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Car rental in Europe
Posted on 4/15/24 at 1:08 pm
Posted on 4/15/24 at 1:08 pm
Heading to Europe in a few weeks and I was wondering if anyone had any do/don't/suggestions when renting a car. I'll be needing 2 separate rentals and (based on the research I've already done) plan on returning the cars back to the same originating city/country to avoid the surcharges.
Plan is to rent a car in Munich and use it for Munich and Austria. Then fly from Munich to either Amsterdam or Brussels. We'll use a car in that area before returning it and taking a train to Paris. Currently undecided about transportation in and around Paris, but leaning towards public transportation.
I'm looking for suggestions on whether it's better to use a site such as autoeurope.eu (or.com) vs the actual rental company's site. Also, I don't typically pay for the insurance on domestic rentals. For piece of mind, should that be considered for Europe?
I'll add that I know many of the cars are standards and that doesn't bother me since that's what I grew up driving.
Plan is to rent a car in Munich and use it for Munich and Austria. Then fly from Munich to either Amsterdam or Brussels. We'll use a car in that area before returning it and taking a train to Paris. Currently undecided about transportation in and around Paris, but leaning towards public transportation.
I'm looking for suggestions on whether it's better to use a site such as autoeurope.eu (or.com) vs the actual rental company's site. Also, I don't typically pay for the insurance on domestic rentals. For piece of mind, should that be considered for Europe?
I'll add that I know many of the cars are standards and that doesn't bother me since that's what I grew up driving.
This post was edited on 4/16/24 at 10:28 pm
7
Posted on 4/15/24 at 1:12 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
I had a very hard time figuring out how to get out of the rental car garage in the Munich airport, but other than that it was smooth sailing. I got the insurance for piece of mind. Driving around Austria was very easy. The cars should all have on-board nav if you don't pay for data to use waze in another country. I couldn't figure out how to change the language, but you can type the address in and just follow the directions. I drove from Munich to Salzburg and all the way to Vienna. It was honestly more stressful driving on I-10 in baton rouge.
Posted on 4/15/24 at 3:09 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
Can you drive a standard? If not, reserve well in advance because automatics are harder to get and are expensive. Edit: I see you answered this
Why do you need a car in Amsterdam? You can take public transport to get to places like Harlem or the tulip fields.
You def need one for Germany/Austria. However, I wouldn't get one until after the first few days. You won't need one while you are just sightseeing in Munich, which I assume is how you will start the trip.
You DEFINITELY do not need or want one in Paris. Just take the metro or taxis anywhere. The Paris metro is worldclass
Why do you need a car in Amsterdam? You can take public transport to get to places like Harlem or the tulip fields.
You def need one for Germany/Austria. However, I wouldn't get one until after the first few days. You won't need one while you are just sightseeing in Munich, which I assume is how you will start the trip.
You DEFINITELY do not need or want one in Paris. Just take the metro or taxis anywhere. The Paris metro is worldclass
This post was edited on 4/15/24 at 3:10 pm
Posted on 4/15/24 at 3:16 pm to J Murdah
Thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards the extra $100 or so for piece of mind also. Glad to hear I-10 is a more stressful drive than Munich and Austria.
Posted on 4/15/24 at 3:36 pm to Fun Bunch
Yep, standard isn't an issue as I'm used to them.
We're not staying in Amsterdam. Just using it or Brussels as the airport for that portion of the trip (depending on airfare/rental prices). We will be spending several days in the general area (Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, Hague, etc) and staying with family near Antwerp.
We plan on being in Munich for 2 nights, jus not sure if it'll be 2 nights immediately or split up. Definitely not a bad idea to just use public transit the first day (or 2) and pick up a car on our way out of the city en route to Salzburg.
Thank you for the info on Paris. We were leaning towards just using metro there as it'll mostly just be sight-seeing in the city with a couple tours.
We're not staying in Amsterdam. Just using it or Brussels as the airport for that portion of the trip (depending on airfare/rental prices). We will be spending several days in the general area (Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, Hague, etc) and staying with family near Antwerp.
We plan on being in Munich for 2 nights, jus not sure if it'll be 2 nights immediately or split up. Definitely not a bad idea to just use public transit the first day (or 2) and pick up a car on our way out of the city en route to Salzburg.
Thank you for the info on Paris. We were leaning towards just using metro there as it'll mostly just be sight-seeing in the city with a couple tours.
Posted on 4/15/24 at 4:05 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
I have rented cars in France and Italy in recent years. Liability insurance came automatically with the car and any other insurance, such as collision, I got for free from my credit card company.
Get an international driver’s license in the US before you leave. You can get them from AAA on Causeway Blvd even if you are not a member.
Definitely do not get a rental car while you are in Paris because it is not necessary and parking and traffic are nightmares. I rented one in Paris but drove straight to Normandy.
I just got back from Paris. We took the metro everywhere we couldn’t walk to unless it was raining in which case we took a cab. Easy.
Get an international driver’s license in the US before you leave. You can get them from AAA on Causeway Blvd even if you are not a member.
Definitely do not get a rental car while you are in Paris because it is not necessary and parking and traffic are nightmares. I rented one in Paris but drove straight to Normandy.
I just got back from Paris. We took the metro everywhere we couldn’t walk to unless it was raining in which case we took a cab. Easy.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:38 am to Tiger_n_Texas
Not sure which airline you are using, but check the cost of renting through them. I find it cheaper renting through AA at MUC.
You will need to get a vignette before you cross into Austria. Buy them at a gas station on A8 or at the border immediately before crossing. There is a map at the link below that shows which roads are covered by the vignette.
https://www.asfinag.at/en/toll/vignette/
As mentioned above, you will need an International Driving Permit for Austria. They are good for 1 year from the date that you choose.
Where in Austria do you plan to travel?
You will need to get a vignette before you cross into Austria. Buy them at a gas station on A8 or at the border immediately before crossing. There is a map at the link below that shows which roads are covered by the vignette.
https://www.asfinag.at/en/toll/vignette/
As mentioned above, you will need an International Driving Permit for Austria. They are good for 1 year from the date that you choose.
Where in Austria do you plan to travel?
Posted on 4/16/24 at 7:06 am to Tiger_n_Texas
Driving in Europe is so much easier than anything in the US, in my experience. Just watch your speed. I know I got caught with it since the speedometer reads in KMH instead of MPH, and I was doing 65, thinking nothing of it.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 7:45 am to Tiger_n_Texas
I have rented cars in several countries in Europe. Its funny because at home I will rent from whoever is the cheapest, but overseas I always try to rent with Hertz. Maybe it is brand familiarity or whatever, but I have not had a single problem with them.
Get an International Driving Permit before you go. Some say you don't need it, and you probably won't, but it is cheap and good to have.
Do not rent a car in Paris. The metro there is awesome.
Get an International Driving Permit before you go. Some say you don't need it, and you probably won't, but it is cheap and good to have.
Do not rent a car in Paris. The metro there is awesome.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 8:43 am to geauxpurple
Thanks, I'll check my cards and see if any of them offer this benefit.
Thanks for the heads up on the IDP. Looks like Austria is the only county on our list where this is a requirement. I found a AAA about 15 miles away. I'll get that taken care of before we leave.
Thanks for the heads up on the IDP. Looks like Austria is the only county on our list where this is a requirement. I found a AAA about 15 miles away. I'll get that taken care of before we leave.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 8:47 am to 2 Jugs
We're flying Delta and KLM. I'll see if they offer rentals and what the cost may be. I have some decent Delta credits from a price change already.
Thanks for the link and info on the vignette. I knew that was needed in some locations but was getting conflicting information when looking at the rentals. It appears some come with it and some don't.
We're going to Salzburg and Hallstatt for sure. Depending on time we may venture to some other locations.
Thanks for the link and info on the vignette. I knew that was needed in some locations but was getting conflicting information when looking at the rentals. It appears some come with it and some don't.
We're going to Salzburg and Hallstatt for sure. Depending on time we may venture to some other locations.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 8:49 am to Faulk2Tyler
Did the exact same thing in Canada a few years ago. Driving up the west coast watching the scenery and just completely lost track of my speed.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 8:50 am to slinger1317
quote:
Get an International Driving Permit before you go. Some say you don't need it,
He needs one for Austria (not for any of the rest of the countries listed I don't think)
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:09 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
quote:
I knew that was needed in some locations but was getting conflicting information when looking at the rentals. It appears some come with it and some don't.
I have rented a car at MUC 11 times since 2009 and it has never come with a vignette. There is a Serways Rest Area/Gas Station about 14km after you get on A8 headed south toward Austria. There will be instructions on where to stick it to the windshield. I always put it next to the mirror. You will not have to exit the motorway like in the U.S. You will exit the motorway directly into the facility and follow the signs for car parking. You will need coins to use the restrooms at all of the gas stations.
Driving in Germany/Austria is not difficult. On major motorways slower traffic to the left unless you are passing and use your turn signals. Be sure to check for traffic coming from behind you, the Germans do not play around while driving. If there is no/not much construction on A8 towards Salzburg, there may be some stretches of motorway that has the speed limit signs turned off. Be careful, they will be moving along pretty fast in the left lane.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 6:17 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
quote:
Can rental in Europe
Buddy if you can’t afford to purchase your own cans you probably shouldn’t be spending money on a trip to Europe.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 7:27 pm to 2 Jugs
I will add that gassing up in Austria had me worried, but it wasnt all that different either. If my dumbass can figure it out anyone can.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 7:28 pm to Tiger_n_Texas
quote:It is an incredibly scenic drive leaving Salzburg. take your time and soak it all in
We're going to Salzburg and Hallstatt for sure. Depending on time we may venture to some other locations.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 10:29 pm to AbitaFan08
Lol, thanks. Completely missed the typo.
Posted on 4/16/24 at 10:30 pm to 2 Jugs
Thanks for all the tips!
Posted on 4/18/24 at 1:12 am to J Murdah
Buy gas in Austria as much as possible, it's cheaper than in Germany.
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