Driving in the USA 🇺🇸
As we mentioned in our Orlando trip announcement Blog, we’re hiring a car for 9 out of the 11 days we are there. Originally we were going to use Uber and Lyft’s whilst in Orlando but working out costs for what we want to do and wanting to have more freedom over our travel whilst in Orlando we decided car hire was the best choice. This is something that we both will be doing for the first time and driving abroad for me will be a first as well. It’s a very daunting thought but, without sounding to overconfident, something I’m sure I will have no issue with after the first drive or two, after all driving is what I do for a living!
The total cost of our car hire, which is with Sixt, is $809.75 for a total of 9 days, so just under $90 a day. Now this does included a couple if extras which I’ll explain later and was also the flexible booking rate. If we’d paid upfront it was marginally cheaper but we like to have the flexibility so if plans change it’s not a massive hassle. With this being the first time either of us have done car hire abroad we don’t have anything to compare it to price wise but comparing all the usual places this was the best price for the dates we want the car. As standard the hire includes supplemental liability insurance & loss damage waiver for collision damages scratches bumps and thefts. We’ve chosen to add extended roadside assistance cover for extra peace of mind as well as a full tank of fuel. This means the car comes with a full tank and we can return it empty. As standard the excess is zero. All of this on what Sixt call “Extraordinary” which they class as a BMW X5 or similar. So we really do think we’ve got a fantastic deal for the price we’re paying.
We pick the car up on the first full day of trip, so day after we arrive, from the Margarita Ville Hotel. Ideally we’d have picked it up at the airport but Sixt, from what we can see, doesn’t have a rental station at Melbourne Airport in Florida. So we will be using the included transfers we have with tui to get to and from our hotel.
This being the first time I’m going to be driving in the USA I’ve had to wrap my head around how they do things. The main and obviously glaring one being that they drive on the right side of the road. But I’m sure it’ll be like a duck to water as they say and I don’t see any major issues with this. The second thing is the fact that you can turn right on a red light so long as there’s no signs saying you can’t and it’s clear and safe to do so. I mean it does make sense but also feels like it shouldn’t and that it goes against everything I’ve learned and do on a daily basis at home. Im sure I’ll get honked at the first few times but again I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it quick enough. Im looking forward to not having to navigate roundabouts for a while, although they do have one that we know of in Orlando although they call it a “traffic circle” because why not eh!? 🤣 Also can I give a massive shout out to The Lodge Guys on YouTube who actually have a video explaining how to drive in the US. This has been a massive help so thank you!
Having the car will make the things we have planned allot easier. Being able to jump in the car and head straight to Kennedy Space Center and not have to worry about the cost of an Uber or Lyft. Yes there’s parking to pay but it will be no where near the cost of a return Uber or Lyft. American roads do have tolls but these are cheap enough to again not have to worry about them or like many others do we can set google maps to avoid tolls. Yes this might take slightly longer and is what we in Scotland would class as the scenic route but if we really don’t want to pay tolls then we know we have this option as well. Add in the trips to the main outlet malls and Disney springs having the car will be a blessing.
Hopefully things go to plan, which I’m sure they will, as we will also be hiring a car when we go back to Orlando in October 2026 for the full 2 weeks that we are there. I think 9 days for April is enough of toe dip to work up to the full 2 weeks. Who knows Darren might even be added as an additional driver in October. That’s a very big might mind you 🤣 although if anyone knows if dual control cars can be hired in Orlando let me know. At least then I’ll have an actual break and not wear the floor mat out 🙈🤣 (sorry not sorry Darren)
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Thanks for reading and have an amazing day/night
Callum & Darren
