For those of us who love travelling on the road, car hire is an essential choice. Untangling the various options and offers, however, can be complex if you are not well informed. By using the right tricks and knowing a few things to look out for, you can save a lot of money and guarantee yourself good conditions. In this article, we explore these aspects together.
Required Documents
When booking a rental car, it is crucial to have the right documents to avoid problems when collecting the vehicle.
Identity Documents
First of all, it is necessary to have a valid identity document. It is important to know that while in Italy a driving licence is generally accepted as an identity document, abroad it may not be sufficient on its own. In Europe, an identity card may be sufficient, otherwise it is better to present a passport.
Licence
A driving licence is, of course, indispensable. For trips within the European Union, the national driving licence is generally sufficient, but for the rest of the destinations, an international driving licence may be required. This is nothing more than an official translation of the national driving licence and can easily be obtained at vehicle registration offices. Always check the specific regulations of the destination country on official sites such as Viaggiare Sicuri.
Credit Card
Rental companies always require a credit card in the driver’s name. Pay attention to what is available on the card to cover any security deposits and unexpected costs. The car hire company may retain the security deposit, which is then returned to you at the end of the rental period. The amount is always indicated on the contract and varies depending on the car rental company and the size of the car you rent.
How to Choose and Book a Rental Car
Booking a car online in advance is often the most convenient solution. There are numerous price comparators that can help you find the best low-cost choice by comparing different rental companies. Here are some of the most reliable platforms:
Rentalcars: Part of the Booking.com group, Rentalcars is one of the best-known car rental platforms.
Autoeurope: One of the longest established in the industry, Autoeurope offers a wide selection of cars and a clear price comparison table.
DiscoverCars: Although relatively new compared to other platforms, it is rapidly establishing itself due to its reliability and competitive offers.
GetRentACar: This platform, although having recently entered the market, is growing and can offer attractive car rental options.
Skyscanner: Known mainly for flight searches, it has extended its services to car rental as well.
QEEQ: Founded in 2017, it is one of the fastest growing online car rental platforms worldwide.
The choice of site to use can change, in fact, depending on the destination and the period, it may be convenient to use one or the other. Prices and offers can vary greatly, so it is important to always compare at least two or three sites for the best solution. Furthermore, once you have found an interesting offer, it can also be useful to visit the official websites of rental companies, which often have the same prices as the comparators, but may include extra insurance. For rentals in some countries, such as Greece, it may also be convenient to look at the sites of local car rental companies because they are often more competitive than international chains and the price comparator sites do not mention them.
Depending on your choice, a full payment or a deposit may be required. Also pay attention to the free cancellation, which is often only available by a certain date.
Tips for Choosing the Right Type of Car
The choice of car type can vary significantly depending on the type of trip and the activities to be done. Clearly, the bigger the car, the more expensive it is, but it is not always useful for it to be so.
Alone or as a couple, a compact, economical and easy-to-park car may be the best choice. Conversely, if you are travelling with your family or a group of friends, a larger car, such as an SUV or minivan, may provide comfort and enough space for everyone.
Another important factor is the number of luggage items. A compact car may not have enough space, but if there are two of you, you could make use of the rear seats. Always consider the hotel transfers to be made and whether you plan to leave your luggage in the car during certain stages. In that case better ‘hide’ them well. Boot capacity can make a difference.
The kilometres to be travelled and the route chosen are a factor that should not be underestimated. If the journey involves many kilometres, it is better to opt for a more comfortable car. If the journey is long but short, it is better to choose a car with good fuel consumption.
Last but not least, one of the most important factors is the type of road to be travelled. If the route is on dirt or mountain roads, a 4X4 might be the best choice. If, on the other hand, the route is mainly urban, a compact car might be more practical.
What to Consider for Hire
When booking a rental car, there are several aspects to consider to avoid surprises and ensure a good experience.
Pick-up/Drop-off
Many rental companies offer the possibility of collecting and returning the car directly at the airport. Others, especially those that do not belong to the large international circuits, do not have an office located directly inside the airport terminal. In the pick-up instructions it is always specified that the company is located outside: there may in fact be a shuttle that leaves at regular intervals, or depending on arrivals.
Finally, some companies allow one way rentals, i.e. pick-up or drop-off at different offices. This option is very convenient, if arrival and departure are in different places, but may entail additional costs. Always check if the service is available and there are surcharges.
Excess
The basic insurance policies offered by the rental contract reduce liability in the event of damage or theft of the car by an amount represented by the deductible. In other words, the deductible is the maximum amount to be paid in case of damage or theft of the car, the rest is covered by the insurance. Some companies offer the possibility of reducing or eliminating the deductible by purchasing additional insurance. Be careful to read carefully what is covered and what is not because some parts of the vehicle may still not be covered by insurance.
Security Deposit
When collecting the car, the rental company, if stipulated in the contract, may block an amount on the credit card as a security deposit. This will be released at the end of the rental period, unless there is damage to the car or other problems. It is essential to have sufficient credit on the credit card to cover this deposit. Once the car is returned and it is verified that there is no damage, the deposit is released and the amount becomes available again on the credit card. This operation can take a variable amount of time depending on your bank, from one or two days up to a week.
Insurance
Insurance is a fundamental aspect of car rental. Those unfamiliar with ‘legalese’ can take a cue from what is written (by Paolo of course, I don’t even know what he is talking about) below. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) covers damage to the vehicle, LDW (Loss Damage Waiver) is triggered by theft and vandalism, and TPA (Third Party Liability) covers damage to third parties. Some companies also offer SLI (Supplementary Liability Insurance), which increases liability limits, and PAI (Personal Accident Insurance), which provides compensation for driver and passengers in the event of an accident. Evaluating the different options to choose the most suitable and cost-effective one may be time-consuming and tedious, but it is of paramount importance in case of problems.
Fuel Policy
The most common fuel policy is full-for-full: the car is picked up with a full tank and a full tank must be returned. This option is generally the most convenient because it avoids additional fuel charges.
A second option is the ‘same level’ option. In this case it is better to take a photo of the tank level with the date and time clearly visible. At the return, it is better to make sure that the level is slightly higher than the initial one. In case you are disputed about the fuel level and are charged extra, you will have evidence to the contrary.
Mileage
Some companies offer rentals with unlimited mileage, while others impose a daily mileage limit. Depending on your itinerary and travel arrangements, you can decide which option is more convenient. In general, for more freedom and peace of mind during the trip, it is best to go for the option with unlimited mileage. Extra kilometres are often overcharged!
Driver’s age
The age of the driver can affect rental costs. Drivers under 25 often have to pay a young driver surcharge. Check the rental company’s age requirements and factor this additional cost into your budget.
Car Category
When choosing a car rental offer, it is crucial to consider the vehicle category and its features. Categories range from Mini or Economy to Compact, Large, SUV, Minivan or Luxury. These designations, although they may change slightly between companies, indicate cars of different sizes and performance. Other important features to evaluate include the type of fuel used in the vehicle, the gearbox (manual or automatic), the presence of air conditioning, which is now almost always included, and the very useful Car Play for navigation.
Tips for Trips: the categories in the selection show a specific car model, but this is purely for example purposes. Upon collection, you will be assigned the chosen model or another one similar in size and features, depending on the car actually available.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance is a very useful service in case of breakdown or accident. Check whether it is included in your rental contract and, if not, consider adding it for added peace of mind.
Optional
Additional driver: the basic rate often includes only one driver. Should you wish to share driving with another person, you must request an additional driver. Some companies offer this option free of charge. In both cases, you must declare in advance who will be driving the car and provide all the necessary documents.
GPS: a GPS can be useful, especially if you are travelling somewhere you do not know. Some companies offer GPS device rental, but using your smartphone with a navigation app is always useful to save money. If you do not have an unlimited connection, you can download many off-line map apps.
Motorway Toll Payment: some companies offer devices for paying motorway tolls, which can be very convenient for avoiding traffic jams. Your credit card will be registered and at the end of the rental you will pay the invoice issued by the company that manages the road tolls in that country. This service may require an additional charge.
Multi-state travel: if your itinerary involves travelling to more than one state or country, it is always best to check the rental company’s policies regarding international travel. Some companies apply restrictions or additional charges for cross-border travel. In other cases, insurance coverage may vary from state to state.
Travel Tips
Car Condition
Before leaving, carefully check the condition of the car. Take photos and videos to document any pre-existing damage. This can be useful in case of disputes at the time of return.
Car cleaning
Return the car in a clean condition to avoid cleaning charges. Some companies apply additional charges if the car is returned dirty.
Fines
Fines received during the rental period may be charged later with an extra administrative fee. Observe the rules of the highway code to avoid these charges.
Last modified: 7 April 2025
