There are many reasons why you might want to rent a car in Europe, despite the availability of public transportation. Sometimes having a car will allow you to take day trips or have experiences that trains don’t cover. Or you are visiting the Dolomites, Alps, Tatras, or other locations where a car is necessary to see everything. Maybe a car is even cheaper and more efficient than public transportation. Whatever your reason, we are here to ensure you have all the information you need!
Before deciding to rent a car, there are some things you’ll want to consider:
- One Way Fees: Are you picking up and dropping off in the same country? There will probably be a hefty one-way fee (think >$500) to return the car in another country.
- Tolls: Most highways in Europe are not free! Some countries require paying at toll booths along the way, while others (like Germany and Austria) require pre-purchased vignettes to be displayed. We always use Toll Guru to see how much our drive will cost!
- Parking: If you are staying in an Old Town (which we highly recommend as much as possible!), parking can be difficult and expensive. Check with your hotel to see if parking is included, or as them where they suggest parking. Consider returning your car when you first arrive in a city, rather than when you go to leave unless you absolutely need it!
- Narrow Streets: Generally, European cities have narrower and less grid-like streets than the US.
- Pumping gas: Each country has their own rules for how to get gas and how to pay for it. In some, you’ll be able to pump your own and head inside to pay for it, in others there will be an attendant who pumps your gas and then takes your payment at the pump. The best advice we can give is to follow the example of others at the gas station as each country is bound to be slightly different!
Once you’ve pondered each of these factors and decided the best option is still to rent a car, here are the steps to ensuring you have a great trip!
Step 1: Get an International Driver’s Permit
You’re probably thinking… wait, I have to get a permit to drive in Europe? That sounds difficult and I don’t have the desire or time to take another driving exam! Well fear not, getting an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is an extremely simple and quick process. But what is an IDP?
An IDP is essentially a way for other countries to verify that your state driver’s license is valid. We can’t expect other countries to know what each state license looks like since most Americans don’t even know that! Instead, the IDP standardizes this and provides verification that you are a legally licensed driver in the United States.
Sounds good! But you still don’t want to take an test. Good news, you don’t have to! Getting an IDP simply involves filling out an application, a passport photo, a valid driver’s license, and paying a $20 fee. This can be done either in person (no appointment required!) or via mail through AAA. For the AAA IDP application and more information, visit their website. The best part is the IDP is valid for an entire calendar year and is not country specific, so it can be used for all of your upcoming travel!
Step 2: Find a Rental Car Deal
Now that you know how to get an IDP, it’s time to find the best price on your rental car! We personally love using Skyscanner to find and compare the best rates on cars (or flights for that matter). Skyscanner will compare rates from a number of 3rd parties and will display the best ones, and generally we don’t run into any problems with any of the companies they suggest (i.e. they are all reputable). We are also huge fans of Booking.com, which is very convenient when we have our hotels and car booked in the same place.
Step 3: Know the General Rules of Driving in Europe
Driving in Europe is nothing to be scared of! It is important, however, to know some of the rule differences with the US before getting behind the wheel:
- Turning right on red is illegal everywhere! Don’t do it
- Europe generally has stricter alcohol limits for driving, with some countries like Czechia and Hungary having a 0 tolerance for drinking and driving. Check out this list for your intended country.
- Road signs in Europe are slightly different than the US, though fairly standard within the EU. Auto Europe has a really good guide to get familiar with here.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Have a great trip and let us know if you have any questions!
One thought on “How to Rent a Car in Europe”