Each travel lover independently determines how, where and what to drive. We are not trying to convince readers that the only correct option for tourism is driving a car. Althoughcar rental without a driver - a very popular service among those who like to see new countries.

This article is intended for people who have already decided on the transport to travel. Now you need to figure it outwhere to rent a car abroad. Of course, for an independent traveler, your own vehicle is just an ideal option. On four wheels, you can see the sights that are far from each other. No need to study public transport timetables. Moreover, in some countries it can literally shock a tourist.

Pros of aggregator sites

Rent a car can be taken in different ways. For example, many airports have rent-a-car offices. You get off the plane, fill out the paperwork, and immediately get behind the wheel. But this method cannot be called the best. You cannot know in advance which car will be offered to you and whether they will be at all.

The second option is to use the website of the rent-a-car company. This is already more convenient. Large companies have offices in many countries and provide online booking services.

But the most convenient option is to use aggregator sites. They work on the same principle as similar services in air travel.

The main features of the aggregator:

• Offers from all companies are combined in one window. You don't need to spend a lot of time looking for information, comparing it.
• Many aggregators work with certain rent-a-car companies. This enables them to provide discounts to customers.
• Aggregators give information even about small local rent-a-car, information about which is difficult to find on the Internet on your own. It is quite possible that they will offer car rental without a driver at the most favorable conditions.
• Car rental without experience ... Many companies do not require their customers to have a driving experience.

Today there are many broker sites, and there is simply no point in listing them all. But some of them should definitely be considered in more detail. Broker airlines are excluded immediately. This is too simple an option, and there is nothing to tell about it. We will also exclude from our list those air brokers that simultaneously offer hotel and car booking services. For them, rental is not the main job, therefore they cannot offer the most favorable conditions. Let's focus on the largest aggregators.

Economycarrentals.com

One of the most popular aggregators. The service not in all cities allows you to know in advance the name of the company that providescars for rent that pretty inconvenient. You may have previously received unsatisfactory services from a company with which you no longer want to do business.

For some countries and cities, the company name can be seen in the lower left corner next to the car brand.

The name of the company is also indicated in the e-voucher that is sent by e-mail. If you wish, you can simply cancel your reservation. For cancellation of an order, the site promises not to charge additional money.

All prices on the website already include insurance. At the same time, the deductible is zero - there is no minimum amount of liability for damage to the car. This means that the insurance company covers even the smallest expenses. The deductible is refundable - the amount charged will then be refunded (if the car remains intact). When booking, carefully study all the paperwork requirements.

Sometimes economycarrentals.com can offer a “second driver” service for free (it usually costs about 15 euros per day). Moreover, this aggregator is distinguished by its speed of work. You will not have to wait long for a response to a request or for paperwork. Agree, this is an important advantage for a tourist.

British aggregator, formerly calledEconomycarhire.com, brings together information about carriers from all over the world. The site has a very user-friendly interface. All basic information is displayed in one window. Car reservations on this service are allowed from the age of 21. In this case, the driving experience must be at least 2 years.

The broker provides a free "second driver" service, as well as free border crossing within the European Union. You can also use various additional services for a small fee. For example, take a child seat or change tires for winter ones. Cons - the lack of an interface in Russian.

As soon as you enter this site, you immediately notice that it has a Russian-language interface. Although modern tourists are educated people and often speak several languages, this feature of the service is a very pleasant bonus. It is a Spanish company that operates in 130 countries - almost everywhere you can go.

The broker works with both large rent-a-car companies and small regional offices. Therebycar for rent can be picked up at a very reasonable price.

You can also take out a refundable deductible with a maximum amount of 750 euros, covering almost all insured events. For about 25 euros per day you can get a car from the age of 19. Anyone under the age of 25 will be charged an additional fee.

It is fair to say that economybookings.com is trying to "squeeze" more money from tourists with various additional services. Very similar to the actions of low-cost airlines. For example, the additional service "protection against cancellation" worth 863.63 rubles provides a full refund of the prepayment if canceled no later than 24 hours before the start of the lease.

However, it is written in small print in the rental conditions that if you cancel your booking no later than 24 hours before the start of the rental, the broker promises to return the money in full, except for a service fee of 2.5% of the prepayment amount!

The arithmetic is simple: the total cost of renting a car is in our case 11 791 rubles 03 kopecks. 2.5% of the total rental cost is only 293 rubles. And they want to convince us that buying a prepayment return guarantee for 863.63 rubles is a good deal. It smacks of deception.Therefore, before ordering additional services on this site, we advise you to read what is written in small print.

One of the most popular and convenient services from booking.com (Priceline Group), the world leader in online hotel booking.

On this site, you can change or cancel your reservation for free. Do you think this moment is not worthy of attention? But often making some changes to the order without losing money is very, very useful. When planning a trip, you cannot be sure of anything in advance. For example, your flight may be postponed or the train will be delayed. And so you can go to the site at any time and reschedule your booking. With such a backup option, travel is much safer.

The rental price also automatically includes insurance against theft and accident. The franchise may vary. Sometimes they offer only one option, sometimes several to choose from. In some casescar rental also includes free GPS. On other sites, such bonuses are rare.

Rentalcars.com prefers to choose options among the offers of large companies, pushing small rent-a-car to the background. But it is interesting that the number of options is often even greater than on other aggregators.

Another broker that boasts a Russian-language website. Say what you like, but it's nice and convenient. The same cannot be said about the interface itself. It is rather inconvenient in comparison with the previous options. Let's hope that the developers will take care of this issue and make the site more user-friendly.

Autoeurope.com works with both large and small car rental companies. Interestingly, the rental price can be significantly reduced if you go to the site with a domain corresponding to the country of destination.

Aggregators collect offers from many companies. And they all offer different conditions. For example, the price may already include or may not be available at all for the "second driver" option. Some companies limit the daily mileage of the car, offer different franchise options, or just one. And there are also such firms in which the conditions are rather confusing and it is difficult to understand what they will require to pay extra for. The conditions are mainly chosen by the rent-a-car company itself, and not by the aggregator site.

Considering all of the above, you need to be careful when choosing a broker. It is best to use the services of trusted companies that have already proven themselves well.

1. If you want to use the car of a small regional company, it is a good idea to first collect feedback about it.
2. There are other nuances that can help you save time and money. Of course, first of all, it is worth advising you to carefully read all documents, all rental conditions on the website and directly at the place of rental.
3. Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before signing the lease. There is no need to be afraid of being picky. Any (even minor) damage should be listed on paper. Otherwise, later it turns out that you took the perfect car, and return it with scratches, dents and chips. In this case, you will have to repair the car at your own expense.
4. Another tip concerns money on a bank card. Most companies when booking "freeze" a certain amount on the customer's card, which is then returned. This is a kind of advance payment. But quite often unscrupulous rent-a-car companies do not "freeze", but simply write off the money, no longer returning it. It also happens that more money is debited than indicated on the site. There can be troubles due to technical failures. Therefore, it is best to get yourself a separate bank card and put on it only the amount you will need for booking. Experienced tourists do just that.

These are just some of the tips to make your trip comfortable. And we'll talk about the rest next time. And don't be afraid to travel on your own. This is not at all as difficult as it might seem.

RENT A CAR IN EUROPE today it is not a luxury, but one of the most convenient and economical ways of transportation in countries where public transport is incredibly expensive. Renting a car is much more profitable than spending money on public transport. For example, one round trip for three in Copenhagen metro will cost at least 3.5 * 3 * 2 \u003d 21 euros, while for this money you can easily rent a car for the whole day! Plus, the more people travel together, the more tangible the benefits of renting a car become. And there is no need to say much about the convenience of traveling by car. I think everyone understands perfectly well that there is simply no more convenient option for independent travel!

However, you need to know well all the subtleties and features in order to avoid sad mistakes when renting a car. Actually, for this I wrote this article: to help you understand everything in detail.

We are already experienced travelers and have visited 50 countries. Many of them rented cars: in Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, in and in. We rented cars from European countries in Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus. We drove a rented car in Spain, France, Italy, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, we have already made 4 trips across Europe in our own car, with a total length of more than 20,000 km.

In this article I will share all the necessary information so that you can safely rent a car in Europe: what you need to rent, where is it more profitable and cheaper, what is the procedure, insurances, toll roads, parking, navigator, and so on.

1. We are looking for the best deals in the right city for your dates... It is best to do this in advance, via the Internet. This is always cheaper and more convenient.
2. We book a car on the website.
3. We pick up the car at the appointed place at the agreed time.Here you will need to sign an agreement, make a deposit (deposit), carefully inspect the car for damage, all damage found must be noted in the vehicle inspection report. I recommend always filming the car. Walk around the car in a circle, video from all sides, the condition of the interior, roof, be sure to pay attention to tires, glass, note the fuel level.
4. Enjoy the journey.
5. We rent a car at the end of the lease. If everything is in order, then this procedure is much easier and faster than the previous ones. So that there would be no unnecessary questions later, I recommend also filming the car from all sides.

Everything seems to be simple and clear. But there are many subtleties and nuances. Let's sort things out in order.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR RENT A CAR IN EUROPE

• Valid national driving license with the last name and first name duplicated in English, as well as an inscription PERMIS DE CONDUIRE... It can be a new type of driver's driver (plastic), or another old model (laminated). In most cases, this is sufficient. IDP (International driver's license, gray book and plastic card) for renting in most European countries is not necessary, with the exception of Italy, England, sometimes France and Greece (a rather large fine for the absence of an IDP for foreigners, not EU citizens). The IDL is a gray booklet with translation of information into several languages. In Ukraine, it is ordered in the territorial service centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in Russia it is most profitable to do it through the "Gosuslugi" service. For Belarus, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries, you can order the American IDP, which I talked about. For those who plan to travel frequently to different countries, I highly recommend doing IDP... But keep in mind that an IDL is essentially a translation of a driver's license into different languages, and The IDP is valid only in conjunction with a regular national driver's license.
• Driver's age must be over 19-23 years old (depending on the rental office and the country, in most cases from 21 years old), if the driver is under the age of 25, then sometimes an additional payment is required for a young driver in the amount of about 15-17 euros per day.
• Driving experience at least 1 year. Sometimes they require that the experience was at least 2 years. Depends on the specific country, the car rental company and the class of the rented car.
• Driver's passport
• Credit card in the name of the tenant to block the deposit. Debit cards at international car rental companies are often not accepted for deposit blocking. I told you how to distinguish a debit card from a credit card. It is better to clarify this point in advance. It is very common to leave a cash deposit at local (non-international) car rental companies.
• Voucherif you booked a car on the website
• Passport, driver's license and credit card must be in the name of the main driver

TYPES OF RENTAL OFFICES. WHERE IS BETTER TO RENT A CAR

There are only four types of rental companies in the world from which you can rent a car:

• World renowned international car rental companies ( HERTZ, SIXT, AVIS, Europcar, Budget, ALAMO etc.)
• Aggregator sites (dealers, brokers) of these international distributors. (On one site, offers of a large number of international car rentals are collected at once) There are a lot of such companies, but I use the best ones, which I have repeatedly tested (in different countries of the world, not only Europe): Rentalcars , Autoeurope , DiscoverCars and. You should not treat them as ordinary intermediaries, prices are often even lower here than when renting directly, and the website and booking system are much more convenient. All of them have a convenient Russian-language version, where everything is described in detail and in detail.
• Local (local) rental offices. Each country in Europe has its own.
• Aggregators of local rental offices (this is the most uncommon group). A striking example in Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus and the Czech Republic - Myrentacar

Each type of distributor has its own characteristics. As for local distributors and their dealers, they are very common in the southern (resort) countries of Europe, but in central and northern Europe, it is most often more profitable to use international rental companies and their aggregators.

What is an "aggregator"? In fact, it is an intermediary between the rental company and the client. This is a site that contains all the offers from rental offices for a specific region. It would seem that since this is an intermediary, then their price should be higher. But no, from my own experience I was convinced that prices on such sites are often even lower than those of the distributors themselves. In the Emirates, for example, I rented a car through Rentalcars at a price 2 times cheaper than it was on the distributor's website! In other countries it was also cheaper, but not much. I have repeatedly booked cars through intermediaries cheaper than if I rented directly from the distributors.

However, when comparing prices, it is important to consider which insurances are included in the price. On aggregator sites Rentalcars , Autoeurope , DiscoverCars and the price always includes compulsory insurance against theft, civil liability and insurance with a deductible. But the sites HERTZ, SIXT, AVIS, Europcar, Budget, ALAMOand others may show the price on the site without taking into account the obligatory insurances, for which you will then have to pay extra.

Aggregator sites operate on a commission from each order. The more cars are rented with their help, the more commission they receive. Large resellers have a fairly substantial discount from all rental offices, so they can set a rental price lower than the rental companies themselves. They are also forced to do this by the great competition in the car rental market.

From my own experience, and from the experience of studying various forums, I have long come to the conclusion that the MOST OPTIMAL SITES for car rental around the world are

It is worth looking for options on each of these sites. They may have different offers depending on the country. It cannot be said unequivocally that it is always cheaper on any one of these sites. It's not always the same.

but this site currently only works in some countries.

It is convenient to use a single currency to compare prices on different sites. Since we rent a car in Europe, it is best to use the euro currency, because the sites may not correctly display the cost in rubles or hryvnia.

On all the aggregators described above, the currency is changed very simply, but on the site Autoeurope in the Russian version, prices are shown only in rubles. In order to change the currency to the euro, you need to go to the English version of the site:

GoldCar Car Rental

I highly recommend not using this rental company ... They operate in many countries in Europe, and this is the worst rental company of all. They brazenly "cheated" us for 1,065 euros. And we are not the only ones, there are a lot of such reviews on the Internet. Later there will be an article, but for now a video about our sad experience:

Now there are a lot of negative reviews about GoldCar on the Internet, there are entire communities (for example, facebook group out of 1600 people), so GoldCar began to use other names, for example, Rhodium or InterRent:

So be careful not to mess with them.

CAR RENTAL IN EUROPE IS CHEAP: rocker or intermediary?Car rental tricks

Before starting this section, I want to advise you on an excellent article on how go to Europe cheap... There my friends described in great detail 10 options on what you can save on when traveling across Europe.

Please note that almost all major international car rental companies indicate the rental price on their websites without any insurance, but when you pick up the car, you will have to pay at least standard insurance: against theft and damage with a franchise. And the large aggregators, which I talked about above, show the price with insurance included. To compare where it is cheaper, you must take into account the cost of standard insurance, because their cost is a significant proportion of the cost of renting a car.

Sometimes half of the cost of car rental is standard insurance..

When looking for a car in Denmark, I just ran into this situation. I described in detail the process of searching for a car and booking in the article. Here I will briefly say that booking a car turned out to be 1.5 times more profitable through a large international broker Autoeurope,than directly through ALAMO or Budget.

A similar situation was when booking a car in the Emirates. There I booked a car through the aggregator Rentalcars and this also came out 1.5 times cheaper than directly through the distributor DOLLAR... The same is true in Greece and Switzerland.

Therefore, an IMPORTANT recommendation: ALWAYS CAREFULLY LOOK AT WHAT INSURANCES INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL PRICE, because in the overwhelming majority of cases, international distributors on their sites show the amount without insurance, and with standard insurance the amount will be 1.5-2 times higher! You count on one thing, and when you come for a car, they demand to pay extra for insurance.

In general, when looking for a car in Europe, I can advise the following:

• to find a car for rent, use the sites Rentalcars, Autoeurope, Discovercars, etc. In the vast majority of cases, one of these sites will be the best option.
• if you search on other sites, carefully read the terms and conditions, and check which insurances are included in the price. In most cases, rental companies show the rental price without any insurance. And then, when you pick up the car, compulsory insurance will be added to the rental amount.

FEATURES OF RENT A CAR IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES OF EUROPE

Articles about the features of car rental in specific countries:

In the Czech Republic, I advise you to check the price on the aggregator of local car rental companies Myrentacar

In the near future, I also plan to disclose in detail the topic of car rental during France and Spain.

In general, I want to say that there is a significant difference in car rental in southern resort European countries (Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece) and countries of central and northern Europe (Germany, France, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Belgium, etc.). In southern countries there is a very large number of local (local) car rental companies, which often offer better options than large international car rental companies. But in the countries of central and northern Europe, the best deals are usually in large international car rentals.

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HOW TO CHECK WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL PRICE

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FEATURES OF TRAFFIC IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

There is no big difference with our traffic rules. In Europe, everything is logical and understandable. The roads are of good quality, there are markings and traffic directions everywhere. If you turn to the left, then a separate lane is allocated for this. Of all the European countries where I have been, I felt a little uncomfortable in small streets in Italy, Holland and Switzerland.

• in many European countries it is compulsory to use dipped headlights around the clock
• max. speed in the city - 50, outside the city - 80-90, on the autobahns - 110-130 km / h (depending on the specific country)
• you need to stop in front of the "zebra" before a pedestrian steps on it (it is enough that he just walked up to it). This is strict here. Pedestrians must be allowed
• the advantage at roundabouts is always with those who are already "on the circle"
• in Europe there is no difference between overtaking and advancing
• it is forbidden to use the phone while driving, sometimes the police stand on the track with binoculars and look out for violators
• in most countries the use of radar detectors and radar detectors is prohibited
• Use "fog lights" ONLY in fog, or when visibility is severely impaired. Otherwise - fine
• The sound signal can only be used to prevent accidents
• fines are very high, do not break

These are just the main features of the traffic rules in Europe, I recommend that you always carefully study the traffic rules in force on the territory of the country where you go. Everywhere has its own nuances. For example, in Cyprus and the UK, left-hand traffic. Often on my trips I use this THIS website. Here you can find all the basic information about roads, speed limits, traffic rules, fines, parking, etc.

Emergency telephone number throughout Europe - 112

Road markings in Copenhagen

FEATURES OF RIDING IN CARS

There are European countries where autobahns are paid for a certain section of the road (for example, Poland, Italy, France, Greece, Croatia, Portugal). At the entrance to the autobahn, there are special checkpoints where you can pay by credit card or cash.

There are countries in which motorways are free: Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, partly Spain etc.

Basic rules for driving on European autobahns:

• when driving on autobahns, you need to keep to the right, the left lane is intended for overtaking.
• there is no need to "blink the headlights" of the car in front to miss it, here it is customary to turn on the left turn signal
• if on the autobahn you see that the car in front starts braking quickly or turns on the emergency light, start braking, and also turn on the emergency light so that the car driving behind sees this signal and also slows down.
• you can leave the car on the European highway only in a reflective vest (therefore, check the presence of a vest when you pick up the rented car - you must issue it)
• on the autobahns, you can only stop in the designated places. Only an emergency stop (breakdown, etc.) is possible on the side of the road, but passengers and the driver are required to leave the car, wearing reflective vests.
• the maximum speed of driving on a motorway varies from country to country. For example, in France - 130 km / h, and in Switzerland and Portugal - 120 km / h. In the rain, the maximum speed is usually limited to 90-110 km / h. If repair work is underway on a section of the motorway, then most often they put a sign of 80 km / h there.
• police rarely control speed on motorways, but occasionally do round-ups. I usually watch the locals drive and try to drive the same way, not standing out too much from the traffic. Radars are usually warned by specially installed signs.

Video: paying for the autobahn in Greece (from 26m30sec):

POLICE AND FINE IN EUROPE

The fines are very high everywhere. There is no point in listing the amounts. Try not to break. If the locals travel 50 km / h in the city, do not overtake everyone, go in the general stream. Please note that in Europe there are a lot of cameras on the roads, there are police officers who drive unmarked cars. We were caught in Montenegro and fined 50 euros:

No need to be rude to the police, try to always agree peacefully.

They can also be fined on the autobahns, but higher fines for violating the speed limit in the city.

Police car in Switzerland
A pricy car in Portugal

GASOLINE AND FUEL POLICY

There are several options for a fuel policy when renting a car, but the most optimal one is when you receive and return the car with a full tank of fuel... If you have the opportunity to choose, then I recommend this particular option. In this case, you will pay only for the fuel you have used up.

If you plan to visit several countries for a trip, then look in advance where gasoline is cheaper.

Try not to refuel at gas stations along the Autobahn, where gasoline is almost always significantly more expensive.

The procedure for refueling a car in most European countries: drive up, fill up a certain amount of fuel, and then go to the cashier and pay by credit card or cash.

On autobahns, the cost of fuel is usually 20-30% higher. If you want to save money, then you should leave the Autobahn to the side, most likely there will be cheaper gasoline.

Car rental in Spain: fuel cost, refueling procedure and about highways:

BMW 330ci convertible is a separate section where you can read real reviews of tourists about car rental in different European countries.

Different rental companies have different requirements, so please read the rental terms of each company carefully. For most rental companies, the age requirement for a driver is between 21 and 70 years old. If the driver is under 25 or over 70 years old, you may have to pay an additional fee. Yes, as long as this driver meets all the requirements. Just fill in your personal details when booking. We work with all major international brands (as well as many small local car rental companies) and can offer you a huge selection of cars at the most attractive prices. We can find great rental deals for you at more than 60,000 locations worldwide. To compare prices and choose the perfect car at a unique price, simply use the search form.

• Space:
• Fuel policy:
• Location:

| Nearly all of our rental offerings include CDW, theft, local taxes, airport and road tolls. "\u003e

Check the Frequently Asked Questions section

What documents do I need to have to get a car?
Show full answer You must have a credit or debit card to book a car. To get a car, you need the following documents:

• Your Voucher / E-Voucher showing that you have paid for the vehicle.
• Credit / debit card in the name of the main driver with sufficient funds to block the deposit.
• Each driver must have a valid driving license for at least 12 months (sometimes 24 months).
• The driver's passport or other identity document must be presented to the rental company.

Different rental companies have different requirements, so please read the rental terms of each company carefully. How old do I have to be to get a rental car?
Show full answer For most car rental companies, the age requirement for a driver is between 21 and 70 years old. If the driver is under 25 or over 70 years old, you may have to pay an additional fee. Can I rent a car for someone else?
Show full answer Yes, as long as this driver meets all requirements. Just fill in your personal details when booking. How to find the cheapest car rental deal?
Show full answer We work with all major international brands (as well as many small local car rental companies) and can offer you a huge selection of cars at the most attractive prices. We can find great rental deals for you at more than 60,000 locations worldwide. To compare prices and choose the perfect car at a unique price, simply use the search form. What should I pay attention to when choosing a car?
Show full answer

• Space: You will enjoy your rental more if you choose a vehicle that is spacious enough for all passengers and luggage.
• Fuel policy: Not planning to travel a lot? A full-to-full fuel policy can save you a lot of money.
• Location: The most convenient way to get a car is directly at the airport, but it is much cheaper to use a transfer and get a car outside the airport.

Are all taxes included in the rental price?
Show full answer Nearly all of our rental offerings include CDW, theft, local taxes, airport and road tolls.

Do you have any questions? Visit our page

When booking your car, you only need a credit or debit card.

At the rental point you need the following documents:

• Passport.
• Voucher.
• Driver's license for each of the drivers.
• Credit card in the name of the main driver (some rental companies also accept debit cards, but most do not).

Important: be sure to read the rental terms of your car rental company as they may vary. For example, a car rental company might ask for additional identification, only accept certain types of cards, or refuse to rent cars to drivers who received a license less than 36 months ago.

From what age can you rent a car?

Most car rental companies rent cars to drivers aged 21 and older (and sometimes even younger). If you are under 25, you may have to pay a Young Driver Fee.

Can I rent a car for my partner, friend or colleague?

Sure. Simply enter the details of the other person at the time of booking in the Driver Information section.

• Think about where you are going. An SUV can handle the highways in Texas, but a smaller car is fine for driving around Rome.
• Find out what others think. There are many reviews and ratings on our site, so you can find out what customers of different rental companies liked and disliked.
• Don't forget about the gearbox. In some countries, almost everyone drives a car with a manual transmission, and in some with an automatic one. Make sure you rent a car that you can drive!

Is everything included in the rental price?

The price you see includes the car, mandatory insurance coverage (such as Coverage for Accidents and Damage (CDW) and Coverage in the event of theft) and mandatory fees (such as one-way rental tax, airport tax, and local taxes) ...

It also includes any additional devices and services that you add (such as a GPS or a child car seat).

The price does not include additional services that are paid at the rental point.

Tip: Full price breakdown can be found on the checkout page.

Car rental abroad

Car rental abroad expands the possibilities of a comfortable journey. But for beginners, it can be difficult to understand the terminology and the booking process. Lest you get confused, I have written a number of articles about car rental abroad.
How to find and rent a car abroad?

Search for a car abroad

Please enter your age.
Some rental companies charge additional fees for young drivers (under 21).

Choosing a car for rent

Car rental search result - a list of found options with prices.
The list is sorted by recommendation (default).
You can change the sorting by price - from the cheapest to the most expensive.

The left column is a list of distributors.
You can choose a specific car rental office.
Upper horizontal block - selection of a car category: small, medium, luxury, SUVs.

Important: you choose a car categoryrather than a specific make / model of the vehicle. Therefore, instead of Citroen C1, you can be given a Fiat 500 of the same “mini” category.

Special offers car rental on a yellow background.
These can be free services such as a second driver, snow chains, or insurance with a zero deductible.

Booking conditions - popup. You must click on the link Terms of booking.

What's free: cancellation, change of reservation - 48 hours before the start of the rental.
The rental price is already included with the franchise.

Car rental booking and payment

After choosing a suitable car, click the Book button. On the intermediate page, check the Important Information tab again. On the same page just below, you are invited to make a choice:

1) Continue booking a car with basic insurance included in the price (Go to booking without full protection).
2) Purchase Full Protection (Go to booking with full protection).

Rental car driver data

On the next page, you need to fill in the driver's details.
Be sure to include your flight number so that the carrier will be waiting for you in case your flight is delayed. If there was a delay in departure, you will be waited for at the office of the rent car company at the airport upon arrival of your flight.

Next, you go to the payment page, where you enter the details of your Visa / Master Card. Car rental cost paid in full upon booking.
If you book a car several months before the start of the rental, the site offers payment by installments. I recommend that you refuse the installment plan and pay the rent in full.

IMPORTANT: Pay immediately, no installments. Why? Read the second part of my article.
In short: in case of partial payment - booking cancellation is paid. In case of full payment, the cancellation is free and the money paid is refunded in full.

Spoiler (briefly about what in the article):
1) With partial payment you will not be able to cancel your reservation for free;
2) You will not receive an installment voucher until you have paid the rent in full.

What you need to get the booked car

1) Voucher
2) Passport
3) Credit / Debit Card Visa or MasterCard on which the deposit will be frozen. They often ask, so I answer separately -.
The deposit is frozen for the period of the car rental and will be unlocked after returning the car to the rental company.
4) Driving license (for Europe, the USA and other countries of the world, with rare exceptions, for renting a car abroad you do not need an international driver's license).

That's all.
The online booking procedure will take you 30 minutes.
it will take about 10 minutes, during which you will be asked to write your home address and telephone number on a piece of paper. Well, they will offer to buy - from each sold insurance the manager receives a premium, so they will definitely ask.

One way car rental

Sometimes it is profitable to rent a car in one city and return it in another. This is called a one way lease. This is useful when you have a route that is not closed in a ring. It costs extra money. .

Driving a rented car abroad

Transportation of a rented car by ferry

A trip to the Greek islands, a trip from mainland Italy to the islands of Sardinia or Sicily - involves a ferry crossing. Is it possible with a rented car? Can: .

Rent a car insurance: three types of insurance

1) Basic insurance - already included in the rental price.
Usually it is CDW (analogue of our OSAGO) and TP (from theft). CDW - this is a decrease in your liability in case of an accident and damage to the car by an amount not exceeding the franchise ().

2) Additional rental insurance... Full insurance or Super CDWit is a complete exemption from responsibility.
In this case, if the car is damaged, you pay nothing, since the deductible is zero.
You will be offered to buy additional insurance upon receipt of the car at the rental office. The cost of full insurance depends on the make / model of the car that you get at the rental office. Finding out in advance the cost of full insurance is how to find out in advance the make / model of the car that will be given to you. The probability of this tends to zero.

3) Additional insurance from a third party insurance company... Its plus is that it is cheaper than the rental company insurance, it is not tied to a specific car.
That is, the insurance is reusable. In other words, by purchasing Rentalcover insurance, you can rent cars many times without buying a new insurance every time.
Russian citizens who rent a car abroad have access to the services of two insurance companies: Rentalcover and WWI.

Car rental abroad and deposit

I wrote about how to reduce the deposit that is blocked on your card when you receive the booked car in a separate article on the website:
First of all, buying full insurance from a rental company reduces the deposit to zero. Other options are in the article.