1st time taking a train, ever. I'll have 2 10yr old boys with me. Going Amtrak from Boston to Orlando. I need to get a rental car once there. What rental agencies are on-site? I don't want to take a cab or bus to get there. Thanks! Michelle
Posted by kenchappell (Member # 2245) on :
quote:Originally posted by nealsmom: 1st time taking a train, ever. I'll have 2 10yr old boys with me. Going Amtrak from Boston to Orlando. I need to get a rental car once there. What rental agencies are on-site? I don't want to take a cab or bus to get there. Thanks! Michelle
Sorry - messed up the response
The following information was taken from the Amtrak website:
"S T A T I O N I N F O R M A T I O N
Orlando (ORL)
Car Rentals
Hertz Car Rental (800) 654-3131
Call Hertz and a shuttle will pick you up from the station. Hertz will reimburse you for the cost of a taxi ride to the rental location (up to $22) if you miss the bus."
[This message has been edited by kenchappell (edited 04-04-2003).]
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
www.hertz.com lists Orlando Amtrak as one of their locations (1400 Sligh Blvd) with hours of 11am-6pm. But they won't let you book online for that location. Give them a try at (800)654-3131 and don't let them forget my 30% commission.
Posted by jimmymac (Member # 1182) on :
I was at the Orlando Sstation last December. Hertz has a counter inside the station and rental cars in the parking lot.
Posted by reggierail (Member # 26) on :
I've done this several times. Just call the Amtrak number, 1-800-USA-RAIL. they will put you through to the Hertz/Amtrak desk where they will make all the arrangements for you. You can just drop the car off at the station when you return. Always worked out great for me and the rate was good too.
Reggie
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Posted by striperjack (Member # 1636) on :
We took the Bos-Orl. trip this Feb. It was one of our best trips yet. Reggierail has it right about contacting Hertz, if your train is on time the shuttle bus will take you to the Hertz site which is fairly close, I dont know how long they will wait for a late arrival but the taxi option is always there. Also you can just park the car in the parking lot when leaving. The rate is very and the people from Hertz are very helpful. Have fun and sit back and enjoy the ride. Jack M
Posted by yummykaz (Member # 475) on :
We did this and we have 3 kids. It is very convenient. The only thing we did expect is the car rental is NOT at the station. The shuttle actually takes you to the airport! So to return, you have to take the car to the airport NOT The train station. My advice: do it, but keep luggage to a minimum.
Don't miss Universal Studios. We had more fun there and at Epcot. Magic Kingdom is always to crowded and Animal Planet or whatever it is called was to crowded, all rides were reserved and sold out.
Also don't miss taking the boys to the Sci-Fi Diner at MGM. It is like going to eat in a drive in. My kids LOVE this place!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
"Been there, Done That" during Feb 02. Heartilly recommend use of Hertz at Amtrak-Orlando.
First a disclaimer: I am likely a customer for life of Hertz. This past November I left a Hertz auto at the Riverside CT station for a trip into New York and failed to turn off the headlights. At 11:45PM, they agreed to send out a tow truck, which arrived about 1AM, and I was a rolling to the hotel within 10 minutes. To be on the safe side i did drive to Stamford and then returned to the hotel (Hyatt; Old Greenwich) just to give a little extra charge to the battery. The Hertz emergency service operator never once tried to "rush" me; all told exemplary service arising from my negligence.
At ORL, the rental counter is in the Waiting room; if you have an advance reservation, the auto you booked (size; but not make) will be within 30 paces away. I think they have a unit or two as well for "walk ups".
Absoutely totally convenient.
Only problem, they do not have a computer terminal there, so your contract cannot be closed on the spot when you return. However, if you are booked, they will have a hand written Agreement ready to go.
Is this the cheapest rental in town? Quite unlikely, but for an Amtrak passenger, you can't beat the convenience. Their office hours will cover all on time trains except #2 (Sunset).
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I recently learned that the existing cross marketing program between Amtrak and Hertz will result in a commission paid to BOTH Amtrak and personally to the Sales Agent as well. Be assured the transaction is quite "above board".
However, you decide if this is good or bad, being mindful that you (possibly "the collective you") are paying those comissions.
For what it be worth, it seemed as if the rate of about $60/da for a full-sized at Stamford is noticeably higher than the $35.65/da paid this past November booked over the web and originating at Westchester County Airport (HPN). Even though auto rental rates do vary with supply and demand, I must wonder just how much, if anything, booking it through Amtrak cost me. Also, in the past, I have paid as high as $70/day in the New York area.
I would think the best plan of attack in this case would be to first check the rate on the web, and if the rate is the same or "close enough' through Amtrak, book through the latter and help "the cause" a bit.
Posted by maxmarch (Member # 2495) on :
There is a hertz counter there... only available during the mid-day. Call Hertz to find out hours... I found that you can take a van to a local hotel, too... pick one that has rental car service... if it is late, after 5pm or so, take the same van (24X7 at the station) to the airport... the rental counters there are always open... this is the exact thing I am doing since we arrive in orlando at 10PM.