Category Archives: Vehicle

3 Things To Ask Yourself Before Booking A Rental Car

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Your trip itinerary has been planned and almost everything is booked. Now it’s time to start shopping for a rental car. Or is it? Ask yourself these three things before you book your next rental car to see if it really is the best transportation option for your trip.

How Much Driving Will I Really Do?

If you think mos tof your driving will be between the airport and your hotel, you may be better off taking a shuttle instead of renting a car. THis is true even if your final destination is a distance from an airport. Travelers looking for transportation from hobby airport to galveston can grab a shuttle that will have them at their hotel, walking the Strand, or relaxing on the beach in about an hour. 

Will There Be Parking Where I Am Staying?

Some hotels offer free parking, while others either charge for parking or don’t offer it onsite. If you will not have access to convenient parking, it may be better to use public transportation. This is especially true in large cities like New York or San Francisco where parking spaces are at a premium, there is an abundance of transportation options, and many attractions will be in walking distance.

Are Driving Rules Familiar To Me?

The rules of the road are not universal. If you are going someplace where driving is vastly different, renting a car may not be your best choice. You don’t want to make the mistake of driving on the worng side of the road or making a right turn on red into oncoming traffic. This is also true in cases where there may be a language barrier to reading road signs. In cases like this, it may be better to use hired cars while you are visiting a foreign location.

What if I Decide To Get a Rental Car?

If you decide you really do want to rent a car, make sure you ask about any extra fees like inexperienced and additional driver fees and fuel surcharges. Know the rules of the road where you are going ahead of time, and ask for directions to your hotel and parking garages. Taking a few extra steps will ensure you use the best transportation options for your trip.

Are you a travel bug?

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Have you experienced getting a flat tire a number of times or something just broke down in your car during a trip? If you’re answer is yes to both, it is advisable that you know where to call for roadside assistance. You wouldn’t know where trip hassle would occur so SOS numbers would come in handy especially if you own expensive RVs. So if you’re a travel bug things like this wouldn’t be much of a problem for you because you know where to call for help especially if you belong to a club that offers road assistance to travelers.

Tips for Shipping Your Bike

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Shipping Your Bike?

You might think that you will have to resort to renting a bike or buying a new one if you are making a long journey. Shipping your bike from Australia or even just across the country itself can be especially expensive, making rental bicycles a tempting option. However, shipping your bike can be rather economical if you plan ahead.

You may have come across some custom shipping solutions offered by different companies who specialize in shipping bicycles around the world. However, these services can be expensive, and the costs might eat into your budget more than you would like. Here are some tips for shipping your bike safely and securely.

Finding a Box and Calculating Costs

If you want to ship your bike properly, you will need a special box in which to pack it. You can purchase bicycle shipping boxes or cases online or in special courier stores. These boxes will enable you to store and ship your bike safely. They can be expensive, but they will shield your bike from any potential damage during shipping. Be sure to secure them as well as you possibly can, and leave notes on the case as to its contents and value.

How much you pay for posting your bike will depend on its size and its ultimate destination. Perhaps the most important thing you will purchase aside from the bike case or box is insurance. Australia Post offices and any courier companies offer insurance up to a certain value. You should be willing to pay for an insurance premium that will cover the value of your bike in case it becomes lost in the post, damaged, or even stolen. If you cannot pay for the insurance policy on the bike, you may want to reconsider sending the bike on to your destination. When you pay for postage, be sure to list a shipping address that you can physically access so that you are present when the bike arrives.

Getting There

Along with shipping fees, you might need to pay customs charges when you bring the bike into the country. These will normally be due when your bike arrives at the customs authorities in your destination. Once you pay the customs charges, your bike will be released. If you do not pay the charges, your bike will be returned and you will have wasted money on shipping and insurance. While couriers and air mail make it easy for you to get your parcels quickly, a bike may take more time to arrive. You may have to wait a few days for it to arrive in the country and clear customs.

You do not have to abandon your Merida mountain bike just because you are going abroad or moving across the country. Whether you are on a gap year or just wanting to go to the other end of Australia, there are plenty of ways to take your bike with you for the journey.