Car rental can become an expensive nuisance if it goes unused. Research the area you are visiting thoroughly to ascertain whether there are better ways of getting around. For example, if you’re headed to a city like Amsterdam, everything is located so closely together within the city that having a car to get around isn’t necessary. You’ll have all the transportation you need if you hire a bicycle, as the cycle paths in Amsterdam and indeed most of Holland are of a very high standard, and tram travel around the area is inexpensive.

Travelling to somewhere such as Florida for example is a different story. Everything is spread over vast distances and car rental will be the most convenient way for you to get around and see the sights.

If you’re jetting off to a holiday beach resort, would you be happy to spend the majority of your time at the resort, or are you looking to get out and about and explore the inland country too? Are you booking car rental to drive to your destination from the airport? And, if so, are there cheap alternatives available such as an airport shuttle bus?

Deciding on car rental

Once you’ve decided that you need a car for your trip, you need to decide on some specifics.

Have a good think about the kind of car you will need. For example, if you’re hiring in the US, you’ll more than likely be given an automatic by default. In Europe, it’s very likely you’ll be given a manual. If you need a specific type, for example to accommodate a disability, you need to specify this when you book.

If you’re jetting off to somewhere hot it seems logical to assume all hire cars will have air conditioning, but this is unlikely to be the case. Car rental companies usually offer this for an additional fee, so bear this in mind when booking. If you’re traveling in the summer, you will need air conditioning.

Prices of cars vary dependent on size and features such as convertible roofs, which command high premiums in the summer. Do you need a large vehicle, or will a small and economic run-around do?
Finally, it’s worth noting that if you plan to drive large distances, check the booking includes unlimited mileage else you could end up having to pay an extra sum, and if you’re going to drive across borders, such as a trip into Spain from Portugal, check that you will still be covered by the car rental company’s insurance policy.

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