Hidden cost of car hire

I travelled to Belfast via Aer Arann. On arrival I picked up my rental car from Budget.

The cost of the car was, I felt, reasonable at £24.09 per day.

Including petrol, which came to £44.80, the bill would have been approximately £150 for four days.

Instead I was presented with a bill for £253. The following were added on: £18.73 for cross-Border travel (I was travelling on to Donegal); £21.28 for a baby seat; =£3.80 tax; =£25.52 to allow my wife to drive and £20 premium location pick-up charge.

The total extras amounted to approximately £89, or nearly the same price as the car itself. To pay £209.10 (petrol excluded) for four days is outrageous. No wonder tourism is struggling in Ireland.

Ger Coakley,

Ferry Road,

Fountainstown,

Co Cork.