When visiting Europe on business or holiday, you have a wide variety of car rental options to choose from. Hiring a car is an ideal way to see the best of the country you are visiting, or even to travel across Europe on a longer trip. Car hire is more convenient and less of a hassle than public transport, and you can enjoy the freedom of being able to get behind the wheel and travel when and where you want. Here are a few pointers on how to hire a car in Europe and which deal to choose.
Choose your rental company
Most of the big-name, global car rental companies have offices in Europe, so you have a good choice of rental companies for your trip to the continent. If you have a favourite company in your home country, chances are they also rent cars in Europe. Or you can search on a comparison site to compare different prices for the dates and the vehicles you are interested in. Find out which company offers the best deals in terms of cost, drop-off and pick-up points, and service.
Choose your car
Decide if you want an automatic or manual car. Automatics are not as common in Europe as they are in the US, so it can be more expensive to arrange the hire of an automatic car. However, this may be essential for you, in which case it may be worth the extra cost. Consider renting a smaller car as they are easier to manoeuvre on winding roads and in busy cities – plus, you’ll find parking a lot more simple.
Decide on your pick-up and drop-off points
When deciding where to pick up your vehicle, consider that it can be stressful to start your driving in the middle of a busy city. If you are driving in Italy, for example, picking up your car in downtown Rome is not advisable if you have no experience driving in the city. A less stressful scenario would involve travelling by train to a popular tourist town, spending a few nights there, and picking up a car to continue your journey. It may be more expensive to pick up a car from the airport, but consider the cost of getting to a downtown location when it comes to how much you can save. Be aware that many offices in towns and cities have shorter opening hours than airport branches, so don’t try to pick up a car on a Sunday afternoon.
Book in advance
For the best deals in aluguer de automóveis, book in advance before you leave for your holiday. It is more difficult to find a good deal on the type of vehicle you want when you leave it until you arrive at airport to find your car. Consider all of the above points when deciding which rental car to choose and spend some time researching the options and the prices online. Give yourself time to make an informed decision, and you will benefit from a good-value, convenient car hire experience.
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