Travelling by car from the USA into Mexico

[Top Cat]

Does anyone know of a carhire firm that allows you to travel in a hired car from the US to Mexico?

[AllYourBase]

Most of the online agencies DO NOT allow this to be a feature of a booking. Although many places actually do allow it if you turn up at their offices off the street and request it. Sadly this does not always get the best rates. What you find, in all the main US cities near the border, is that most of the agents for the smaller chains will allow it, but the larger chains (eg alamo, hertz, sixt) don't. A bit of legwork is needed, but it is not too much trouble. I can personally recommend Advantage rent a car in San Diego, on the marine drive. When we were over in Cali, we had to drop our Alamo car at San D and switch to an advantage car to go on into Mexico. In San D there were many places offering mexico insurance, but all were the smaller chains with older fleets. I imagine most other border cities will be the same. Haggle a bit with these and you never know! Driving into Mexico, now there's a scary experience. Get EVERY insurance going and use the toll roads. At traffic lights/stop signs DO NOT leave windows open and never stop for anyone flagging you over, except for a policeman. Contrary to popular rumour, most Mexican drivers are quite polite and follow standard rules of the road. There are just few lights/signs and many big holes. Enjoy!

[Dave Potts]

Great answer Simon. My only comment would be perhaps 'what they don't know won't hurt 'em' - I hired a car in Florida and drove across the US, dipping into Mexico from San Diego. To be honest I didn't even think about whether or not I was allowed to take the car into Mexico but I certainly had no problems at all with the border. Maybe they've tightened up these days. The drive down the west coast is stunning but the shanty towns are heartbreaking. I think the comment re people flagging you down probably applies as much to the continental US as for Mexico. I would recommend blending in insofar as possible - as long as you don't look like an obvious tourist I should think you can relax and enjoy the experience.

[AllYourBase]

The border patrol are not bothered about your insurance. Mexicans are just glad of the money tourists bring and the Americans are more worried about bombs than car insurance. Mexican insurance is not really much more (about $3 per day extra) so is worth specifying. On your return, follow the border patrol instructions carefully as the Americans are more paranoid than we ae used to in the EU! One of the most fascinating sights at the border crossings on the Mexico side is the array of peddlers walking up and down the queing cars selling all manner of stuff, from fizzy pop to statues - quite amazing. A Mexican road trip is a truly great experience - but be prepared as it is not a place to have a problem in!