Driving In Europe

Renting a Car

To reserve a car for your European adventure, you'll want to plan ahead, and shop around. Don't wait until you get there-you'll pay a lot less when you book a car (by the week with unlimited mileage) through your travel agent or directly with the rental company's American office. Rates vary from company to company, month to month, and country to country. The cheapest company for rental in one country might be the most expensive in the next. After shopping for half an hour via the Web or the toll-free phone numbers listed below, you'll know who has the best deal for your travel plans.

Rental cars come with the necessary insurance and paperwork to cross borders effortlessly in all of Western Europe. If you plan to drive your rental car from Western to Eastern Europe, keep these tips in mind: State your travel plans up front to the rental company. Some won't allow any of their rental cars to enter Eastern European countries due to the high theft rate. Some won't allow certain types of cars: BMWs, Mercedes, and convertibles. Ask about extra fees-some companies automatically tack on theft and collision coverage for an eastward excursion. To avoid hassles at the border, ask the rental agent to mark your contract with the company's permission to cross.

The Cost of Car Rental

Though driving in Europe offers great mobility, it does not come cheap, you have to consider the below extra charges when you hire a car.

- Tax, which is clear and consistent within each country, generally 18-25 percent (less in Spain, Germany, Ireland, and Luxembourg, and only 8 percent in Switzerland-but Swiss rental rates are that much higher)
- CDW insurance supplement
- Fuel for the vehicle
- Tolls for superfreeways
- Parking (Expensive in big cities)
- Theft protection (required in Italy)

To check the rate of car rental visit :
Eurodrive
Auto Europe
Hertz
Avis

For Driving Tips and Information see Drive-Alive Motoring holidays in Europe

	Buying Used Car
	Renting a Car