Hi Guys - we won a trip to the Gold Coast for next week with entry to all the theme parks - I've looked and it'll be about $150 to get a bus pass for transfers for the three days we need it.
My car insurance has an excess waiver for any rental cars so I'm looking at cheap car rentals. I've tried vroomvroomvroom and can see something small will be $150 for the Tuesday - Friday.
Are there any other last minute type places to look?
Cheers!
Cheers I will :)
I've rented with them once and they gave me a car that had cigarette ash all over the front console and trash in the back seat - it was a while ago and their customer service was good in getting us a replacement :)
Thanks!
Just returned from the Gold Coast this week.
Rented a car via www.alphacarhire.com.au
Happy to give them a strong recommendation for service and value.
Check out the specials on their website.
They pick you up from Gold Coast Airport and take you to their depot in Coolangatta - only a few minutes from the terminal.
After a few minutes paperwork we were on our way.
We scored a Nissan Micra - able to seat up to five passengers - for $127 for the six days.
Took out excess insurance with www.tripcover.com.au for $54.
Petrol for the week travelling to and from the Wet n Wild and Movie World and Surfers Paradise was about $40.
So split among four passengers it was $55 each for six days transport.
Staff at Alpha Car Hire were efficient, prompt, friendly and willing to assist in anyway they can.
Make sure you pick up several of the Gold Coast Dining Out Guides at the Alpha Car Hire desk - they have buy-one-get-one-free main course meal deal coupons for The Pancake Kitchen Restaurant - wide variety of meals to suit every taste - and Montezumas Mexican Restaurant - both in Surfers Paradise.
We enjoyed excellent filling meals at both restaurants for $10 each using the coupons. Excellent service and atmosphere.
I'm not in anyway associated with any of the above companies, other than as a very satisfied customer.
I reckon if companies are giving good deals and service to customers then they deserve a mention here.
Also - to save on drinks in the theme parks - ask staff for the locations of water bubblers and the excellent chilled water fountains at Movie World.
The Superman, Arkham Asylum and other major ride queues at Movie World were generally a lot shorter later in the day between 3pm and 5pm.
The Superman ride is the only one where you must use a $2 locker to store any loose items.
Other rides have non-secure shelves to store such items.
I bought $1 multi flavour chicken tins from Coles or Woolies, plus pita breads or bread rolls, a chopped up onion, a tomato and a knife to slice, to make an excellent very filling, healthy lunch each day - to save on the expensive theme park fast food.
If you are staying near the Surfers beach frontage there's nothing better than getting up before dawn each morning and walking as far as you can along the beach. It's like two holidays in one.
You can also avoid staying up late and experiencing all the circus entertainment the herds of Schoolies Wilderbeasts have to offer!
We were there during the generally 17-year-old Queensland schoolies week. They were having lots of fun and generally harmless.
I reckon the next two weeks of schoolies - with the over-18s able to access the clubs will get a lot more active. So just be careful at night and you should have great time.
Drive slowly to avoid idiot schoolies enjoying their first ever scooter riding experiences.
wow, you deserve a medal for that comment. so much detail!
Doh, Redspot and Alpha both only have booths at the airport. We've got transfers to our hotel with the prize to the resort at Sea World - damn I might have to go with Avis or someone else who has a pick up point closer :(
Thanks for the recs though guys :)
Try apex car rentals and their insurance excess is not too bad depending on the level choice you want to accept,they generally have 3 levels of hire platforms
The best thing about redspot it the policy covers damage. That means when you pick up the car, there is no inspection on the vehicle and when you drop it vice versa.
I love that!
Alpha they are a joke —on their website ,compact small from $29 a day did the quote $61-17 !! rang them to make sure Op said yes thats correct normally $79 haha no thanks
try redspot.