You are an experienced traveler and you would like to try something new? Probably, travel by car will become the best decision.
It is all right, but to your regret, you do not have a suitable car? Do not be upset, system rent-a-car was created specially in order to help you to forget about transport troubles. It gives you a chance to realize wonderful travel by car of your dream. So what conveniences can rent companies offer you and what do you need, when renting a car?
In the theory, this system seems to be the easiest thing in the world: pay, turn the key of ignition and you are the lord of the road. Actually, there are some niceties.
One can rent a car minimum in three types of agencies: in transnational systems,in medium (as well as in small and microscopic) firms and in bureaus belonging or connected with international air companies. Transnational companies of car-renting Hertz, Avis, Budget Car, Eurodollar and the biggest in Europe agency Eurocar can give you the service on the level with the highest Europe standards. You can reserve a car in Moscow, get it in Paris airport and leave at the station in a little Swiss village.
Unfortunately, it will not succeed just to drop at their office and get a car, or you will be succeeded after paying a transcendental sum. Such companies prefer to work with clients booking their cars preliminarily. Lowered tariffs impel client to book a car through solid tour agency, an air company or the Internet, if you have the access and a credit card. If you do not like the idea of booking in good time, you would better to appeal to local and national agencies that keep the prices 40% lower than the transnational companies do.
Certainly it is not so easy. The smaller agency you take the deal with, the more chance to run into unexpected trouble, to get a car with hidden defect for example. In addition, the contract can be drown up in that way that in the case of crash you will be a bankrupt. In transnational companies it is cheaper to book (and pay) the car beforehand than at moment. One should also remember that booking a car in airport will be even more expensive than in the office of large rent firm in the centre of the city. Wherever you are renting a car, be sure that you clearly understand the points of the agreement. The service can offer unlimited run. It may also offer limited run. In such case you will pay for each kilometer from the definitely moment, that quickly destroy the gain from lower rent price. It is better when the price includes insurance and local taxes. One should not to neglect the collision damage waiver. This document delivers you from the responsibility of car breakage. The price of it is much lower than the sum you must pay to liquidate consequences of serious crash. You can refuse from insurance in the agency if you have already acquired your insurance policy (green card in short) at home.
Another card that you need is your credit card. It is rather problematical to get a car without it. Traditionally rent agencies do not like payment in cash. Maximum one can hope that he get a car after sizeable depositing (from$300). Exception is different islands (like Malta or Greece archipelagoes), where it is hard to hi-jack a car. Sometimes there one can steer not only without a credit card but without driving license as well. In some countries (Spain, Italy, Greece) the renting of motorcycles and mopeds is widespread. However, only experienced racers should drive in unknown place.
The age from what you can rent a car in different Europe countries is 21-23 years old. Of course, one must have international driving license, your passport will be required as well. You are allowed to travel by rented car in foreign countries if you are 25(in some places 23) years old and you have driven a car not less than a year.
In the most of transnational companies, firstly you stipulate not for the model but for the class of the car. If your order is confirmed you can speak about a model. Two obligatory questions: would you like a car with automatic or hand gearbox and about a conditioner.
Supplementary services include mobile phones, electronic system of navigation (they most modern ones can play the role of your individual navigator). Independently from geographical location in all offices of transnational rent agencies one would find the same rules and services.
Generally, in large companies payment of insurance is included into rent price. From the beginning of this business it is accepted the insurance of a car, client, luggage and responsibility by actions of third persons.
EOW include unlimited run, restriction of responsibility for damage or loss of a car, discharge of responsibility to third persons and tax of your destination country. There is the splendid rule in solid agencies: you book a car of definite class, and it is not available. Then you receive a car of higher class for the same price. One can apply to agency with any road problems 24 hours a day using its telephone, which is always with you in your travel by car: on the trinket or on the frontal glass. Not the least of the factors is left hand driving. If you have no experience, maybe you will be forced to hire a driver. This service may cost $20-30 per hour. In New York if you leave a car wrongly, it will be dragged by evacuator, but in Geneva you will get off with a fine, so choosing travel by car you should take into account the country, where you direct. The most widespread fines are in the countries with excellent roads: USA, German, The Arabian Emirates. In USA for exceeding speed on 10 miles you will be fined for $100 minimum.
In conclusion, how much does it cost to rent a car? Certainly, prices depend from the place, the agency, the model, conditions of renting; nevertheless, some appropriateness exist. It is relatively expensive to rent a car in Scandinavia. For example in Sweden if you book a sedan of medium size in transnational agency (not for a lonely period) you pay about $110 per day. In the national Happy Rental or in a small local agency a car with small cylinder capacity will come to $40-50(it depends from run), and renting of some mini-cars costs even less than 30$ per day. In Germany when buying an airplane ticket you can get a car through Lufthansa for 25$ per day. (Only if you are renting a car for a month minimum). If you do not need it for so long, in large agencies (Eurocar or Autohansa) car of Opel Corsa class is available for about 60$ per weekend. I
n tourist areas of Greece you can rent a car everywhere, but you can not call the prices cheap. With insurance and unlimited run it costs from $35to $80 per day. The adduced lower table contents the information of prices in different Europe countries, if one book not a huge auto but a car of "economic class" (Fiat Panda, Ford Fiesta èëè Ford Escort for example) in medium or small rent agency for a day with unlimited mileage, insurances, taxes etc.
Great Britain $40-60
Germany $30-50
The Netherlands $45-65
Belgium $30-50
Switzerland $70-80
Austria $50-65
France $40-55
Italy $40-60
Spain $60-70
Besides 'unlimited mileage' pay system, there is also another pay system in which you pay the basic day tariff + additional payment for mileage over limit. Often clients choose small private rent agencies. One of the advantages, payment in cash is available, and prices are much cheaper. However, one should remember that little firms could not guarantee the technical irreproachability of a car. Thoroughly examine it before singing and think twice if long road is waiting for you.
Just be careful, and enjoy your freedom. Happy journey!