Renting a car abroad: how to book, what to check and how to avoid surprises

November 8, 2026 · 5 min read

A hire car is the cheapest way to see parts of the world that trains do not reach: a coast road, a mountain valley, a string of villages with one bus a day. It is also the part of a trip most likely to produce an argument at a desk. The usual causes are small and predictable: a deposit nobody expected, a scratch nobody noticed and a fuel policy nobody read. Most of it is avoidable if you ask the right questions before you pay.

Decide whether you need one

A car is worth it when your route runs through places without good public transport, when you are travelling with luggage, children or limited mobility, or when a group splitting the cost makes it cheaper than tickets.

It is not worth it in big cities. Parking is difficult and expensive, traffic is slow and public transport is faster. A common plan is to spend the city days without a car, then collect one for the countryside part of the trip.

Booking

Compare in one place, book with the company if you can. Comparison sites show the market. The booking itself is often simpler and easier to change with the rental company, and you will have someone to call.
Choose the right size. A small car is easier on narrow roads and in tight car parks. A larger one makes sense for luggage and groups. Count the bags, not just the seats.
Manual or automatic. Manual is common in much of Europe, and automatics can be fewer and dearer. If you only drive automatic, book early and confirm it.
Pick-up location. Airports are convenient; city offices are sometimes cheaper and quieter. Check the opening hours against your flight time.
Name every driver. An unlisted driver is usually not insured.

The page on driving abroad covers licences, road rules and the permits some countries ask for.

What the driver needs

Each rental company sets its own conditions, and they can differ by country. Check these on the company's own site before you book:

A full licence held for a minimum time, and in some cases a minimum age
A credit card in the main driver's name, because most companies hold a deposit on it
Your passport or ID
An international driving permit, in countries that ask for one. Whether you need one depends on where your licence is from and where you are driving, so check your own motoring authority's website and the official site of the country

Don't rely on a forum post or a friend's memory for any of these, because the rules change.

Insurance, in plain terms

Insurance is where most disagreements start. The basic ideas are:

Third-party liability covers damage to other people and their property. It is usually included, by law.
Collision damage waiver limits what you pay if the rental car is damaged. It normally comes with an excess: the amount you pay before cover starts.
Theft protection works the same way, with its own excess.
Excess reduction is an add-on that cuts or removes that amount, sold at the desk or online.

Before you pay for anything extra, ask four questions:

What is the excess, in total, if the car is damaged or stolen?
What does the basic price already cover?
Is anything excluded, such as tyres, glass, the underside or the roof?
Does my travel insurance or credit card already cover rental excess, and what do I need to do to claim?

Read the answers on the company's page and your own policy. Cover from other providers can be cheaper, but it often means paying the excess first and claiming it back, so be sure you can.

Fuel, mileage and other charges

Fuel policy. "Full to full" means you take it full and return it full. It is usually the fairest. Prepaid fuel can cost more than filling the tank yourself.
Mileage. Most rentals have unlimited mileage; check, especially on long routes.
One-way drops. Returning a car in a different city is possible and usually adds a fee.
Cross-border travel. Taking a car into another country may need permission and extra cover. Ask before you plan the route.
Tolls and vignettes. Some countries charge tolls on motorways, and some need a sticker or an electronic pass. Ask how the car is set up.
Fines. If you break a rule, the rental company can pass on the fine along with an admin charge.
Extras. Child seats, roof racks and satellite navigation cost per day, so check the total. Your phone may do the job for free.

At pick-up: the inspection that saves arguments

Take your time here. It is the most valuable ten minutes of the rental.

Walk round the car with the agent or on your own, and take photos or a video of every side, the wheels, the windscreen, the roof and the inside.
Make sure existing damage is marked on the rental form, however small.
Check the fuel gauge and that it matches the form.
Check the spare tyre, jack and any required safety equipment.
Sit inside and learn the car. Lights, wipers, handbrake, fuel cap release, how to put it in reverse.
Note the return address, time and any rules about out-of-hours drop-offs.
Keep the paperwork, and a copy of the emergency number.

Save the photos where you can find them later.

On the road

Keep your licence, the rental agreement and the insurance papers in the car, not in the luggage.
Park in marked, safe places. Never leave luggage visible when you leave the car.
If you have an accident or a breakdown, call the number on the rental agreement before you arrange repairs.
Fill up before you reach the airport, where fuel is often more expensive.

Returning it

Return the car at the agreed time and fuel level. Take the same set of photos, and ask for a signed form confirming it came back without damage. If the office is closed, photograph the car, the fuel gauge and the mileage in the car park. Keep the receipt for the fuel you added. A few weeks later, check your card for any unexpected charges, and keep your records until the deposit is back.

Booking it into the plan

If you are sharing the cost, decide who pays the rental and who pays for fuel and tolls, and log them as they happen. Splitting travel costs with friends explains how. For the route itself, planning a road trip is the next step.