Knowing what you need to rent a car in Europe is important if you want to travel to this historic continent. After all, Europe is one of the most popular places for tourists from all over the world and, as it's a huge continent, it's essential to have a vehicle to get around various countries or between destinations.
And once you've put together your travel itinerary for Europe, you'll realize that it's necessary to have a vehicle on the days of your trip, as most countries allow entry and exit once you're already inside the continent. Here are 6 essential tips for renting a car and making the right choice!
1. get your International Driving Permit (IDP)
The PID, the acronym for International Driving Permit, is a necessary document for renting a car. This document was created and is partly maintained by the UN - United Nations Organizations - and is mandatory for Brazilians to drive abroad without a country-specific license.
Currently, the International Driving Permit allows you to drive in more than 100 countries - including Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. All are signatories to the UN Convention on Road Traffic and this means that the IDP can be used in much of Europe, as well as allowing a Brazilian driver to drive a car without any problems in foreign countries.
To issue your PID, you need to make an appointment through your state's Detran, or even through the gov.br website. You can also go in person to a Detran institution in your region or even to Poupa Tempo. Remember to set aside some money, as the PID can cost around R$400.00, so be prepared. Finally, you also need to have a valid driver's license to issue the international document.
2. Have an international credit card
Having an international credit card is almost mandatory when traveling and with it you can rent a car in Europe. With it you'll be able to rent a car without difficulty and also make the purchases you always need on an international trip.
International cards allow your Brazilian money to be spent in a foreign country without necessarily converting the currency. It's safer and very practical for carrying out any business, paying for hotels, souvenirs, eating out and paying for various services.
But remember, you need to know how to rent a car in Europe before you go, and prepare yourself with the amount you need, study the vehicle you want and take into account the size of the car, your luggage and other needs. Once you understand how car rental works, you can use your card to hire the service.
3. Research the types of insurance and cars available
There are a number of insurances you can take out when renting a car in Europe, and they are also part of what you need when renting a vehicle. Having these insurances is a way of having more security during your trips and protecting yourself from various types of adverse accidents, theft, robbery and obtaining compensation in the event of a traffic accident.
In addition to these necessary insurances, remember that you need to understand which vehicles you will be hiring. There are different types of cars, popular, older, larger and for different travelers and luggage.
4. Check the insurance company's assessment
Before traveling to another country and taking out good insurance, it is essential to check the quality of the insurer. Look for references and see if taking out an insurance policy is really beneficial for your trip. Also try to study the best insurance options for a particular country.
Among the main options are those that offer compensation for accidents, rescue services and even insurance against theft, robbery and other problems. The better the insurer, the more complete and interesting your insurance will be. And be sure to investigate the requirements of what you need to rent a safe vehicle.
5. Have your car inspected
Once you have hired a car, one of the things you need to do to rent a vehicle is to have it inspected. This inspection is similar to the inspection carried out in our country, where various information about the car is checked. This way you can be sure that your car is of good quality.
Most car rental companies carry out this inspection, so look for a quality one to make sure your vehicle is in good condition. If a problem is identified during the inspection or even afterwards, be sure to notify the rental company immediately.
6. Take out travel insurance
Finally, before finalizing your trip, be sure to take out good insurance, or even insurance in the plural. Check all your needs and what you need to travel, and see which insurances are most essential for you, your family and even the vehicle you have hired.
Each trip offers specific risks, based on the territory in which the driver will be traveling with the car. So take into account the needs of your trip and especially the region of Europe you will be visiting.
Is it worth renting a car in Europe?
There's no doubt that it's worth hiring a car rental service in Europe, so that you can get around the continent without difficulty - including the sights of Italy. It makes even more sense because of the facilities offered by the European Union, which allows you to travel between several countries with the same vehicle.
But before hiring, take into account everything you need to rent a car, because only then will your contract be worthwhile. Once all the information has been taken into account, it will be much easier to deal with your travel needs.
What's it like to drive in Europe?
In general, driving in Europe is relatively easy as the roads are very good quality, well surfaced and as long as you're in the countryside, they'll be very quiet. There are reports that even secondary roads, streets and avenues are very well paved, so you can drive without a problem.
Another point that stands out and makes driving in Europe easier is the practicality of finding your way around. The roads offer good information, are clear and the signs are relatively simple. It's easy to find your way around and drive without any major problems throughout the continent and in various countries.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Europe?
The cost of renting a car in Europe can vary greatly, and it all depends on what you need. There are larger cars, smaller cars, compact cars, cheap cars and many other categories. Check everything you need to rent a car and see what the best options are, we've listed a few below:
Compact cars for rent
If you're with a partner, have a small family or even find yourself alone, a compact car is ideal. The options include: Skoda Scala, Seat Leon, Opel Astra and Fiat 500X. With prices ranging from R$257.00 per day, it's worth renting a compact car to travel.
Cheaper cars
If you're wondering whether car rental is worth it, then the cheapest cars are the best option. And there are several such cars: Fiat Panda, Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris. To prove that renting a car is worthwhile, you should know that the average price is around R$ 18.00 - a really low price for those who want to travel economically.
Luxury cars
For those who want to travel more opulently and don't care so much about price, but prefer a more luxurious car, there are also several options. Mercedes Benz C Class, Mercedes Benz E Class, Maserati Ghibli and BMW X3, these are some of the luxury car rental options. But be prepared, as the daily price is on average R$1,010.00.
Where to rent a car in Europe?
And to travel to Europe, remember to rent a car from a great car rental company like HappyTours! There, you'll find different types of cars to hire, rent and drive on your trip to Spain, or whatever your international destination may be. There are different cars for different countries and continents.
Renting a car is practical and easy, just fill in the form on HappyTours and secure the perfect car to make your trip an even more interesting experience. Don't forget to check out all the information and requirements for hiring vehicles.
Another crucial piece of information is to check your destination and the options offered to hire the service. Once you've fully checked what you need to rent a car, just finalize the service with HappyTours and enjoy all the beauty you'll find on your trip.
