Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
through a middleman, it can be more challenging to resolve disputes that arise
with the rental agency.
Regardless of the car-rental company you choose, always read the contract
carefully. The fine print can conceal a host of common add-on charges—such
as one-way drop-off fees, airport surcharges, or mandatory insurance
policies—that aren't included in the “total price,” but can be tacked on when
you pick up your car. You may need to query rental agents pointedly to find
out your actual cost.
For the best deal, rent by the week with unlimited mileage. To save money
on fuel, ask for a diesel car. I normally rent the smallest, least-expensive mod-
el with a stick shift (cheaper than an automatic). An automatic transmission
adds about 50 percent to the car-rental cost over a manual transmission. Al-
most all rentals are manual by default, so if you need an automatic, you must
request one in advance; beware that these cars are usually larger models (not
as maneuverable on narrow, winding roads).
For a three-week rental, allow about $900 per person (based on 2 people
sharing the car) for a small economy car with unlimited mileage, including
tolls, fuel, and insurance. For trips of this length, look into leasing; you'll save
money on insurance and taxes.
Be warned that international trips—say, picking up in Copenhagen and
dropping off in Oslo—can be expensive (it depends partly on distance). As
a rule, always tell your car-rental company up front exactly which countries
you'll be entering. Some companies levy extra insurance fees for trips taken
in certain countries with certain types of cars (such as BMWs, Mercedes, and
convertibles). Double-check with your rental agent that you have all the doc-
umentation you need before you drive off.
You can sometimes get a GPS unit with your rental car or leased vehicle
for an additional fee (around $15/day; be sure it's set to English and has all the
maps you need before you drive off). Or, if you have a portable GPS device at
home, consider taking it with you to Europe (buy and upload European maps
before your trip). GPS apps are also available for smartphones, but download-
ing maps on one of these apps in Europe could lead to an exorbitant data-
roaming bill (for more details, see the sidebar on here ) .
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