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Reno

Reno, the "Biggest Little City in the World" is in the beautiful north-west region of the State of Nevada, right at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It is the second largest tourist destination in Nevada, featuring resorts, gaming, family entertainment, outdoor activities, festivals, museums, fantastic cuisine, shows for everyone, art and culture.

Understand
Reno is steeped in a rich, diverse, and rugged history. This is where the historic Johnson-Jeffries fight happened. This is where Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable made The Misfits in 1961—the last completed film for both (Gable died in 1960, after shooting was complete but before release; Monroe died in 1962). It is where the railroad tumbles down out of the mountains from California to cross the Truckee River and begin the long journey east. It's difficult to walk the streets of Reno without seeing the history in this dynamic city.

Most Renoites consider the start of it all to be 1859, when Charles Fuller built a log bridge across the Truckee River and started charging to cross over it on the way to the Gold Rush in California or coming back to Nevada for the "Washoe Rush" in Virginia City. Fuller set up shelter for weary travelers to rest. He served meals at a price, and created an opportunity for prospectors to exchange stories and information.

The town site of Reno, named after Civil War General Jesse Reno, was established on May 13, 1868.

Since its beginning, Reno has spread across much of the Truckee Meadows. Reno and Sparks (a smaller adjacent city) now spread across this small valley separating the Sierra Nevada mountains to the West and Nevada's expansive desert areas to the East.

The profiteering characteristic of the founders may have occasionally plagued the course of Reno's subsequent generations. Some Renoites claim Nevadans are simply of a freer nature. Others think the city has repeated the steps of the goldrush era founders. Certainly, the choices made today are what will determine the true nature of the community. Regardless, Reno enjoys a pretty decent quality of life with four seasons, winter and summer fun, a major university, and plenty of other entertainment.

Reno is in Northwestern Nevada, at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and serves as the urban center for a region including nearby Carson City and the Carson Valley, Lake Tahoe, Pyramid Lake, and historic mining town Virginia City, home of the Comstock Lode. Along with the city of Sparks, Reno is in the Truckee Meadows, and together they form the Reno-Sparks Metropolitan Area.

Competition in the last years of the 20th century slowed down the gambling business in Reno considerably. Given that its downtown centered around these activities for a good 50 years, the same downtown suffered. Downtown today has weathered the storm, and is improving with projects like a baseball and entertainment district and several condo projects that were completed despite economic slowdown. Growth in the area has continued due to its livability. Reno is working hard to build a different kind of city for a greater variety of tastes, and keeping that in mind will help the visitor see the town through the right kind of eyes.

Climate
Reno is at the western edge of the Great Basin, a zone stretching to Salt Lake City that does not drain to the sea - water is carried away by evaporation only. Average precipitation is approximately $$ a year, with much of that occurring in the winter in the form of snow. July is the warmest month, with an average high of, and January is the coldest month, with an average low of.

From Northern California
As Reno and the Sierra Nevada are popular weekend destinations for Northern Californians, traffic can be bad coming to Reno on Friday evening, and leaving Reno on Sunday evening, especially in the ski season.

The most direct route to Reno from Sacramento is via Interstate 80 over Donner Summit (7239 feet or 2206 m). This route sees a great deal of snowfall during the winter, and will shut down for periods of up to a day several times during a typical winter. Northern California residents also use U.S. 395 in Susanville, which stays at a lower elevation and has less problems of traffic and weather. Residents living in the Redding and Chico areas of California find this route safer and quicker. If you plan on crossing this or any other pass in the Sierra Nevada in the winter, keep an eye on the weather forecast, and always carry tire chains if you do not have four-wheel drive.

An alternative route is US 50 over Echo Summit (7330 feet). This route follows the American River up from the Sacramento Valley, and then drops into the Lake Tahoe Basin. From there you can continue on US 50 into Carson City, and from there head north to Reno on US 395, or continue around the lake to Incline Village and drop into Reno on the Mount Rose Highway. This route is two lanes only for much of the way, and traffic can be heavy both in the winter and the summer, and winter maintenance is not as good as on Interstate 80.

Passes across the Sierra south of US 50, aside from CA 88, are not maintained in the winter (from approximately November until May.) And when they are open they are out of the way and potentially dangerous.

From Southern California
The most direct route to Reno is via US 395. This route takes you up the Owens Valley to Bishop, past Mammoth Lakes, into Carson City and thence to Reno. The portion between Bishop and Carson City crosses three passes as high as 8,143 ft (2,482 m) that may have moderately heavy snowfall during winter storms. In that event it would be better to take U.S. 6 from Bishop over Montgomery Pass to U.S. 95 (north) which stays in much lower valleys with less snow. At Schurz beyond Walker Lake take 95(Alt) north to Fernley, then I-80 west to Reno.

From Las Vegas
Don't be fooled by the fact that Las Vegas and Reno are in the same state - there are about 8 hours of driving time separating them. Take US 95 north to Fallon, US 50 west to Fernley, and Interstate 80 west to Reno. If you're not a fan of desert landscapes, boredom is a serious risk on this trip. Winter weather will generally not be a large problem on this trip, but don't count on being able to find food or fuel outside the major towns (Beatty, Tonopah, Hawthorne, Fallon, and Fernley)

During the summer the heat along US 95 can be hard on you and on your vehicle. A much more comfortable alternative to cooking in your car is to drive during the night. Many of the dark stretches between the small towns along US 95 reveal numerous shooting stars and other astral phenomena that you might miss during the baking sun. Keep in mind that driving at night can be dangerous due to the visibility limitations from the hills and the mountains. Be sure to have a lot of rest before undertaking this trip.

From the East
The most traveled route to Reno from the east is Interstate 80. Interstate 80 follows the old Emigrant trail along the Humboldt river for most of the way across Nevada, and thus the grades are generally easy. However, it does this at the expense of swinging well north of the direct route to Reno. US 50 ("The Loneliest Highway in America") is more direct, but it crosses several large mountain ranges and thus has some tight curves, steep grades and a few switchbacks. Don't count on finding food or fuel along US 50 outside of the major towns (Ely, Eureka, Austin, Fallon and Fernley).

By train
Amtrak serves Reno via its California Zephyr service between Emeryville and Chicago, and stops once a day in both directions. is in the middle of downtown Reno, on 280 N Center St, and is within walking distance of all the downtown casinos. The station is full service, including an indoor waiting room and checked bag service. Amtrak California also operates shuttle buses between Reno and Sacramento which connects to the Capitol Corridor, serving Northern California, and the San Joaquins, serving the Central Valley and points south, rail routes.

By bus
Intercity buses stop at at 1421 Victorian Ave in Sparks; the airport; the downtown Amtrak station at 280 N Center St or another location. See the below listings as to where they are:

By plane
The following airlines serve Reno (some distant cities are seasonal and/or weekly):
 * Concourse B:
 * Delta/Delta Connection (Gates B8 & B10): (Minneapolis-St Paul, Seattle and Salt Lake City, Atlanta (Seasonal))
 * JetBlue (Gates B4 & B6): (Long Beach & New York JFK)
 * Southwest (Gates B1-11 odd numbered): (Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix & San Diego. Seasonally from Chicago-Midway
 * Concourse C:
 * Alaska Airlines/Horizon (Gates C4 & C6): (Boise, Portland, Orange County, Seattle, San Jose CA)
 * Allegiant' (Gate C11): (Los Angeles & Las Vegas)
 * American Airlines (Gates C7-10 and C12): (Chicago O'Hare, Dallas Ft Worth & Phoenix)
 * Volaris (Gates C2) (Guadalajara)
 * United Airlines/United Express (Gates C1-5 odd numbered): (Denver, Los Angeles & San Francisco. Seasonally from Houston)

The only non-stop international flight offered is from Guadalajara, Mexico by Volaris. Additional international connections are made in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas-Ft Worth, Minneapolis, New York JFK or Chicago O'Hare depending on the airline you choose.

To travel from the airport to downtown:

By car
Reno is served by two freeways: I-80 running east-west, and US 580 (previously 395), running north-south. Circling the valley of the Truckee Meadows is the McCarran Blvd ring road. The primary business artery is Virginia Street, which runs north-south through downtown Reno. Major east-west routes include Moana Lane, Plumb Lane, Mill Street, Second Street, Fourth Street, and Sixth Street. Major routes running north-south in Reno include Keystone Avenue, Lakeside Drive, Wells Avenue, and Kietzke Lane.

Car rental
Nearly all national car rental agencies serve the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Note that several agencies do not have fleets within the airport property. Most notably, Enterprise's fleet is 1 mile away from the terminal. However, the terminal includes an Enterprise service counter, they offer free shuttle service during business hours, and taxi vouchers and a pickup hotline for drop-offs after hours.

By bus
Reno's transit system, called RTC RIDE, is operated by the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County. The busiest route, the #1 bus, has been replaced with two services, RTC RAPID, a priority express bus making limited stops, and RTC CONNECT, the local. RAPID runs 15 minutes or better headways most of the day through Downtown Reno (a good place to start is the RTC 4th Street Station at 4th and Lake) and down South Virginia Street (the major north-south street) to Meadowood Mall. RTC RAPID should serve any tourist well for most shopping, dining, and gambling needs.

Other routes to know about are the #11, which runs between downtown Reno and downtown Sparks, and the Sierra Spirit circulator bus (7AM – 7PM), which connects various downtown destinations along the Virginia Street corridor down to the Truckee River to the south and the University of Nevada, Reno, to the north. In downtown Reno, all buses stop at or near the RTC 4th Street Station at 4th and Lake St, where you can also find The Bus Book.

Fares may be paid on the bus by cash (exact change) or by pass. All RTC RIDE passes are available from the Pass Vending Machines (as of March 28, 2011 all day passes are $4 at the station, if you buy them on the bus they are $5. One trip fare is $2, but asking for a transfer allows travel on any bus in any direction for 1½ hrs from the time of purchase. All major casinos have a bus stop for easy access), available at RTC 4th Street Station and Meadowood Mall, and may be purchased with cash, coin, debit or credit cards (cash only if purchased on the bus).

By taxi or ride hailing service
Reno's taxis are plentiful, efficient, and comfortable. At the airport, downtown or near any major casino they should be very easy to come by, in other places expect to call to arrange pick-up. Uber and Lyft are available in the Reno area with short waits available in many of the spots a visitor might go inside the city. Don't drink and drive.

See
Reno is an interesting city, with plenty to see and do day and night; many attractions which should be considered "must-see" are 30–60 minutes outside of town by car. Therefore, renting a car is a good idea when visiting Reno.

In-City

Events
Tourism is the main focus of Reno, and a number of yearly tourism events are held in the Reno-Sparks area, mostly during the summer months.

Gambling
Casinos are Reno's most common visitor attraction and no entry to Reno would be complete without an overview of them. In addition to gambling, these properties provide a variety of dining and entertainment opportunities and should not be overlooked.

Downtown
If you see billboards or other advertisements for The Row, that refers to the trio of Circus Circus, Eldorado and the Silver Legacy. All three are Caesars Entertainment properties and connected with walkways so you can go through all three without setting foot outside.

Climb
The granite faces around the Reno area offer fantastic rock climbing locations for experienced climbers, such as Donner Pass and Big Chief near Lake Tahoe. For those who are less experienced, or just want to stay indoors, there are also three climbing gyms in Reno that offer good training and a fun time.

Kayak
Reno offers a kayak park at Wingfield Park. Equipment rentals and outdoor adventures can be booked nearby.

Mountain biking
The open desert terrain that surrounds much of Reno, especially to the Northwest, offers some fantastic mountain biking. Peavine mountain has many networks of trails that are a biker's paradise, most of it singletrack, and most of it technical. Many cyclists start near Rancho San Rafael Park to access the Peavine trails. Be careful, however, as there are often gun-happy residents shooting away, not always sober, farther out in the government lands; also be sure to bring plenty of water, as the desert heat can be quite oppressive. Find more information in books such as Mountain Biking Reno & Carson City: Best Trails by R.W. Miskimins. Nearby areas, like Lake Tahoe offer even more for the mountain biker, such as Tahoe's famous Flume Trail.

Road biking
There is a rather good bike trail along the Truckee River which extends from the eastern fringes of Sparks to the western limits of Reno and beyond. The section inside city limits is fun and easy for bikers of any skill level, but is actually only a section of the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway which—when completed—will run from Lake Tahoe all the way to Pyramid Lake: 116 miles (187 km) in total. Another paved and mostly flat bike trail runs alongside Veterans Parkway in the southeast.

Hiking
Reno and its surrounding areas have thousands of miles of hiking trails, ranging from park strolls to mountain wilderness treks. Washoe county maintains a Truckee Meadows Trails guide, though this is not comprehensive for all trails in the region.
 * Evans Canyon and the "N". Begins in the northern half of Rancho San Rafael Park. For a moderate hike, the Evans Creek trail runs in a loop on both sides of the eponymous canyon creek. There is also "the N", a massive whitewash painted landmark set into the side of a hill on the north end of the park.  Two trails lead up to the N: a longer but easier route from the side, or a harder straight ascent from the base of the hill.

Ski
Reno is within two hours of an incredible number of ski resorts. Here is a short list.

Burning Man
Reno is the closest major city to Black Rock City and the corresponding Burning Man festival. Many burners pass through Reno on the way to Black Rock City, and many Reno businesses cater to burners by stocking extra water and camping supplies during the Burning Man week. Some hotels offer Burning Man discounts for travellers staying overnight in Reno.

Buy
Exploring the Truckee River Arts District will give you firsthand experience of Downtown Reno's 21st-century urban renaissance. There are two main shopping and dining hubs in the district:
 * The "Riverwalk" area. The North end of Reno's Riverwalk District meanders along Reno 's beautiful Truckee River. Most of the retail activity on this end is situated along First Street between Lake St. (east) and Arlington St. (west). This end of the district has galleries, coffee shops, great dining including a brewery and a French restaurant and even a movie theater. Reno 's renowned Truckee River Whitewater Park runs directly through this area offering visitors even more adventurous outdoor activities in the urban setting of downtown Reno. Kayak and raft rentals from Tahoe Whitewater Tours are available at Wingfield Park at the 1st and Arlington Street area.
 * The "CalAve" area. CalAve is the section of the Truckee River Arts District that runs along California Avenue. This area forms the southernmost border of the district and is quickly becoming Reno 's pre-eminent neighborhood retail, restaurant, entertainment and business district. CalAve is a must-see with highlights such as the Chocolate Bar - a trendy place to sip alcoholic and nonalcoholic chocolate drinks while sampling addictive confections like their Chili-Infused Truffles. Enjoy a slice of Blue Moon's famous gourmet pizza or enjoy wine, cheeses and other lunch specialties at the Cheese Board. The retail options on CalAve will satisfy the serious shopper offering a variety of upscale clothing, shoe and home decor shops.

Eat
One thing Renoites know is food! Check out some of these great spots:

Sleep
Most visitors to Reno stay at one of the hotel/casino resorts. See above for a list of casino resorts. There are however many options for those that don't want to stay at a casino.

Go next
Regionally, Reno features a variety of attractions which are hard to beat. These attractions are best experienced during the spring, summer, and early fall, as wintertime in the area renders most of them closed. Reno gets cold in the winter, so if you're visiting in the winter, look to ski resorts to entertain you during the day.

 * There are several world-class ski areas within a one-hour drive of Reno, including Squaw Valley (home of the 1960 Winter Olympics), Heavenly and Alpine Meadows.
 * The eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park is 150 miles (240 km) south (on US395 to California 120; allow at least 3 hours), and is generally much less crowded than the western entrances. Excellent dayhiking and backpacking are found around  Tuolomne Meadows and Dana Pass before descending into more crowded Yosemite Valley.  However, beware of this entrance if you suffer from altitude sickness - the elevation of the park gate is nearly 10,000 feet.
 * Washoe Valley: Bower's Mansion & Davis Creek Park.  Washoe Valley is a very picturesque valley about 30 minutes south of Reno by car (US-395) and features two great regional parks which should not be missed:  Bower's Mansion and Davis Creek Park.  Davis Creek park features the creek of the same name and a great pond for winter ice skating (conditions permitting) as well as fantastic access to the Sierra Nevada mountains (it sits at the base)  Features campsites and showers.  Bower's Mansion is a park with a swimming pool open in the summertime and the mansion which is the park's namesake.  Tours of the mansion are available throughout the day in the summertime and well worth it – telling a story of the enrichment and eventual tragic downfall of a family which struck it rich on the Comstock Lode.  Washoe Valley is also home to Washoe Lake State Park.  In years when the lake is full, this park features a boat landing and some of the best windsurfing to be found, plus campsites, and some fantastic scenery.
 * Virginia City. The home of the Comstock Lode, this was once the largest city between Denver and San Francisco. It is a historic landmark district and can be accessed from Reno via Geiger Grade (Hwy 341, east from Mt Rose Junction south of town) or Mound House just east of Carson City (also via Hwy 341)  If you are not comfortable with mountain driving it may be worth your time to go through Carson City.  Worth it to have a drink at one of its storied saloons (a popular one is Bucket of Blood, others abound), to wander its historic C Street, wander through its cemetery, and if you're a train buff, to ride the V&T tourist train (and learn more about the ongoing efforts to recreate the original route of this historic short-line railroad).
 * Carson City. From its founding this town was intended to be Nevada's capital city. The historic Carson City mint is now home to the Nevada State Museum, with exhibits dealing with everything from prehistoric native life to the Old West mining boom to the current day.  The State Capitol Complex is an ideal location for a stroll and a look inside the political history and workings of the state, especially in springtimes of odd-numbered years, when the Legislature is in session.  A tour of historic homes and the personalities behind them can be taken by following the blue lines on the sidewalks, beginning from downtown.  The Brewery Arts Center features theater, live music, and visual arts offerings throughout the week.
 * Lake Tahoe. Shared with California, this alpine lake features crystal clear cold water, and a variety of attractions including the MS Dixie paddlewheel trawler, Vikingsholm Castle, and the South Lake Tahoe/Stateline casino and tourist center. Other notable things to see and do include the picturesque California town of King's Beach, in addition to beaches and parks at Crystal Bay, Zephyr Cove, and more.  45 minutes from Reno via Hwy 431, the Mount Rose Highway; with a less treacherous drive through Carson City via Highway 50 West taking an hour and a half.
 * Pyramid Lake. The second largest terminus lake in North America, this desert lake features a variety of interesting rock formations and is home to endangered but large Lahontan Cutthroat Trout.  A high holy site to the native Paiute Indians, it is contained entirely within the Paiute Reservation.  Fishing, boating and swimming are available, though caution is advised for the latter two (random windstorms and undercurrents belie the relatively placid appearance the lake usually assumes).  Roughly an hour north of town, on Pyramid Highway, SR 428.
 * U.S. Route 50 eastward across Nevada, nicknamed the Loneliest Road in America crosses semi-desert mountains and valleys and passes through historic mining towns Austin, Eureka and Ely, then at the Utah line, the entrance to Great Basin National Park.

title: Reno


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Rensselaer

There is more than one place called Rensselaer:

United States of America

 * Rensselaer (Indiana) - A town in Indiana.
 * Rensselaer (Missouri) - A town in Missouri.
 * Rensselaer (New York) - A town in New York.
 * Rensselaer County - A county in New York

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Rensselaer


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Rensselaer (Indiana)

Rensselaer is a city in Northwestern Indiana.

By car
Rensselaer has two exits on I-65 at what is nearly the exact midpoint between Chicago and Indianapolis. The northern exit, 115, leads into the town via IN-114; the southern exit via IN-53/US-231.

By train

 * Route stopping in Rensselaer:
 * Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
 * Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.

See
Rensselaer has a typical midwestern Main Street. It also has a neogothic courthouse built in the 19th century that is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Rensselaer is also home to St. Joseph's College, a small Catholic college that is the former summer practice home to the Chicago Bears football team and the site for part of the film "Brian's Song".

Sleep
Rensselaer has three hotel/motels on IN-114 just off the I-65 exit 215. There is also a nice bed & breakfast closer to its downtown.

title: Rensselaer (Indiana)


text:
Rensselaer (New York)

Rensselaer is a city in New York on the Hudson River opposite Albany.

By train

 * Travel to time to Albany-Rensselaer from from Boston is 5.25 hours, Buffalo is 5.25 hours, from Chicago is 16 hours, from Cleveland is 8.75 hours, from Montreal is 7.75 hours, from New York City is 2.5-2.75 hours, from Niagara Falls, NY is 6 hours, from and from Toronto is 9.75 hours. Routes serving Albany-Rensselaer station:
 * Adirondack operating daily between Montreal and New York City including stops along the way in Saint-Lambert, Rouses Point, Plattsburgh, Westport, Ticonderoga, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.
 * Ethan Allen Express operating daily between Burlington and New York City including in Middlebury, Rutland, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.
 * Empire Service operating twice daily between Niagara Falls (New York) and New York City including stops in Buffalo, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers. Additional trips operate daily between Albany (Rensselaer) and New York City.
 * Maple Leaf train operating daily between Toronto and New York City, in partnership with VIA Rail Canada. Stops between Toronto and Niagara Falls (New York) include in Oakville, Burlington, Grimsby, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls (Ontario). Stops between Niagara Falls (New York) and New York City are the same as those made by the Empire Service. Border crossing processing takes place in Niagara Falls, where passengers must detrain with their baggage. Train crew members are staffed by VIA Rail within Canada, and by Amtrak within the United States.
 * Lake Shore Limited operating daily between Chicago and Boston or New York City. It makes stops at most stations along the route, though it does not stop at some of the smallest stations. Trains consist of train cars from both branches between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer).  The trains split into separate branches between Albany (Rensselaer) and both Boston and New York City.  Stops between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer) include South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Schenectady. Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and Boston include Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham. Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and New York City include Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, and Croton-on-Hudson.
 * Lake Shore Limited operating daily between Chicago and Boston or New York City. It makes stops at most stations along the route, though it does not stop at some of the smallest stations. Trains consist of train cars from both branches between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer).  The trains split into separate branches between Albany (Rensselaer) and both Boston and New York City.  Stops between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer) include South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Schenectady. Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and Boston include Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham. Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and New York City include Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, and Croton-on-Hudson.

By car

 * Interstate 90 (I-90)

Go next

 * Troy
 * Albany

title: Rensselaer (New York)


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Rentals

Various items are made available for rent or hire by travellers:
 * Cabins and cottages/chalets. See Sleep
 * Motorcars (hire cars), see rental car.
 * Sports equipment, skis, ice skates, bicycles. See sport and subtopics for each respective sport.
 * Houseboats and watercraft. See cruising in small craft.

Beware of common scams, including fraudulent/inflated claims for damage and demands for valuables (as "collateral") which risk remaining unreturned at the end of the rental.

title: Rentals


text:
Renting a car

Travelling by car can get you to places very difficult to reach by public transport or tour. It gives you the convenience of going your own way, in your own time, and it can in some cases be cheaper than public transport alternatives, at least if travelling as a couple or a group.

The downside is that in some places, traffic conditions may differ wildly from what you are used to, and foreign conditions can add stress to your travels that you can do without. See Driving in China for one example. In some circumstances, it may be better to rent a car with a driver. In countries where wages are low, this may not cost significantly more than the cost of the car alone. Traffic jams and congestion are also an issue: While you might save money by taking a car in some places, road rage is perhaps costing you twice that in sanity, avoid Jakarta at rush hour for one. Old towns are by their very definition not built for cars and if you have to drive a car, try parking it outside the old town proper and exploring the city center per pedes.

You should also consider whether you need a car. In many countries, public transport is perfectly adequate for most travellers and the time in a bus, train or boat can – at least sometimes – be used for rest, enjoying the landscape or getting yourself organized, much better than when one in the company has to concentrate on driving. If you will be visiting one or several (major) cities, expect parking to be both expensive and problematic. Finally, there's always the remote chance of your car being stolen or damaged.

Base price
Price is normally calculated by the number of days. Usually, the more days you take, the less you pay per day. Cars are classified according to a class, small to large, prestige and specialty vehicles, and there is a sliding scale of prices for each car class. When you book you are usually given an example of a car type in that class, but it need not be that type you are receiving.

Rental car companies normally permit a small amount of time, usually around an hour, for late returns. After that, they can charge up to another full day rental for a late return. If you know you are going to exceed the rental period you can often call the rental company and arrange an extension. Normally the standard contract rate (without discounts) would apply.

Most rental companies have a one-day minimum rental period. Price for durations less than a day normally are not regulated. If you need to return the car at a significantly different time of the day, you can try haggling to get extra hours for free.

Insurance surcharges
If the car is damaged or stolen, your liabilities (to the rental agency and/or others) can go far beyond the fee you agree to pay for the rental. In addition to paying for any repairs required, the rental car company will charge you for any loss of revenue while the car is being repaired, and administration costs for managing the repair. If your car damages another or injures someone, there are additionally the liabilities to this party, and possibly charges.

Usually, when you come to rent a car you are presented with several insurance options. Some of these are
 * Collision Damage Waiver – sometimes included in the rental cost (but more often sold at high markups with aggressive upselling), this reduces your liability in case of an accident to a fixed amount advised by the rental agency.
 * Theft Liability Waiver
 * Windscreen Breakage Insurance – sometimes a small extra daily fee will cover you against the cost of windscreen damage
 * Excess Reduction/Super-CDW – reduces the deductible amount in case of an accident to a lower or sometimes eliminates all liability. Can be a substantial cost on top of the base price amount.
 * Third party insurance
 * Personal Effects Insurance – covers loss of personal items in the car when it is stolen or damaged.

You should take the time to consider the insurances offered, how they affect your liability, their cost, and whether your personal car insurance, travel insurance or charge card (used to rent the car) provides partial or full coverage. Sometimes some of these insurances and surcharges are compulsory, e.g., in foreign countries where your personal insurance doesn't offer coverage. Sometimes some coverages are built into the base rate.

If insurance or waivers are optional, consider the following before accepting the charge:
 * 1) As above, if you have an automobile insurance policy on your vehicle at home, check to see if it includes coverage for rental car damage at your destination.  Some policies include this coverage only for certain locations, which is unhelpful if you're travelling to another country.
 * 2) If you plan to pay with your credit card, check also to see if it includes rental car coverage.  Be aware that in many cases this coverage is secondary (meaning your existing auto insurance coverage pays first).
 * 3) If you have purchased a travel insurance policy that covers trip cancellation, medical expenses, etc., check to see if it includes a rental car collision/loss benefit.  Some packages do, providing primary coverage up to a certain amount.  (Primary coverage means that the insurance pays before other policies, including your own auto insurance.)  Depending on the amount of insurance you buy, the per-day charge for a travel insurance policy that includes rental car coverage can work out to less than the per-day amount of a waiver.  It is usually cheaper to purchase travel insurance than to pay for the Excess Reduction/Super-CDW at the rental counter.

Rental companies tend to prefer bona fide visitors rather than local renters when it comes to excess levels and excess reduction. Sometimes these are lower for international visitors booked in advance, for airport renters with a flight number, or for people using a corporate discount code.

Many of the insurances are void if you use the car in a manner not permitted by the contract. You are almost never covered if driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but some contracts will also not cover you if you are driving outside of the areas or countries permitted, driving above the snow line, using ferries or driving off-road. Read the fine print.

Distance charges
Some rental agreements may have a limit on how far you can travel per day or in total and will charge for additional distance travelled. Others have unlimited mileage. In either case, a photo of the odometer shot at the beginning and end of the hire is a useful precaution.

Even with unlimited miles, you may see limits that confine you to adjacent states or regions. Some hire car firms may even use satellite navigation receivers to snoop on motorists, and inflict a costly per-km or per-mile charge onto the entire rental as soon as one visits even a single nearby out-of-province point (like Ottawa from Gatineau). Getting those limits relaxed may involve added fees; violating them may generate stiff penalties...all in the rental contract.

Other surcharges
Rental car companies are notorious for finding additional surcharges, sometimes not added until the point of sale. These can include location or airport taxes, improvement fees and other surcharges, admin surcharges, registration recovery surcharges and other local taxes. Sometimes local taxes are not just the local sales taxes, but also local vehicle taxes that are "recovered". At the Las Vegas airport, such fees can increase the cost of a rental by close to 60 per cent.

This practice has become so notorious that some consolidators promote themselves on the basis they guarantee to offer a fully inclusive price but check the fine print.

Depending on the jurisdiction some of these surcharges may or may not be actually illegal, but some rental companies just calculate that most customers don't know their rights and won't press charges for "a couple of bucks". One example are taxes: While it is perfectly legal to quote a price without sales tax in the US, sales tax has to be included in every price told to consumers in all EU countries.

Discounts
If you work for a large corporation, you may be eligible for the corporate (employee) rate when renting a car with some of the larger rental companies in any worldwide location. Extra benefits may also include a reduced excess. Check with your company for a discount code that may apply. However, if you use an employee discount code, don't assume it will always result in a lower cost. Many employee discount codes have a cheaper rental rate and included liability, but have increased charges for mileage and one-way fees. Check the cost, with and without the "discount".

Similarly, members of professional societies, alumni societies, or even travellers with a partner airline can access discount codes. If you don't have travel insurance a discount code that lowers the excess (deductible) to a moderate amount can be worth a significant part of the rental cost.

Sometimes - though not necessarily always or even in the majority of cases - there is a (small) discount for buying the rental car, the hotel and the flight "in a bundle". Check carefully whether this is actually the case, as especially low-cost airlines are notorious for making money off of "commission" they get for selling overpriced hotel rooms and rental cars.

Choosing a car and optional extras
You need to choose a car to meet your needs.

 * If you can't drive a manual (stick-shift), check that your car will be automatic. In the United States, rental cars are automatic by default, but in Europe they are usually manual unless you specifically request otherwise at booking.
 * Check whether there is room for all the passengers and luggage you will be carrying. The car may not be the exact model you booked, and the boot (trunk) space may vary.
 * If you are travelling on unsurfaced/gravel roads you may want to consider a car with high road clearance or 4-wheel drive. Some hire car agencies refuse to allow their cars to be taken on gravel or logging roads, or provide no roadside assistance if the motorist is stranded at some remote point on a road like the Trans-Labrador Highway, or increase the insurance excess.

You can usually hire a GPS with the car. Having a GPS when driving in a new city can save a considerable amount of time until you get your bearings. Check the price carefully, as GPS rental for a week can sometimes cost as much as a new GPS. If you own a GPS device or smartphone that works at your destination, the small comfort of a pre-installed GPS may not be worth the extra money.

Rental car companies often rent child seats or booster seats. If you are flying with a young child, sometimes you can take your seat on the plane to save the cost of this hire. Make sure the seat you have will attach to the car you are hiring and complies with the relevant standards.

Locations
If you are considering driving to a different country from that where you have rented your car, ensure that it is allowed and that the insurance will also cover this. Even in places such as the European Union where many countries have open borders with each other, each car rental company can have different policy coverage, and may differ between directions (e.g. you can take a Polish rental car to Germany but not the other way round). Sometimes this can be waived by paying extra. Shop around if your trip contains more than one country.

In some case, there are also restrictions on driving across domestic borders; for instance, most car rental companies in Australia prohibit taking their cars across the state borders with the Northern Territory and Western Australia, or onto ferries. Similarly, standard hire cars must not be used for driving in the interior of Iceland.

There are sometimes exclusions for ferries, unpaved roads and other special cases. Regardless of whether using the car off ordinary roads is permitted, your insurance may not cover such situations. The insurance may be void there even if damage or a breakdown isn't your fault. Read the fine print carefully.

Age
It is common to restrict rentals to only drivers over the age of 21, and to apply a surcharge on drivers under 25.

License
Some companies insist that your license has been valid for a period of time. Provisional licenses can be problematic, and learners permits are always forbidden. Obviously, your license has to be valid in the country of destination. While this may not be a problem in most countries, other countries, most notably mainland China, don't accept any foreign licenses not even those from Hong Kong. Generally, it is a good idea to get an International Driving Permit (license) in the country your license is issued in before travelling. You may not need it in some countries, for example, USA and Canada generally recognize European driving licenses and Australia will recognize foreign licenses if they are in English. But for a small price it is best to be safe and prepared.

Booking and haggling
The decision over whether to book in advance or whether to shop around on arrival can be difficult and depends on the location and the time.

When renting with major rental agencies at major western airports a reservation doesn't guarantee your rental. On their side, the rental agencies overbook, and on your side you can usually make a reservation without any commitment and cancel at any time with no penalty. Although a reservation will not guarantee you a car in this case, it will give you priority over someone without a reservation.

Some things to consider when choosing whether to book or turn up and try for a better standby rate.
 * If you book a small economy car, it is quite common to get upgraded at the airport if those cars have sold, in which case you will get the upgrade at no additional cost. You can usually still change your booking at the airport if you don't get upgraded.
 * If you don't book you run a greater risk of no availability – particularly in a small location, or at popular times of year.
 * Some airports don't have all the airport rental agencies in one place to enable you to haggle effectively.
 * Most airport rental agencies know their advantage of being right at the airport and make you pay accordingly. In some cases the owner of the airport itself is charging hire car and taxi firms outlandish prices for access to the terminal, knowing that these inflated fees can be passed on to a captive market of travellers. The same goes to a lesser degree for rental agencies in the city center and/or close to the train station. It may in some cases be cheaper to go from the airport to the city by public transport and rent the car in the city.
 * If you do not necessarily need the car the first day or days of your visit, paying more to increase your chances to get a car immediately makes less sense.

If you book with a travel agent they often require prepayment in full and will give you a voucher to present at the rental car desk on arrival.

You may also encounter somewhat better offers or treatment if you book through the agent/agency arranging your flight; citing your membership in automobile associations or other specific groups (military, seniors, corporate business travel) may also sometimes be advantageous.

Delivering the car to your location
Some rental car companies offer an option to deliver a car to your initial hotel, and/or to pick it up in the hotel at your final destination. This option may be offered free as part of an extended period of rent (e.g. 1 week and more, as for Budget in Portugal). In this case, an agent comes with a full set of papers, everything is filled out on spot and you may not need to visit a rental office at all. Other rental car companies may pick you up in the car, and take you back to the rental car agency to fill out the paperwork. This is mainly so their driver has a way to get back to the rental car office, rather than being left stranded at a hotel without a car.

If your hotel has only paid parking around it, it is your responsibility to pay for parking time required for an agent to prepare papers with you.

Payment and security deposit
Rental companies invariably require a mechanism to have a security deposit in case of damage, fines or even failure to return a car.

Many operators require that they have a true credit card that they can make charges against, often rejecting debit cards that can have the money withdrawn from them. Usually, a hold will be placed on a credit card for a security deposit amount. However, in many cases, they mean a card with protruding card details text, i.e. number, expiration, cardholder's name (cards like Visa Classic or Mastercard)--as opposed to Visa Electron or Cirrus/Maestro.

Renting with cash only is unusual, and you should check with the rental company that it is acceptable. If permitted it involves paying an amount of cash as a deposit roughly equal to your maximum liability which can be many times the cost of the rental. Some rental companies will accept payment for the rental in cash, as long as there is credit card available for the security deposit.

The security deposit amount held is not usually fixed in your contract and the funds may remain tied up for weeks (or a couple of months) after you return the vehicle. If having part of your credit card limit held may impact some other part of your holiday plans, you should check with the rental agency.

Before you set out
Make sure you know:

 * what to do in case of accident; breakdown when you still can drive; breakdown if you cannot
 * any local specifics of driving rules and conventions (see the get around sections of our country articles for more info)
 * controls of the car that differ between car manufacturers (reverse gear, seat adjustment, lights, radio, opening gas/fuel tank, opening trunk/boot, opening hood/bonnet, etc)
 * what kind of fuel is recommended, and how it is marketed at your destination (A98 vs A80; petrol in a diesel engine--both can prove an expensive mistake)
 * known issues of this car model, of this particular hire car

And before you move the car, adjust your seat and then all mirrors to meet your needs.

Frequently you will be provided with a free driving map of the region.

Checking initial condition
Before you go, check the exterior and front glass of the car and ask personnel to mark in the contract every scratch and dent you find, and sign the scheme on both copies of your contract, or even keep digital photos of the condition of the car and picture any damages at time of pick up and at time of drop off. When you return the car, it will be checked against the scheme you put in the contract. You can save considerable hassles at the end of the rental by just taking the time to note every scratch and dent.

Tolls
Electronic tolling in many countries means that the car rental company will usually offer some kind of tolling service where they will make arrangements to pay your toll or provide you with an electronic tag in return for an administrative fee.

Some rental providers will charge a fee for every day of the rental as soon as you pay a single toll on any day of the rental.

You need to give consideration to toll roads on your route and whether they are tag, license plate or cash. You can then work out if it is cheaper to pay the local tolling authority directly, or if the convenience is worth the fee charged by the rental company.

Filling the tank
Normally, a rental car is expected to be returned with the same fuel level as when rented.
 * If the tank is not full when the car is returned but it was when it was received, you may be charged a premium - up to three times the cost of the fuel - for the tank to be filled.
 * If the fuel indicator indicates less than full, do not leave without a rental agent noting it.

Some agreements offer you purchase of fuel at an attractive discounted rate. In this case make sure you are going to be driving enough to empty the tank, and that you can return it virtually empty. Many rental sites will charge you to fill the tank as though it is totally empty, not for the actual fuel needed to fill it.

Normally, the most economical approach is to agree to return the car full. Note that:
 * Gas stations close to rental sites may charge considerably more - particularly airports and central city locations. You might refill large amounts elsewhere, and top-up at the end.
 * Some rental sites may ask for a "fill-up receipt" as an indicator the tank has not been used much since being filled; you might just top-off the tank near their site.

You might get a car brand that you are not used to. Several car brands have a button or handle that must be operated in order to open the filling hole. It can be located on the dashboard, often between the steering wheel and the door, or on the floor at the driver's seat. Ask the rental clerk or check the manual if you cannot open the hatch.

If the car breaks down
The rental car agency will provide a number to contact in case of problems with the car. Make sure you contact this number first because they will usually have agreements with service organizations to fix or move the car. If you incur costs of towing, etc, without contacting them you may make yourself liable for the cost.

If you have a flat tire or similar, and the cost won't be covered by the rental car company, it may just be simpler to get the tire fixed than to arrange service through the rental car company, who may end up charging you more. However, if the repair will be covered by your travel insurance, you may want the rental company to arrange the repair so the paperwork is complete.

Automobile associations normally tie membership to individual drivers (not specific vehicles); this roadside assistance remains available when driving rented or borrowed vehicles. Reciprocal agreements often exist between automobile associations abroad, providing access to roadside assistance when travelling.

Returning a car
Normally you return the car to a rental office at your final point in their working hours and have a final calculation done there.

At smaller locations, sometimes the office will be unattended and they will have a lot to park the car and a drop box for the keys.

If you arrive at the office when it is closed, and you can't return it when open, it usually works to leave the car in the lot, or nearby and place the keys, contract and the information about the car somewhere secure and obvious. You will remain liable for the car until the office opens, which is problematic if the vehicle is damaged or stolen while sitting on the lot, and will usually also be charged up until that time.

With a pick-up-at-hotel option (see "Delivering the car to your location" above), you only need to park a car (for paid parking, pay for the next 1 hour) and hand keys to an agent that comes to the hotel (with a check for parking payment if applicable).

If you return the car at another point than where you picked it up, make sure that the opening hours are the same and that you find the place in time.

If you damage the car
If you incur damage to the car the car rental company will initiate the standard process that they have for vehicle damage. They will identify the damage, and you will be required to fill in and sign an accident report form. If the office is unattended at the time you return the car, they will contact you and advise you to fill in the form and return it to them.

They will charge or place a hold on your credit card for the full amount of any excess that was defined in the rental agreement, even if that is obviously greater than the value of the damage. They will obtain quotes for the repair, and advise you the cost of the repair, and their administration cost. This process can take up to a month to complete. If this cost is greater than your excess, then that completes the process. The rental car company retains the excess. Otherwise, your card will then be refunded for the difference.

This is usually clearly explained in the documentation that the company will produce when you return a damaged car.

There is a risk that a dishonest rental car operator will attempt to bill you for minor, pre-existing damage to the vehicle which you did not cause; you may return a vehicle seemingly without incident, only to find that the dealer is claiming later to your card issuer that "hidden damage" was found later. Another potential scam involves greatly inflated repair cost - possibly from a repair shop owned by the same operator - or charges for repairs which were never made.

Very careful inspection of the condition of the vehicle both at the start and end of the rental, with the vendor present, is normally advised (don't be afraid to take photos of anything that might be disputed later) but is not fail-safe protection against fraud.

If you've obtained insurance outside of the rental agreement, they will usually require the final documentation from the rental car company before the claim will be finalized.

Choosing an operator
Major global car rental brands and franchises operate in many countries throughout the world. Sometimes the regional operator can be an independent company using the name under license and often the local operator is just a franchisee. These major brands allow bookings through all the electronic booking services, and there is a seemingly endless amount of Internet booking services that allow you to do comparison searches between them.

Using a global operator can have advantages. They often have priority "clubs", which record your details in advance, and can make renting a car as simple as just picking up the keys. You can generally rely on them operating out of prime locations, such as in the airport terminal, rather than in the shed down the street. They usually run cars for a short period of time before updating their fleet. However, don't think that because you are renting from a global operator you can rely on them to do the pre-rental car inspections correctly, or that their terms and conditions of rental are consistent.

The next level is the national or regional chain. Many countries have national operators, which may also operate out of a few neighboring countries in the region. Sometimes these operators can also have prime locations, and sometimes they operate using shuttles or from less prestigious sites.

The next level is the purely local operator. It is unusual for these operators to have the prime locations, often they operate from less prestigious sites. The rental car industries sees its share of shady operators, and often (but certainly not always) they can be found in this category. This is unfortunate, as many of these operators can offer good value, and good service. It pays to seek out some local advice or reviews.

Often the choice is one between brand, price and convenience.

Traffic direction
In some countries, traffic moves on a different side of the road from what you are used to at home. In most countries of the world, including the USA, continental Europe and China, traffic moves on the right side of the road. On the other hand, in the UK, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and many former British colonies such as Australia and Hong Kong, traffic moves on the left side of the road. In general, cars in countries that drive on the right are left-hand drive (the steering wheel is on the left side of the car), and cars in countries that drive on the left are right-hand drive, though there are some exceptions. The arrangement of the pedals is standard worldwide.

Usually, adapting to driving on the other side of the road, and operating the steering wheel on the other side of the car takes some time, but does not pose any major issues. It is advisable to start driving slowly while you familiarize yourself with the new configuration and road conditions and ensure you stay alert at all times while you adjust to the switch. You will probably feel awkward at first, but it will become more natural the more you drive. Pay particular attention when crossing international borders, as you may sometimes have to switch sides of the road after crossing the border (eg. Hong Kong-mainland China border; Thailand-Cambodia border).

Stay safe
Visible signs that a car might not be driven by locals (including rental car logos) increases the risk of crime, such as burglary, robbery or confidence tricks.

title: Renting a car


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Renting a motorhome in New Zealand

Renting a motorhome and travelling around New Zealand is a popular and relaxing way of seeing the country.

Overview
Campervans in New Zealand are available with either automatic or manual transmissions and with diesel or petrol engines. They will accommodate 2-6 people and are a great way to travel New Zealand. Some models are as small as a car, while others are fully loaded with a full sized fridge, shower and toilet.

The minimum rental period is generally 2-3 days. In high season (especially over Christmas/New Year) the minimum rental period is generally 10 days.

A driving licence with car entitlement is usually sufficient, provided it is accepted within New Zealand; except for a few very large campervans, a heavy vehicle licence is not needed. The minimum age for the driver is usually 25, but some companies specialize in renting to younger travellers.

Rental depots
The major locations for rental depots are Auckland and Christchurch, often near the airports. Some companies also have depots in Wellington, Coromandel Peninsula, Picton, Queenstown and Nelson. One-way trips are generally permitted but a fee may be levied.

Most of the suppliers have depots near the airports and will pick you up. If arriving by car, cars can normally be left at the depot. Before taking the motorhome, you will be given a half hour instruction / introduction so that you know how everything works.

The fuel tank should be full and the toilet should be empty. The vehicle must be returned in this state otherwise extra charges will be levied.

If travelling between the North and South Island, you will need to book the three-hour Cook Strait ferry trip with either The Interislander or Bluebridge. The ferries charge per vehicle, plus a fee for each passenger. The ferries are set up to keep you entertained with plenty of shops, cafes, and even a movie theatre! Check with your motorhome rental company, as they may have a partnership with a ferry company to get a better rate.

Some suppliers and brokers:

Categories
The most common configurations are:

The rates are approximate guides in New Zealand dollars. Each rental day is counted as one. Maximise your time by collecting early and returning late. Low season is May to September and the high season is December to February. Booking is advised over the high season as most suppliers will rent out their entire stock.

The first figure will normally include unlimited kilometres, GST, insurance, nationwide road-side service, free phone helpline and a "Travel Wallet" including road maps. The second figure in brackets is the full cover insurance (assuming no excess) and includes road user charges if the vehicle uses diesel, 1 camping table and 2 chairs and baby or booster seat(s).

Insurance
If not using full coverage, a bond will be required. This is generally equal to the excess on the insurance option chosen. The standard insurance excess is around $2500 but can be as high as $7500 (The standard full coverage insurance costs around $15-35 per day). The bond is fully refundable if the vehicle has not been involved in an accident / break-in and is returned in a clean and undamaged condition.

IMPORTANT - You are advised to check your credit card company's insurance or to include the bond on your travel insurance. Many travel insurance companies cover rental vehicle bond, but motorhomes are often excluded.

Equipment
Most motorhomes will include stove, fridge, sink and bedding (often sleeping bags). The stove is gas-powered while the fridge normally has a gas/ mains option. The motorhome has an outside power lead to plug into the mains in camping grounds. In this mode, everything (except the stove) will be mains powered. Hot water is mains heated. Some motorhomes also include a shower and/or toilet.

Driving a campervan
Driving a campervan or motorhome in New Zealand is not difficult, but it helps to learn a few things before you arrive jet-lagged. Overseas drivers are twice as likely to be 'at-fault' in an injury or fatal accident in New Zealand. Many rental vehicle companies request that hirers take a short tourist Road Code quiz.

Roads
Roads in New Zealand twist and turn and passing lanes are not always present. Remember that you are driving a truck and so will not be able to travel that fast anyway. Allow for a normal speed of 80 km/h. Please be courteous and pull over where possible to allow the queue of traffic behind to pass. Being self-contained, you can stretch your legs and brew a cuppa at the same time while admiring the view.

Many rental companies include clauses in the rental agreement that the campers cannot be taken on Skippers Road (Queenstown), Ninety Mile Beach (Northland), Ball Hut Road (Mt Cook) and North of Colville Township (Coromandel Peninsula).

Towns
The larger the motorhome, the less chance it will fit into a standard parking place. You may need to find two adjoining ones or else walk to the supermarket. Be aware of the vertical height of your motorhome if parking in a parkade or multi-storey car park.

Camping grounds
Ask for a fully-serviced (powered) motorhome site. This will normally have a plug-in power point, drain and water. A number of camping grounds have dump points to dump the toilet cassette. Remember to fill up the water tank. Most will have a communal kitchen, laundering and bathing facilities if you find that the motorhome facilities are a bit cramped. Most also have a TV / games room. The cost is around $10-17 per person per day. Over school holidays and especially during the high season, it is a good idea to book beforehand.

 * I Respect NZ Camping Map
 * Holiday parks
 * Top 10 Camping Grounds
 * DOC Conservation Campgrounds
 * The iOverlander app
 * The Campermate app

Dump points
Some motor camps only allow use for overnighting travellers, others will charge for the service. Grey waste (shower/sink) should also be poured into these or down a drain in the motor camp. Do not empty grey water into any watercourse, stormwater drain, swampy ground, sea foreshore etc. as this is environmentally damaging.

 * Complete list of all New Zealand dump points

Free camping
Most local authorities now forbid freedom camping (with a few alibi exemptions). Local councils can charge an infringement fee of $200 per freedom camp. If you left your credit card details with the renting company, the fine may be automatically deducted, plus an "administration fee" from the company. Local accommodation providers often lobby against free camping and this is another reason for the reduction in free camping locations. Councils employ private security firms to monitor known freedom camping spots. The Thames Coast Road from Thames to Coromandel offers many such promising freedom camping areas, but it is strictly prohibited on the Coromandel Peninsula.

There is some risk in camping in isolated places although physical attacks are few and far between. Always ensure your doors are locked and windows are up.

Theft
Campervans are at risk in secluded car parks in low-traffic areas. Most car parks have warning signs that thieves could operate in the area. Ensure that valuables are secure and hidden from view. Thefts occur in the cities as well as in the country. Take important documents with you whenever possible.

title: Renting a motorhome in New Zealand


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Renton

Renton is a city in King County, Washington south of Bellevue and north of Kent. It is a quiet suburb of Seattle at the base of Lake Washington. Its relatively inexpensive property prices make it a solid choice of stay while visiting Seattle, and the downtown area has many quiet charms of its own that make a visit worthwhile.

Understand
Renton was named for Captain William Renton, the financial backer of the Renton Coal Company which was founded by one of Renton's first white settlers, Erasmus Smithers. Built on Duwamish land, Renton gained settlers looking for jobs in the coal mines until Boeing began to open plants for aircraft construction in World War II, resulting in a population boom. Today, Renton is primarily known as the site of the Boeing 737 plant, where the popular commercial jetliner is built. Renton is also notable for being the resting place of rock legend Jimi Hendrix.

As of the 2010 census, Renton had a population of 90,927.

This article covers more than the City of Renton as it includes three potential annexation zones that are typically considered part of Renton (though some have addresses in Seattle and Issaquah). (The Renton School District has different borders than the city and unincorporated parts of King County are given Renton addresses.)

By car
Access to Renton from Bellevue and Seattle is via Interstate 405. From south King County, via State Route 167, and from the southeast part of the county, via State Route 169.

By plane
The city is also served by King County International Airport, also known as Boeing Field. The main hub scheduled commercial flights is, of course, SeaTac International Airport, accessible by public transit.

By car
As with many American suburbs, Renton is difficult to navigate without a car. If you're trying to use public transit to go anywhere that's not the Landing or downtown core, you should expect that you will probably have to walk at least a mile out of your way to get to your destination.

There are several car rental agencies with locations in Renton, including Avis, Enterprise, and Hertz.

By bike
Renton does not have bike lanes like Seattle does, but many trails exist throughout the city that are exclusively available to cyclists and pedestrians that can make biking a great option for getting around.

By public transit
Renton is served by a lot of bus routes. The main hub is the. The easiest way to plan trips is by using the route planners for King County Metro and Sound Transit. For Link light rail services, the nearest station is Tukwila International Boulevard Station.

 * Routes that go through Renton:
 * Rapid Ride 'F' Line Burien to Renton via Tukwila International Blvd Station, Southcenter Mall, Tukwila Sounder Station
 * Route 101 runs from Downtown Seattle to Downtown Renton via I-5 and MLK Blvd.
 * Route 105 runs from the Renton Highlands to Downtown.
 * Route 148 goes south from the RTC into Fairwood.
 * Route 153 Renton to Kent on SW Lind Ave (Renton), E Valley Hwy (in Tukwila) and Central Ave (in Kent).
 * Route 342 connects Renton to Shoreline through Bellevue, Bothell, Lake Forest Park, Ballinger Way
 * DART Route 908 runs from the RTC through the Highlands and into Maplewood.

There are many other routes that go through Renton on their way to and from other cities. Using a trip planning app is advised if you want to get somewhere specific.

See
Renton doesn't have very many sights, but it does have some of note.

Do
Hiking is perhaps the most rewarding experience the Pacific Northwest can offer you. Renton has an assortment of beautiful trails, including:

Renton also has other things to do for those less outdoorsy:

Drink
Surprisingly for a seemingly quiet suburb, Renton has a fairly lively nightlife scene that dates back to its years as a coal mining town. The majority of the good bars are concentrated in the downtown area.

Connect
For free internet access, Renton has two libraries that are lovely to visit.

Go next

 * For bourgeois shopping and a glitzier downtown, Bellevue is just to the north.
 * For aviation nerds hoping to get a glimpse of a Boeing plant, the Boeing Future of Flight includes a tour of their Everett facility.
 * Also consider visiting SoDo to check out the Museum of Flight next to Boeing Airfield.
 * To get the most of what the Puget Sound (and Washington) has to offer, a trip to Seattle is absolutely necessary.

title: Renton


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Renwick

Renwick is a small town in Marlborough. It is in the heart of the Wairau Valley wine growing district and could be an alternative to Blenheim as a base from which to explore the region. The small town's motto is "The heart of the wine country" and this is evident by the surrounding land being nearly entirely vineyards.

By car
Renwick is at the intersection between State Highways 6 and 63. Blenheim is 10 minutes east on State Highway 6, passing Blenheim Airport at Woodbourne. Havelock is 20 minutes north again on State Highway 6. Travelling to the West Coast on State Highway 63 will take travellers past St Arnaud (1 hour).

By bus
All buses and shuttles (Intercity) travelling Picton - Blenheim - Havelock - Nelson return travel through Renwick. Nelson Lakes Shuttles specialise in providing transport for trampers, hikers, climbers, mountain bikers and skiers. They run on demand and scheduled services to St Arnaud down State Highway 63, Nelson Lakes National Park, Kahurangi National Park, the Richmond Ranges as well as other tramping destinations further afield.

By plane
Renwick is 3 minutes from Blenheim Airport.

Get around
Renwick is accessible by foot. There is no local bus. For those without access to a car or a bicycle, taxis or tours are the only option

Connect
Most accommodation will have some form of internet access. Internet cafes can be found in Blenheim. There is a post shop in the High St.

Go next

 * Blenheim
 * Havelock
 * Picton

title: Renwick


text:
Republic

Republic is a small city in the Rocky Mountains region of Washington. It is the county seat of Ferry County.

title: Republic


text:
Republic of China

There is more than one place called the Republic of China:

East Asia

 * Republic of China (1912–1949) — a sovereign state in East Asia from 1912 till 1949
 * Taiwan (Republic of China) — a state with limited recognition in East Asia since 1949

title: Republic of China