Apartment rental sites to get you started
Peace-of-mind booking
When you're ready to make a deposit or payment, it's a good idea to book with a credit card. Make sure you're on a secure site (often indicated by a https:// preceding the URL) and look for reputable payment methods, like PayPal or VeriSign. "In Europe, you can ask the company for their VAT number," explains Fay. "The VAT number can then be verified on the European Commission website. This doesn't ensure great quality, but it at least means that the company is legal."
You might have to pay a security deposit at some places and you'll be refunded if the apartment is in the same condition in which you found it. For both of our rentals, we paid a deposit via our credit card online and then paid the balance in cash and traveller's cheques upon arrival. Always be sure to ask for a receipt.
When you're ready to make a deposit or payment, it's a good idea to book with a credit card. Make sure you're on a secure site (often indicated by a https:// preceding the URL) and look for reputable payment methods, like PayPal or VeriSign. "In Europe, you can ask the company for their VAT number," explains Fay. "The VAT number can then be verified on the European Commission website. This doesn't ensure great quality, but it at least means that the company is legal."
You might have to pay a security deposit at some places and you'll be refunded if the apartment is in the same condition in which you found it. For both of our rentals, we paid a deposit via our credit card online and then paid the balance in cash and traveller's cheques upon arrival. Always be sure to ask for a receipt.
Last-minute details
When staying at a rental property, remember that you're not in a hotel so you might not have the usual luxuries, like free soap and shampoo or fluffy robes. You may even need to bring your own sheets and towels. Be sure to check with the rental agency or landlord before you leave so you can pack accordingly.
Also remember to print directions from the airport or train station so you know how to get to your destination upon arrival. Upon booking, Ah Paris provides a link with detailed airline/train arrival and departure information that calculates the amount of time it will take to reach your apartment to meet the owner with the keys.
Check out these apartment rental sites for your next European vacation:
- Ah Paris
- New York Habitat (provides rental info for Paris, London, the South of France and Rome)
- Vacances Provencales Vacations
- Paris Attitude
- holiday-rentals.co.uk
- apartmentservice.com
- Only apartments
- Chez vous
Don't head to Europe without at least a few key phrases under your belt -- learn to speak a foreign language in minutes.
Page 3 of 3
When staying at a rental property, remember that you're not in a hotel so you might not have the usual luxuries, like free soap and shampoo or fluffy robes. You may even need to bring your own sheets and towels. Be sure to check with the rental agency or landlord before you leave so you can pack accordingly.
Also remember to print directions from the airport or train station so you know how to get to your destination upon arrival. Upon booking, Ah Paris provides a link with detailed airline/train arrival and departure information that calculates the amount of time it will take to reach your apartment to meet the owner with the keys.
Check out these apartment rental sites for your next European vacation:
- Ah Paris
- New York Habitat (provides rental info for Paris, London, the South of France and Rome)
- Vacances Provencales Vacations
- Paris Attitude
- holiday-rentals.co.uk
- apartmentservice.com
- Only apartments
- Chez vous
Don't head to Europe without at least a few key phrases under your belt -- learn to speak a foreign language in minutes.
Page 3 of 3
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