|
 |
|
Airport Car Rental - Save Money & Gain
Independence
|
If you are thinking of skiing in the Alps independently this winter and
flying to get there, I guess you will be looking for a bus or minibus
transfer too. Well hang on a minute. Forget the transfer and consider
hiring a car. Not only will it give you
more independence when you arrive in your resort, but if you are
prepared to make a few small logistical sacrifices, it could save you a
lot of money too.
For a maximum saving, choose a village a mile or two away from your chosen
resort where the accommodation will be that much cheaper. A five minute
drive in your rental car to the nearest lift each morning is no problem
and the saving you make on accommodation, if there are more than two of
you, will more than likely pay for the hire of the car. You could also
choose which lift to start from each morning and driving to a little
used lift on the outlying edge of the system can save a lot of time
standing in lift queues.
At the end of the day there's a fair chance if you've positioned the
car in the right place in the car park, you'll be able to ski right up
to it without having to yomp the last three hundred yards back to your
chalet or hotel or apartment in ski boots carrying the children's skis
as well as your own.
If you choose accommodation centrally in your resort, check that there
is a car parking space available for the length of your stay; check
also that cars are allowed in the resort as you may have to park the
car up for the week a
few miles away and bus or train in to the centre of the village.
I have just done a quick comparison - airport transfer versus car hire
from Geneva to Courchevel 1850. An Easy Jet hire 5 door economy car to suit
three people say, would cost £131 for a week with unlimited mileage.
Add £60 for the petrol and we're talking £191. The cheapest return bus
transfer I could find with ATS was £60 which comes to £180. I say
'cheapest' as the transfer prices varied enormously and were as much as
£180 per person in some cases.
So, unless you want a ski-in ski-out chalet hidden away in the woods,
or are sick to death of driving during the rest of the year and want a
week off, why not go for the relaxed, versatile and independent option,
and hire a car?
Simon Dewhurst - 11 Jan 2008
|
|
|
|