Planning a road trip through Europe? My Europe car rental guide is just what you need to make your adventure hassle-free.
I’ll cover 25 of the most common questions, helping you understand everything from rental policies to road rules, so you can focus on the fun.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or this is your first European getaway, this guide will ensure your trip goes smoothly. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Europe Car Rental FAQ: Can I rent a car and drive around Europe?
Yes, you can rent a car and explore Europe! Most European countries allow tourists to rent cars with a valid driver’s license.
All you need is a passport, a driving license, and a valid credit card. Some rental companies may have a minimum age requirement, often set at 25 years old.
Also, keep in mind that in most European countries, people under 18 years old can’t drive a car.
2. Can I rent a car in Europe with a US license?
Yes, you can rent a car in Europe with a US driver’s license.
It’s generally accepted, but having an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended as an extra document.
However, no one has ever asked me for an IDP.
3. Is it hard for an American to rent a car in Europe?
It’s generally not difficult for Americans to rent a car in Europe.
The rental process is pretty straightforward, but you’ll need to get used to some slightly different traffic rules and driving behaviors.
Americans might think Europeans are “crazy drivers,” but if you’re driving outside the big cities, you should be just fine. The biggest differences are in stop signs and yielding.
In Europe, there’s a rule that you need to yield to cars on your right. So, at a stop sign, you’ll have to wait for cars on your right to pass before you go, which is different from the USA.
4. Is it expensive to rent a car in Europe?
Car rental costs can vary, and they can get pricey because of things like fuel prices, tolls, and extra fees.
Prices will also differ from country to country. As a general rule, renting on islands is usually cheaper than on the mainland.
5. Europe Car Rental FAQ: Why is renting a car so expensive in Europe?
Renting a car in Europe is pretty similar to the USA, though the price setup can differ a bit.
In the USA, the base rental price might be lower, but insurance and extra fees can add up.
If you’re a US resident, your car insurance might cover the rental insurance costs.
In Europe, insurance is usually included in the base price, but you’ll need to pay extra for fuel and tolls.
6. Is it cheaper to rent a car in France or Spain or Italy?
Rental prices vary, and Spain and Italy generally offer slightly lower costs compared to France.
However, keep in mind that an additional fee will be charged for one-way trips.
7. Europe Car Rental FAQ: How much is car rental in Europe per day?
Daily car rental rates in Europe vary, ranging from $20 to $100 or more, depending on factors such as location and vehicle type.
In most cases, compact cars are the optimal choice. They provide ample interior space, good fuel efficiency, and are easy to park everywhere.
8. Can I rent a car in one country in Europe and return it in another?
Yes, many major rental companies in Europe allow one-way rentals between different countries, offering flexibility for travelers.
However, in most cases, an additional fee will be charged for this service.
In certain European regions, local rental agencies specialize in regional rentals and may provide better prices, but typically do not allow returns in another country.
9. Is it a good idea to rent a car in Europe?
In Europe, public transport is well-developed. If you’re visiting a big city, renting a car is a mistake; instead, use public transport.
Conversely, if you’re embarking on a road trip to explore remote locations and small towns, a car is the best choice.
If you plan to visit both big cities and rural places, consider renting a car on the last day of your city stay.
This way, you save a few days of rental and avoid the headache of city parking.
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10. Is US car insurance valid in Europe?
Regular car insurance may not cover international rentals.
It’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider, but it’s unlikely that your US car insurance will cover rentals outside the USA, Canada, or Mexico.
You’ll need to buy separate insurance from the rental company. The good news is that basic insurance is often already included in the base price.
11. Does my US health insurance cover me in Europe?
US health insurance may not fully cover medical expenses abroad.
While travel insurance isn’t mandatory, I highly recommend getting it before heading to Europe.
The good news is that medical costs in Europe are generally lower than in the USA.
12. Are all rental cars in Europe stick shift?
While manual cars are commonplace, many rental companies also provide automatic options, although they may come at a higher cost.
13. Is it easy to rent an automatic car in Europe?
While automatic cars are less common, it’s still possible to rent them in Europe. However, they can be more expensive, and you’ll need to book them in advance.
In Europe, they prepare a specific car for each customer.
So, if you don’t let them know (and pay extra) for an automatic, you might end up spending extra time swapping it out.
14. Is it cheaper to rent a manual or automatic?
Manual cars are usually cheaper to rent than automatics in Europe.
The same car category with a manual vs. an automatic will typically cost a bit more for the automatic version.
However, the main issue is that not every car category may have an automatic option.
If you prefer automatic transmission, you might need to go for a full-size car instead of a compact, which could result in a higher price.
15. Europe Car Rental FAQ: Why are European rental cars manual?
Manual cars are more popular in Europe, matching local preferences. But lately, more people have been choosing automatic cars instead of manual ones.
Even so, manual cars are still cheaper to buy, and since many people in Europe can drive them, rental companies mostly offer manual cars in their fleets.
16. Are manual cars worth getting?
If you know how to drive a manual car, it won’t be a big challenge for you, and it will be worth considering.
However, if you’re not accustomed to driving a manual, or worse, if you’ve never tried it in your life, opt for an automatic.
17. How hard is it to drive in Europe?
I’ve often heard Americans call Europeans “crazy drivers,” but I think that’s an overstatement.
If you’re driving outside the big cities, the experience is pretty similar to driving across the USA. The main difference is how people pass other cars.
In the USA, drivers usually pass using passing lanes, and it’s rare for them to pass directly in front of someone. In Europe, people pass each other more often.
That said, you don’t need to adopt this behavior – it’s perfectly fine to drive at your own pace.
18. Do they drive on the right or left in Europe?
European countries drive on the right side of the road, except for the United Kingdom and Ireland, where driving is on the left side.
19. Can seniors rent a car in Europe?
Yes, seniors can rent cars in Europe, but some companies may impose age restrictions or additional requirements for individuals above 65 years old.
20. Europe Car Rental FAQ: Is it worth it to rent a car in Italy?
If you plan to explore beyond major cities like Rome, Milan, or Venice, a car is a great option.
I think one reason Americans love trips to Italy is that exploring the countryside feels a lot like a USA road trip (except for the distances).
A car is perfect for visiting regions like Tuscany, the Dolomites, or Puglia. There are a few exceptions, like coastal towns such as Cinque Terre, where parking can be tricky.
In those cases, consider parking near a train station in a nearby town and taking the train to your destination.
21. Do rental cars in Europe have GPS?
Some rental cars in Europe come with GPS, but it’s typically an optional extra that may involve additional charges.
However, it’s not worthwhile to purchase this service directly from the rental company.
A better solution is to use your phone as a navigation device (download offline navigation maps!).
22. Do American GPS work in Europe?
GPS is a global system that works everywhere.
As I mentioned earlier, using a smartphone for navigation is your best bet, since other devices might not be as reliable.
23. Is Hertz in Europe?
Yes, Hertz operates in Europe, providing rental services in various countries.
24. What are the top 5 car rental companies in Europe?
Major car rental companies in Europe include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, and Sixt.
Besides these big names, some places have local rental agencies as well.
For example, on islands, you might find better deals from local agencies rather than the global companies.
25. How to rent a car in Europe?
For a detailed, step-by-step guide on renting a car where I describe each step thoroughly, check out this article.
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Europe Car Rental Guide: Summary
You’ve just gained plenty of insights on renting a car in Europe, and I hope this guide was helpful!
With all this info, renting a car in Europe should be much easier. If you’ve got any more questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
And if you found this guide useful, share it with others! Safe travels!
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