In many cases, when traveling through Europe, pubic transit will be sufficient. In some, even, it will make for a superior experience. Europe’s extensive network of railways, for instance, provides a convenient, affordable, and eco-friendly way to explore Europe. It also allows you to enjoy the scenery and experience the local culture. Many train companies offer discounts for students, seniors, and early bookings. Occasionally, however, it may behoove you to rent a car in Europe, whether it be to have a bot more control over your trip – or simply because transit it not possible. Whatever the reasoning may be, there are a few considerations that need to be kept in mind before renting a car in Europe.
CONTENTS
1. Car Rental Companies
2. Automatic or Manual
3. Driver’s Licenses
4. Auto Insurance
5. International Driver’s Permit (IDP)
6. Traffic Rules & Regulations
7. Roadside Assistance
8. Toll Roads
9. Fuel
10. Environmental Zones
11. Final Thoughts
Where To Rent A Car In Europe?
When thinking about renting a car in Europe, there are several reputable car rental companies to consider. Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Sixt and Enterprise are a few that always find themselves at the top of the list. If you are like me, your instinct is to brand loyalty. I live in the United States, and while traveling in the States, I exclusively use Avis. This is for a few reasons, including that I always find the best deals through Avis and my American Express Platinum offers free Avis President’s Club. You, likewise, will be drawn to companies that you are used to dealing with – however – I will say that when renting a car in Europe, I have found Sixt to have (much) better prices AND (much) better customer service, so I will usually go with them. That being said: do some research, ask around on Facebook, and read the fine print(!). Ultimately, find a company that makes you feel comfortable, but start by knowing what’s out there.
PRO TIP: Be sure to do a THOROUGH inspection of your car BEFORE taking it off of the rental lot. If you cannot get an employee to inspect and record with you, make sure to record the inspection on your phone and make note of every scuff, ding and dent – regardless of how small.
ANOTHER PRO-TIP: When researching cars – be sure to note deals that have unlimited kms included. If they do not, make sure you factor in the cost of distance into your budget. Additionally, most car rental companies offer discounts for paying in full at time of booking. This can be a great way to save money (but, typically comes with the tradeoff of a more strict cancellation policy)
Automatic or Manual
I won’t sugarcoat it – if you are comfortable driving a manual transition, you will have an easier (and less expensive) time, renting a car in Europe. It has been my experience that there are WAY less automatic rental cars in Europe. Will you be able to find one? yes, for sure. That being said, you will almost certainly be paying significantly more for an automatic car as opposed to its manual counterpart. You will also want to book well in advance (read: as soon as you know your agenda) to ensure you are not left without options. Or learn to drive stick 🙂
Do I Need A Driver’s License When Renting A Car In Europe?
This may seem like a no-brainer, but I wanted to include it anyway – Yes, you will need a valid driver’s license from your home country or an international driver’s license. Make sure to bring it with you.
Do I Need Insurance When Renting A Car In Europe?
As the adage goes, auto insurance is something you hope you never have to use, but do not want to need it and not have it. I would say this goes doubly so when traveling overseas. When renting in the States, I definitely fall in the camp of “rental insurance is a sucker’s game” because I am comfortable about the coverage provided by my credit cards. I am less confident anywhere outside of the US.
In Europe specifically, it is mandatory to have third-party liability insurance coverage for rental cars. However, this may not cover all damages to the rental car or other vehicles or property involved in an accident. Always check the fine print on your credit card companies or personal auto insurance provider to see if they offer coverage specific for rental cars in Europe. If not, you may need to purchase additional insurance from the rental car company, and it may be worth the piece of mind, if you are otherwise unsure.
International Driving Permit (IDP)
This is one of the most overlooked (potential) requirements, when renting a car in Europe. As such, we recently wrote an article (International Driver’s Permits), which covers if you need one, and how to get them. You should definitely read that if you have questions. The TL:DR is that some European countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your driver’s license. Check the requirements for each country you plan to visit. Remember, and IDP is temporary, so getting one for a trip in 2022 does not mean it will remain valid through 2024.
Traffic Rules and Regulations
We all know that in London, driving is done on the left side of the road – but were you aware that in Portugal, passing on the right side can result in a fine of up to 1000 euros (that’s like $1100 USD) (…on the spot) AND driver’s are required to carry a reflective vest and warning triangle? Russia will fine you for having a dirty license plate! The bottom line, here, is that traffic rules and regulations vary by country in Europe. Make sure you are familiar with the rules of the road, wherever your destination. This should include speed limits, traffic signs, and parking restrictions AND take into consideration any country lines you may be crossing.
Roadside Assistance
This is an important one, as you are familiarizing yourself with the laws, practices and roads of wherever you may be. For starters, check whether the rental car company offers 24-hour roadside assistance in case of breakdowns or accidents (for instance, Sixt offers roadside assistance in their rental agreement). Make sure you have the phone number and contact information for the rental car company in case of an emergency or if you have any questions during your trip.
In addition to that, make sure to check the specific terms and conditions of your credit card(s) to understand what roadside assistance benefits are available, what countries they cover, and what services are included. Some cards may have specific limitations, exclusions, or requirements, so it’s best to review the details carefully before relying on the benefit while traveling. Chase, VIsa and American Express all offer roadside assistance benefits, but may vary by location.
Toll Roads
This is one of those that goes for car rentals anywhere – know as much bout the routes you will be driving as possible, including tolls, their cost and there are viable toll free alternatives. If there are – plan to take them and you should be fine. If there are not, or if they will take you too far out of your way, see what the rental company’s toll/e-toll policy is. In some cases, using an e-toll (or license plate toll) without purchasing a toll package from the rental company will result in, not only, the cost of the toll – but also a service fee. The service fee can be hefty and can also be “per toll plaza” that you cross. In most cases, the rental company’s toll package will only add a couple of dollars a day, so if you are unsure about your route, this option might lend some piece of mind.
Fuel
This is another one that can save you, or cost you a great deal depending on how well you manage it. Unlike the United States, which typically offers full-full and full-empty, Europe offers a few more fueling options AND those options can vary country to country. Make sure you understand the fuel policy of the rental car company. In addition to that, if you receive full-empty as an option, be sure you know local fuel prices to make sure it is worth it AND that you get the most bang for your buck on the return. Also, in the case of full-empty, try and map out your drive so that your returning the car as low as possible and not buying extra gas for the rental company.
Full – Full:
You will get the car at a full tank and are expected to return it, likewise. If not full on arrival, you are charged the remaining gas (at a premium) as well as a service charge. This type of fueling policy is Europe’s most common. It is available in countries such as (but not limited to) Sweden, Germany, Denmark and in Norway.
Full – Empty:
You pay a fee for a full tank of fuel and will need to return it as empty as possible. Some companies excuse this on short-term rentals (up to 4 days) and offer compensation for remaining fuel. This is less common that Full-Full, and can be mostly found in Spain.
Empty – Empty:
Way less common. In this scenario you will pick-up your car with very little fuel and be expected to return, likewise. This is beneficial in that you will only pay for fuel you use. The tradeoff is that it will require a great deal more planning on the customer’s end to ensure the benefits.
Same – Same:
You will receive the car at a certain fuel level and be expected to return it at the same level. Be sure to get (and confirm) the written fuel level prior to leaving the rental lot.
Environmental Zones
Some cities in Europe have environmental zones which only permit low emission vehicles. It would be a good habit to check for these areas on your route. If so, make sure to check if your rental car meets the requirements if you plan to visit these areas.
Final Thoughts
As you see, renting a car in Europe definitely comes with its share of considerations. Some might be familiar, while other, less-so. Research close to your travel time in order to fully prepare. Traveling by car can be a great way to see Europe and its countries. There are so many side quests to explore and enjoy, and public transit cannot always accommodate.
What do you think of this article? Did we miss anything? If you live in Europe, how do you feel about travelling by car in your particular country?
Let us know below!
