International Car Rental Tips
Renting a car while traveling internationally allows travelers to see more and get off the beaten track and explore things at their own pace. Renting a car offers flexibility but it can also bring a lot of hassles. Here are my tips to help make an international car rental go smoothly:
Book in the US with a US agency
Major U.S. rental agencies like Hertz, Budget and Avis operate throughout the world. Booking in the U.S. gives more consumer protection. I also recommend reserving and paying for the rental with a credit card, not cash, so there is recourse if there's a problem. Rates are lower when booking in advance from the U.S. compared to walking up to the counter in a foreign country.
Get an International Driving Permit (IDP)
An IDP is not a driver's license, it's a document that translates a license into a multitude of languages and confirms its validity. I got mine at the Auto Club, which, along with the AATA are the only U.S. organizations authorized to issue them. The cost is $10.
Consider other options
In some cities, like Amsterdam, there is no room for cars and it just doesn't make sense to rent one. Many countries have excellent public transport systems that can take travelers to the smallest village, as well as major cities, making a rental car unnecessary. In non-developed countries the roads can be trouble, as can the local police and laws. It may be better to hire a recommended driver or use authorized taxis instead of renting a car.
Take the insurance
In the U.S., I always recommend confirming coverage with the personal auto insurance carrier or credit card company and declining the expensive insurance offered by the rental agency. When traveling internationally, I think it's best to accept the full coverage offered by the rental agency to prevent any problems.
Document everything
Confirm reservations before leaving home and be sure to bring printed copies of estimates and reservations to prevent problems and over-charging. Like anytime I rent a car, I always inspect the car carefully prior to leaving the lot and note any damage, no matter how minor. When returning the car, snap some photos of the outside and inside and I prefer to check the car in with an employee, not drop it off with no contact.
Learn the law
Driving in another country requires some education and research, be sure to study local laws, signage and customs to ensure a good experience. Never drink and drive and remember many countries have even stricter blood alcohol limits than the .08 we have in the U.S.
Costs
Verify the costs when making the reservation and ask about extra fees or charges. In many countries gas is several times as expensive as in the U.S., so be sure to budget correctly. In France gas can be more than $8 per gallon, and in Japan expect to pay almost $7 per gallon.
Parking
Parking laws, rules and customs can vary from country to country and city to city. Ask questions and do some research to see how it works in your destination. When in doubt, I try to find a paid parking lot to avoid the risk of ticketing, towing or booting.
You can follow travel writer Ted Sherman on twitter, @travel4seniors and check out his blog, travel4seniors.com
More from this contributor:
What is an International Driving Permit?
A Dream Trip to Capri in Italy
Macau Travel Guide
Book in the US with a US agency
Major U.S. rental agencies like Hertz, Budget and Avis operate throughout the world. Booking in the U.S. gives more consumer protection. I also recommend reserving and paying for the rental with a credit card, not cash, so there is recourse if there's a problem. Rates are lower when booking in advance from the U.S. compared to walking up to the counter in a foreign country.
Get an International Driving Permit (IDP)
An IDP is not a driver's license, it's a document that translates a license into a multitude of languages and confirms its validity. I got mine at the Auto Club, which, along with the AATA are the only U.S. organizations authorized to issue them. The cost is $10.
Consider other options
In some cities, like Amsterdam, there is no room for cars and it just doesn't make sense to rent one. Many countries have excellent public transport systems that can take travelers to the smallest village, as well as major cities, making a rental car unnecessary. In non-developed countries the roads can be trouble, as can the local police and laws. It may be better to hire a recommended driver or use authorized taxis instead of renting a car.
Take the insurance
In the U.S., I always recommend confirming coverage with the personal auto insurance carrier or credit card company and declining the expensive insurance offered by the rental agency. When traveling internationally, I think it's best to accept the full coverage offered by the rental agency to prevent any problems.
Document everything
Confirm reservations before leaving home and be sure to bring printed copies of estimates and reservations to prevent problems and over-charging. Like anytime I rent a car, I always inspect the car carefully prior to leaving the lot and note any damage, no matter how minor. When returning the car, snap some photos of the outside and inside and I prefer to check the car in with an employee, not drop it off with no contact.
Learn the law
Driving in another country requires some education and research, be sure to study local laws, signage and customs to ensure a good experience. Never drink and drive and remember many countries have even stricter blood alcohol limits than the .08 we have in the U.S.
Costs
Verify the costs when making the reservation and ask about extra fees or charges. In many countries gas is several times as expensive as in the U.S., so be sure to budget correctly. In France gas can be more than $8 per gallon, and in Japan expect to pay almost $7 per gallon.
Parking
Parking laws, rules and customs can vary from country to country and city to city. Ask questions and do some research to see how it works in your destination. When in doubt, I try to find a paid parking lot to avoid the risk of ticketing, towing or booting.
You can follow travel writer Ted Sherman on twitter, @travel4seniors and check out his blog, travel4seniors.com
More from this contributor:
What is an International Driving Permit?
A Dream Trip to Capri in Italy
Macau Travel Guide
Published by Ted Sherman - Featured Contributor in Travel
Navy service WWII and Korea, BFA, MA. Retired, experience: exec. speechwriter, advertising, sales promotion, PR, graphic art, photography, travel and humor writing. Follow me: @travel4seniors, Editor of tra... View profile
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