For most of us, the basis of car rental in Europe is the journey, not the destination. We spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to be able to see everything we want in the least amount of time available. A rental car is perfect for this, what it is made for and what you should use it for. Although I am not against taking a train from one place to another (especially after a long drive), I constantly find myself looking out the window wondering “Hey, what’s there?”
Of course, the destination is a factor when choosing our itinerary. Equally important is the starting point. Not only can the beginning and end of your car rental save you money, but if you make the wrong choice, it can also be the beginning and end of your vacation.
First of all, if possible, try to pick up your rental car in the city. In some countries, this can be the difference between fifty and five hundred dollars or more. In some places, it’s just not worth it, as the airport can be 20 kilometers or more from the city center with little to no public transportation. In other places, like Rome’s Fiumicino (or Leonardo da Vinci) airport, there is a train between the airport and the city’s main station. And in some places the airport is practically in the city. Common places where you will find a flat rate for airport pickups are France, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, and the UK. In Germany, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria it is usually a percentage, between 10% and 17%. In Holland, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe you can go either way. Please note that this is for the major car rental providers and does not cover all of them. Always be sure to ask if the airport surcharge is included and if it is a percentage or a flat rate, and if it does not apply if you pick up in the city. Also, it’s good to note that if you pick up in town to avoid a fee, you can usually still drop off at an airport without paying the surcharge.
Picking up downtown will not always save you a fee, although it generally reduces it anyway. Train stations sometimes have a surcharge (Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium) and if you pick up at a “Premium Location” like Russell Square in London or Haddington Way in Dublin, you will also have to pay a fee. Additionally, some port offices also require payment, either independently or for a “meet and greet” situation, where the office is out of range for agents to wait for you at the dock. Again, be sure to ask if there is a fee if you are picking up at a station of any kind.
In addition to saving money, convenience is always a stumbling block when deciding where to pick up your rental car. If you don’t dare to drive in a big city, but want to save money, you have a couple of options. For one thing, you can always pick up outside of a busy but still “downtown” area, but this alternative comes at the cost of having to get there, which is fine if you already have your hotel close by. You can also find a rental place that is close to a freeway access ramp, which is particularly good if you need the rental car not for the city you will be in, but for the one you need to get to. A mapping program that uses the Internet is, of course, invaluable in this search. Get your hotel directions and available pickup locations, and choose the one that’s most convenient for you.
Lastly, it is important to know what locations are available on the way to your destination. If you need to add an additional driver in the middle of your trip, or need to change your car for any reason, then knowing where you can choose will help you optimize your time and money. There’s no point going back if you can do the same moving forward, right? It is a good idea to have the phone numbers of the locations you will be dealing with, as well as a central office number for additional inquiries. Try to use a service that has 24-hour support. The locations may not always be open, but you can at least reach out to someone who can inform you of your options. Oh, and try not to get involved with a rental location that is part of a gas station, restaurant, hair salon, or any other mall business other than car rental. Although many of the major vendors have locations like this with their name on them, they are dealerships, independently owned subsidiaries, and here you will find the shadiest employees and worst service. However, this is just common sense.
In conclusion, we all know that getting there is half the fun. But the other 50% depends on the beginning and the end. If you know where you are before you try to move on, you will arrive safely.