Auto Europa Car Rental at Seattle Tacoma International Airport

Seattle Tacoma International Airport is an important establishment in the United States of America. It handled approximately 32.8 million passengers in 2011, which ranked it as the sixteenth busiest airport in the country. The airport is important in terms of international passengers and cargo, although the majority of its traffic is domestic. SEA is the airport’s official IATA code, and its other common name is the Sea-Tac Airport, due to its location in the area of SeaTac. Arriving passengers have access to many facilities, including the Seattle Tacoma International Airport car hire companies, such as Auto Europa. Auto Europa offers a wide selection of vehicle categories, and is well known for excellent customer service at many American locations, as well as at other locations around the world.

The airport of SEA has a Central Terminal and four concourses, as well as two satellite terminals. The concourses are referred to by the letters A, B, C and D, while the satellite terminals are named the South and North Terminals. The South Terminal handles all international arrival flights, besides those from airports with US border preclearance facilities, such as Toronto Pearson and Vancouver in Canada. Passengers will generally find the terminals quite easy to navigate, and that all facilities are within walking distance of one another. Only the satellite terminals are further away, and are linked to the main terminal by an automated people mover system. Once passengers have collected their luggage items from the baggage claim area, they can proceed outside to where the shuttles depart for the Rental Car Centre. The shuttles leave from the south and north ends of the Central Terminal, and from outside the baggage claim level.

Shuttle buses are frequently available to the offices of Auto Europa Seattle Tacoma International Airport. They also take just five to seven minutes to reach the car rental companies, and are accessible to disabled passengers. They are free of charge as well. The new Rental Car Centre of the airport opened recently, in May 2011. It houses all the car hire companies of the airport, which freed up space within the passenger terminals. It also helps to reduce traffic on the roadways. The facility is equipped with a larger car park, able to accommodate over 5,000 vehicles. It is located at the intersection of International Boulevard and South 160th Street, and the facility’s physical address is 3150 South 160th Street.

The rented car is also returned to the airport’s Car Rental Centre, unless an Auto Europa one way hire has been arranged, allowing the vehicle to be delivered to another location. From Seattle Tacoma International Airport, one way hires can generally be driven to all parts of Washington, and into the neighbouring states as well, however, cross-border travels may not be permitted. Regardless of the end destination, the vehicle will be checked for any new damages, and the final payment of the rental will be due. Payments are usually accepted by credit or debit card, but not in cash. Before leaving with the vehicle at the start of the rental period, a hold will be placed on the customer’s credit or debit card account for the estimated rental charges. It is usually the case that only renters 25 years of age or older may use a debit card for this purpose. Younger renters are also restricted to only certain vehicle categories, and will pay higher rental rates, as there is an extra, approximate charge of $30.00 per day of car hire for a driver between the ages of 21 and 24. This charge is also applicable per young driver registered on the rental contract.

Additional requirements for hiring a car from one of the Seattle Tacoma International Airport car rental companies include a valid drivers license and passport documents if from a foreign country. The driving licences accepted are those that are issued in the United States, or those that are Canadian-endorsed. Foreign renters will therefore often be required to provide their passport, and proof that they will be returning to their country of residence. Persons from countries other than the United States are advised to contact Auto Europa regarding the requirements of their rental.

From Auto Europa, hand controls for disabled drivers can be requested for certain types of automatic vehicles. The device is used by persons with a lower limb disability, as it operates the brake and accelerator pedals of the vehicle, and is free of charge from the rental location of Seattle Tacoma Airport. Hand controls will require an advanced reservation. Any other item of equipment required is also recommended to be booked early. Child seats and satellite navigation systems are usually offered for hire, but unlike hand controls, these items will have extra charges.

Vehicles for hire by Auto Europa include the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Aveo, Hyundai Elantra and the Chevy Malibu, which is a Fullsize vehicle able to seat up to five passengers and store five luggage items. A larger car is recommended for family travellers. The vehicles mentioned first come with cheaper car rental rates, and are ideal for city or longer distance journeys, provided that they offer sufficient space for occupants and their belongings. SUVs can be hired from Auto Europa as well, such as the Jeep Patriot, Dodge Journey and Ford Explorer, and Minivans similar to the Chrysler Town and Country are ideal for up to seven passengers. Auto Europa is also one of few car hire companies that offers the hire of motorcycles. A couple that are available from Seattle Tacoma International Airport are the Vespa 150 – 250 cc, Harley Sportster 883, Harley Street Glide, Harley Road King and the Harley Heritage Softail. Contact Auto Europa for all further details required.

From North America only:

Tel +1 207 842 2000

Fax +1 207 842-2222

1-888-223-5555 toll-free

Alternatively – view international phone list on Auto Europa’s website, at www.autoeuropa.com.