I know I am hitting AK during the high season of JUly 11-20.. but wow, economoy rental cars are starting around $85-90 plus tax.. Had not planned on spending $1k on a rental car.. any suggestions for a local/non-airport car rental company in anchorage. Older cars/trucks are fine..

Heading to Talkeetna and then back to Anchorage .. need a vehicle to transport mountain bikes around in, since we are heading there for a mountain bike race as well flying.

Thanks!

When my wife and I flew up to AK last June we took a taxi to an off airport rental location. Well worth the $10 taxi ride for a huge $$ savings. I think we also used either the Costco or AOPA discount code to save a little bit more.

You might try cheapwheelsrentacar.com. I have no experience with them...good luck

Check with whatever airline you're going there on. I've gotten good discounts fromAlaska Airlines web site on rental cars.

MTV

I called the Avis desk at ANC International and asked what their specials were. She came back with a full size car (Taurus) for $31/day+tax. I hopped down there and had my car 30 minutes later.

Zzz wrote:I called the Avis desk at ANC International and asked what their specials were. She came back with a full size car (Taurus) for $31/day+tax. I hopped down there and had my car 30 minutes later.

Yeah, 5 minutes to get the car, and 25 minutes riding laps around the airport with me trying to find the AVIS desk!

You visited at the right time Zane, rental rates get jacked way up for the summertime.

Summer of 2011 I came up to ANC for work and there were NO cars, at any price! Ended up borrowing a friends wheels that time.

So this is outside the box a little but what about taking a cab (or using your mtn. bikes to ride down) to the railroad depot and taking the train to Talkeetna? The train ride is pretty nice and it wouldn't cost as much as that rental you are looking at. Here is a link to the ARR website:
http://www.alaskatravel.com/alaska-rail ... OgodxgIADA

BeeMan wrote:So this is outside the box a little but what about taking a cab (or using your mtn. bikes to ride down) to the railroad depot and taking the train to Talkeetna? The train ride is pretty nice and it wouldn't cost as much as that rental you are looking at. Here is a link to the ARR website:
http://www.alaskatravel.com/alaska-rail ... OgodxgIADA

That's a fine suggestion. There's even a rail line out to the airport, but I'm not clear if it ever actually saw any use. It may be that it's just used for cruise ship passengers.
-DP

Perhaps you could call the Alaska Airmans Association http://alaskaairmen.org/index.php , and ask them if they have some arrangements with Car Rental Companies.
For the small Annual Membership cost, you could help promote GA (in Alaska) and get a discount on a rental car, all the while becoming a member of a great organization.
I know of other ways to get reasonable rates for rental cars, but the Alaska Airman's route is a win win for everybody.
Just saying'

237

ANC car rental rates are pretty steep. If you find a good way to get a better rate let me know. I always get the cob snapped off when I rent there.

Thanks all.. seems the 'local' car rentals will be around nd the big guys $1000.. for july.

$300 for the round trip for the train might be allright - just will have to figure out where to stash our travel cases for the bikes.

enterprsie rent a car. Off airport, but they will pick you up. Rent from the local office.

Otherwise, sometimes these times can be good for frequent flyer point redemption, etc.

A couple years ago when fuel prices were up and tourism was down, and the rental RV and pickup camper lots were piled high with excess inventory, you could do quite well renting one of those. I just did a quick search, and that doesn't seem to be as true now.

gbflyer wrote: I always get the cob snapped off when I rent there.

If this metaphor means what I think, I am LOLing.

If you need a place to stash bike cases I'd be happy to help. I live in Eagle River, but I'm in Anchorage often and have plenty of room in my garage. PM me if I can be of help.

OE

alaskaoe wrote:If you need a place to stash bike cases I'd be happy to help. I live in Eagle River, but I'm in Anchorage often and have plenty of room in my garage. PM me if I can be of help.

OE

Thanks! We should be OK.

I have 1 option from a great offer of another BCP'r Troy as well we are pondering the train also. Leaning towards the train for the experience.

What race are you going to do?

FWIW... Dollar and Thrifty rental cars in Anchorage are part of the same franchise.. .they have a location at the international airport and another one a mile away on Spenard Road. If you rent from the Spenard Road location you avoid the 11.1% airport tax... same people, same cars, lower price.

Every on-line reservation tool I've used leads me to the airport location. Use the Google and find the Spenard Road location to call them directly if you want to use this option.

Still expensive in July..

There is a used car lot on the corner of 9th and Gambell that will rent cars off the lot. I think it's called Fairview Auto. Older cars with some miles but I never had any trouble with them. I haven't used them lately so I don't know what prices they have but they used to be reasonable.