Rome Tops Pickup Cities for U.S. Travelers in 2016
Based on reservations made by U.S. residents, the top five pickup cities in Europe for 2016 include Rome, Dublin, London, Paris and Florence, according to data from Auto Europe.

U.S. rental bookings for the top 5 European pickup cities for 2016 versus 2015. Charts courtesy of Auto Europe.

U.S. rental bookings for the top 5 European pickup cities for 2016 versus 2015. Charts courtesy of Auto Europe.
Looking ahead to 2016, the top five pickup cities in Europe include Rome, Dublin, London, Paris and Florence. These findings reflect reservations made by U.S. residents prior to Dec. 1, 2015, according to data from Auto Europe.
In terms of year-over-year growth, European car rental are up 15%, says Auto Europe. Paris fell from the top spot last year to the fourth spot, which may be attributed to the events in Paris in November.
When looking at trip duration, travelers scheduled to pick up their vehicles in Paris and Rome in 2016 have extended their trip compared to 2015 — adding over four and three days to each trip, respectively.

Average duration of advanced bookings by U.S. travelers for 2016 (orange) versus 2015 (green). Chart courtesy of Auto Europe.
According to Auto Europe, the most popular vehicles reserved for 2016 include compact, mid-size and economy class. This is similar to the results from 2015.
Click here for more information on Auto Europe’s 2016 car rental bookings report.
More Rental Operations

The $100,000 Insurance Trap in Exotic Car Rentals
Exotic rental agencies often rely on customers’ personal auto policies to protect six-figure vehicles. But policy language can dramatically change the coverage for vehicles over $100,000 MSRP.
Read More →
The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?
For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.
Read More →
ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers
The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.
Read More →
Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service
Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.
Read More →
Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap
A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.
Read More →
U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana
The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.
Read More →
When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?
As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)
Read More →
European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country
Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.
Read More →Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.
Read More →
Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental
Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)
Read More →
