Tips for renting a car around the world.

Driving In Iceland.

Whether you’re on holiday and in need of a vehicle, planning a road trip in some far flung place, or just at home waiting for your car to be repaired, hire car companies can be a godsend. So many of us have come to depend on our vehicles so heavily to get us through our daily lives that when something goes wrong with our motor, or we are separated from it for any period of time, we find ourselves at a loss. This is where rent a car outlets come into their own.

My experiences with car rental companies while traveling have been almost entirely positive. Over the last 20 years in particular, rental companies have come to recognize the extent to which travelers often have to depend on having a reliable, affordable option available to them when looking for car hire and the vast majority of services are efficient, friendly and faultless.

Randy getting into our rental car in Iceland.

However, before you take the plunge and part with your hard-earned dollar in exchange for a few days behind the wheel of some continental cruiser, take the following into consideration:

1. Could public transport be cheaper?

If you are planning to take a long drive across open country, renting a car might not be your cheapest or most efficient option. In sprawling countries like America, Russia and Australia, affordable services exist to take you from one side of the country to the other without setting foot on a plane. Greyhound buses and high speed train services are always worth checking out before you rent a car. These methods of travel can save you money and also save the earth a lot of fuel consumption and pollution.

2. Are you insured to drive abroad?

The rules about driving differ greatly from country to country, so always do some research online to find out if you’re going to be legally permitted to take out a hire car.

3. Do you need a permit?

Some countries require foreign drivers to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before they can hit the road. This document basically translates your driving license into multiple languages, making you eligible to drive in various different countries.

4. Read the fine print

Beware of hidden costs when renting a car. While most rental services are very open and honest, some will try and sneak late penalties and hidden charges under your nose. Make sure you are clear about the terms of your hire, including date and time of return and stipulations about the condition of the car.

5. Keep your rental car safe

If you can’t guarantee the safety of your rental car, you might want to have a re-think. For example, if you’re staying in an area where car crime is rife, or if you’re planning a trip that could involve mixed terrain that could potentially damage the vehicle, you could be setting yourself up for a large damage charge from the car rental outlet. Off-road vehicle hire is available in many countries for more challenging trips.

*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

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