Rental car in Russia? Visiting again soon...

[MaxxumUSA]

Hello all experienced members.

It's time for me and Elena to visit Samara.  We have tickets for Sep 17th and will stay for two weeks.

Just wondering if anyone has rented a car in russia and if so what do they suggest?  I checked with Hertz and for about $1,500 we can get a car for two weeks.  That seems a bit expensive to me but is that the going rate?  They have a cheaper option for about $1250 but that's as low as I see.

Any help will be appreciated.

- David

[chivo]

Hi Dave,

Good to see you around and doing well.

Yes you can rent cars here in Russia now.

Couple of questions. Are you looking to rent in Samara, or are you just looking for the best deal?

Also, besides Hertz, who else did you check with, and where (what city)?

chivo

[kievstar]

Hi David,

One thing to look out for is the rental insurance.  Not the same as USA.  Really read the print to make sure your not responsible for the car if an accident happens.  Make sure you pay with a credit card and not cash. This will prove two things - 1 you actually paid for the car / insurance and 2 that you were not a criminal type. I can provide more information on this but I have a friend who runs a car rental business in Ukraine (SMART is the company in Kiev - but smaller scale of 15 cars).  Insurance in Russia and Ukraine not same as USA.  I would encourage you to use Hertz but check with Hertz in the USA to make sure this place your getting a car from has the right insurance and is really Hertz.

I would say $100 a day with solid car rental insurance for a midsize car (4 person and good size trunk) is average price. 

The key is use the credit card.

[BC]

1200 bucks buys a lot of taxi rides..

I'm used to Italian driving, no problem with driving style, but would still have a bit of trouble with signs etc.. don't know well developed GPS maps are for RU.  For a couple weeks I would prefer being chauffeured around stress free.

[MaxxumUSA]

Hi Dave,

Good to see you around and doing well.

Yes you can rent cars here in Russia now.

Couple of questions. Are you looking to rent in Samara, or are you just looking for the best deal?

Also, besides Hertz, who else did you check with, and where (what city)?

chivo

Yes we're around and we're doing great, thank you.

If anything we are looking for a cheap deal in Samara and my wife will be the primary driver so we don't have a need for GPS or any of those other fancy fangled gadgets.  Just transportation.

I guess BC gave the best suggestion and is quite right about the price comparison.  Never had trouble hitchhiking - err - catching a cab - in Samara.

My wife has a few wealthy friends with extra cars/drivers that used to cart us around sometimes even when she had a car.  I think maybe we'll just show up and one of those friends might offer her a driver with car for our visit.  My wife would never ask for such a favor so I'll sit back and say nothing and just wait for them to offer.  If not we can survive without.

Thanks all but my search for car rental is finished for now.

- Maxxum