From the sunny coast lines of Portugal’s Algarve, to the affluent cultures of Paris and Milan, as a continent Europe offers a host of experiences – it’s no wonder that it attracts so much tourism year after year. If you’re an adventure-seeker, keen to squeeze more into your vacation, than driving is a great idea! Not only will you have complete flexibility, you’ll be able to explore off-the-beaten-track and stumble upon hidden gems that aren’t accessible without your own means of transport.
When embarking on a driving holiday through Europe, it’s advisable to rent a car, rather than to take your own. Renting a car removes the stress of crossing the channel for Brits, and is a more cost-effective option than buying and selling a car, for those travelling from further afield. You can research the best deals using a reputable comparison site, like compare and choose, to ensure you don’t get ripped off through the vendors themselves.
Whilst there are various pros and cons, we think the benefits of renting are more advantageous:
You can choose the car you need
Renting a car allows you to choose a vehicle based on your road trip requirements. At home, you might drive a small city car, but for a family road trip you’ll need something larger for space and comfort. Or, if you’re going on a couple’s trip, you might want to rent something a little ‘cooler’, like a convertible, so you can cruse down those country roads with the wind in your hair.
Get better value
If you’re planning to cross various boarders on your trip, E.g. France to Germany, you’re better off renting from a German dealer, as the rates are significantly cheaper. You should do your research about which destination on your trip has the best deals & make that your starting point.
Do you need the car for the full trip?
Sometimes you’ll only need a car for a few days of your trip, so it would be daft to drive your car from home – especially when budget airlines offer such good deals! For example, if you’re planning a road trip through Italy, you probably don’t need a rental car for the full duration. In places like Venice, you won’t need a car (for obvious reasons), so we’d recommend catching a train to Rome, to start your rental journey.
Save your miles
You don’t want to crank up the mileage on your own motor, particularly if you lease or finance your own car. When renting abroad, you can rest assured that your car won’t suffer the effects of your trip.
When you hire a car in Europe, cover called Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) insurance is usually. If you had to make a claim due to an accident or damage to your vehicle, you would still be liable to pay the first part of the amount you are claiming for, known as the “excess”. This is where an independent car hire excess insurance comes in as it is there to prevent you having to pay these hefty excess charges and will give you peace of mind should something go wrong.
