It's hard to imagine embarking on a solo journey without having a comfortable means of transportation. The most convenient way to explore new places is by renting a car, especially if you're planning to visit several cities or even countries in one trip.
Today, renting a car abroad is no trouble at all. Every country has numerous agencies offering such services. However, to ensure that your car journey is safe, comfortable, and budget-friendly, you need to be aware of certain nuances in choosing and booking a vehicle.
flickr / the_water_cooler
Choosing an Agency and a Car
Start looking for a suitable rental company at home, during the trip planning stage. Determine your budget, personal needs, and check the prices and offers for car rentals in the country. Compare prices at different agencies, read their reviews on forums, and write down their contact information. It's better to use the services of large international companies with years of experience.
While you can book a car abroad online, many experienced travelers do not recommend doing so. It's better to choose a car on the spot. This way, you can be sure of the car's condition, thoroughly review the documents, and avoid additional payments and scams. If you still want to rent a transport in advance, choose agencies that have offices in your country.
Insurance and Documents
Definitely get insurance for the rented car and it's better to pay not just for the standard mandatory insurance but to purchase a full insurance policy separately, covering any incidents. The fact is, for any damage like a punctured tire or a broken side window, a significant amount will be automatically charged from your card unless you have a full insurance. It's called Full Insurance or Liability Insurance and costs on average between 50-70 euros, which is still cheaper than if you had to pay for the material damage from an accident, etc.
Regarding documents, for traveling in countries that have signed the Vienna Convention, a national driver's license issued after March 1, 2011, is sufficient. To be on the safe side, make an English translation of your license and have it notarially certified. In other cases, an international driving permit is required.
flickr / Cheap Car Insurance Phoenix : Auto Insurance Agency
How to Avoid Overpaying
As a rule, agencies often add many additional options to the rental price, which tourists rarely need. Pay attention to this. Extra charges often include renting a child seat and navigator. You will also have to pay extra for delivery of the car to the hotel or airport, for a second driver (if two people with licenses will drive), and for the possibility of leaving the car in a different city at the end of the rental period.
To save on fuel, choose a car with a diesel engine. This type of fuel is cheaper than gasoline. Moreover, we recommend selecting a car with a manual transmission and a small engine.
Compact cars like Smart or Mini Cooper are ideal for traveling as a couple. These little cars are convenient for city driving, easy to park even on the busiest street, and, of course, you will appreciate their fuel efficiency.
Regarding the amount of fuel in the tank at the time of rental, each agency has its rules. The most advantageous option for the tourist is to take the car with a specific amount of liters of fuel and return the transport with a similar amount of gasoline. The option where the agency provides the car with a full tank and demands its return empty, charging for the fuel at their (inflated) price, should be avoided.
Before renting a car, also think about the route of your trip. The phenomenon of toll roads is common in European countries. Also, consider the likelihood of ferry crossings if you plan to travel across islands.
When receiving the car, inspect it and show the agency employee any existing defects to avoid being charged for them after returning the car.
flickr / Clay
Fines
A significant expense while traveling in a rented car abroad are fines. Here we only advise one thing - familiarize yourself with the traffic rules in the country in advance and try to adhere to them. Always watch for signs, and in doubtful situations, do not hesitate to ask the locals for advice. Police officers are rarely seen on the roads, but don't forget about cameras and radars, so don't count on your violation going unnoticed.
Lastly, resolve any disagreements with the agency or attempts by employees to reclaim additional funds through the head offices. Large companies with a good reputation will not want to tarnish their image and will always try to accommodate and solve any issue with minimal damage to the client.
Follow our tips and enjoy traveling by car!
