The major rental car companies in Europe are
Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt
. We always book our rental car in advance. During the planning phase of the trip, Tim checks the rates for the major companies and chooses the one with the best price.
What is required to rent a car in Europe?
Passports, Driver's Licenses, and International Driving Permits
. Whether you're American or Canadian, your passport and driver's license are all you need in most European countries. However, some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Can you rent a car in one country in Europe and return it in another?
In most European countries, and with most rental companies, you can pick up your car in one city and return it at another with no extra charge
. A no-cost one-way rental allows you to use an open-jaw air ticket and avoid the time and cost of doubling back to a single arrival/departure airport.
Can you drive between countries in Europe?
While
a traveler can freely cross from one country to another in the Schengen Area
, there might be an additional fee for doing so in a rental car.
Can I rent a car in Italy and drop it off in France?
Be sure to confirm that
your rental car agreement even allows you to take a car from France into Italy
. Most often folks drop their French car in France, take the train into Italy and pick.
Where is the cheapest place to rent a car in Europe?
A 16-country study of car hire costs worldwide reveals that
Turkey and the USA
are the cheapest places to hire a car this summer, and Italy and Portugal are the most expensive.
Do I need an International Drivers License to rent a car in Europe?
Renting a Car in Europe: Get an IDP
But
most other popular European destinations such as Italy, France, Germany, and Spain require that you also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your regular driver's license
.
Do you need an international license to rent a car in Europe?
Rental agencies in European countries accept a valid passport as proof of your identity and age.
You also need your driving license
. Before departing for Europe, obtain an International Driving Permit.
Are there automatic rental cars in Europe?
Most rental cars in Europe require manual transmission, though
automatic vehicles are available
. “If you're planning to rent a car, make reservations early from the U.S. before you leave for your trip to ensure the best availability, especially during peak travel times,” says Julie Hall, a spokesperson for AAA.
Can I rent a car in Switzerland and drive to Italy?
The rule bans EU citizens from driving non-EU registered hire cars in the EU. But with Switzerland, a non-member, at the heart of Europe there are problems at car hire offices:
a Swiss-registered hire car cannot be driven across the border to France, Germany, Italy or Austria by an EU citizen
(such as a Briton).
Can I rent a car and drop it off in another country?
Yes, you can return the car in a different location
. Usually, this is called “one-way rental”. However, please note that, sometimes, an extra fee may be applied to your reservation.
What is the age limit to rent a car in Europe?
In most of Europe,
there is no car rental age limit for drivers over the age of 65
. Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom all have all car rental over 80 years old. In parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia there are restrictions or surcharges for senior drivers.
Can I drive my car to Europe?
Yes, as long as you have a valid driving licence and, if necessary, an International Driving Permit
. Check your insurance carefully to see if you're covered to drive someone else's car abroad, including any restrictions on driving abroad.
Can you rent a car in a foreign country?
If you are planning to rent a car abroad,
you may be asked to present one along with your regular license from home
. You must be at least 18 years old to get an IDP. There are only two agencies in the U.S. authorized to issue IDPs: the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.
Can you rent a car in UK and drive to Europe?
Can I take a hire car from the UK to Europe?
Yes, you can take pick up your hire car in the UK and drive it in in Europe
. A charge will apply when using your car abroad which is calculated depending on the number of days.
Can I do a one way car rental in Italy?
Most popular one-way rentals in Italy
There's so much to see in Italy, so why drive in a circle?
A one-way rental means you're free to plan the journey you want
– and we can find you the ideal car, so you get the most out of your visit, for a lot less than you might expect.
Can I rent a car in Rome and return it in Milan?
Do I have to return my rental car to the same location?
You can drop your car off in another Italian city
, however, in most cases there will be a domestic one-way fee you'll need to pay when you pick up your vehicle.
Can you rent a car in Paris and return it in London?
One-way car rental with Avis makes it easy to go from A to B without driving full circle. Simply,
pick up your vehicle from one of our offices across the UK or Europe and drop it off at another location at the end of your trip
.
Why is renting a car so expensive in Europe?
It's that
enormous gulf between supply and demand
that's causing the out-of-control prices on display in Europe this summer, he says. Most of the big companies will raise prices when demand is outstripping supply — just as airlines do.
Is car rental expensive in Germany?
keddy by Europcar is the most affordable rental car agency in Germany, with prices found for as low as $18 per day in some areas of the country. Comparatively,
the average price to rent a car in Germany is $36 per day
.
What European countries require an International Driving Permit?
In Europe,
Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia and Spain
require an international driving permit, according to the car rental agency Auto Europe.
How do I get an International Driving Permit in Europe?
The International Driving Permit is available from government-authorized organizations (such as national automobile associations) in 150 countries. To obtain it, you'll need to
complete an application and submit it with a photocopy of your driver's license, two passport-size photos, and a small fee
.
Is an International Driving Permit required in Italy?
An international driving permit in Italy is required by law if you plan to operate a vehicle in Italy
– whether you're renting a car in Italy or booking an international rental which will take you briefly across the Italian border.
