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Rent a car in Europe without prepayment. Rent a car in Europe - the most interesting and useful information

13.10.2019

Ways to rent a car in Europe:

  1. Rent a car in place. Once we actively used this way to rent a car. His pros and cons:

    Of course, such a rental in place in the past we had and never once. More often it was a positive experience, in many ways, due to the fact that we have met the contract every time, asked a million questions to employees of rolling firms, some of which have already been explicitly started to annoy. But twice collided with an obvious deception when we were in the office in the eyes that the insurance was complete, passed the car with damage, for which at the end of the rental required to compensate the damage in the amount of the installed franchise - yes, it turned out that insurance with a franchise, and we The point from the go in the contract did not have time to find due to lack of time. Two times were so burned, then it was forever went online, about whom we'll talk about p.3.

  2. Car rental through a guide or at the reception of the hotel. In our opinion, it is the same rent on the spot, but taking into account the fact that a mediator appears in the "Rental Firm - Tenant" chain, who, quite possibly, for his "search for car", also wants to earn a percentage, and therefore The price of rental can still be increasing. We also passed this way - we didn't like it at all: then the car was sent from the previous decade, it was generally a class that was ordered, then in fact we were reported that new circumstances were opened in the contract and it would be necessary to pay extra. In general, we never happened at all.
  3. Booking machines via the Internet (online). Fullying all the shortcomings of the previous ways, what is called, on its own skin, now we book cars in Europe and just - online and, as far as possible, as early as possible. Pros and cons:

    In general, in Europe, we have been taking machines for more than 10 years (several times a year), more than 8 years is rental online. Fair? Once it was not lucky here, but then it was only the second online rental online and we frankly tried to save, bought on prices two times lower than the average price tag, as we just didn't even deliver the car to the airport - it was a serious lesson for us, because The saying about "free cheese" no one canceled. And then they set out an important issue:

How not to make a mistake, choosing a rolling company?

  • - This is one of the largest online online booking services in Europe, operating in 150 countries of the world. Once upon a time, our friends told us about this site, now we are already periodically and very successfully refer to it. By the way, now in the event of issues or problems with the company, you can contact the Moscow telephone - conveniently. Link to company website:
  • - A company, founded in 1954 and is also one of the largest services to search for and booking cars around the world. This company also has a Moscow telephone in which you can ask all the questions you are interested in and solving problems that have arisen. Link:

Both of these companies are looking for available carsboth among international rental leaders and among local companies.

  • - The company mainly working with local rolling firms. Currently (as of 2018), with the help of this site, you can find and rent a car in the following countries: Russia, Greece, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Georgia (the selection of the rental country is at the top of the page). Link to company website:

In general, even among the listed sites (the services of which we managed to use, booking cars in Europe), given the fact that each of them performs a search among several different rolling companies, the choice is quite decent.

Insurance of leased cars

Rent a car in Europe and insurance are two inseparable concepts. In other words, it is unlikely that you can take a car on the rental without making insurance. And you need to navigate, naturally, on a written agreement, and not on someone's words - legal force is precisely the contract, and not an oral agreement with the owner of the rental company. It is still very important to understand that insurance insurance can be distributed, and in principle, even one and the same rolling company can offer a client a few types of insurance to choose from, so it should be carefully examined which insurance or insurance to choose from a particular rental company. That's about it and it is worth talking a little more.

Europe is ready to offer its guests a well-developed car rental business. Many are resorting to these services in order to save time and funds, as taxi costs and public transport Sometimes unreasonable. Traveling company on a rented car generally becomes profitable.

Rental points are open in almost all cities in Europe. Large networks offer customers to take cars in one city and return in another, which makes it possible to freely travel on the planned plan. Transnational firms practiced even the delivery of the car in another country. Rental options can be chosen for every taste taking into account personal preferences and monetary restrictions.

What you need to know about car rental in Europe?

There is a lot of nuances that should be taken into account by entering into a car rental agreement:

Delivery auto

Many firms allow you to rent cars in a non-working clock. It happens this way: you leave the car in some place and notify the company's manager by phone. What could be the consequences of such actions? Receiving an account for an extra time for using the machine and finding any damage on it that you did not apply, since check technical status was performed without a stakeholder.

Transnational companies allow customers to hand over cars in aphirtic time with the help of special terminals installed in parking in front of their office. To do this, you should inform the address of the location of the terminal where you drove the car. In this case, under the contract you will personally respond to it until the opening of the office.

Many firms allow you to rent cars in a non-working clock.

Terms of rental

Each European country exhibits its lease terms. Large differences are associated with age restrictions:

  1. From 18 years old They will give a car for hire in Germany, Sweden, Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia.
  2. Since 19 years - In Estonia and Norway.
  3. From 20 years old - In Bulgaria, Finland and Switzerland.
  4. From 21 years - In all other European countries, except Luxembourg.
  5. From 25 years old - in Ireland.

An elite class machine can be almost everywhere from 24 years old and then in the presence of driving experience at least one to two years. Young drivers age up to 25 years without driving experience will be forced to pay an additional amount of money, which is a guarantor for rolling.

Minimum rental time - day. If the car passed an hour later, it would have to pay completely in the second day. In small firms, the eyes can be closed.

Cheap car rental - how to arrange an inexpensive trip without collateral?

You can save on the Arena car by booking it over the Internet. The earlier it will be done, the less will have to pay for the service.

Small firms provide relatively inexpensive rental services. They take less than about $ 15 per day, but you have less guarantees in this case. Frequent travelers are more profitable to use some international company suggestions to receive discounts and bonuses.

Rent without a collateral can be found only in small companies, but it is better to explore the reviews and advice of those who used their services.

Insurance and franchise

Usually companies offer several types of insurance:

Ordinary insurance costs about $ 13 per day. From the drivers at the age of 21 - 25 years will take more money. If you wish to go on a rented car to another country, you need to pay an extended insurance package that will act and there. This is an additional 7 - 13 dollars per day.

Insurance type "All Inclusive" on the conditions of refundation of the franchise is quite expensive (380 - 2,200 dollars, depending on the country and the company). Customers are rarely drawn up, but it completely limits their responsibility. Such insurance is justified with a small driving experience and a trip to a major city. After issuing it, the client can be sure that the roller will not be able to demand more than the amount paid for the franchise, even if the car is not subject to repair after an accident.

In each European country - its lease terms.

The best car rental firms

To proven companies, which clearly fulfill their obligations include the following:

  • Europcar,
  • Budget,
  • SIXT,
  • AVIS,
  • Hertz.

They provide the possibility of armor and paying a car via the Internet, introduce all kinds of insurance and their requirements even before booking, allow you to leave cars abroad and pass them in another country, offer additional services (rental of navigator, children's seats, etc.).

Services and car rental aggregators

For verified services, allowing you to compare offers from different companies, according to user reviews include the following: Rentalcars.com, Carrentals.com, EconomyCarRentals.com, TravelJigsaw.ru. AvTorentovik aggregator shows free cars, taking into account the desired address, showing it on the map.

Documents for renting cars

The client must have the following package with him:

  • international passport;
  • driver's license (national or international);
  • credit card.

Fuel and gas station cost

Fuel in Europe is expensive. Gasoline 95 and 98 costs 1-2 dollars per liter, diesel - 50 cents - 1.5 dollars.

At the refueling, there is a system of pre-refueling a car at which it is first poured the right amount Fuel, after that it is paid. Most often, the client serves a gas station employee. In some countries, filling machines operate on which fuel is cheaper.

PDDs and fines

PDDs in Europe are almost the same as we. We highlight some features:

  1. Turning on emergency braking during emergency braking.
  2. Limitation speed \u200b\u200bregime Depends on the country. In Poland, it is usually 70 km / h, as roads pass through settlements. There are no restrictions on the German autobahns. In France and other countries - 130 km / h, and during shower 110 km / h.
  3. When moving on the "mountain" autobahn on cool descents and the lifting is made an additional bar for machines that cannot move at high speed. You should go on them if the engine is not powerful or the car is cheap.
  4. In the UK, Austria, in Cyprus movement on the road left-sided. Whether we have already told, and information about the conditions of renting a car in Cyprus.
  5. In Italy, the advantage on the road is always tram.

Penalties in Europe are high. For a conversation on a mobile one, you will have to pay $ 25, for the exceeding speed of 20 km / h, depending on the country of $ 25-250, driving driving 250-2000 dollars, for not a fastened belt - 350 dollars, violation of parking rules from $ 25.

Rent a car for an independent traveler is as usual lesson as the purchase of tickets, or photographing the setting sun. Therefore, this article will be useful first of all beginners - those who have never sat behind the wheel of a rented car.

Right now, without long entry - rules and features, required documents and ways of savings, tricks and subtleties that clearly do not interfere with the journey. Car rental in Europe - everything about him, let's go!

Where to rent a car?

There are three types of contact with car rental:

  • rental companies like SIXT, AVIS, EUROPCAR or HERTZ;
  • brokers that specialize in the "pereperating";
  • hotels with this service.

The most obvious option is of course rolling office. Full transparency of the transaction, stable reputation of the company, a convenient site, a large selection of cars - it would seem that you still need? The disadvantage of this method is only one - price. Rent of the same car, but through a broker, will, as a rule, will be cheaper.

Followed by popularity are brokers, like Economycarrentals.. The essence of their business is simple: renting a large number of cars from rolled products, they receive a significant discount. Some part remains at the broker in the form of profit, the rest goes to the consumer. Thus, instead of a conditional $ 100 for rent a traveler pays only 75-80. Profitable, is not it?

A thin location of the broker is, of course, his reputation. There is a kind thousand rolling firms on the Internet, one more beautiful. But truly qualitative service is provided by a few - in particular, indicated above the British office of EconomyCarRentals. Save and risk, overpay for confidence, or carefully pick up a broker - a choice, as always, for the consumer.

The third version of the car rental is the reception at the hotel. Somewhere the hotels hand own carsBut more often act agents of rolling companies. Respectively, prices will be clearly not lowerthan when ordering cars directly, on the site rental company.

Output: Very reliable and most affordable rental method - a good rolling broker. The most familiar and "transparent" appeal directly to the rental company. Well, and cars at the hotel are for those who are used to everything spontaneously and at the last moment.

What documents are needed for renting a car in Europe?

The list of requirements for the potential tenant is not so great. To conclude a contract, it will be necessary:

  • the bank card on which the deposit may be frozen - 200-1000 €. Rams Most of all love credit Visa or MasterCard, but a regular debit card of the standard "Standard" class "or above.
  • national driver's license. Simply put, plastic card, which is sometimes interested in traffic police workers.
  • international driver's license (MYLA). "Bookshop", which can be obtained on request in the traffic police. It is not necessary to take additional exams, the state duty for the provision of services is 1600 rubles.
  • it may well ask a passport with a valid visa, but it is implied that he is probably so.

In many countries (for example, in Greece or Spain), the car can be rented without MAV, although it is prohibited formally. Therefore, if you do not want to spoil your vacation, it is better to get international rights. Of course, in advance.

What is included in the cost of renting a car?

The standard agreement, as a rule, includes:

  • use of the selected car without limiting the run;
  • mandatory insurance in case of an accident and in front of third parties; Insurance from theft;
  • local taxes and fees;
  • service fee on the territory of the station / airport, if such a fee is provided;

May be included in the price, or pay additionally:

  • surcharge for the second driver;
  • one-sided lease (the car is rented in one place, and returns - in another);
  • insurance from the hijacking without a franchise;

Paid by the driver independently:

  • refilling the car;
  • fee for the use of roads;
  • taxes and fees not provided for by the Treaty (for example, "Vignette" for entering Switzerland, if the car was rented in France and for traveling in France);
  • winter chains needed to move in the mountains.

The section "What is included" and "what is paid separately" - perhaps the most important In the rental agreement. There is no single practice, and conditions in different companies can vary significantly. Special attention should be paid to insurance - in particular, the size of the franchise.

What do you need to know when renting a car?

There are several unshakable rules and everyday tips to learn before a visit to the rolled office:

  • the car is provided to the client with full of tank Fuel, the same applies to return. For violation of this rule from the card will be charged for refueling and fine stipulated by the Treaty.
  • the car is provided in a clean and good condition. In the same form it must be returned. Natural wear, of course, does not count.
  • children's chairs and other additional services are available on request and, as a rule, for an additional fee. Everything you need must be ordered in advance, at the reservation stage of the car.
  • rental companies, like many others, work according to standard graphics. Something like a 40-hour working week, from Monday to Friday. Of course, it does not apply to racks at airports or hotels, but in late / early hour surrenders. That is, rent a car, for example, at 11:30 (and return it at the same time) cheaper than, for example, rent at 01:00, and return at 21:00.
  • many companies allow the return of the car without the participation of an employee of the office. The client leaves the car on a specially designated parking, keys in the mailbox. In the event of flaws (empty tank, or damage), expenses are reimbursed from the traveler's bank card.

Here, perhaps, everything is today. I tried to highlight the main questions and the most "dark" places associated with the car rental in Europe. I hope the article was helpful. Finally, I will give another advice.

The first lease is always a certain stress and fading. Contract english language, leaves more questions than answers. A walk on the cabriolet on Nice embankments seems in the thoughts of the nightmare, in which the franchises frozen on the card are climbing on the card, crashed cars and lost keys. Although in fact everything is wrong.

Millions of people take a car for rent every day. All of them, regardless of nationality, income and status, made it one day for the first time. As you can see, nothing terrible with them happened. Therefore, you should not be afraid. Rent a car is a chance to see more in less time, to penetrate the spirit of the country and feel like a local resident. Do not neglect this with the opportunity, for this there is not the slightest reasons.

I solved our cozy edition at the March holidays to ride in transylvania, so to speak to inspect the owners of the chain. Since the country is compact and distances between cities are small, on Romania, you can comfortably move on buses and trains. But after all, on the car you can see much more, not to be tied to the schedule, ... these and another 100,500 advantages drew in favor of the individual means of movement and not mistaken in the choice.

And since on the leased machines we drove in many countries of the world, now we will tell you in the example of Romania, how and where to book a carin any European country And around the world. At the beginning, short theoretical libeza, and then the feedback as it passed on the spot.

1. international passport.

2. Driver's license National sample.

There is no need to make a separate international Wu, if you have a translation into an English name and surname, and also understandable to the management of which category vehicle You are allowed. If you are so hard for MBU, get it the easiest way through the state service portal. But we repeat, it is not necessary.

3. Age and driver experience.

In most rolling companies, there are requirements at the minimum age - from 23 years and experience from three years. This does not mean that if you are 20 or you have a little experience, no one will give you a car for rental. Just the number of proposals will be limited, and those companies who will offer the rent will make a surcharge for risk.

4. Credit card.

The card must be credit, and not debit with a sufficient amount of money (and is enough - how much? Read on).

Even if you think and confident that your card is debit, most likely you are mistaken. Almost all Russian banks produce credit cards, just a credit loan on them and they are taken into account as debit. You can check your card here bindb.com. Enter only the first 6 digits of your card (bin).

For example, a debit card Tinkoff Black. Yes, she is debit, but she is credit in fact :).

Now most rolling companies necessarily check the card similar or similar way. But it is better to have a normal credit card with a limit. Why do you block your money when you can banking - funds from the account are not written off, after the end of the lease is unlocked, everything is free.

When booking - in advance or search for arrival

In advance. Of course you can start walking around the offices of rolling companies, but you definitely do not shit on the cheaper, and most likely you are rented even more expensive. You will not be able to compare and choose offers from all rollers - local and network.

Where better to rent cars

There are two types of companies that are engaged in car rental - international network and local rims. International Networks - Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Dollar and others, have offices in many countries. Their offices you usually meet at airports.

Advantages of renting from network rental companies: Unified Policy and customer service standards, more selection of cars. The disadvantage is primarily the price. You pay for the brand. Local companies are more loyal to the client.

Rent a car through broker profitable - the cost will be lower than how to directly in the rolling company. The broker gets a significant discount from rollers for advertising them, sells large pools. Even if you compare prices and see that the cost will be the same, the broker always includes some tasty bonus in its offer - a free second driver, a discount on a complete Casco, a free car upgrade.

Among brokers are recommended Rentalcars.-, and - world leaders of car rental. If you need a car in Montenegro, Georgia, Bulgaria, Greece, in Cyprus, in Crimea -, excellent company, with excellent support.

  • Do not miss:

Car rental insurance

When concluding a car rental agreement, you also need to refine the insurance. Everyone knows that we have Osago and Casco, how they work we think we also know, let's not explain. Abroad is not much different. There are several types of insurance.

1. TLP (Third LEABILITY PROTECTION) or TPL (Third Party Liability) - insurance of cars of third parties affected by your fault. In Russia, this is called OSAGO. This insurance is included in the price initially. Without it, the car is not issued.

2. CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) - Insurance of a rented car from damage. Casco more familiar to us, but without the risk insurance of the hijacking. It should be noted that this type of insurance implies a mandatory franchise (indicated in the contract as Excess). That is, the limit of responsibility that you share with the insurer. Not covered amount of loss.

What does it mean. For example, a franchise is 500 euros, you scratched the car for 100 euros - the repair is completely at your expense, they soldered at 900 euros - you only pay 400.

3. SCDW (Super Collision Damage Waiver) - Casco without a franchise. That is, p.2 CDW with fully covered costs. If you hit the car, scratched, - nothing to pay anything. They returned the keys, wrapped her hand rolling and flew home.

4. TW (THEFT WAIVER) or TP (Theft Protection) - protection against hijacking.

5. LDW - CDW + TW - that is, paragraph 2 + p.4 - car insurance from damage and hijacking, but with a franchise.

6. SLDW is a super hull, covers all expenses, both with damage and hijacking. All that will happen to cars is all at the expense of the insurance company.

7. PAI and SPAI (Personal Accident Insurance and Super Personal Accident Insurance) - Insurance, which covers the damage to the health of the driver and passengers. It is clearly superfluous, as the policy of insurance of the life of traveling abroad you have and so.

A lot of abbreviations but Remember the main thingTLP.(According to our OSAGO) already included. And then you need to choose - LDW.or SLDW.That is, Casco with a franchise or without a franchise. Casco with franchise is most likely already included in the price. The amount of the franchise is that the insurance deposit that the rolling company will block on your map before returning the car.

The amount of the franchise for most European countries is very large - about 1000 euros for economy class cars.

If you choose a hull without a franchise, be prepared for a very, very careful inspection of the car. Fix in a special blank absolutely all scratches, even those that you may seem insignificant. Explore each vehicle centimeter before signing an act of receiving and transmission. Because when returning the machine, the manager will present you every scratch, not recorded in the act as yours and you will have to pay damage. Do not count on the fact that you are separated by the value of the polishing of the item, you will score as for replacing the item. It is really very expensive.

If you are ready to pay full Casco on site, prepare for the fact that it will be very expensive, perhaps even more than the cost of the rental itself.

What else to pay attention to the car rental

Fuel level in the tank. You must return it at the same level and back. Do not agree on any other conditions! Took with full tank, return with full, 2 \\ 3 - it means 2 \\ 3.

The need for permission to depart into neighboring countries. If you are traveling inside the Schengen zone, here you can freely cross the borders (because they are not). If you want to go from Romania to Hungary or Bulgaria, from Slovenia to Croatia, etc. - You must definitely clarify this in a rental company. Not everyone is allowed this, most likely it will cost additional money.

Instruction - how to take a car for hire

And now, armed with all these knowledge, take a car for hire.

1. Choosing a car.

The first to start - the site of the Rentalcars. Indicate the place of receipt, date, time of receipt and return. It is very important to accurately indicate the time of returning the car, if you are late and try for 1 hour, you can take it for an extra rental day.

You can rent a car straight at the airport and in the city center. What's better. Here it is necessary to first find out where your hotel, whether it has free parking, if not, try to figure out how much parking costs next to (you can write to the hotel). And it is better to immediately pick up a hotel with a parking lot so that there are no unforeseen expenses. Of the advantages - you do not spend money on travel from the airport to the hotel and you have a car. The cost of renting a car at the airport may be even cheaper than if you take it from the office in the city center. Some local rental companies can drive it to your hotel, which is also convenient.

We need a car at the airport. And we need the most economical, cheap option. Remember, when booking a car, the rental company does not guarantee you exactly such a brand and such a color! The class of cars is booked, and in fact, instead of polo, you can get Folskvagen Golf, Renault Clio, Toyota Micro, Iso, etc.

In 50% of cases, rollingrs, already in place, when signing the contract, increase the class of the car completely free!

And pay attention to what a funny rental price is not season - only 5 dollars a day! And there are also offers for 1 euro!

Before booking, pay attention to the following:

2. Change and cancel the reservation made through the Rentalcars can be completely calm and without any fines for 48 hours before renting. That is why we recommend right away to book, and not to maintain the future.

And here it is just about insurance - a coating in case of hijacking and an accident. We carry the mouse and read.

Franchise is indicated in lease conditions (here where in the picture from above the roller logo). And read "Franchise in case of damage to this car is 1011.50 €, including local tax. Franchise in the case of the hijacking of this car is 1011.50 €, including local tax. "

So this is the amount we need to have on the credit card. It will be blocked when signing the contract.

3. There are some companies that limit mileage, for example 120 km per day, and then 1 km much money. There is no such thing, by the way, if you go to the Klass Wagen website, there for some types of machines mileage is just limited, and unlimited for money.

4. This is another bonus from the Rentalcars. As a rule, an additional driver costs money. And if you booked directly on the roller site, you would take money for it. Here it is free.

Next will be detailed information about your choice and about the roller. Some rolling companies have offices at airports, and some offices are not far from 1-2 km and therefore they meet you and take free to themselves, and then back to the airport. You do not need to be afraid, you will have a contact phone representative, you will definitely meet, since first of all it is in their own interests.

Rentalcars collaborates on insurance with and you can buy such a policy right away when booking the car. But note that the broker wants for this as much as 20 bucks per day! These are as much $ 140 for the entire rental period. 4 times more expensive The rolling itself. Definitely choose here "Go to booking with a basic coating."

If you consider the cost of such a site on the site, it will be $ 66.

Generally - i do not buy insurance on the rentalcars, And we go on and we decorate there.

Complete the reservation, making an advance payment or paying completely. In a couple of minutes, check the mailbox (electronic of course). There will be a letter with reference to the voucher. In a voucher in more information about what you booked, which is included in the rent, where you will meet, contacts, in generally all-all, what is necessary.

2. We draw up insurance

3. Obtaining a car

A company representative met us at the airport and took to the office.

The process of obtaining the car took a short time. We were already waiting for an employee of the company with printed documents, so this time was not spent. We were glanced once again that we were booked, and then the sale of insurance began. This is more than half the company's income, so it will be very persistently selling you.

The girl showed us some terrible pictures, just like a cigarette pack, only about cars, told terrible things and cases of life: the door was taped - the repair of 200 euros, rubbed the bumper - 600 euros. Do not get on it! You really will be intimidated and persuaded to insurance, in our case only 167 euros. Even if you say that you have such insurance, only decorated in another company, an employee will find what you will argue. In our case, you will not be released from the country until they repaire the car. Do not believe!

We still pro -pronsidied the car completely free to the new, seven-bed folkwagen Turan. Such mom-mobile, for a large family.

We subscribe a contract, the map blocks 1100 euros.

An important stage is an inspection of the car for damage. Watch out very carefully. All-all turn on, insist absolutely on all misuse, inspect even where it seems to you may not be damage - the roof, for example. If you tell you anything terrible, still turn on even more carefully to inspect the machine when you return it - this is also their source of income, of course no one will repair every scratch.

And do not forget to inspect the salon on the subject of seeding cigarettes, chewing, and so on.