My wife and I are planning a trip to France and Italy in September.
What does one need to know about renting cars in France and Italy? What I do know is that I need to get an International Driving Certificate. Also, how do Americans typically handle liability insurance for rental cars in Europe?
We’ll only be driving outside major cities (e.g., Burgundy and Tuscany)
Appreciate any and all advice.
In Italy on a point to point rental we used and recommend:
http://www.europcar.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Check with your insurance company to make sure you are insured overseas.
I’ve used autoeurop literally for decades, several times a year – prices can’t be beat and they’re guaranteed to match (plus they lock you in for a $ price protecting you against weakening $; if the $ does significantly strengthen, you can cancel without penalty and rebook up to 3 days before you pick up). The one problem, and I can’t blame them for it, is if there is a dispute with the local rental agency, you don’t have any special protection, although they try to be as helpful as possible.
I’ve driven in Europe many times but I have never had an “International Driving Certificate”
I think this is most useful in countries where you can’t count on finding someone who speaks English. Maybe, say, Bulgaria.
For England, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein – a driver’s license, a passport, and a credit card and you are good to go.
BOOK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL though, rates are better here than there.
And I’ve used Orbitz or other facilitators to reserve. FWIW.
If you are staying around 3 weeks check out the deals from Renault and Citroen. They have a great scheme where you effectively own the car for the time and “sell” it back to them. Your insurance is dirt cheap which is the difference between the deal and normal rentals.
Americans visiting Italy as tourists and intending to drive should obtain an International Driving Permit before leaving the U.S.
http://www.usembassy.it/acs/general-driving.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
AAA has this to say in a footnote with regard to IDP requirements in Italy…
Acceptance of driving licences that are not of the European Communities model cannot be guaranteed therefore drivers may wish to voluntarily update them before travelling abroad, if time permits.
Driving advice and guides to keep you moving | The AA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I’ve driven many, many times in Italy w/o such a permit, but then again I have never been stopped.
Ditto to what Frank said. Driven all over the freaking world and never had an International Drivers License. Also used Orbitz and Travelocity and such here to book in advance.
If you don’t bring your own be sure and request a GPS IN ENGLISH and make sure before you drive off the lot that it works and it truly is in English.
I’m a little against the grain in that I always pay for full coverage through the rental company. It is so easy to get mixed up when driving overseas between the road system and signs not in English that minor mishaps do happen. I’ve had a couple over the years and I simply walked away afterward. For me it is worth it not to have them instead hit my credit card for $5,000.00 and then argue with them from here in the states afterward to get the charge taken off and handled via my insurance instead. Just my two cents worth.
I’ve used Europecar several times. As suggested, PAY FOR THE MAX INSURANCE. It’s worth every penny to drop a banged up car off and not miss your flight. And also do rent from the states with as much advance notice as you can. I was in Paris for the massive transit strike in 2007 when every Parisian rented every car in France. I was able to waltz past the long lines and take the only car at left. GPS is a good idea. And I’ve never needed an international certificate. Just your regular travel documents suffice.
I’ve never been asked an International Driver’s License or whatever (rented cars in a lot of European countries + US/Canada + Argentina).
Re: the GPS just check the costs, it’s very useful but it might be easier to drop in any shop and buy one. Or even better, buy one in the US, learn to use it then download the Western Europe maps and bring it over.
The biggest issue you will probably have depends on whether you know how to drive a shiftstick or not. If you need an automatic it will seriously restrict the availability of cars… about 95% of the cars are stickshift in France or Italy.
In reserving a car for next month, I noticed a requirement for an International Driving Certificate. I asked about it and was told that most car rental agencies are now requiring it because the police insist on it, finding it easier to read something in their own language [roll eyes]. My guess is that for the next year or two the rental companies will ease into it – still renting cars to those who don’t have it, but warning them to have on the next time, but at some time in the future, if you don’t have it, you won’t get the car.
To add to my earlier post…this is what I do. I take my own GPS and download the maps for the country I’m visiting before I leave. For me recent trip to South Africa I bought the SA maps online at TomTom for $50.00. Couldn’t have been easier and saved a ton of money on a GPS rental for two weeks.
So looks like the Driving Permit is not a bad idea…but not as necessary as stated to me.
Will be purchasing a GPS. Wanted an excuse to get a new one anyway.
Insurance…might actually break an ingrained habit (i rent every week for business) and buy theirs. You all make a compelling case as to why it’s worth the peace of mind.
Both the wife and I can drive manual, so no worries but good to know.
Thanks everyone. Further suggestions/points of view welcome!
On this point in particular:
Diesel is cheaper than gasoline, especially in France. Figure $4 per gallon for diesel versus $5 for super unleaded (off the motorway).
A middle sized diesel will be much more comfortable and fuel efficient than a small, gas powered car which I would avoid like the plague if travelling far.
Hertz often has great prices on middle sized cars at Charles de Gaulle…much better than Europecar at this location from my experience…check the rates on Expedia. Plus, you can drop the car off in the center of Paris w/o charge if renting from Hertz.
The michelin website has a “mapquest-like” application that also shows the exact location of speed cameras that are often strategically placed at the bottom of sharp downgrades to trap the unsuspecting.
YEs, you need an Intl. Driver’s License. Get it at AAA.
Rent the car in France, wherever you will begin your road trip. Then drive to Italy and return the car in France.
No point renting in Paris. Take the train to Burgundy or farther South (e.g. Avignon or Nice), pick up the car at the train station, and head to Italy.
Check your credit card companies for coverage in Italy. You may be surprised to learn that you won’t get coverage if you rent in Italy, thus forcing you to buy extra insurance from the car company.
We used http://www.EconomyCarRentals.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They were much cheaper than the other big names that I researched. We drove a hugh BMW that got good gas mileage. Remember, use the black hose to purchase diesel.
Very important. We were told that this car can fit 5 people + bags. Haha. They were kidding. We just about stuffed 4 bags in the car, with small ones in every nook and cranny between the airport and Villa. If you do have a 5th person, they better be a munchin.
I was asked for the IDP once, in Spain I think. It’s a relatively harmless process to get and, for what it’s worth (maybe not much), it can serve as an additional piece of photo i.d. if you’re in a pinch perhaps.
I like these people also. If you use your AMEX card, you should get the extra coverage you need.
Great prices and nice people too at Autoeurope.
AutoEurope brokered my reservation to EuropCar, the actual rental operator, which double-billed me. Each firm told me that the other was at fault, and pointed to each other for refund responsibility.
Horrible service and equipment from EuropCar, when in Paris. It took three months of wrangling via Amex to correct charges. EuropCar customer service blows; the staff tells you to call a number for any problems, which is only a recording which tells you to fax a letter, which garners no eventual response.
I would never use EuropCar again, even if to rent a hearse for my worst enemy for free.
Same here!