Renting a car in Europe can be a great way to see more and enhance your vacation. The goal should be to expand your list of destinations, not your costs. Avoid any unexpected charges by being a well informed consumer. Here are some factors you definitely will want to think about if you plan on renting a car while on a European vacation.

“One-Way” Car Rentals

Round trip airline tickets often are cheaper if you are willing to fly in and out of two different cities. Unfortunately for the traveler, car rental agencies generally do not work this way. Many agencies charge what are known as “one-way” fees for picking up in one location and dropping off in another. If you plan on picking up in one country and returning in another, there will always be a one-way fee. If the rental takes place within the same country, often times there is no one way fee, but it is always best to check with your supplier first. If you need to get to one country from another, you can sometimes pick up in a major city, return to a border town, cross the country border, and pick up another rental car and be on your way.

Example: flying into Paris, flying out of Zurich, two week rental. Pick up your car in Paris. After a week or so, return it to the Geneva Airport, French side. Walk to the Swiss side of the airport to pick up another car. Return that car to Zurich.

This may seem like a hassle, but you will save big in the long run.

Advise of Travel Plans

Tell the rental agency in advance where you plan on taking the vehicle. There are often restrictions on travel into certain countries, and boarder guards have the right to deny you access with out the proper paper work. Clearing this up in advance can save a potential vacation disaster.

Explore Insurance Options

You generally have two options for insurance in Europe. The first option is to purchase it locally. If you do this, be aware of your deductible amounts. It is important to know exactly what you can be held financially responsible for in the event of damage or theft to your rental car. The second option is to find out if your credit card has rental insurance on it. If it does, you can normally take advantage of this service. It’s a great way to get something back from your credit card company and will also save you money. Call your Gold or Platinum cards as you have the best chance of being covered by higher end cards. Be sure to mention all of the countries you plan on traveling to, or renting in.

Learn to Drive Manual Transmission

Most people book their vacations 3 months in advance, in some cases even more. Hardly anyone in Europe drives automatic transmission as it considered a luxury. This is reflected in the cost of your rental car. You can easily find yourself paying $300 USD more per week if you have to drive automatic. Take those three months to learn how drive manual transmission. Do keep in mind that if you burn out a clutch of a rental car, it’s not going to be covered by insurance.

Local Fuel Policy

Many suppliers have started charging you for an entire tank of gas, and you are supposed to return the car as empty as possible. With today’s gas prices, this could be a costly option. If you only need a car for a trip from the airport to your hotel and back, hire a personal transfer instead, most times the cost is about the same.

Know the Laws of the Land

There are no get out of jail free cards for tourists. Familiarize yourself with road signs, driving laws and speed limits before you get to Europe. If you are driving in the UK or Ireland be prepared for left side drive. You also need to know your license restrictions. Don’t get caught without proper documentation or you may be forced to pay an “on the spot” fine. An international driver’s license is the best way to do this, and is an inexpensive investment that will keep you on good terms with local law enforcement.

Request Your Extras

Most everything you could think of will need to be requested. Looking for GPS in a car rental in Europe? This is something that can help you immensely, and many companies offer them. Odds are however, you won’t get it unless you book one in advance. If you are going to need a booster or a child seat ask in advance how much it will cost you. Why pay for the cost of a new seat when you could have just brought your own?

Be Aware of Additional Fees

Many locations charge airport pick surcharges of anywhere from 10-20%. That’s two hundred dollars on a thousand dollar rental. The cost of a cab to a downtown office for a family of four with luggage is less than that. You may be tired when you arrive, but nine times out of ten, driving out of an airport is no less difficult than finding your hotel from a downtown office. Often times, they are very close.

When in Doubt, Ask Questions

The rental agencies are a resource for you to use! Take advantage of the maps, directions and valuable local experience that they offer. There can be things that are not always clear when it comes to your rental contract, make sure that you understand everything you are being charged for.

By Hans Ericsson

This list may be a little overwhelming at first, but it’s important to cover your bases when overseas. You will be glad you did when you experience a hassle free, affordable car rental in Europe.

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