American renting a car in Europe - what's different compared to domestic rentals?
I'm planning a solo travel trip to Brussels and was wondering if any American / US Drivers license holders have experience booking an airport car rental through Expedia or similar. Currently, I reserved a car for $165/week, with unlimited mileage - I plan to drive around Belgium within a 1 hour radius and after a few days, drive to Netherlands.
I did not add collision insurance and have a pretty comprehensive American insurance coverage. Is there anything additional I should consider? My only concern is being forcefully 'upsold' or taken advantage of at the counter upon arrival or being told they cannot offer me the car at the Expedia reserve price. Was wondering if anyone can share their experience renting a car in Europe with an American DL / Passport.
Note, the car company I used was Hertz, which is pretty well known, so I don't expect any surprises, but would like to be well-prepared should anything come up.
Best Answer
Several years back I rented through Hertz to drive from Faro to and around the Algarve in Portugal.
I booked the rental car (manual transmission) locally in Boston and purchased a International Drivers License from AAA (15-20.00 USD) just to cover any potential veracity or legal challenges using my US issued Drivers License. In addition to upgrading the rental coverage on my travel insurance.
If your first time driving in the EU. Perhaps you might find the link below helpful.
As an aside don't make the mistake I did. Before you drive out of the destination airport. Ask about hours and locations for refueling your rental along the route(s) you have planned.
Safe travels!
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/driving-instructions-europe-27544.html
Pictures about "American renting a car in Europe - what's different compared to domestic rentals?"
Can an American rent a car and drive in Europe?
An American or Canadian driver's license is usually valid for European car rentals, but some countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP). They're not too expensive but it's an added expense and hassle.Are all rental cars in Europe manual?
Most rental cars in Europe require manual transmission, though automatic vehicles are available. "If you're planning to rent a car, make reservations early from the U.S. before you leave for your trip to ensure the best availability, especially during peak travel times," says Julie Hall, a spokesperson for AAA.Can I rent a car in one country and return it in another in Europe?
In most European countries, and with most rental companies, you can pick up your car in one city and return it at another with no extra charge. A no-cost one-way rental allows you to use an open-jaw air ticket and avoid the time and cost of doubling back to a single arrival/departure airport.What do you need to drive a rental car in Europe?
Passports, Driver's Licenses, and International Driving Permits. Whether you're American or Canadian, your passport and driver's license are all you need in most European countries. However, some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP).8 Tips for Renting a Car in Europe
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ketut Subiyanto, SHVETS production, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska