How to rent a car in Europe: hot topics and practical guides on the Internet in the past 10 days
Recently, the popularity of European travel continues to rise, and renting a car and driving yourself has become a popular choice. The following is a European car rental guide compiled based on hot topics across the Internet in the past 10 days. It covers policies, prices, precautions and other structured data to help you plan your itinerary easily.
1. Top 5 hot topics for car rental in Europe (last 10 days)
| Ranking | topic | focus of discussion |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New energy vehicle rental | Charging pile coverage/cost comparison |
| 2 | Cross-border return restrictions | Schengen Area Policy Update |
| 3 | New rules for driver’s license certification | 2024 IDP requirements |
| 4 | Hidden costs exposed | Insurance/Cleaning Fee Disputes |
| 5 | Road conditions in niche countries | Iceland/Malta actual test |
2. Comparison of mainstream car rental platforms
| platform | Average daily price (€) | Countries covered | Special services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sixt | 45-120 | 28 countries | Rich range of luxury cars |
| Europcar | 35-90 | 37 countries | Long term lease offer |
| Hertz | 40-110 | 31 countries | Gold members skip the line |
| Localrent | 25-70 | Mainly Eastern Europe | Private car owner direct rental |
3. Must-know car rental process
1.Document preparation: Chinese driver’s license + notarized English translation (or international driver’s license IDP). Some countries such as Italy and Spain require double authentication.
2.Vehicle selection:
| car model | Suitable for the scene | Average daily price (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Compact | city shuttle | 35-60 |
| SUV | Self-driving in mountainous areas | 70-130 |
| electric car | eco-friendly travel | 50-100 |
3.Insurance options: Basic insurance usually includes CDW (collision insurance), but the claim amount may be as high as €1,500, and additional comprehensive insurance can be reduced to €0-€300.
4. Special tips for popular countries
| country | Speed limit(km/h) | Essential equipment | Fine high frequency items |
|---|---|---|---|
| germany | Unlimited (some high-speed) | Reflective vest | Not purchased environmental stickers |
| france | 130(Highway) | Breathalyzer | ZTL restricted area intrusion |
| Switzerland | 120(Highway) | highway annual pass | Failure to yield to pedestrians |
5. Saving money skills (latest actual test)
1.Returning the car to another place: You can save €150-€400 by choosing to return the car in the same city. For example, Paris → Lyon is 62% cheaper than Paris → Marseille.
2.gas cost strategy: Oil prices in Eastern European countries are generally 30% lower than in Western Europe. Fill up the tank in Slovakia/Hungary before crossing the border.
3.Hide offers: Booking through price comparison platforms (such as Rentalcars) can be 15% lower than the official website price, but please pay attention to the cancellation policy.
6. Emergency handling
•Accident alarm: EU general emergency number 112, you need to obtain the other party’s license plate and insurance company information
•vehicle breakdown: Confirm the rescue phone number in the rental contract, unofficial assistance may incur high fees
With these latest developments in hand, your European self-driving trip will be smoother. It is recommended to reserve a vehicle 2 months before departure, as prices may increase by more than 50% during peak season (June-August).
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