Whether you are traveling for leisure or work, finding the right transportation to get you to your destination is one thing, but sorting out how you are going to get around at your location is a separate challenge altogether. Not everyone has the luxury of having a dedicated company car and a chauffeur, and it’s not always convenient to rely on trains and buses. Especially if you are traveling with luggage and valuables, or you have your family with you, having to shuffle through public transport can be a hassle. Depending on where you are going, public transport may or may not be economically viable as well for people who need to move around a lot.
There is always the option of using taxis, and taxi apps do make this more cost-effective, but what if you need to travel to a remote location where you can’t get a taxi? Secondly, you are also bound by the availability of a taxi, and it does compromise your privacy to quite a degree. This leaves you with the option of getting a rental that will grant you the freedom to do what you like when you like it. Here are a few tips to help you find the best vehicle rental for your needs.
1. Look Online
When looking for car rentals, you can consider asking around, but the internet is a free source that will give you more accurate and up-to-date information. Any reputable car rental service will have a website and will be available online to discuss your scenario. There are a number of websites that specialize in providing information about car rental services. This is extremely useful if you are looking for services in another country. You can have a look at the fleet, the rental options, and even discuss pricing through email. Moreover, you can make arrangements to have a car ready to pick you as soon as you arrive to streamline your adventure even further.
2. Use Memberships
A lot of large corporations, even those that are not directly related to the travel and tourism industry, often have ties with businesses in the same industry. Banks, airlines, and even retailers may have ties with hotels, tourism services, and other local businesses of their kind in another country. If you have a membership with a business in America, you might find renting a car in Europe easier by leveraging the trade ties these businesses have. If you are a member of any organization of any kind, it’s a good idea to know how this membership can serve you overseas, or even in another demographic within the country. More than just being more economical, you might be eligible for special deals that are only for members.
3. Evaluate Policy
When it comes to things such as when you need to return the car, what your responsibilities are as a renter of the vehicle, and what kind of cover the insurance will provide, most car rentals have the same viewpoint. Though the differences often lie with the more intricate matters, and these can make a big difference. It’s important to go through the general policy and look for things that might be relevant to you. For instance, if you plan on sharing the car with a friend and there is going to be more than one driver, you might want to look into whether or not the car rental charges separately for this. If you are using your own insurance, then you should check what kind of protection your insurance will provide and whether or not the rental company accepts third-party insurances.
4. Driver Requirements
It’s also important to look at driver requirements if you are going overseas to a country that has different road regulations. Especially if they drive on the opposite side of the road, require a specialized license, or require local vehicle insurance. You don’t want to reach your destination and realize that you don’t have the proper documentation to rent a vehicle there.
Even though renting a car with a driver can be more expensive, if you are renting for a long period of time, it might work out to be cheaper to have a driver. Especially if you are in a country where you aren’t qualified to drive, having a dedicated driver can solve that problem. Not only will it reduce the worry of having to drive and keep the vehicle safe, but it’s also a lot easier to get around with someone who knows the place. Additionally, it’s a good idea to reach out to a few different rentals and discuss your situation with them before you finalize an option.
