Car hire and driving in Majorca

[flyingpig]

Hello All,

After some info, thoughts, hints and tips please on this.

I am going away with her indoors in the summer, and instead of getting the transfer that takes an age, for ?30 more we can have hire a car. Thing is, I am nor sure how easy - it is to drive over there?!?

Is it easy, is it something that is easier to do than it is to imagine? Also, what are the pitfalls and perils of car hire in Majorca?

Thanks.

FP.

[Liteace]

Nothing realy, we do Spain nearly every year and hire a car, loads of hiden speed traps, most are modern autovelox systems and they will get you as you have to leave C\card details with hire co, the locals have no idea how to use roundabouts so be very careful, dont use the inside lane, they all go round the outside, round the outside (Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Gals) apart from that just stay on the correct side of the road

[xant14]

I do it ALL the time mate, but usually I get my own hotels, so I know where I am going. If you are doing a package, you need to find where your hotel is, google it, and get there before the bus. Or if in doubt, put your missus on the bus with a mobile.
Sometimes hotels are allocated on arriving. I asked the rep directions and address of the hotel, her and bus driver put me right.
Take a sat nav, and before you set off, put your location of airport rental on favourites before you set off, will make it easier to locate on the morning after your last heavy night on the piss.
And finally, dont look a fud like I did and jump in the right side of the car with the steering wheel on the left.

[gc1966]

i have also drove a great deal abroad,majorca included and it is very easy to get used to,just remember that the roundabouts go the opposite way to uk (sounds daft but can be a headwrecker at first) and take it easy.

if i was you i would avoid palma until you are aquainted with the driving as it is very congested for most of the day,oh,and take the gold insurance(have never needed it but consider it a must have myself)

lastly,do not go to the caves of drach,they are shite

[zaphodbb]

i live in greece and have been driving here for seven years, if your new at it the main thing i can tell you is remember the bulk of the car is on your right, so make sure you check this space and give yourself plenty of room. i lost a few passenger mirrors when i first got here but you will soon get used to it. i prefer driving on the right myself its much easier i think. like i say though check the right hand side of the car especially on narrow roads.

[FredFudge]

Hi flyingpig

I've been driving abroad for years and I still remeber the only valid bit of advice an old Kretan gave me; "Approach every bend as if there is a coach on the other side, because eventually there will be."

[cyclone2]

after an hour m8 you will wonder what you were worrying about! just take your time and have a nice holiday.
regards

[xant14]

dont forget to check the car for dints before you drive away and report them or the bassads could charge you for doing them.
But if you take out the full CDW insurance AND excess insurance then you can use it as a demolition derby car.

[flyingpig]

Thanks for all the info - I think I will get a car instead of the transfers.

I think I will go for an auto though, as I don't like the thought of changing gears......

Just thought of this one ---- Are the pedals the same way around..?? Accelerator on the right foot?

[xant14]

Yeah pedals the same, seatbelt on otherside tho, and keyhole to start it .

[gc1966]

do not be fazed by a manual gearchange m8,it is surprising how quickly you take to it

have a good un

[Liteace]

Thanks for all the info - I think I will get a car instead of the transfers.

I think I will go for an auto though, as I don't like the thought of changing gears......

Just thought of this one ---- Are the pedals the same way around..?? Accelerator on the right foot?

If your taking the missis and she drive she can change gear for you, it'll be just like her driving in the UK but without pedals or steering wheel, all you got to do is say now when you want a gear change, or teach her to listen to the engine and she'll know when to change gear, it'll be like a semi automatic.

We had some people over from the the UK, we picked them up from where they was staying as they was going to spend a couple of days with us, My missis and me Mates missis in the back, me driving (LHD) me Mate in the front, Ive always drove fast but not stupid, and have always braked late, coming of the m\way onto a slip road doing about 30kph , I said to me Mate "see that over there" when I turned back to look at him he was dancing about in the his seat (where he normaly sits in a UK car) trying to find his brake pedal to slow us down, we all apart from him was pissing ourselfs, he looked like he just shat himself

[alanpowely]

hot

i bet its hot aswell