- Requirements and tips for renting a car abroad
Need wheels for your next trip abroad? There’s more to consider than driving on the “other” side of the road. From international driving permits to liability insurance, renting a car in a foreign country can be a bit more complicated than renting one at home. Here are some tips for getting a great deal, making sure you have the right documentation and driving safely while abroad.
- Booking Your Car
Book in advance. Rental rates are almost always higher at the counter than they will be over the phone or online, even just 24 hours before pickup. If you have time, comparison shops. Visit the Web sites of several rental agencies and search for identical cars on your travel dates.
Whenever possible, make all car rental arrangements, from booking to payment, before you leave your home country. Doing it this way generally makes the process cheaper, easier, safer and less likely to include hidden clauses. Once you are overseas, shifting exchange rates, unfamiliar rental specs, language barriers and other cultural differences can cause unexpected problems.
Ask about weekend specials, late penalties and gas charges. Many unadvertised discounts and hidden costs will not be explained at the time of rental, and it may be too late once you find out.
Ask what time a car is expected for drop-off. Many rental agencies begin charging for each 24-hour-period from the time of rental, and will bill a full day for cars returned after another 24-hour period begins.
When making reservations for car rental pickups at an airport, choose a smaller car than you would typically desire. Airport fleets are often stocked with larger cars, as they are primarily used by business travelers, and you will often receive a free upgrade from a subcompact booking. Be aware, however, that European cars tend to be smaller than their American counterparts; while this might be useful if you’re planning on driving on narrow country roads, it’s not so great for those who are extra-tall, carrying a lot of luggage, or traveling with a family or large group. In these cases, don’t take a risk — be sure to order the size you need just in case you don’t get an upgrade.
In many countries, manual transmissions are the norm and you’ll have to pay a price for an automatic. If you can drive a stick shift, it could save you money and hassles. Driving overseas can often be more strenuous than what you’re used to at home; roads may be poorly paved, winding, or precariously placed on a mountainside or ocean cliff. For this reason, it’s often a good idea to divide up the driving — so if not everyone can drive a manual transmission, consider looking for an automatic.
- Know Before You Go
Make sure you have a realistic idea of how much you’ll pay to fuel your car in the country you’re visiting. Generally, drivers in the U.S. pay less at the pump than drivers in most other nations. Leave plenty of room in your budget for gas expenses.
Familiarize yourself with the local rules of the road well before you actually get into the car. Study up on such details as which side of the road to drive on, who has the right of way in a traffic circle and whether you’re permitted to turn right on a red light. The best sources for this type of information are the country’s consulate or embassy, or an up-to-date guidebook.
Check with your auto insurance company to see whether a rental car abroad would be covered under your current policy.
Don’t forget your map! If you have no map, go to Tourism Information center, take one away. It’s always free. The best choice: you can ask more information in Tourism Information center
- Hanoi Office:
Address: 16A Ly Nam De Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: +84-4-39382401 – Fax: +84-4-39382400
Hotline: +84-915591355
- Hue Office
Tel: +84-4-39382401 – Fax: +84-4-39382400
Hotline: +84-915591355
- Saigon Office
Tel: +84-8 3838 6678 – Fax: +84-8 3838 6676
Hotline: +84-8-38386678
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