Travel by car

Getting off the train or plane and exploring a foreign country by car is one of the best ways to get to know the place you're visiting. Below are a few tips to make that experience run smoothly.

1. Make sure you have a valid driver's license. An American license will suffice in western European countries; if you're planning to drive to eastern Europe or elsewhere, obtain an international driver's license before you arrive.

2. Call a travel agency three weeks before your trip and let it know the dates you wish to rent a car, and where you'll want to drive. Since many American car rental agencies have European counterparts, you can easily check rates or availability and book or cancel a reservation online.

3. Book the car, keeping in mind that European rentals are frequently stick-shift. Choose the model, size and dates of your rental.

4. Determine where you wish to pick up and drop off the car. For a fee, which varies widely depending on the country, you can drop the car off at a different location from where you picked it up.

5. Prepay for the car or make a deposit.

6. Review European street signs and driving laws before you get behind the wheel.

Tips & Warnings

· Rentals in Europe can be very expensive, especially in Italy, France and Scandinavia. Also remember that a

value-added tax of 6 to 33 percent will be added to the cost of the auto rental.

· Most car rentals in Europe require a minimum age of 25 to rent a car, but this age limit varies by country.

· Parking is often difficult in major cities, and gasoline is about three times the cost of gas in the United States.

· Beware of companies taking advantage of travelers. Look for damage before you take the car, and avoid signing

anything you don't understand.

· Authorities can trace parking tickets back to your credit card, so pay a ticket if you get one.

TravelForLife.ru

All articles