Dos and Dont's of Renting a Car Abroad

DO: READ UP ON LOCAL ROAD RULES

Whether it’the lack of speed limits on the autobahn or driving on the other side of the road in England, it is best to research some rules before you get there.While the best way to learn is to do, it is still better to know the basics beforehand to avoid surprises.

DON'T: ASSUME IT'S THE SAME AS AT HOME

Don’t think that just because you can drive at home you can drive anywhere.  Every country is different, and while this difference may seem subtle, they can mean the difference between safe and unsafe.

DO: TRAVEL OFF THE BEATEN PATH

If you are going to rent a car, take advantage of the fact that you can really go anywhere and everywhere.  Make it a point to go to places that you could not reach by plane or train.  Find tiny villages, explore mountain roads, and discover hidden sights.

DON'T: STRETCH YOURSELF TOO THIN

It is easy to get carried away and make too many plans.  However, you don’t want to spend your whole trip in the car, and you don’t want to exhaust yourself with driving.  Try to spread out long trips, make lots of stops, and explore smaller areas more in depth.  

DO: THINK ABOUT THE MUSIC

You should never miss an opportunity to give your travels a soundtrack.  It can add so much to an experience.  Consider the music you will want to listen to on your journey and plan and pack accordingly.  Radio is also always an option (I spent my time in the Alps listening to a classical music station and loved every minute of it).

DON'T: PAY FOR GPS

It can be tempting to pay for the pricey GPS from the rental company, but you don’t need to. You can use Google maps on your phone, and do so without using any (or very little) data.  You should also never underestimate a good traditional map. Don't waste your money.

DO: RESEARCH HOW TO PAY FOR GAS

This seems like such an odd thing to have to research, but when you are running on empty and can’t find a place that will accept your swipe credit card (happened to me), it turns out to be a huge deal.  Do your research and make sure you can buy gas easily.  A word of advice, if going to Europe, get a card with a chip in it.

DON'T: FORGET ABOUT TOLLS

Tolls can pop up a lot when road tripping, and they can add up quickly.  Look at your routes.  Consider setting your navigation to avoid tolls all together.  It may take a little longer, but it will save you some money.  If you will be using toll roads, make sure you have enough money (usually cash) to pay for them.