Visiting Clearwater with family At Christmas need some help thank you (Tampa: rental car, coupons)

[daylilliesriver]

Hello I am new so bear with me. We're visiting Clearwater at Christmas just basic local driving. I was just able to get decent airfare. But I've checked coupons etc on rental cars for that time and the prices are outrageous for example $700 for the smallest car for a week Does anyone have experience with Used Car Rentals in Dunedin-Clearwater area. I saw one company but since I'm a 4 hour plane ride away can't really check it out....Any help would be most appreciated to this newcomer thank you

[daylilliesriver]

Ah the signs of a newcomer lol ..if you want to send direct message that will be fine thank you

[Keeper]

You might want to check the BBB to see if they have any complaints. There is a trolly that goes around the beach area so unless you are going to be doing a lot of sightseeing you really won't need a car for the whole week.

[annaegel]

I have seen people post questions about visiting Clearwater, without renting a car. It is possible. Though you may feel stuck to stay in the immediate area. There are buses or trolleys that drive you around a little bit. You may consider renting a car for a few days, just to be able to explore other parts of Tampa. It may even be cheaper to take a taxi service. Perhaps get a quote on how much it would cost to be driven to Channelside and back again, for example. Once you are there, they do have trolleys that will bring you to Ybor City. Seven hundred dollars does seem outrageous! You can take that money and take a taxi everywhere and not worry about parking!

[daylilliesriver]

We have been to Clearwater and Dunedin before but on visits in past years didn't encounter these very high car rental fees. We are a little older lol so the trolley and bus would be a little hard for us. The idea of using a cab I will research and see what rates are like. Thank you to those who have responded and I welcome more.

[Keeper]

Cab rates are extremely high, I remember reading that to go from TIA to Clearwater Beach was $70. one way.

[daylilliesriver]

thank you I wondered ok cabs are out. I've been looking on the internet there are some used car rental companies in Clearwater and sometimes and the BBB doesn't have information on a lot of them. My disadvantage I can't go down and personally check them out, if only I had magical powers for an hour......

[lavender]

sometimes you can book your car rental in conjunction with your airfare and get a break - have you looked at that. Are you looking at Alamo/Dollar/Enterprise, can't believe they are so much.

[LoganFL]

Originally Posted by lavender

sometimes you can book your car rental in conjunction with your airfare and get a break - have you looked at that. Are you looking at Alamo/Dollar/Enterprise, can't believe they are so much.

Yeah $700/wk sounds too high. Enterprise and Avis often give you specials if you reserve online and get the car for several days. I remember that even when the Super Bowl was here earlier this year it didn't cost as much.

[daylilliesriver]

Yes it's amazing, if you book for October sure it's a great rate I would take it for Christmas holiday in a heartbeat however if you put in dates starting anywhere around Dec 24 for 7 days it's $700 try for 10 days $1000+. Yes I've tried the airlines package, all the internet coupons, gone though all the travel internet options and they are all very high.