While not required in all countries, an International Driving Permit can come in handy if you are stopped by police in a foreign country. Otherwise, the fuel amount (more than the fuel cost) will be deducted from your deposit amount. It's a great resource to find the current best prices and in-depth tips for renting a car in Europe. Its the internet age so, everything is just a few clicks away. Check the age requirements and fees in the countries you're visiting. Lets help each other to travel the world more often and that too for cheap. Border officials will often check for vignettes when youre driving into or out of their country. And they could potentially ask to see your International Drivers Permit (IDP). Before booking your rental, you could quickly check prices for a rental Paris to Amsterdam, if you want the car for that full time. Renting a car in the UK if you're under 25 or over 70. From someone whos lived in Europe, I tell you, the car will only come in handy for traveling. A vignette is simply a sticker that you attach to your windshield that shows that you have paid the highway taxes. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Kerala The Richest Temple in the World, 24 Best Things to do in Bratislava, Slovakia, 10 Days in Europe: 21 Amazing Itineraries, Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). In case you have confusion, call customer care to understand the rental rules and policies. Keep in mind drivers over 70 years old may have trouble renting a car in countries like Czech Republic, Great Britain, Greece, Northern Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Turkey. Each country has its own set of driving quirks. Abide by the laws to stay happy and safe on vacation. We are arriving at : 10th April : Arrived Munich 11th April : Munich to Hallstatt 12th April : hallstatt to cesky krumlov to Prague 15th April : Prague to Dresden to Berlin. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Most of Europe is open to most travelers again, including American tourists. This is a. Thanks!! Some companies dont allow drivers to drive to certain countries, usually in eastern or southeastern Europe. Pay attention to the type of gas the car requires 14. Car rental tips in Ireland. But to visit Banff and Glacier on the same trip sounds awesome! Experience Maryland's memorable museums, beautiful parks, buzzing beaches and succulent seafood. It turned out that it was because labor was so expensive in Europe, unlike mechanics in Egypt, where I come from, which are super cheap compared to this. Sometimes, you may get lucky and your rental car will already have a vignette sticker on it. Parking can be a pain in European cities, as there usually isnt a lot of space (if any at all). In the U.S., you may count on a resourceful app such as Waze or Google Maps to navigate through unfamiliar areas. Usually the cameras are announced with a special sign, allowing you time to slow down right before them. Or, you may have to pay a fee for crossing those borders (mentioned earlier). Europe is such a diverse area of the world, that it made sense to rent a car so we could stop anywhere we liked exploring local villages, mountains, and historic cities at our own pace. Whether you end up driving around Europe or get someone to do it for you, youll love the road with all its ups and downs. You will still have a drop fee but it should be a lot lower than if you rented the vehicle in Paris and dropped it in Amsterdam. Your post has given me other things to consider too, so Ill definitely have to think more Especially the back roads outside smaller towns. Heres a list of local names for fuel in Europe to get you going. Read Later: Best Places to Visit in Spring in Europe. A lot of Greek car rental companies also specify 23 as the minimum age for renting a car. Hire a car is can be a great deal. To rent a vehicle on base, you need a valid USAREUR driver's license. You can find the latest updates on traveling to Europe here. Green Card is an international cross-border motor insurance document that acts as proof of insurance to drive in Europe. Automatic cars are more expensive to rent than manual cars (but manuals are more common in Europe), and you must specify what type you want when booking. Driver's Requirements To rent a car in Germany, you need a valid driver's license from your home state or province. The cars and the roads are the same, the laws and driving customs are similar, and, of course, in the good ole USA, it's about the only way to get from point A to point B. Read this to know EU car seat laws. This holds true for almost all car hire firms. This isnt used consistently, but you may see it from time to time. They search both local and international car rental companies to help you find the best possible price. there. Im looking at you, Italy and Greece! Your car should be equipped with safety equipment. The idea of choosing the different pick-up and drop-off locations might sound relevant and easy but its not at all easy on the pocket. Dont be scared of them, yield to other cars already inside, but keep up with the flow of traffic inside, and remember to signal when you want to exit the roundabout. This is the easiest way to rent a car in Europe. Also be aware of speeding in foreign countries. Required fields are marked *. You can also visit my Driving a car rental through Europe can be an amazing way to explore top attractions and landscapes. Most car rental companies charge a cross-border fee for driving between Central or Western Europe to Eastern Europe or non-EU countries. The backup credit card comes in handy in situations where the first one isnt working. Puglia, Southern Italy. The plan was to rent a car in Austria and drive further down to Balkan countries and end our trip to Hungary. Travelers as young as 18 are able to rent vehicles in most European countries. Take photos of the car before and after offers parking and if they do, what type of parking that is available. Dont forget to display the receipt on your cars dashboard. Knowing what age you can rent a car in the UK isn't as straightforward as it should be. The other thing to know about driving on the opposite side of the road is that the drivers seat will also be on the opposite side of the vehicle, forcing you to shift gears with your opposite hand. Travelers over the age of 25 shouldnt have any issues. Complete Guide to Schengen Visa for Europe, 10 Days in Europe: Amazing Itinerary Suggestions. Hello Lili. Prices are listed in liters, so it may look cheap, but one gallon of gas costs roughly 7 in Europe. Talk. Give options for navigating Italian roads. Look for those if you must add a second driver. My wife Anna and I spent a year living in Italy as expats without a car, preferring to rent cars when we wanted to go on a road trip, or for traveling to other European countries like France and Germany. But EuroRail passes can be surprisingly expensive, and they can also limit your options for where to travel. Youre a backpacker and have no extra baggage to worry about? All what you need at 3 AM is to find comfort on your top bunk bed right away so you wouldnt miss check-out! Credit card with a name matching the one on the rental contract. Just remind yourself which side of the road to stay on as you make a turn and as you enter a roundabout. Croatia has a mix of automatic toll (cashless) and toll booths (cash or card). Now that things are getting clearer, its about time to open your eyes to some of the processs ugly side. Rental car insurance costs anywhere from around 30 euros to 35 euros a day. This way you can save on airport surcharges. Carry the originals plus photocopies of the documents. Theres a very good chance that you will be adding diesel to your car, rather than unleaded gasoline. Save time not money. Street parking might mean that you need to brush up on your parallel parking skills before your trip and there might also be fees during certain hours of the day. The car rental companies issue the Green Card with the reservation like when we were trying to hire a car in Croatia for Montenegro and BiH, the rental company was showing the Green Card in inclusions. However, there will be a drop fee for dropping it at a different location. Best rental car company Europe, Portugal: Hertz. Tolls can be confusing in Europe, as they tend to function differently than those in the U.S. However if your car simply breaks down, and no one is injured, its probably better to call your car rental companys own emergency roadside assistance number located on the rental agreement. Well, renting a car has its pros and cons :/, Your email address will not be published. Hope it helps your cousins too . Theres also the extra cost of gas you shouldnt forget about. You do not need an IDP in the EU - or in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein You do need a 1949 IDP if you're renting a car in Cyprus for over 30 days. Here are the major priorities we've learned should be considered before committing to a car rental in Europe. "If you're planning to rent a car, make reservations early from the U.S. before you leave. Hertz Italy allows customers to rent an automatic toll device called Telerent for 3 euros (plus taxes and tolls) that allows drivers to use the yellow Telepass lanes on all Italian highways to simplify toll procedures. Very nicely written article. All Rights Reserved. International drivers permit (for those from non-EU country) Passport for the main driver. It makes sense to load your rental car on a ferry. Your email address will not be published. The first time we ever rented and drove a car internationally was for a London day trip. If the idea of evaluating the price levels for various companies individually baffles you, try using price-comparison websites like Skyscanner, Auto Europe, Discover Cars, or RentalCars.com. Teach you about getting gas and parking in Italy. Very informative info: Concise, accurate and on point. By and large, the car is given a full tank of fueland must be returned full. Secondly, the car rental facilities are much larger at airports and train stations. Many hotels, attractions, and private tours are open with new health & safety protocols in place, and you still have to follow certain guidelines. Always enter the correct age of the primary driver when booking with Auto Europe, and we'll be sure to inform you of any restrictions that may apply to your rental. Join her as she unclothes the beauty around the world, one place at a time. Protect yourself from injury, illness, or theft. VAT taxes (15% to 30%) and local rental car taxes (1 euro to 5 euros per day) that include vehicle license fee, road tax, environmental fee or eco surcharge, credit card processing fee, and road safety fee are included in your car rental quote. And some countries have more aggressive drivers than others. Free parking in big cities in Europe that too on weekdays is a mission of sorts! Some of my favorite European drives so far include exploring the beautiful Amalfi Coast in Italy, and an epic photography road trip in Norways Lofoten Islands. Carry a child seat if required. There is a great forum on Tripadvisor focused on cheap car rental in Europe. For one to drive in Europe, he/she needs an international license just like anywhere else in the world. This way you get to easily this stuff with them. "About a week after returning from the southwest of France, we received a ticket in the mail, fining us 45 euros for exceeding the speed limit on back rural roads," she says. save your trip. They have a higher volume of cars, so youre less likely to be stuck waiting for a car or stuck with a car class you didnt reserve (like in the photo above). On our road trip to Europe, we forgot to buy a vignette before entering Slovenia (an unpardonable mistake of course). We always reserve our rental cars using our Visa card because it provides collision damage insurance so we do not pay extra for the rental car companys insurance. Practical advice on the art of traveling smarter with tips, tricks and intel from En Route's panel of experts. A Hint: Dont hassle around looking for free parking. Its less about the best car rental company and more about the best car rental deal for you. There are plenty of other means of transportation, and if flights have to be one of them, well, you can actually land yourself some cheap flights. Curls en Route, Renting a Car in Europe: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly. The street parking in the center aka the short-stay parking zone is limited to 2 or 3 hours. Our mega van in Germany. Younger drivers may have to pay a fee or purchase special insurance, which could cost between $15-$40 extra per day. Most countries in the EU do not require you to have a green card. We always book our rental car in advance. These are typically areas within the old cities, such as Bologna, Rome and medieval towns throughout Tuscany, which are largely for pedestrian traffic. Find out more. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Its similar to using Kayak when searching for the best deals on plane flights. Some countries in Europe have a bit of a reputation for crazy driving (and drivers). The legal driving age in Italy is 18 years old, but you need to have your license for at least a year. These are low-cost carrier airlines that offer you low fares in exchange of compromising luxury and a bit of comfort. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2020 All rights reserved. If you get in a wreck driving in Europe, declined full coverage, and you suddenly learn your credit card doesnt actually cover the damage youre screwed. Consider taking your European road trip during the shoulder tourist seasons, or off-season to get lower rental car rates. If you are under the age of 25 and looking to rent a car in Europe, contact Auto Europe to find the ideal supplier in your rental pick-up destination. Though Europe has a good rail network but nothing matches the thrill and joy of a road trip across mesmerizing Europe. Its super cheap as your P+R parking ticket costs anywhere between euros 2 to 3 and includes the parking fee plus a shuttle bus ride (roundtrip) to and from the city center. Take a break from the beach by exploring one of these top-notch Miami museums. They asked us to purchase the vignettes for the rest of the countries on our list. What are your tips for renting a car in Europe? is the question Im most asked in recent times. This might vary from one Europe, the second smallest continent lets you tick many countries off your list in just one trip. If you plan to travel with your rental car both in EU and non-EU countries - for example from Switzerland to France, Germany, Austria or Italy - you need to tell the rental company in advance. If they offer complete liability coverage plus comprehensive collision coverage then its safe to decline the SLI and CDW/LDW by the car rental company. Looking forward to many more articles in the future. Many car rental companies offer free cancellation, so if your plans change you can always cancel down the road, without paying a fee. Running into some difficulty with car rental situation though, as it seems no place will let you pick up in Canada and drop off in the US. Please check the deal carefully. Here are some websites for car rentals in Europe that should get you started. To rent a car, you must be at least 18 years old (age may vary by car category) and have held your license for 1 year. Finding parking that too for less or no cost is a task. How I Traveled to 3 Cities in Europe With Less Than 260! But if youre like me, you prefer the challenge of independent travel. Do keep your eye on the signboards about vignettes at motorways. The vignette is usually good for a year. Also, for those of you who have rented a car in Europe, If Ive missed any point about renting a car in Europe, let me know in the comments section to get it added to the post. Think twice before you shell out your hard-earned money. The speed limit for motorways varies between 100 to 130 km/hour. Read More: Epic Places to Visit in Europe with Kids. If your hotel offers private parking, then it is also a good idea to determine if you need to reserve a space in advance since there may not be enough parking for all of their guests. In my case, we were unlucky enough to have the vans door scratched and the gas lid stolen; I dont know who would steal that anyway! When you go to pick up your car they will ask to see your confirmation number, drivers license, passport, and credit card. Print out your rental reservation documents. An inclusive rental car price includes basic insurance (public liability insurance), taxes, airport surcharge, unlimited miles, plus CDW (collision damage waiver) and theft protection. If a Euro-road trip is on your travel bucket list, then youve come to the right place. Its cheaper than at the counter and then you wont have to worry about accidents at all! So, of course, my Mexican friend, whom I told you about earlier, got her card blocked due to insufficient funds. available options; buses, trains, and flights. Thanks for posting this. In a roundabout, traffic continually flows in a circle around a center island. But crossing the border with a shuttle is a good idea. Prices skyrocket as the availability of cars drops. However, this varies from company to company. A 10-day vignette costs somewhere around 15 euros. Anyways good article. I am always stressing out when renting a car. The best site to book your car is Discover Cars. Although in the United Kingdom and Ireland, remember that the lanes are opposite, and the passing lane is on the right side! You just need to enter the dates and points of departure and arrival and Expedia does the rest. An International Driving Permit is an additional travel document that basically translates your driving license into 10 different foreign languages. My friends and I had the times of our lives; however, a friend of mine ended up with a blocked credit card and we were all left in debt! Driving from Santiago to Mendoza. Be sure to if at all possible obtain a credit card before traveling. Valid driver's license. This is going to vary from person to person, but we haven't found a rental agency that will let you rent a car without insurance. If you pick up your car at an airport or rail station, you'll pay an extra 17 to 23.5 percent in Austria, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, or $50 per rental in France and $75 in Belgium . Available for purchase from AAA for $20, "an IDP [International Driving Permit] is a valid form of I.D. Remember that our agents are waiting to assist you with whatever questions you may have, on call 24/7 and toll-free at 1-888-223-5555. If they give you a smaller car, or a manual when you asked for an automatic, be pushy and ask for an upgrade. With several countries in close proximity that grant easy cross-border travel, Europe is made for a quintessential car journey. And remember, in Europe, gas is pumped in liters not gallons. You may not be asked to show your IDP when picking up your rental car in these countries, but its still a good idea to have one just in case. Kids (under the age of 12) arent allowed to sit in the front seat in some European countries. Sometimes its just easier and cheaper to park your rental car on the outskirts of large European cities, and then take public transportation in. Over the years weve rented many cars in Europe on self-driving travel adventures through different European countries. Sure, it may be convenient to pick up a rental car at an airport or train station, but this usually comes with an additional charge, as much as 25 to 100 depending on the country. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. If thats the kind of traveler you are, renting a car in Europe is the way to go! Pay attention to if your rental car takes regular petrol or diesel fuel, so you fill up with the correct type at gas stations. Travelers over the age of 25 shouldn't have any issues. How Old Do You Have To Be to Rent a Car In Italy? The midsize city is overflowing with flavor that's worth writing home about. Mostly. When a car rental staff tries to pursue you to pay for extras like extra insurance coverage, car breakdown cover, and whatnot by making horror stories; decline politely if you are already covered.
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