Car Rental Abroad
It's clear that in megacities, it's faster and easier to get around by public transport. You're guaranteed to save money, time, and nerves. But if you're talking about several destinations, remote nature reserves, and non-touristy places, it will be very difficult without wheels. Plus, a car is a great option for a group. It means independence, savings (especially if you split costs among four people), coffee at gas stations, and, of course, road trip stories.
Choosing a car: online or on-site?
In most cases, choosing a car online is easier and more profitable.
Pros of renting abroad online:
– Convenient and reliable
When booking online, you can be sure that the car will be available. If it's suddenly not, they will offer a car of the same class and with the same transmission type, but with a discount or even an upgrade.
– Discounts and promo codes
As a rule, aggregators — websites with a selection of cars from various rental companies — offer more favorable conditions. These services verify foreign rental providers and value their reputation.
Rental companies or aggregators?
The most famous and widespread companies are Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt. Renting directly from them is beneficial if you have cashback from your bank or are a member of their bonus program. In other cases, it's more profitable to go to an aggregator's website.
If the price is the same, it's better to book directly on the company's website. This will make it easier to resolve any issues that may arise. And this booking will count towards the loyalty program.
– On the website, you can choose the "No Deposit" option
We will discuss this advantage in more detail in the section on payment with a Russian bank card.
– No language barrier issues
Of course, company representatives always speak English, but sometimes you need a translator from English to English. Not the best option if you need to understand 100,500 nuances and obligations.
When booking on-site, you might get lucky: for example, a good discount for transferring a car to another rental office that's on your way. But such coincidences are rare, and important details are very often overlooked when booking on-site.
Where is it better to pick up a car: in the city or at the airport?
As a rule, picking up a car at the airport will be more profitable, especially if you're flying back from there. Yes, there's a special airport fee (approximately 20–30 €), but it will pay off the costs of traveling to and from the city. And also at the airport, there's the largest selection of cars, which is constantly replenished.
When renting a car, always consider your arrival and departure times. Some rental offices do not operate at night. In Israel, for example, many rental services are closed on Saturdays.
Picking up a car in the city is more convenient if you are planning a non-circular route. Returning the car to a different rental office is always more expensive, unless the company is interested in transferring a specific car.
How to find and choose local rentals
Sometimes local rentals are more flexible in terms of services and discounts. Especially if it's something like a family business, where the owner himself hands over the keys. This is often seen on the Greek islands. The car selection is small, but they are not as strict about late returns. Haggling at local rentals is possible and even encouraged.
Usually, several local car rental offices are located near the airport. It's best to visit all of them to understand who is less brazenly trying to trick you and start talking to them.
To find them, the easiest way is to ask Google Maps for the addresses of the nearest car rental agencies.
Pros of local rental companies:
– prices are usually lower;
– you can negotiate a cash deposit;
– you can ask them to overlook the driver's age (if under 21).
In short, it's easier to negotiate with local companies, but also easier to get ripped off. And there are also questions about the car selection and their condition.
What determines the cost of car rental
– car class;
– rental period (the longer the rental period, the lower the daily price);
– car age;
– transmission type;
In Europe and Asia, renting a manual car is cheaper than an automatic, but in North America, manual transmission enthusiasts will have to settle for two pedals, and it's not even about the price: finding a manual transmission in the USA is not that easy.
– insurance type;
– drop-off location (if it's a different rental office or another country, the price will be higher);
– additional options (bike rack, child seat, navigator, "second driver" service);
– rental company conditions (some impose mileage limits);
– deposit, which is refundable but nevertheless frozen on the account;
– engine type (petrol, diesel, or hybrid).
For long journeys, choose diesel: the rental cost is slightly higher, but you will save significantly on fuel.
In Europe, it's a good idea to rent a small car. Firstly, it's more cost-effective; secondly, there are fewer parking problems in the city; thirdly, economical small cars are rented out faster, so there's a high probability that it will be replaced with a higher-class car.
And don't forget about electric cars. In Paris, for example, renting them is as common as bike rental. This is an ideal option for getting around the city and its surroundings: with a range of 250 kilometers and a guaranteed parking spot that you don't have to pay for.
What are the insurance options
Insurance accounts for about 80% of the rental cost. Many companies do not include this amount in the total cost, attracting customers with a low price. To avoid surprises, it's best to find out in advance if insurance is included.
How insurance works
A certain amount is frozen on the bank card, the size of which varies depending on the country and car class. This is the deductible (CDW), which reduces the driver's liability in case they damage the car.
1. Mandatory CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)
This is something like a compulsory motor third-party liability insurance policy (OSAGO in Russia) that every driver must have. Without this insurance, you cannot rent a car. Such insurance does not cover all expenses but significantly reduces the driver's financial involvement in the event of an accident.
2. Standard TW (Theft Waiver) or TP (Theft Protection)
One of the mandatory insurance options, but with protection against damage and theft. This insurance is not the most basic option, but not top-tier either — it doesn't cover a number of problems: undercarriage, tires, windshield, and headlights.
3. Maximum (Super CDW)
Additional optional insurance. Compensation for any damage.
It will cost approximately 12–15 € per day.
For an additional fee, you may be offered theft protection (TP), personal accident insurance (PAI), and third-party liability insurance (TPL).
Driver requirements
Besides solvency, there are two other important parameters:
1. Age
In most European countries, you can only rent a car from the age of 19 (Italy, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany) or 21 (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, France).
Sometimes the age limit is 24–25 years. For example, it will be problematic to drive a rented sports car if you are under 25.
Some companies charge an additional fee for drivers under 30 and over 65. Such ageism.
2. Driving experience
Rental companies are lenient towards drivers with three or more years of experience. Many will have questions about experience of one year or less. They might refuse to rent a car or request a larger deposit.
Most rental companies require a named credit card. It is important that the name matches the passport and driver's license.
Is an International Driving Permit mandatory?
In countries that have signed the Vienna Convention (which is almost all of Europe), in theory, you can drive without an International Driving Permit. But in practice, rental offices sometimes refuse to provide a car without this document.
In some countries, an international driving permit will be required if you obtained your license before 2014.
Many Asian countries only accept local driving licenses: China and Vietnam, for example, are among them.
In Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Netherlands, and Cyprus, an International Driving Permit is essential — regardless of when you obtained your Russian license.
An IDP (International Driving Permit) is a paper booklet. It is valid for three years and only in conjunction with your primary driver's license. If you replace your license, you will also need to replace your IDP.
To obtain an international permit, you don't need to take exams (phew!) or undergo an additional medical examination — you just need to visit an MFC (Multifunctional Center) and pay a state fee of 1600 rubles. Or fill out an application on the Gosuslugi website — in this case, the fee will currently be 1120 rubles.
When applying at an MFC, the processing time for an international permit is 9 days.
If a car trip is planned, it's better to be safe and get an international driving permit. It will be cheaper than canceled plans.
Two drivers — what to do?
If you want to drive the car in turns, you must inform the rental company before signing the contract and pay extra for the "second driver" service.
Of course, you can save money, but if in case of an accident, the person driving is not the one listed on the insurance, you'll have to break your own piggy bank. The insurance company will absolutely refuse all obligations and will be within its rights. An extra 1–2 € per day is hardly worth it.
How and when to pay for rental, rental agreement
The rental agreement is concluded at the office when you pick up the keys, as only then will it be clear if the reserved car is available.
Car details and driver details are entered into the contract. Insurance is arranged.
Even if the car is booked and prepaid, the main payment occurs at the rental office. There, a deposit is frozen on the credit card, depending on the car's value.
To finalize the contract, you must present a credit card. The rules of most rental companies state that debit cards are not accepted.
Nevertheless, in many locations, a car will still be issued with a debit card if the deposit blocking operation is successful.
Under no circumstances leave your passport as a deposit: reputable rental companies do not ask for this; only a monetary deposit is required.
The deposit averages 500–600 €. This amount is blocked on the account. Carefully check your card limit so you don't run out of money during your trip due to the deposit freeze.
Car rental with a Russian card
Most rental companies require a credit card for rental. Often, even a debit card is not suitable. In such a case, you can ask to register the car under a friend or relative's name and list yourself as a second driver.
Additionally, you can choose cash payment. However, unfortunately, this will not solve the deposit issue at present.
On the Localrent.com (formerly Myrentacar) website, it is possible to rent with a Russian bank card.
How it works
You choose a car and pay 15–20% upfront. The remaining amount is paid in cash on-site.
When booking, you can also select the "No Deposit" option. It's not active for all cars — you'll have to search for it.
Most rental companies in Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, and Montenegro readily accept cash deposits. You can also write to rental support and try to resolve the issue of cash payment and deposit in advance. Sometimes companies are accommodating.
What to check when picking up the car
1. Give the car a full photoshoot. Pay attention to scratches, chips, cracks, paint scuffs, and the condition of the windows and tires.
Usually, scratches up to 3 cm and minor chips are not considered damage. But even these should at least be photographed, and ideally, noted in the contract.
Finally, take a video. It certainly won't hurt.
2. Check and photograph the fuel level or battery charge. If you've rented an "electric car," find out in advance which charging stations are suitable for it.
If you pick up the car with a full tank, you must return it in the same condition. This point may be stipulated in the contract.
3. Check the car documents and the owner's manual in the glove compartment.
Also important
Before you hit the gas, it's worth checking some rules that can vary significantly in different countries:
– speed limits;
– parking rules (download a parking app in advance and check if it works with your bank card);
– right-hand and left-hand traffic. Besides the obvious countries — Great Britain and Australia — there are also India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Japan, and even Cyprus;
– priority rules at roundabouts;
– seat belt usage rules for all passengers;
– permissible blood alcohol level;
– necessity of switched-on headlights outside urban areas;
– toll and free roads.
Yes, if a navigator is not included in the price or not installed in the car, download an app in advance that doesn't consume all your internet traffic. You can download a map and use it offline. For example, Maps.me.
What to do in case of an accident
First, call the police. Then, notify the rental company and the insurance company. Do not give in to suggestions from the other party involved in the accident to quickly resolve the issue. Do not sign documents you cannot read. If you don't understand what the traffic police are asking of you, confidently request an official translator.
It wouldn't hurt to check in advance what is considered a false police call in the country, for which a fine is imposed. For example, in Austria, an incident with no injured parties and obvious fault of one of the drivers is considered a false call.
If you don't want to receive a five-year visa ban, make sure to pay your fines.
What to do if the car breaks down
The rental company's phone number can be found on the keys and on the car window. If it's a large company, there's 24/7 support. They will either help fix a minor breakdown on the spot or send assistance or a tow truck — depending on the severity of the situation.
If nothing critical has happened, the car is drivable, and you can continue your journey, you will most likely be offered to drive to the nearest office and exchange the car. Or they will bring a new one to your hotel. Of course, you don't have to pay extra for this.
With private companies, the situation is a bit more complicated: they will definitely help you, but it might take some time.
Of course, it's better not to try to fix the car yourself (this might even be stated in the insurance policy), but you can certainly figure out some functions. For this, there is a complete car manual in several volumes and all possible languages in the glove compartment.
How to return the car correctly
If you picked up the car with a full tank and the contract terms include a clause about returning it with a full tank, then it's worth refueling near the rental office. It's best to photograph or save the receipt.
In large offices, there are special parking lots with signs for car returns. Check-out there is 24/7. An employee checks that everything is in order, takes the keys to the almost-familiar car, and rides off into the sunset.
Sometimes, cars are simply locked, and the keys are placed in a special box in the office or even in the parking lot.
It wouldn't hurt to photograph the car from all sides once again to protect yourself in case someone scratches it while it's already in the parking lot.
You don't need to wash the car before returning it. You only need to deal with serious dirt that might require the company to send it for dry cleaning.
Well, there's little left to do: prepare a playlist, pour coffee into a thermos, and find pleasant accommodation at your destination (we wrote about accommodation apps here). May your road trip be awesome!
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