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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
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