Renting a car on vacation
Have you booked your flight tickets? Then it's time to look into car rental. With a rental car you can discover much more; it gives you more freedom, it is arranged relatively quickly and it can also be very cheap. Moreover, you don't have to take others into account (aka no crowded buses or chaotic taxi drivers). Get behind the wheel and embark on your dream road trip!
Niceplan, but... What exactly do you need to know about renting a car for your holiday? We've listed all the dos and don'ts for you!
Car rental tips & tricks
- Credit card on driver's name is mandatory
- Do not rent a car that’s too small
- Pay close attention to pick-up and return times
- Rental contract
- Insurances
- Book in advance is almost always cheaper!
- Age limit
- And furthermore...
1. Credit card on driver's name is mandatory 💳
Almost always, a credit card in the driver's name is mandatory. Why? since renting a car frequently requires a deposit, which is only taken from the credit card in the event of a problem. Now let's talk about damage and theft. If the car is damaged and you are responsible for it, the costs will also be deducted from your credit card. But don't worry, insurances exist for that!
2. Do not rent a car that’s too small 🚗
Many people tend to book the cheapest (and therefore often the smallest) type of car. This is not always what you really want or need. Think of all the luggage you want to take with you when you pick up the car at the airport. Choose a slightly larger size to ensure that everything fits into the rental car. Mountains are another factor to consider car types carefully. Smaller cars are often less capable of climbing mountains. And if you want to get off the beaten track, then you should definitely pay attention to this as well. It's a good idea to figure out which car best suits your plans for a relaxing vacation.
3. Pay close attention to pick-up and return times ⏰
Picking up your car at 10:00 and returning it a few days later, let’s say, at 12:00 is not good for your wallet. These two hours of difference will make you pay a whole day extra. Try to avoid this by setting the pick-up and drop-off times to the same time. This will save you some extra costs!
4. Rental contract 📝
Many people prefer to go through a rental contract as quickly as possible, but it is important to pay attention to it. Pay close attention to emergency numbers and what to do in the event of an accident, theft, or damage. It is also crucial to check the car you have been assigned for any existing damage. Take a good look at the car and have the existing damage noted on your rental contract. It will come as a cold shock if you have to pay for damage that someone else caused…
5. Insurances ✅
If you're properly insured, there's basically no problem. Most leading rental companies automatically include some basic insurances in the rental price, including Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), third party liability insurance and theft Insurance.
You may need to purchase additional insurance when you pick up the car at your destination, but this will be indicated in your rental terms and conditions. Many car rental companies will try to sell you extra insurance on the spot: make sure you are well prepared and know what insurances you already have.
6. Book in advance is almost always cheaper! 📅
Do you wonder if you should reserve in advance or arrange a local car rental? You can do both, but keep in mind that it's busy in the peak season. The most popular types of car are then quickly booked out, and there is even a chance that there are no cars left at all. Additionally, booking in advance has the advantage that you book what you want. You still have a choice in the type of car, the rental company and also the conditions. There are no surprises! Plus, if you change your holiday plans, you can often cancel the car free of charge up to one day beforehand.
7. Age limit 🔞
Young, and want to drive around the coast of Spain with friends? When renting a car, pay particular attention to the age requirements. This differs per rental company. In many cases, the minimum age for drivers is 25 years old. Does this mean you can't rent a car until you are 25? No, often you can, but there is an extra charge.
8. And furthermore... ⛔
Finally, there is something called crossing borders. This means that visiting a neighbouring country is not always permitted. If you can, it will be mentioned in your rental conditions. Have you just got your driving licence? Then make sure you are allowed to drive. It's also worth noting that additional drivers are frequently charged extra. Some packages include unlimited mileage, while others have a mileage cap. One may pick up the rental car with a full tank and return it with a full tank (this is recommended), while the other has it the other way around. So keep an eye out for these extras! It can save you a lot of money, time and effort.
Curious about the prices and possibilities? Take a look at our car rental. Or maybe you're wondering if renting a car at your holiday destination is a good idea?
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