Tips for renting a car abroad?

"JRapp: now as good as new again" (jrapp)
04/20/2016 at 19:00 • Filed to: None

So I’ll be traveling to Europe (Estonia) with my family this summer for an extended period of time, and the question of a rental car has come up. Does anyone have any brilliant tips or suggestions on finding a decently priced rental car abroad?

The Airport rentals are ridiculously expensive, but having friends and family there doesn’t limit me to Airport rentals thankfully. And obviously I’ll be asking around my social circle for any “spare” cars. Should it come down to me having to rent one from a commercial venture though, has anyone noticed any trends for where they are cheaper? Like are ferry port rentals generally cheaper, or should I look at Hotel concierge/rental desks, or car dealerships or something else?

And I’m not really open to buying anything there on-location as registration and insurance and that kind of stuff is a hassle, not to mention should anything break..

Thoughts?

DISCUSSION (26)

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:04

Try http://www.autoeurope.com/

US based company specializing in rental cars in Europe. Excellent customer service and ridiculously good prices, coverage, etc.

Planning a trip for Italy and France later this year and booked all our car rentals through them. Prices were the best I could find and customer service was awesome. Call them and talk to someone if website leaves you with questions - both times I called got really great folks to help out picking specific rental locations, car types, etc.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:05

Make sure you get one that has wheels on it.

JRapp: now as good as new again > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/20/2016 at 19:12

How many?

Slant6 > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:14

My grandparents do a thing where they buy a new French car and sell it back when they leave. French government has some incentive, ends up being cheaper than a rental.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:17

“Tips for renting a broad”

Well it’s probably a good idea to pay cash instead of using a credit card. And you should probably decide what type of service you want and decide your preferences.

And of course, decide ahead of time what your budget is and as well, do some Google searches and maybe even arrange things before you get there.

Oh and definitely have some condoms and lube with you. Safe sex is important.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:17

Three.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
04/20/2016 at 19:19

Obviously. Reliant Robins are known for being excellent vacation rentals.

JRapp: now as good as new again > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
04/20/2016 at 19:19

Thanks for the suggestion. addCar is all that site suggetsed though. $1,641 for 3 weeks seems a bit steep for a car that can take 4 people and luggage and I don’t think I can fit into a Polo or a Golf sized car.. Sixt at the Airport there has similar options for about $1100.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:22

Hmm interesting. Estonia is probably a less common destination for them to get competitive pricing on unfortunately. Good luck!

JRapp: now as good as new again > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
04/20/2016 at 19:24

My wife may object to renting a broad... though I do hear that renting a broad can be considerably cheaper than renting a car abroad. Perhaps I could find a broad with a car.. could be useful in a zero tolerance country to have a chauffeur.

JRapp: now as good as new again > Slant6
04/20/2016 at 19:26

Hmm.. the only vehicles they make in Estonia that I know of are custom built motorcycles or single seat kit/track cars like the Estfield.. I’d need 4, or 3 plus a trailer, or two with sidecars..

Slant6 > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:29

But the program works in other countries for a delivery fee.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:31

When in Ireland for three weeks, we rented a crappy Renault through Alamo rent a car at the Shannon airport. We gave them a credit card, they did an authorization for the estimated amount and then gave us car. Nothing was special about the car or the experience, and we turned in the car to Dublin three weeks later. However, Alamo never actually charged us for the rental car. The hold expired before we turned the car in, and a charge for the final amount never appeared on the account. Going on 10 years, we’ve never seen a charge. I would imagine that is not a typical experience, but hey, you might try Alamo anyway if they rent in Estonia. You might get lucky.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:33

“My wife may object to renting a broad...”

Ahhh... she prefers to buy, right? Or is she more into obduction?

“Perhaps I could find a broad with a car..”

Yeah... then you won’t need to rent a hotel room...

lol

Nibby > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:37

Steal.

someassemblyrequired > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:42

I always used to book through the Avis.ie and avis.co.uk sites back in the day. Seemed to give better pricing (like 50% less) than avis.com

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/20/2016 at 19:44

Or this:

Kinja'd!!!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Nibby
04/20/2016 at 19:45

Carjack!

JRapp: now as good as new again > Slant6
04/20/2016 at 19:48

So I’m gathering that this is called a “Buy-back lease”. I’m having a little trouble finding anything with pikcup locations in Estonia or Finland or Latvia, but it’s certainly an interesting idea so I will keep looking. I appreciate the input.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
04/20/2016 at 19:52

Totally family-friendly!

Slant6 > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 19:56

Glad I could help some. I’d tell you more if I knew anymore about it. Maybe you could fly in somewhere else and then drive to Estonia? I’d imagine a flight would be cheaper to a higher capacity airport in western Europe.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 20:02

Whatever you do, make sure you upgrade a few levels from the base price. The economy cars in Europe are a whole league below the cheapest cars sold in the US. Last time I tried to be cheap renting in Europe, I ended up with a 1.2L Renault Clio that was so slow it nearly got me killed merging onto the freeway.

I had good luck with Sixt. I found a good deal through a little shack they had in Nuremburg. The place was a little run down and the staff didn't speak any English, but they were expecting me and had the car ready.

JRapp: now as good as new again > Slant6
04/20/2016 at 20:04

Except I already have the tickets. Finland and Latvia are close enough to go on a short day trip, so those are an option, but any further would cut into valuable vacation time unfortunately.

JRapp: now as good as new again > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/20/2016 at 20:06

I’d need two of those.

JRapp: now as good as new again > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
04/20/2016 at 20:13

Yea I’m well aware of the size (and power) limitations.

One of the times I was there I rented an old Golf II Diesel, the non-turbo version, and that thing was the slowest thing I’ve ever driven. It maxed out at 142km/h down hill (and down wind), which is only 88mph, and it took me a good 5 minutes to get up to that speed and it was the scariest thing I’ve ever done.

But yea, I’ve been there so I know what to expect. It’ll be a bit of a culture shock for my wife and kids though. It’s kind of rediculous how small and minimal some of the city cars there really are.

JDMatt > JRapp: now as good as new again
04/20/2016 at 22:19

1) You’ll pay extra if you rent from an airport, because every international airport worldwide wants to profit off travelers who rent cars, take taxis, or ride the train from the airport.

2) you’ll pay extra if you need to drive a rental car one way.

3) Have a reservation for the type of car you want to drive. It’s easier to just book a Toyota Rav4 (or similar) than to get talked into upgrading into a Rav4.

4)most crucially, bluff to the rental agent as if you’re on a budget. If you own an apple watch, take it off.

4.5) You wanna guarantee that your rental car in europe is automatic? you gotta pay more. But After you decide on the car, feel free to tack on a GPS unit and insurance or whatever. It’s not worth saving face at the rental desk when you get your phone carrier bills you for international roaming.