Hints for Car Hire in Western Europe

1 Do you really need a car? If you prefer a multi location holiday having a car will give you more flexibility. If your accommodation is not close to your arrival airport it may be a bonus to have the car for the transfer. If you are staying a more rural location it may be useful to have your own transport.

2 Are you a fairly confident driver? Are going to a nervous wreck, worrying about each days drive? For example in Italy you will probably be honked at quite a bit, can you just shrug it off? I don't find that driving on the right hand side of the road is an issue, especially when you are in a left hand drive car.3 Make sure that you have comprehensive insurance cover. Many rental companies so - called inclusive cover can often leave you with an excess of several hundred euros. As I hire a car in Europe several times a year I purchased an annual insurance cover for around £50. If you don't hire a car frequently then you can pay an additional amount per day, around £2 sterling, with Holiday Autos.

with Auto Europe some prices are quoted with a excess refund included. Check if there is an extra charge for additional drivers.4 Check if there is parking available at your accommodation.

Some hotels charge for this. Will there be on street parking fairly close to your accommodation?.5 Invest a decent road map for the area(s) you are visiting and plan your routes in advance. Make a note of the road numbers and the towns along the way to your destination.6 Be alert for road signs. I find that the roads signs are not as large and clear and don't give as much advance warning of junctions as in the UK.

7 Try to avoid city centres. Park in the outskirts and walk or get a bus in to the centre.

By: Karen Bryan