Tips on Safely Driving Your Car Hire in Thailand

Many articles warn of the dangers of driving in South Africa, but Thailand too can be dangerous albeit for a different reason. In South Africa the main concern is car jacking, whilst in Thailand it is the dangers if driving on overcrowded roads, particularly in and around Bangkok.

So if you intend on hiring a car and driving in and around Bangkok please be aware of motorcycles, which will often be coming in the wrong direction in the cycle lanes on the left hand side, so be warned if turning right a junction check for motorcycles coming the same direction that you are about to turn into.

Safe Driving in Thaiand Tip: When driving your hire car in Thailand if a car flashes its light it means beware i am not stopping so do not pull out.

Also be aware of Pickups then tend to equate to the work’s van so they do travel at speed with little or no concern for the rules of the road, they can be quite intimidating when you see them approaching in your rear view mirror only swerving at the last second to the free lane to the left or right. Yes it seems you may pass other motorists on the inside or outside lanes.

Safe Driving in Thaiand Tip: Before driving off in your hire car check ensure your are familiar with instrument layout.

The U turns is another highly dangerous maneuver and you should keep these to a minimum, however if you have to do a U turn take your time and ensure the gap in the traffic is enough to allow to execute the turn, if you see a Car coming in your direction in distance do note that the car has probably just left traffic lights and is accelerating and will not slow down just because your doing a U turn ahead.

Safe Driving in Thaiand Tip: When driving your hire car in Thailand also give way and take your time even if other people toot their horn better slow and safe.

It is possible to drive safely but never speed and also give full attention to the task of driving and also ensure you rent your car through one of the reputable companies that provide full insurance we also high advise taking out travel insurance as extra cover

Article was compiled by Eamonn Turley who writes for http://www.fastcarhire.co.uk specialized in car rental in Asia and Europe.

If you are thinking of visiting Thailand from the UK for that once in a lifetime trip then http://www.fastcarhire.co.uk/uk_car_hire.asp for more information on car rental options available.

Best Way to secure a good deal on Car Hire in France

The internet is a tool that can be used to help make savings on lots of items, car insurance, house insurance and car rental are just a few examples. The savings to ne made will soon cover the cost of your broad band and possibly your computer. First place to start your search for cheap car rental is one the major search engines Google, Yahoo or the new MSN search engine BING. Try typing in “car hire France” and start wading through the search results both organic and the paid for listings which are normally displayed at the top or on the right hand side. Also try to be specific as possible so if you are going to Bergerac type in “car hire in Bergerac”.

The use of comparison site is another option but do be aware comparison sites do not list all car rental companies plus more and more companies are choosing not to be displayed on these comparison sites so dig a little deeper than comparison sites and find a real bargain.

Another important aspect is the time of the year most car rental companies offer different rates depending on time of year for example postponing your autumn vacation from September to say October will save you money as you will be going in the so called low season were prices have been reduced as demand is low.

Also be aware some of the budget airlines will offer a package which included car rental this may seem a bargain but it normally works out cheaper to buy the car rental element separately.

You will also be offered different payment methods. The 2 prevalent methods are payment of a small deposit with the balance payable direct on arrival to the car rental company or full payment in advance. A word of warning if you choose the latter the company that you paid may go bust leaving you to in full again on arrival, not a nice start to a holiday. We would also recommend paying with a credit card as you may then be able to claim back your payment via your card company should problems happen.

Finally do book early last minute bargains do not exists in the car rental market with current shortage of cars prices will only go up as we move forward into 2010. We do not expect 2010 to be as bad as 2009 when the price for basic car rental in Spain quadrupled is the space a few weeks.

FASTCarhire have some great offers on car hire in Geneva this winter

Above Article Complied By Eamonn Turley

Spain car hire availability as of 15th August

car hire available in Spain from these dates at these airports:-

Murcia Airport from 27th August, Valencia Airport from 23rd August, Almeria from 25th, Malaga also 25th, Sevilla from 26th, Jerez from 20th, Mallorca from 23rd, Gerona from today, Reus from 24th., Alicante from 25th….book early as will change every day

USA car hire rates through 2010

USA car hire rates are now on through 2010, and upto 31st March 2011, so you can now book for Orlando in Florida, Los Angeles in California, New York, and throughout America. If want a specialist vehicle then always book early (use our refundable deposit/full refund payment plan). e.g going sking in Denver and want a SUV….book early. Going to Orlando with the family and need a MPV…book early. Going to San Francisco and want a Mustang convertible….definitely book early, although we are told that Budget are now resolving the fleet issues from the summer of 2009 for all their Mustangs

Mainland Spain car hire availability

Yes, carhire is more expensive in Spain, but just got alot cheaper in the Canaries from 20th August until 7th October. Although car hire availability in Spain is tight upto the end of August, with our suppliers, like, Auriga Crown, Goldcar, Victoria and Solmar, in places like Gerona, cars are available from the 16th of August, Alicante from the 25th, Jerez from the 21st. Car availability 9stopsales) changes daily, so book early!

new, cheaper car hire canary islands

For car hire pickup 20th August until 7th October 2009, Goldcar have drastically reduced their rates for the Canaries, which covers Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with car hire from just GBP78 per week! Book early.

Why Hire a Car in Thailand

For regular travellers to Thailand, hiring a car is becoming more popular, easier, and cheaper. And with state of the art Sat Nav, now available, getting lost in Bangkok, can be a thing of the past!

However, book Sat Nav early especially for peak times, like Songkran (the pickups go quickly as well, for some unknown reason!), Xmas/New Year etc. In fact, always book early, with our refundable Paypal deposit plan.

If arriving into Thailand after a long flight, and want to hire a car, you have a few options:-

1) Collect car at airport on arrival. Budget have a desk, wheras Thai Rent a car offer Meet & Greet (see 6 below)
2) Get a taxi to your hotel, or a limo, or bus…or soon to be opened rail link (hold breath!).
3) Have the car delivered to you Bangkok hotel…usually for free
4) Go back to the airport later.
5) Collect from a down town depot.
6) Or in the case of Thai Rent a Car, they have a large depot, easily seen, just before the airport entrance, upramp, where yo can collect car. (returns bext done to airport car park, as not shuttle service persay).

Once you leave Bangkok the roads are good and there are signs posted in English. If you have not got Sat Nav with your car, then do buy a map before leaving Bangkok as it’s difficult to find one outside the city of Bangkok. There will be a map of bangkok with your car rental

One way car hire is free from car hire depot to car hire depot, provided you hire a car for three days, otherwise if under than can pay over THB3,000, so if need a car for one or two days, can be cheaper to hire for three ways, and return early.

Licences needed – although the police may ask for your International licence, you can hire the car with just your original driving licence, credit card, and passport (make photocopies to speed things up). If police ask for International licence, the usual “on the spot fine” resolves the issue, but you probably going to get fined for something else anyway.

Just a few hours drive from Bangkok in a southerly direction is the charming fishing village of Hua Hin , Hua Hin offers a host of spa resorts and golf courses. Don’t be surprised to see a few famous people as some spa resorts are very exclusive.

Car Hire Thailand Tip: rental cars are strictly not allowed outside the borders of Thailand and if taken outside all insurance will be null and void.

Spend a few nights in Hua Hin and move further south and visit Koh Samui or Phuket or both. If your rental is over 3 days you can just ask to have your car collected from your final resort is the south of Thailand free of charge.

Car hire Thailand Tip: You may take your rental car on a Ferry to the Islands but this must be arranged with the ferry company and rental company in advance, the ferry company will ask for car registration so you need to book your car rental first.

Article was compiled by Eamonn Turley who writes for http://www.fastcarhire.co.uk specialized in car rental in Malaysia, Thailand and Australia.

If you are thinking of visiting Thailand for that once in a lifetime trip then http://www.fastcarhire.co.uk/thailand_car_hire.asp for more information on car rental options available

Car Hire in Malaysia

Malaysia is fast becoming a popular long haul destination with the western European tourist and prospective retiree.

Unlike neighboring Thailand with it tough rules and regulations on land ownership, Malaysia has removed the red tape and opened its borders to the retiree market. Another major plus is the fact that retirement homes are relatively cheap. This open approach is making Malaysia a very popular destination for those seeking a second holiday or a retirement home.

To discover any new country quickly it is best to have your own means of transportation which normally involves hiring a rental car.

Driving tip in Malaysia: Forget the road map and hire a navigation system. This will save you time and lower the stress levels. Most car rental companies now offer this as an additional extra and charge a small daily fee. Kuala Lumpur or KL as it is known locally, is the normal starting point with its many attractions, not least the Patrones twin towers. Before the security clampdowns, it was possible at certain times to ride the elevator to the top floor. Rental car is the best way to get around and offers more freedom, however KL does have a good mass transit system.

Driving tip in Malaysia: Always carry some extra Ringit for the Toll Fees or purchase a prepaid toll card.

If you like to gamble then take a trip in your rental car to the nearby region of Genting which offers a variety of entertainment for all the family including casinos, amusements, fun arcades and shopping. Do pack some warm clothes as Genting is at high altitude and it doe get cold.

Genting is an easy 51 km ride drive from Kuala Lumpur in a North easterly direction.

Article was compiled by Eamonn Turley who writes for http://www.fastcarhire.co.uk specialized in car rental in Malaysia and Thailand

If you are thinking of visiting either Malaysia or Thailand for a future retirement home please http://www.fastcarhire.co.uk/malaysia_car_hire.asp for more information on car rental options in Malaysia

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eamonn_Turley

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Hi I work for  a a car rental company www.fastcarhire.co.uk
so I thought I would share some of the inside secrets

Thrifty USA stop sell from 28th February

From 28th February 2009, Thrifty in the USA were withdrawn from sale in the UK, until further notice.  Their partner company, Dollar, are still available, as are Alamo, National & Budget