Renting a Car Internationally

If you plan to travel abroad, chances are good that you might find yourself renting a car to make the most of your travels. Once you travel that far, you want to see and do as much as possible. While tour groups can be a great way to see a region, they’re not for everyone. As part of a tour package, you must stick to the agenda and don’t have as much flexibility as you do when you head out on your own. Here are some tips to help you get a good deal and be ready with all the documentation you will need in order to rent a car overseas.

Like when renting domestically, book as far in advance as possible. You can save a lot of money this way, as opposed to renting a car once you arrive. Check out comparison websites which help you find the best deal for your money. Read small print and look for hidden charges. Car rental companies are notorious for finding ways to up the bill. Check into things such as fueling charges, additional driver fees and late penalties to be sure you are aware of all policies before renting.

Many companies enforce a minimum and/or maximum age rental policy. The industry standard tends to be 25 years as the minimum and 70 years at the maximum end of the spectrum. Expect to be denied if you do not fit into this parameter, or be sure you have a driver in your party that does fall into this age group.

Most European car rentals offer manual transmission cars. If you can drive a stick shift, it will save you both time and money. Automatic transmission cars can be found, but are more difficult to come across and more expensive to rent. If you are traveling to an English speaking country, you can typically get away with an American driver’s license. Other countries may require you obtain an International Driving Permit or IDP. You must be 18 to get this paper which translates your info into 10 languages and is recognized by over 150 countries.