Car hire in Chile: cheaper to go with international or local companies?
I'll be visiting Chile for a few weeks in November and I'll be looking to hire a car for up to three days at a time, first in Punta Arenas and second in Santiago and possibly again in Puerto Montt.
I've been trying to gauge whether it's possible to use local companies, as I'm aware that the international companies (think Europcar, Hertz, Avis etc...) can jack up the prices for international visitors. I'm only wishing to book a standard saloon (sedan) and was wondering if anyone could offer advice? Currently, car hire is looking to be around £50 ($65) per day with international providers. I'll be returning all cars to their original hire location, as this is cheaper, and I'm over 30.
I guess what I want to know is whether it is possible for me (UK citizen) to hire with local companies without much skill in Spanish and whether it would offer significant savings over international providers for short hires?
*** UPDATE - thanks for the advice pnuts. I got quotes from a few local companies ("Letsgochile", "LYS Rentacar", "EMSA") and whilst they vary in price, they are a little cheaper than the average international rental company. Some local companies seem to allow payment in Chilean Pesos only and other offer Pesos and US Dollars. Obviously, I'm not endorsing these companies but to answer my original question, it seems that it is possible and can be cheaper than international companies, depending on your optional extras or how much insurance cover you need.
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How much does it cost to rent a car in Chile?
On average a rental car in Chile costs $1,403 per month ($47 per day).Can an american rent a car in Chile?
Do I need a special permit to drive in Chile? Visitors can drive with a valid U.S. license for the duration of their tourist permit (usually 90 days). Renting a car is also possible although insurance may not be available in some forms for drivers without a Chilean or international driver's license.Is it easy to rent a car in Santiago Chile?
Car hire at Santiago is made easy with Europcar. Remember to always bring your driving license, valid credit card and additional proof of identity (such as a passport if you are hiring abroad). Europcar's Green Programme: At Europcar, we understand the environmental impact of car hire.How To Rent a Car For Cheap Anywhere In The World! $10 Per Day?
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