Eating croissants in Paris, visiting ancient ruins in Mexico, or seeing zebras in Kenya. No matter what adventure you choose, traveling abroad is always exciting.
Visiting foreign lands has become a hobby for many people recently. There are many benefits to traveling abroad. You will become more cultured, improve physical health, and try new amazing food!
These days, planning your dream trip abroad can be a breeze. It just takes a few clicks to book your flight, hotels, and tours. You can now even book your own car rental to get around your destination country.
Car rentals are a popular way to travel, especially for those looking to create their own foreign adventure rather than getting caught in tourist traps.
But, before you book, there are a few things you should be sure of.
The actual renting of a car can be easily done, but you want to make sure you are informed and prepared before you book your international go-mobile.
Here are a few tips to help you navigate the process of renting a car abroad before you take off.
#1 Make Sure You Are Insured
Although you may have auto insurance in the States, most U.S. based auto-insurance companies do not cover rental cars abroad. When you book your rental car, check to see what kind of insurance coverage the rental car company offers. It’s a good idea to book your insurance through a company based in the country you are traveling to because they generally offer the coverage you need. But always read through the plan to double-check!
Some countries require certain additional coverages or have minimum requirements for coverage that you will need to know before you go. Some good things to ask about are zero-deductible collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage that will cover you in case of an accident, or loss and damage waiver (LDW) and theft protection.
#2 Check if You Need an International Driving Permit
Before you go, you will definitely need to check your destination country’s policy on driver’s licenses. Many English-speaking countries allow you to rent a car with your U.S. license, but others require an International Driving Permit (IDP).
Getting an IDP is fairly easy, but you need to look into it beforehand to allow time for the IDP to process and get to you.
The first step is checking with the embassy at your final destination to verify that you will need an IDP to rent and operate a vehicle in the country. If you do, you will need to contact AAA or National Automobile Club to apply for one. It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for the IDP to process, so be sure to apply ahead of time.
To apply, you will need to fill out an application form, provide the agency 2 passport-style photos, a valid driver’s license, and pay a small fee. IDPs are usually good for a year.
While an IDP is valid to drive in another country, this process must be completed in your home country. And you need to carry your passport, driver’s license, and IDP at all times while driving abroad.
#3 Splurge for the GPS
Even if you are the wiz of all maps and travel, it is highly recommended to have a GPS to navigate you while driving a rental car abroad. Getting acclimated to foreign streets is hard enough without worrying about getting lost.
There are options for cell phone apps to navigate you abroad, but that requires you to use international cell phone data, which can get pricey.
Compare the prices between downloading an app and adding a GPS navigation system to your rental car through the rental car company before you travel.
#4 Book a Car You Are Familiar With
It may sound cool to rent your fancy foreign dream car when traveling abroad, but you will want to stay practical and comfortable to make your travels easier.
Many countries outside of the U.S. drive manual transmission cars instead of automatic. If you don’t know how to drive a stick shift, driving in a foreign country is not the time to learn. Although it may cost you more to rent an automatic, its recommended you do so if you aren’t comfortable driving manual.
Also, keep in mind that countries like England, Australia, and Ireland drive on the opposite side of the road from the U.S., so you will need to mentally prepare for that.
And choose your car before you go! Picking your car when you book online can save time and money once you arrive.
#5 Research Traffic Laws
Make sure you look up the rules of the road in your destination country before you arrive, because you may be surprised by the differences. For example, in the States, you can usually turn right on a red light, but in Ireland, you can never turn left on a red.
And if you are traveling on a budget, you will want to look up the gas prices and try to estimate how much you will be spending on gas for your trip.
#6 Save Money Where You Can
Some rental car companies have hidden fees and charges, so be sure to compare your prices and ask about fees upfront. You should know their policies on bringing back a car late, what time the expected drop-off is, and what their gas charges are.
Sometimes, there are opportunities for promos and deals when booking online. A simple Google search for discounts can usually pull up some opportunities to save.
It’s also worth asking about any credit card, frequent flier discounts, add-on offers, senior citizen or travel membership discounts. Checking online or with the car rental agency may take a few extra minutes, but it could save you a lot of money.