Before you book that vacation to Europe, make sure sure you book a rental car too.  Depending on where your final travels take you, you may not necessarily need or want a rental car, but it is still a good option to have one should you need it. 

Do I Really Need a Rental Car?

You can travel around Europe by train, foot, bicycle, taxi or hitch hike, but if you are interested in venturing out on your own, renting a car affords you the freedom to go exploring.   While you are planning your trip, you need to research your destination and know what kind of mass transportation is available as well as what rental car offices are nearby.

Size Matters

In Dallas, TX, a “full-size” car is a Dodge Intrepid which seats five people.  On the other hand, in London, the equivalent of the same vehicle would be the “standard-size” Ford Mondeo, which seats four people.  When you rent vehicles in Europe (or any other country, for that matter),  the size of the vehicle is an important factor as it will determine what type of vehicle will best suit your needs.  This is why you also need to keep in mind how many people you will be travelling with as well as how much luggage you will have.  If you’re planning on going off-road and touring the pastures, you may want a vehicle that is more roomy. 

Shifting Gears 

Do you know how to drive a stick shift?  Among the many differences between the United States and Europe, many European cars are smaller and do not use automatic shift.  And even if you do know how to drive stick shift, sometimes the interior of the cars are set up differently, forcing you to figure out how to put the car in reverse.  There are many car rental agencies in the United States that have offices in Europe, but if you’re unsure, contact your local travel agent and they will be able to assist you. 

License to Drive

Some countries require international travelers to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) when they rent a car.  IDPs function as temporary drivers licenses and are typically valid for one year.  Countries such as Italy require this of people who rent vehicles.  Don’t let any of this discourage you, however.  Make sure you do your research before traveling abroad; it will save you a headache in the end.

If your travels ever take you to Raleigh, NC, make sure to visit Triangle Rent-A-Car for all of your auto rental needs!

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