How to Save Money on Car Rentals when Abroad

One of the most popular ways to travel when abroad is to rent a car. Renting a car gives you the freedom to travel wherever you want, whenever you want. It means that you aren’t tied down to public transport schedules, and can do your own thing.

Sometimes, renting a car can save you money and actually be cheaper than other means of getting around. But because it’s such a popular mode of transport, car rental companies are raising their prices and offering extras which cost more – in order to make more money from people. When abroad you don’t want to waste your money on travel. There are a few things that you can do in order to get cheap car rentals while abroad.

Book in advance

If you know that you’re going to be abroad for certain dates, then you should book your rental as soon as you know. Sometimes rental companies will bump up the price for a short notice. You’re also more likely to get the car you want.

Don’t always choose airport rentals

Most major airport will have car rental companies there – in order to make your trip as smooth as possible. But these rental companies often charge a lot more – simply because they’re more convenient.

But don’t just limit yourself to these companies. There are plenty of companies which are located all over, that may offer a fairer price. If you’re happy to go slightly out of your way then you should definitely consider other options.

Be wary of one-way fees

Many rental companies allow you to pick your car up and drop it off in a different place. This is great for you because it means you don’t have to make a round trip – particularly if you’re travelling a long way.

Rental companies often charge more for this service though, so it’s worth looking at a few different places to see if the charges are any different.

Brimming

Brimming refers to when you rent a car it has a tank full of fuel and one of the stipulations is that you return it with a full tank. Knowing this, many rental companies have petrol stations located near them. But they often charge a premium here – which can cost you a small fortune.

Make sure to avoid spending loads of fuel by finding a petrol station a few miles out from where you’re returning the car. You’ll save money by paying less for the fuel – and still be able to return it with a full tank.

Check insurance

Most rental companies offer their own insurance with the hire of a car, which is a good thing. However, they also offer a lot of unnecessary extras such as injury cover. Although this seems a good thing – if you have travel insurance you will usually be covered by this.

So it’s definitely worth having a look at all the extras and deciding which you need or don’t need. Another thing to look out for is any upgrades. It’s easy to be enticed by something, but unless it specifically states that it’s free – don’t go for it. Cheap car rental is about checking all the fine print.

One of the best things that you can do in order to get cheap car rentals while abroad is to do your research ahead of time. Easy Rent Cars are a leading car hire specialist who work in over 200 countries. You can compare thousands of different car rental companies and save yourself money by finding the cheapest one for you.  

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