Some of us feel that the only real way to travel and explore an area is by car and if that is on holiday it may involve us in car hire.
Occasionally, you may hear people saying that they would love to hire a car on holiday but are a little inhibited about doing so, believing it to be complicated.
In fact:
• in much of the developed world, car hire is relatively easy to arrange, particularly if you choose to do so in advance from the comfort of your own home;
• the best car hire deals for someone else may not necessarily be the best for you, so it may be advisable to take the time to think carefully about your requirements and then to shop around;
• the position with respect to insurance and driving regulations may vary from country to country (although there are broad similarities between most of them) and it may help your enjoyment once you are there, if you take the time to do some modest advance internet research on the rules and regulations that apply in the country you are planning to visit;
• keep in mind that, although the attractions of smaller vehicles and their economies may be clear, on holiday you may be covering larger distances and might appreciate the additional space and leg room that a slightly larger model may bring;
• the freedom that car hire may provide you with on holiday, may be best exploited if you read up on your destination area and plan some itineraries in advance;
• rental cars are typically available at most major points of arrival in a country or a city – in some cases, it may be possible to have one delivered to your hotel at the specified date and time (though collections and deliveries may involve you in additional charges);
• typically, you will need to have your driving licence and possibly passport/identity card available at the time you collect the vehicle, both to prove that you are legally entitled to drive it and your identity;
• if you are taking children with you, remember that in some countries you may be legally obliged to ensure that they sit in approved and secured special car seats – these are typically available, upon request, from rental companies;
• it may sound obvious in terms of holiday car hire but remember to be realistic about the mileage/kilometrage you plan for your expeditions – some countries are vast and in your desire to see everything, it is sometimes easy to be over-ambitious with a day’s itinerary!
