Important to read before you book a Europe car rental
If you are thinking about a Europe car rental then read on for these important tips and things you should know before you set off on your travels. There is no doubt about it that hiring a car gives you a lot more flexibility than using public transport. Deciding to rent a car when we arrived in Rome to head down to Naples and then the Amalfi Coast was totally the right choice. We would not have been able to do half the things we did without it. It also meant that we could travel at our own pace, take in the views and travel the smaller roads to enjoy some of the spectacular countryside.
There are some things that you should know before you rent a car in Europe. Having this information before you arrive means that you should have no unpleasant surprises or unexpected expenses when you collect your car.
Europe car rental: the nuts and bolts
Choosing a car hire company
We always book a Europe car rental well in advance. This is mostly because we often travel over peak season and it can be expensive to hire a car. By booking early we generally get a much better price. We generally choose one of the major car hire companies like Avis, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Dollar and Europcar although we have used car rental companies in Italy and Spain that are local.
If we are going to use a local company, I do a background check on them, read reviews, check any complaints and then make my decision. It is also worth doing a price comparison as the rental cost can vary enormously depending on when you book, the time of year and any promotions that they may be running.
I rarely look at each company’s individual website and generally use a couple of websites that do the hard work for you like Skyscanner, Kayak or Car Rentals.
Collecting your car at the airport or train station
If you want the convenience of a car when you arrive then you need to be aware that there is always an additional fee attached to this, so check the small print when you book. I have often found that if you are prepared to use a company that is in the vicinity, but that is described as being off-site these fees can be dramatically reduced. They almost always have a shuttle bus the whizz you to their collection point so it really is not a difficult decision to make if it saves money.
Another advantage of using an airport or train station is the extended hours that the offices are open so you can tailor the booking to your exact needs.
One way drop off fee
Sometimes it is practical to pick up a rental in one location and drop it off at another. You may arrive in Paris at the airport, head to the city and then catch a train to Barcelona for example. It is not sensible to drop off the car back at the airport in this instance, but be aware that you will have to pay a surcharge for doing this.
The surcharge is even larger if you are driving through Europe and decide to drop the car off in a different country.
Cross border fees
If you plan on driving to a few different countries check that there is no fee attached. Some Europe car rental companies have no charge while others do. Normally driving in the EU is not an issue, but leaving it can be.
Driving a rental car in Europe across a border to a Non- EU Country
You need to inform the rental company of your plans to take the car into another country. They may ask you to sign an additional document to extend your cover. If you just drive across a border without prior agreement you could find that any insurance you may have taken will become void. This means that if there is an accident or the car gets stolen you will find yourself with a hefty bill.
Some companies don’t allow their vehicles in specific countries for whatever reason. This varies with each company so check in advance.
Manual vs Automatic Transmission
Manual vehicles are the norm in Europe so if you need an automatic as a rental car in Europe then be prepared to pay a significant premium.
Some rental cars have an additional step to place the car in reverse, so check what you need to do before you pull away from the offices.
You must have an International Drivers Permits (IDP)
There is conflicting advice on this one, but I always believe that it is better to have one and err on the side of caution. If you have an EU drivers’ licence then you don’t need an IDP to dive in other EU countries.
An IDP is available from the AA in most countries. In the USA an IDP costs $20 US in Canada, it costs $25 CAD and in Australia, it costs $42 AUD.
Remember that an IDP does not replace your driver’s licence but is an additional document. You need to have both of them when you rent a car in Europe.
Purchase Third Party Excess Insurance
We never take the risk of not taking out this insurance. Most car rental companies in Europe have a significant amount as an excess. This is specified on your quote, but if you don’t see it then check the small print or ask what it is. Whatever the excess amount is they will block on your credit card and while they tell you it is released instantly when you return the car this is often not the case.
If you don’t have the excess insurance it means that if you are involved in an accident you will be liable for the excess. Depending on the car you hire this might be an expensive accident.
There is no doubt that this is significantly overpriced, but it offers peace of mind and I am happy to pay it and walk away knowing that I am covered.
Check the mileage policy
When you book any car hire in Europe you need to check the details of the mileage. A car hire price might appear to be much cheaper than anything else that you have seen, but you may have limited mileage and then have an additional charge for each kilometre that you drive over your allowance. We always choose the unlimited mileage option.
What’s the fuel policy?
Most car hire companies will give you a car that has a full tank of fuel. They will expect you to return the car having filled the tank. If you don’t, they will fill it for you, but you will pay a fee for this service.
You will also need to check what fuel the car uses. It will probably be either diesel or 95. The price of fuel in Europe is per litre and not per gallon as in the US, so don’t be confused.
A UK gallon is different from a US gallon. There are approximately 4.55 litres in a UK gallon but only 3.79 in a US gallon. The average price is around €1.50 per litre.
Take photos of the car
You will be given a document showing any damage to the vehicle. When you inspect the car take loads of photos. If you see any damage to the vehicle that is not marked report it immediately. I have often heard stories about collecting cars in a dark parking garage at an airport and not seeing the damage in the bad light, then being charged for something that was not marked.
If you have the excess comprehensive insurance then this is irrelevant as you are covered.
Do you need a vignette?
You may well ask what’s that? I used to have one on my car when I lived in Switzerland so I know that it is required there and in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary. Moldova, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
It is a form of road tax that is used instead of paying road tolls. Most car hire companies cover this, but you need to check. Obviously, if you rent a car in one of these countries you will be covered. If you are not covered you can buy a vignette at the border or at a filling station as soon as you cross the border. If you are stopped and do not have one then you stand the chance of being given a significant fine.
Get a green card if you are travelling outside of the EU
You may be wondering what’s a green card? It is an internationally recognised document that acts as proof of insurance in Europe. Countries outside the EU that still require a green card are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia and Ukraine. Your car rental company can provide you with the documents that you need.
For updated information here’s a useful site.
How to drive on the “wrong side of the road”
I remember the first time that I drove on the “wrong side of the road” was when I moved to Switzerland. Driving in the cities was easy as you just follow the traffic, but out in the quiet countryside, it was a different story.
it might be obvious but I would say “stay right” to myself on a quiet road and it soon became second nature. You will also be amazed at just how quickly you get used to it.
Check the local rules of the road
Don’t assume that the rules of the road in Europe are the same as they are at home. For the most part, they will be but for example, in the EU it is illegal to turn on a red light unless there is a flashing arrow or some other indication.
If you are planning on having a glass of wine with your meal then once again check what the limits are. Each country is different. In Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania and the Czech Republic it is ZERO. The best advice that I can give you is don’t drink at all if you are driving a rental car.
Speed limits can also vary significantly.
Know where you are going
This might be obvious but don’t get caught without some form of a map. If you don’t have a local sim card of access to WIFI then you can download offline maps to use.
You can also rent a GPS with your car at an additional cost, but the last 2 rental cars we have had were fitted with a navigation system so it was easy to find our way around.
A road trip through Europe is a magical experience as long as you are well prepared. Keep these tips for renting a car in Europe in mind and the whole process will be a breeze.
More to read
- 17 OF MY TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO EUROPE
- 10 AWESOME REASONS TO VISIT EUROPE IN WINTER AT LEAST ONCE
- THE BEST GUIDE ON HOW TO PLAN A ROAD TRIP
- EXPLORE EUROPE & UK
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