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RENTAL CARS TO ARRIVE IN STYLE
BY SARAH BROBERG
If the cacophony of Cairo traffic is any indication,
Egypt doesn’t suffer from a lack of transportation. Whether
by ferry, train, microbus or taxi, navigating the country can be
an adventure in itself. A private car, however, can make this adventure
much more comfortable. Various rental agencies operate in Egypt
with fleets ranging from no-frills compact cars to luxury limousines.
International heavyweights such as Hertz and Budget have a good
track record for reliability and customer service, while local competitors
such as Style Motors, Total and Al Hussein Co. boast lower prices.
A few local players, such as Rawas Limo, have even attempted to
capture the high end of the market. These companies can provide
you with dependable cars so that you’re not late to your cross-town
meeting or dinner party and you don’t waste precious vacation
time heading to the coast.
Whether renting in person or online, the terms and conditions are
generally the same among rental agencies. To rent, you must be between
the ages of 25 and 65 and present a valid Egyptian or international
driver’s license. You must also present an Egyptian ID card
or, in the case of a foreigner, a passport. A credit card can be
used to secure the reservation, though actual payment can be made
in cash. Most rental agencies provide a driver for an additional
fee, which varies according to rental agency and the driver’s
language skills. Many also offer full insurance coverage and free
vehicle pick-up from anywhere in greater Cairo during business hours.
Budget and Hertz rent out reliable compact cars, 4x4s and vans at
some of the most competitive rates. Their fleets are recognized
as among the best maintained in the market and their friendly staff
are exceptionally efficient. The Budget franchise is a subsidiary
of Avis Europe Group, which also operates Avis car rental outlets
here.
Rawas Limo has claimed a sizeable stake in Egypt’s luxury
car rental market. The agency, affiliated with many of the five-star
hotel chains in the country, offers the powerful midsize Mercedes
E-Class saloon and the compact, but plush, Mercedes C-180 –
two cars bound to make an impression on your business clients. They
also have less extravagant vehicles, such as the Toyota Corolla,
for those looking for a more economical ride.
Another way to save cash is to book online. Several agencies offer
discounts – and sometimes free upgrades – to customers
that reserve vehicles on their webpage. Car rental sites usually
provide full color photos and vehicle specs in addition to the rental
terms and conditions, allowing the customer time to read the fine
print before making a decision. This also provides an opportunity
to easily compare different agencies.
One of the first car rental agencies in Egypt to launch an online
service was Smart Limo. The Maadi-based agency offers car rental
services in Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm Al Sheikh and Taba with a diversified
fleet that includes compact, midsize, full size, 4x4s and minivans.
Discounts of up to 10 percent are offered to clients who book through
the website.
International car rental agency Sixt, meanwhile, features cars,
vans and 4x4s for rent in Cairo, Alexandria and Sharm Al Sheikh
on its website. The easy-to-navigate site provides the car make
and details as well as daily, weekly and monthly rental rates. One
advantage of Sixt is that it permits one-way rentals between the
cities of Alexandria, Cairo and Sharm Al Sheikh at no added cost.
One-way rentals to other cities are available on request for an
additional fee.
One thing to check before selecting a rental agency is how insurance
and taxes are calculated. While many agencies’ include insurance
and taxes in the rental fee, some local agencies, including Style
Motors, Total and Al Hussein Co., offer a low base rental rate and
calculate tax and insurance based on the specific make and model
of the car; which in some cases can lead to substantial savings.
It’s hard to put a price on the convenience of a rental car,
especially when compared to the alternatives. Given the poor state
of public transport, rental cars are an indispensable option if
you want to enjoy a relaxing drive through the countryside or show
up at your next meeting in a neatly pressed suit.
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