue Jun 25 22:30:00 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 2-Jul-85 06:33:04 EDT
References: <62800001@hpfclr.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard - Fort Collins, CO
Lines: 34
Nf-ID: #R:hpfclr:62800001:hpfcla:23000011:000:1657
Nf-From: hpfcla!glen    Jun 25 16:30:00 1985

I have returned from an auto tour of Germany, Czech., Austria, Italy,
Switzerland, and France in June, I hope this information will be of some 
value.

We reserved our car in advance, you can work through any of the major
rental dealers, Hertz, Avis, etc.  One thing to consider when doing this
is that some dealers will quote you a rate in dollars, which may or may
not be helpful, depending on how the dollar is doing, others will bill
you in the local currency.

Different countries charge different tax rates on renting autos, ask
a travel agent.  From your list I believe you would be best renting a
car in Germany, if possible the best European country to rent a car in
(from a tax standpoint) is Luxembourg.

You will find driving in France and Germany a pleasure as there are no
speed limits on the main highways (130 km/hr is suggested as a max) and
the drivers in general are much more courteous than here.  Be prepared for
the speeds and willing to move out of someone's way if you are impeding
them, they will do the same for you.

You will have trouble getting a car with air-conditioning.

While traveling the German states, you will be given a driving disk (made
of cardboard), set the time you park on the disk and set it in the window
when parking on public streets, otherwise you'll get a ticket.

That is about all the info I can recall pertinent to auto travel. Be pre-
pared for high gas prices and most cars require PREMIUM unleaded, the good
news is that most of the cars over there get better miliage than their
American counterparts, especially if you get into the sub-compacts.
Enjoy your trip!

Glen Shirey  -- hpfcla!hpcnoa!glen