Tag: car rental

The Future of Car Hire – Cutting-Edge Technologies Applied to Car Hire Industry

When you think of car hire you probably remember the experience of that summer vacation where you spent an hour after getting off the plane trying to find the little mobile van so that you could retrieve the keys to something that resembled a fridge on wheels, before spluttering out of the airport in a foreign country on the wrong side of the road with one eye on the map and the other trying to remember how to change gear with your right hand.

Car Hire is the last place you would think, in this day of global warming and computer technologies, that would be leading the forefront of technologies to reduce green-house gases and such things but in a few cases around the globe it is the Car Hire firms that are taking technology by the scruff of the neck and producing some real results.

The obvious technologies that are being introduced are hybrid fuel cars. Whist these are greener in terms of green house emissions, there are still questions as to how green they really are. The cost of making the hybrid fuel ethanol has already led to corn production impinging on wheat fields leading to a spike in the price of wheat and the many foodstuffs that it goes into, bread, pasta etc. The case that we cannot afford to turn over our arable land in the pursuit of producing enough ethanol from corn to replace gasoline is a strong one. But as an issue putting carbon emission in front of the consumer, it currently is all we have. When we start complaining about the $10 loaf of bread we will know it has gone too far!

The lesser known technologies now being introduced however show forefront thinking. A firm in Boston is now providing a 24/7 car hire system called Zipcar where consumers effectively give up their car for a rental based on hourly use. Once the customer has signed up he can book a car by the hour and using a credit card style key has only to travel a short distance to pick up a car in his immediate location. The car is equipped with GRPS and black-box technologies which not only control the ignition but also allow the car to be tracked via satellite reducing fraud and theft. The company says that for every car that they employ up to 20 cars are taken off the road thus reducing congestion and overall fuel emissions.

In the UK, car hire firms in association with the local police are requiring bio-metric identification in the form of a fingerprint before you can register for your car. Whilst there have been some complaints by customers, the idea that has seriously reduced theft and fraud is the same argument being put forward for full bio-metric ID cards in that the innocent have nothing to fear and it is only those who have something they wish to hide that are being thwarted.

With many of us now thinking about our summer vacations to France, Italy and beyond it is good to know that at least one of the industries involved in getting us to our destination is thinking about our carbon footprint. It may be some time before we can vacation completely conscience free these days, but who would have thought that those companies that put us in those little deathtraps and sent us on our way into the abyss would be the fore-runners of the new technologies.

The Airport Of Murcia And How To Get Around

Murica airport is an air base and civilian airport. The airport is not located in the city of Murica. It is located in San Javier, which is seventeen miles south of the city of Murica. The airport is operated by the Spanish airport authority. The runways are able to handle a variety of planes. The largest planes it can handle are Boeing 757 or 767 airplanes.

The airport has grown in the past ten years from a very small operation to a much larger airport offering international flights. This growth has resulted in more choices in flights and airlines. The airport has gotten much more popular with tourists visiting the southern areas of the Costa Blanca. Many of these flights originate in the United Kingdom.

Flights into Murica Airport

A variety of large and discount airlines fly into this airport from all over the world. Most of the travellers are visiting the southern area of the Costa Blanca, including Torrevieja. As the airport increases in popularity, airlines expand their offerings. This gives travellers more choice in flights and discount fares.

A number of charter airlines use this airport. It’s a popular destination for charter groups. These are generally used by larger groups of people travelling together to the Costa Blanca region. A travel agent can help you with information about charter groups and airlines.

This airport is becoming busier recently. As a result more low cost airlines are operating at the airport. The passengers using this airport have increased ten fold since 1995. Currently, approximately 848,000 people fly into Murica each year. This number continues to grow each year.

In response to this increase in traffic, the terminal was expanded in 2004. The terminal now includes car hire companies, five new airport shops and additional luggage carousels. Further expansion is planned in the future. There is some talk about a new airport at some future point as demand continues to increase.

Transportation from Murica Airport

Once you have arrived at the Murica airport, you will need to arrange for transportation to your final destination. There are not bus or train routes at the airport. You will need to arrange for a car hire, airport transfer or take a taxi. It’s best to think about the method of transportation you will use before you arrive in Murica. Car hire or airport transfer should be reserved in advance.

You can arrange for a car hire at the airport. Four companies operate at the airport: Centuaro, Europa, Eurocar and Solmar. These are all located in the main terminal building. A car hire is a good choice for convenience and flexibility. Compare prices on the internet to get the best deal. Always reserve your car before you leave home to get the best deal and to ensure availability.

Taxis are located outside the terminal building. They are generally lined up waiting for passengers. You may have to wait a short time for a taxi. Murica isn’t a large airport and the wait for a taxi generally isn’t very long. Taxis can carry a maximum of four people, so plan accordingly. The cost depends on the destination. The further you are travelling the more expensive the fare.

Airport transfers are the easiest and most cost effective way to travel. Transfers are available to train stations and larger cities. You must book this in advance. Reserve your space directly with the company. This can be done through a travel agent or with the company. An airport transfer company can handle families or groups of up to fifty people. This option is better than a taxi for larger families or groups.

Newark Airport Limo Service – Newark Airport Limo Service

Newark Airport Limo Service

At the airport apart from services like shops, banking services, restaurants and airport clubs the most needed one is car rental. Long flights make you stressed out and using airport limo service in Newark will help you travel without any further hassle. Though the airport is on the out skirts of the city limits, there is public transportation services available.

Airports

Newark airport is operated by New York port authority and New Jersey for a long time. It has three terminals and each terminal has food, business, information and many other amenities on offer. Customer care facilities include lost & found, traveler’s aid, transport services, cargo handling and airline clubs.

John F Kennedy airport is one of the busiest airports in the world with 9 terminals and. The third New York airport is the LaGuardia which only handles domestic flights. Airports in New Jersey are also very busy during festival seasons in New York. Teterboro airport in New Jersey is only about 12 miles so its one of the flight destinations to reach New York

Shuttle service

Newark airport limo service provides excellent shuttle services. You can visit online websites or call the ground transportation information centre at the airport. They will guide you through many options. You can then contact the companies present there. The shuttle service once booked will pick you from your home, office, conference or hotel and take you to the airport for your flight. Trains, trams, golf carts apart from Newark airport limo service may also be seen within the airport taking you from one terminal to another. You will be ale to move within airport without any hassle.

Special Needs

Newark Airport limo services also have option to carry disable and needy people who require special treatment. The service will get them around the airport as well as take them to their destinations in New York.

When you are coming to New York and your flight is scheduled to land at Newark airport you should call the airport transport information centre which will help you locate a Newark airport limo service.

Reasons to use limo service

The airport limo service is not limited to take you or bring you from or to the airport. It can also be used to move in the airport to get from parking to your terminal and to get around as well. The parking is located 4 miles away and if you have brought your car you will require some transportation. Using airport transportation is time saving since every thing works according to a schedule else you miss a flight.

Costs

Cost of the transportation at the airport varies. If you have chosen a shuttle packed with other people you may not be charged but if you choose a limo for exclusive and private drive you may get charged highly. Opting for luxury sedans will keep your pockets from running out of cash. The usual options you will have range from town cars, stretch limos, vans and luxury or small cars. Before arrival book a Newark airport limo service because New York is a very busy city and you may miss out on quality cars.

Travel To French Polynesia Getting Around And Climate

You can get to French Polynesia reasonably easily from most parts of the world. It appears inaccessible but that is simply the distances involved, and the length of the flight particularly if you are coming from Europe or the eastern Seaboard of the USA.In terms of getting around the scattered island of French Polynesia, there are two ways, and that is by boat or by air.There are a number of inter island boats which run regularly between the main island groups, and this is an incredible way of getting around this part of the South Pacific. There are huge catamarans that run between Tahiti and Moorea, but of course with the pressures of modern life and the probability that your vacation will be two weeks only, then flying is the most likely option for most people.On land in Tahiti and the more developed islands there is a local bus service which is cheap cheerful and pretty reliable. A much more expensive option are taxis, and you can rent cars scooters, and bicycles to explore the island you are on. Finally you can hire 4x4s to explore inland.French Polynesia has warm tropical weather all twelve months of the year. The climate is sunny and pleasant. You need to realise that as the islands of French Polynesia are south of the Equator, the seasons are reversed compared to Europe.It may take you a lot of flying time, but if ever a place was worth the effort it is French Polynesia

Learning More About International Airports

When scheduling a flight, whether that flight be domestic or international, all passengers are advised to familiarize themselves with the airport that they will be flying out of, as well as the airline that they will be flying with. Unfortunately, not all air travelers know how to go about doing this. If you are looking to familiarize yourself with international airlines or airports, namely the ones that you will be using, you will find that you have a number of different options.

Perhaps, the best way to learn more about an international airport is to use the internet to your advantage. You can do this by performing a standard internet search. You will want to search with the name of the international airport that you would like more information on. For instance, if you are looking for more information on Des Moines International Airport, you will want to search with the words Des Moines Airport or International Airport. Whichever international airport you search for, it is likely that your search will return a number of results. One of those results should be the online website run by the airport in question.

Once at the online website for an international airport, you will find that you now have access to an unlimited amount of information; information that you were likely looking to obtain. Although all online websites will vary, you will find that most airline websites display the same information. This information may include, but should not be limited to, information on incoming and outgoing flights, air travel rules, shops and other dining establishments, parking, airport directions, and terminal locations. You are advised to examine all of the information on the site, regardless of whether or not you feel that you need to know it.

As previously mentioned, it is likely that your internet search will return a number of different results. In addition to the airport’s online website, you will also find sites that discuss the airport in question. Many times, these websites are operated by travelers who frequently use the international airport being discussed. You may be able to find detailed information on low-cost dining or information on quick and easy ways to maneuver around the airport. While this information may be useful to you, it is important to remember that it is not guaranteed. For the best information, you are advised to examine the online website operated and monitored by airport staff.

In addition to using the internet, you should also be able to obtain information on the airport in question by directly contacting them. If you are researching a local international airport, you should be able to find the contact information for that airport in your local phone book. When contacting an international airport for general information on their services and features, you will want to try and reach the customer service department. Customer service representatives should be willing to answer your question, where as the maintenance department will likely be unable to assist you.

Although not all international airports recommend it, you could also learn more about the international airport that you will be using by visiting it. If you live within a reasonable driving distance to the airport or if you are in the area for another reason, you may want to quickly stop by. While this is a great way to familiarize yourself with the airport, you will not have access to all areas. All airports have restrictions when it comes to security checkpoints, passengers without boarding passes are not allowed past them. Stopping by the airport, may enable you to scope out the parking situations, as well as obtain informational brochures on the airport, if they are available.

When it comes to international airport shopping, parking, or dining, you may also be able to receive recommendations or tips from those that you know, especially those that have flown out of the international airport in question before. Regardless of where you get your information from, you will find that are an unlimited number of benefits to knowing everything that you can know about the international airport that you will be using.

Car Hire Spain – Cheap Car Hire Spain – Spain Car Hire & Rental

Spain is so crammed full of things, that there are no words to describe, what you really need is to rent a car to enjoy real Spain by leaving the holiday cost as. Car Hire Spain helps you make the best use of your car rental time whilst travelling through the Spanish countryside and towns. We have rental outlets for discount car hire in all Spain’s cities, towns and airports. We are one of the leading companies in the leisure car industry, offers you the best car rental rates in Spain offers all the guarantees of major international companies in your car hire. We also have one of the most modern and versatile fleet of cars so you can truly enjoy your car hire in Spain during your holidays.Visit On-line Car hire in Spain and Discover our special on-line Car hire offers in Spain. We have a splendid relationship with Alamo, Hertz, Budget and the rest, which allows us to shop round on your behalf .Our car hire rates, are very attractive and our service is first rate. We have a dedicated team of professionals waiting to make your car hire as smooth as possible. Book your car before coming to Spain and take advantage of our prices. We are specialising in providing all information on car rentals for all of our partners by putting them infront of you. Thus helping you to book your car hire or rent a car at any of our worldwide locations.Spain uses some international traffic regulations and road signs, and some additional local regulations. please refer to our Driving Regulations for new driver.We provide car hire| car hire spain to both our business travellers and leisure customers. We negotiate with the world’s best car rental companies to provide our customers with low cost fully inclusive rates, and with really good conditions and extras.Our extensive car hire coverage of Spain ranges from major cities in the North,such as Asturias and Cantabria to Madrid and Extermadura in the Central regions,to Andalucia and Murcia in the Southern parts of Spain. Different rental suppliers are used who can offer better rates, regardless where you pick up or drop off the vehicle within Spain. The advantage of our site is some rental suppliers specialise in certain areas within Spain so when one supplier may not be able to offer you a hire car at a certain location, another probably can. Our networking capacity puts us on top of that. We offer instant online quotes and booking capabilities for all inclusive cheap hire car rentals with an online discount of 10 – 15%. We also offer through our website one way rentals throughout the whole of the Spain which include city and airport locations. Our exceptional customer service and Beat Rate Guarantee assure the best savings and quality of service on your car hire in Spain. Book car hire online today. We will help you find the perfect hotel, motel or bed and breakfast accommodation in Spain. You can stay Barcelona, Canary Islands, Granada, Ibiza, Madrid and Malaga. Our world wide network of holiday service agencies can do a lot to smooth your travel. We have outlets, airports hire counters and offices throughout Spain, and we’ve set up arrangements with hire operators located in every tourist and holiday region. Our site also has a section covering the Golf area attractions – use this to carefully plan your holidays. Spain has a fine selection of golf courses in the popular areas like Andalucia, Balaeric Islands, Canary Islands, Catalunya, and Comunidad Valencia. For those of you wanting to arrange a golfing holiday you will find a detailed list of the Golf courses close to your vacation. Book your holiday car hire in a wide range of popular worldwide destinations for cheap car hire and budget car hire rental in Spain.There are various attractions in Spain to visit and spent long holidays and spain car hire can help you in making holiday too happy.

History Of Car Hire; Model T To Sat-Nav

The introduction of the Ford Model T as the first mass produced car is closely linked with the car hire industry. A mere eight years after the first Ts rolled of the production line an enterprising Nebraskan businessman called Joes Saunders started a car hire firm with one car. The main focus of his business was the travelling salesman market, although his first customer is believed to be a man who wished to take a girl out on a date.

Two years after this original foray, a young entrepreneur, Walter L. Jacobs started a company in the Chicago area. The car rental firm was founded with a dozen Model Ts with Jacobs carrying out all of the repair and maintenance work himself. The success of this business was outstanding and within five years it is believed that it was generating an annual income of one million US dollars.

The success of Jacobs’ car rental company did not go unnoticed by investors; most notably John Hertz. Hertz already owned the ‘Yellow Cab and Truck Hire Company’ and used his funds to buy out Jacobs’ car hire firm. Hertz himself was then bought out by the General Motors Company who re-branded the company as the ‘Hertz Drive-Ur-Self System’. Hertz is still a major player in the car rental industry and most probably the company with the most history.

The early years of the car hire industry were dogged by involvement with organised crime. The Prohibition years saw bootleggers and robbers frequently using car firms for ‘jobs’ and led to the industry gaining a poor reputation with the public. The ending of Prohibition allowed the industry the freedom to distance themselves from the criminal fraternity and rebuild a respectable reputation.

The expansion of the American rail network acted to bolster the car hire industry for a number of years. Purely rental car parking was created at some stations to further entice customers, mainly due to Railway companies heavily investing in franchises. Rail companies also started to create a service where customers could order a hire car in advance of their arrival at stations using the telegraph network.

In the post war period the car hire industry grew rapidly, being linked to another form of transport; in this case however it was no the railroads but instead the rapidly expanding air travel market. Car rental companies began to open franchises at airports to allow passengers vehicular transport at their arrival destination. The term ‘fly-drive’ became popular and supplied a service to tourists and businessmen alike.

Competition in the car hire industry since this time became fierce, with many companies employing aggressive advertising campaigns with the help of the airlines themselves. Today airports are still a major source of revenue for companies, with desks filling many arrival lounges.

The modern era of car leasing has seen companies face increasing competition from improved public transportation links. Most major airports now have a direct rail link with their host cities while coach and bus companies allow travellers to reach almost any destination once they have left the airport. Businessmen are still integral to the industry, as much as it was for Saunders’ original firm, while the innovation of ‘fly-drive’ holidays has opened a wider market.

Car hire companies are increasingly employing satellite navigation systems in their cars making travel easier for customers. The addition of high-tech security systems such as fingerprint scanners have also been employed to secure fleets. For companies to survive in this highly competitive industry they must be innovative and provide a service that is unrivalled. With prices increasingly forced down by rivals the customer now faces possibly the widest choice ever in the history of the industry.

Tips for Getting Around Algeria

Although there are regions of Algeria that are perfectly safe for tourists, especially the southeastern part of the country, you can still travel safely in the country if you follow a few basic tips.

Getting Around by Air

Air Algerie operates frequent flights from the domestic airport in Algiers to the main business centres throughout the country. You can also get flights from this airport to some of the gateway oasis towns such as Ghardaia and Ouargla and to the oil producing towns of the country. For most of the year, air service runs on schedule. During the summer months you may experience delays when flying to areas in the south because of the desert sandstorms.

Getting Around by Ferry

Ferries run in all the major coastal towns of Algeria, such as Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djidjelli, Ghazaouet, Mostaganem, Oran and Skikda.

Getting Around by Rail

There are daily rail services throughout the northern sections of the country. In the south services connect with the northern trains twice a day in some of the major towns and once a day in others. Even though there is daily service it is slow and you need to give yourself plenty of time for arriving at your destination.

Getting Around by Road

In general, the roads of Algeria are in very good condition. The traffic drives on the right. If you plan to drive in the desert, your vehicle should be in good condition because you won`t find any service stations where you can get the repairs done. You also need to make sure you have plenty of gas and water with you before you embark on such a journey. Tourists in Algeria are advised not to travel on the roads after dark.

You can rent cars at the airports and at the hotels in the major towns and cities of Algeria. For those who wish to drive their own vehicles into the country, you must have an International Driving Permit and show proof of ownership at the border. You are only allowed to keep your own vehicle in Algeria for a three-month period and you need to purchase extra insurance at the border. If you prefer to let someone else do the driving for you there are coach services linking the major towns. However, it is not recommended for travelling long distances.

Getting Around in the Major Towns and Cities

Although there is public transportation in the form of buses available in the larger cities, this is not a recommended mode of travel for tourists because of the likelihood of being robbed. It is best to use taxis within the cities and towns and only those metered taxis recommended by the hotel where you are staying.

The History And Future Of The Car Hire Industry

The history of car hire is almost a hundred years old; the first hire company was believed to have rented Ford’s Model T to customers and was started by an enterprising young man by the name of Joe Saunders. This was 1916, a time when many people did not even own a car, so Saunders’ enterprise must have been popular with those looking for transport, and also those looking for the novelty of driving.

Car hire companies were quick to exploit the fact that having your own means of transport made journeys far easier and infinitely less stressful than public transport. The ability to travel in your own time cannot be underestimated while the freedom of having your own means of transport is a liberating factor. Car hire can be an important element of any trip as no matter where you are the world a car hire desk is never far away.

The majority of international airports have a car hire desk almost as soon as you step off the plane, well at least in the arrivals lounge. The last thing you want to do as a traveller after a long journey is spend hours waiting for a train and coping with the rigours of the public transportation network. A far better option is to hire a car and head out of the airport stress free and under your own steam.

Since the first day’s, car hire companies have grown in number, today however they may well be entering a golden age. With inflated prices of public transport in Britain car hire offers a startling alternative to forking out for the shocking rail fares. If a group of adults has to travel any reasonable distance often the train can cost hundreds of pounds; a far better option is to hire a car and chip in together for the cost; the money saved is usually a considerable amount and can be better put towards activities.

Businessmen have realised this for many years and subsequently use car hire services extensively. For those who spend an eternity travelling, stopping in only one place long enough to have a meeting then board a plane again, the hire of a car shaves vital minutes off a trip. The commercial world has long been patrons of hire companies as frequent business is often rewarded. As most travelling businessmen will state, the less time spent travelling the better, especially for those with families at home.

Modern car hire companies have also realised the importance of holidays, unlike 1916, when Saunders’ started his business, most people now have a car, that is why offering car hire as part of a holiday package has been an impressive ploy in the car hire industry. Fly and drive holidays are becoming more popular for tourists, seemingly with the shortened attention spans of the modern generation, holidaying in one place for any length of time becomes quickly boring. Car hire allows travellers to visit many parts of a region and also creates the opportunity to stop off and have some truly unique experiences.

So what is next for the car hire industry? A good question as seemingly the business has taken all the avenues open to it. An option it to start providing technological innovations as part of car hire packages. This is increasingly becoming the case with satellite navigation systems being included in hire cars to make journeys as simple as possible. This technological increase twinned with providing unparalleled customer service is the way to make a profit in the industry, after all airport car hire desks have to deal with some of the most stressed customers and keeping these happy is the path to repeat business.

Getting Around & Out of Panama City

If you have never been to Panama you may have an image of bumping around dirt roads in an old bus with chickens and pigs in the back seat! Remember that Michale Douglas movie, Romancing the Stone? Although it’s true in most Latin American countries it’s not so in Panama. Just one of the many pleasant surprises is the ease with which you can get around. You have the options of plane, train, automobile and boat depending on where you are and where you want to go.

The Pan-American Highway (Carretera Panamericana), commonly known as the Inter-Americana, stretches from the Costa Rican border in the west across the country into the heart of the Darien province. There it stops about 50 miles from the Columbian border. The Darien Gap is this area along the border between Colombia and Panama. It is a lush rain forest with one of the highest degrees of bio-diversity in the entire world. This region, its wildlife, and its indigenous inhabitants are protected by the national reserve status in both countries.

The Pan-Am Highway is a real treat by Central American standards, and in some cases even North American standards! It is well maintained and there are plenty of food and gas stops all the way across the Isthmus. The trickiest part of driving in Panama is in the cities and getting out of Panama City itself. Many vehicles, including buses and taxis, are not well maintained so city driving can be an adventure. Taxis are so cheap I recommend getting about by cab within the city and then picking up your rental car when you are just ready to leave.

Getting out of the city can be fun too! The first time we drove into Panama City from Boquete it was a lovely drive and a breeze to make our way right to the Miramar Hotel on Avendia Balboa. Getting out was another story! We found ourselves circling in and out of Casco Viejo for over an hour before a helpful Panamanian motioned for us to follow her and led us to the Bridge of the Americas. Later we were told the easy, but unmarked route directly out of the city.

Here it is: Take AVENIDA BALBOA southwest along the Bay of Panama (BAHIA DE PANAMA). As you approach CASCO VIEJO watch for a Shell Gas Station on your right. Just past and beside the station take a right turn (N/NW). You will come to a busy intersection with a traffic light. Once you pass through the intersection get in the left hand lane and take the on-ramp. It seems a little odd because the ramp is on your left. It feels like you are going the wrong way up an exit ramp. Above you will see a sign, PUENTE DE LAS AMERICAS. The ramp will loop around and you will be traveling south west again along, AVENIDA DE LOS MARTIRES which will take you to PUENTE DE LAS AMERICAS (The Bridge of the Americas). This highway turns into the Pan-American highway and if you stay on it you will end up in Costa Rica!

For North – South driving from the Pacific Coast to the Caribbean side, across the continental divide there are only two routes. The Trans-Isthmian Highway will take you from Panama City to Colón and Portobelo. Closer to the west end of the Isthmus there is a wonderful highway which runs from the town of Chiriqui, just east of David, across the divide to Chiriqui Grande, Almirante and Changuinola on the Caribbean. I’m not sure what the name is but it is fairly well marketed. You will see a sign for Chiriqui when you enter this small community on your right watch for a nice paved road and the sign for Chiriqui Grande.

In my next article, Getting Around Panama, I’ll fill you in on the other transportation options you will want to take advantage of. Buen Viaje! Happy Travels!