Los Angeles, California Travel Guide
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Private Transportation in Los Angeles
CAR RENTALS
Overview: Renting a car may be worth your while if you are visiting Los Angeles – and if you are comfortable driving with lots of other people on the road. There are many car rental companies in Los Angeles. Some have better reputations than others. Some of the better car rental companies are listed below as well as tips on saving money.
Tips:
- Car rental is much cheaper at car rental branches throughout the city than the branches at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). LAX branches charge all sorts of fees in addition to the base price, including tourism, airport fee and others. LAX branches also charge higher base rates than other branches.
- If you are planning on visiting both east and west parts of Los Angeles (beaches, Hollywood) in a rental car, you may want to stay at a hotel in Westwood, West Los Angeles, Culver City or Century City. These are midway or central parts of Los Angeles; you will only have to drive half the distance to Hollywood or Venice Beach. You can then arrange for a shuttle or plan out a bus ride from the airport to a nearby car rental office.
- Check and see if your current auto insurance company covers rental cars. If so, you can waive the insurance fees at the car rental.
- You may want to take pictures of your car before you drive off the lot and after you return it to prove there is no damage to the car.
Costs:
Basic charges include base rental, tax and gas. LAX airport car rental branches charge tourism, airport charges and customer concession charges.
Optional costs include insurance: Collision and Damage Waiver, Personal Accident Coverage, Supplemental Liability Insurance that covers the other car and driver in an accident.
Renting from LAX airport and adding insurance can double or triple your rental car costs.
ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR
Site: www.enterprise.com
Ph: (800) 261-7331 (toll-free reservation line).
Accessibility: Vehicles with hand controls (mobility devices) are available. Call (866) 225-4284. For vans with lifts, Wheelchair Getaways, (800) 642-2042
HERTZ
Site: www.hertz.com
Ph: (800) 654-3131 (toll-free reservation line).
Accessibility: Hertz has vehicles with hand controls.
MIDWAY
Site: www.midwaycarrental.com
Ph: (800) 824 5260
Accessibility: Midway has a good reputation but their cars with hand controls cost a bit more than equivelant cars without hand controls.