Because your next international road trip should be easy and fun.
The drive from Oslo to Bergen , Norway is the kind of beautiful that threatens to ruin any other route trip you might once have found breathtaking . You ’ll hang to muckle roads over right-down drops to ice blue fjords , hand through on the face of it endless tunnel , and crossbreed the rugged , isolated terrain of Hardangervidda National Park . And yet , as with many other international effort , the same things that make this path worthwhile ( the mountainous terrain , the purdah , the unexpected twist and turns ) also make it feel a small wild than driving at rest home . After all , driving abroad mean you ’ll need to rent a cable car , pilot through unfamiliar surroundings , and be prepared for anything the route might throw at you . It ’s not a bad thing , but it ’s going to take a slight more provision and an fearless attitude . So how exactly should you gear up ?
depend on your name and address , there are a figure of key questions to view before you hit the road in a rented solidification of wheel . Will you need an international driving permit ? What are the traffic laws you should sleep together ? Are you cut through in case of an accident ? And of path , the classic enquiry : How do you avoid getting pull off ?
We ca n’t promise everlasting conditions , or even complete road , but we can assure to get you commence on your overseas car rental journey — and we can reassure you it ’s worth the endeavor , especially for those who prefer to take the road less traveled . Renting a car abroad can be such a fun fashion to research a new country , so ensure you get started veracious . Here are a few pourboire to make your foreign car rental as hassle - free as possible .
Flickr/iceninejon
Norway’s Golden Road Is the New Golden Circle
A true mountain-escape road trip.
Get an International Driving Permit if necessary
The first stride is determine whether or not the country that you ’re chatter requires an International Driving Permit ( IDP ) . Show up without one and you could get wrick around at the rental counter . And , since no two countries are the same when it issue forth to drive laws , the US State Department paint a picture check out with theembassy of your destination countrybefore you go .
Fortunately , obtaining an IDP is somewhat easy . Currently , U.S. travelers can enforce for these throughAAA , either by mail or in someone . You ’ll have to supply two passport - style pic , a valid equipment driver ’s license ( in soul ) or a photocopy of your licence ( by mail ) , as well as pay a $ 20 fee . The permission will be valid for up to a full twelvemonth , but must be issued within six months of your tripper . Just recollect : A permit does not exchange your government - issued number one wood ’s licence , so be sure to carry your recommendation and number one wood ’s license at all times , in addition to the IDP .
Learn the rules of the road
Every country has its own driving rules so it ’s sassy to do some basic prep on your finish before you ever climb behind the rack — particularly if say wheel is n’t on the side of the car that you ’re habitual to .
In many land , you ’ll demand to know how to drive a manual transmission ( or be prepared to pay a premium for an automatic vehicle ) , and in some billet ( England , Ireland , and Australia , for exemplar ) you ’ll also postulate to learn how to beat back on the leftover side of the road . It ’s also good to read up on the form of traffic , road experimental condition , and access you ’re potential to chance . For good example , São Paulo , Brazilis bonk for its acute dealings , while remote sphere ofPatagoniamight offer isolated roads without other drivers — but also without closely - spaced flatulency stations .
And address of gas , do n’t forget that it can be A LOT more expensive in other country . The websiteGlobalPetrolPrices.comcan provide a spry price check on rural area fuel prices so you’re able to come up with a budget before you leave .
Compare rates between U.S. and local rental car agencies
It might be tempting to go with conversant American rental car agencies like Hertz , enterprisingness , and Avis , but be certain to check out all your options before you sink on a specific office . While these companies are commodious and operate in many unlike countries abroad , their rates can be more expensive than local or home agencies . You ’ll require to compare rates online through website likeKayakorExpediabefore make a decisiveness . Also , be aware of holiday and other peak holidaymaker - time of year pricing .
There are a few ways to lay aside money when renting abroad : first , strength pricing may be offered through your air hose or a travel membership curriculum , like AAA . secondly , If you have some flexibility in your traveling schedule , it ’s not uncommon for local bureau to extend walk - in inspection and repair for short - term and weekend car rentals . It may pay to wait until you arrive to book . And finally , thanks to the sharing economy , there are a number of popular trip and hinge on portion selection in Europe , includingBlaBlaCarandLiftshare .
Money-Saving Secrets Car Rental Companies Don’t Want You to Know
Gas is expensive, rental cars have shortages—don’t get ripped off even more.
Make sure you’re covered in case of accident, theft, or other car troubles
Your personal car insurance policy probably wo n’t cover a rental motorcar abroad , let alone an chance event in a foreign area . That ’s why it ’s crucial to get canonical indemnity ( at least ! ) and make certain you read the fine photographic print so you ’re well - poetise in what precisely that insurance policy really covers . It ’s also deserving expect if the agency offer a zero - deductible collision damage waiver ( CDW ) . It ’s probably expensive , but it will give you peace of idea if there ’s an fortuity or issue on the road .
You might also need to ask about a loss and damage waiver ( LDW ) and theft tribute . These may be secondary considerations , but they can be mandatory in some countries where vehicle theft is more common .
One affair to note before you agree to the rental elevator car troupe ’s indemnity , however , is that some travel credit cards offer outside insurance coverage . If your card provides external reportage , it could be your sleazy alternative , so definitely take a look . If you do have insurance coverage with your credit card , read the fine mark and ensure there are no specific article and exclusions to financial obligation insurance coverage .
Flickr/Tony Webster
Download GPS apps you can use offline
Using a GPS at home is childlike , but you ’ll want to download someGPS appsfor traveling that you’re able to use abroad when cell service may be spotty or nonexistent — or just really expensive . Google Maps , of course , is a well - have it away classic for driving anywhere , but you’re able to also download offline maps through the app . These are n’t always fantastically detailed , so you might desire to take hold of a backup offline map app just in case .
Your options includeCitymapper , a complimentary app that give way you all of your transit options , including gondola , subway , taxi , bike , and walk routes in select cities like London , Singapore , Mexico City , and Paris . If you plug in a specific trip when you have service , you ’ll be able tostar it for offline enjoyment . There are also premium GPS route apps that give turn - by - turn driving directions without using precious data . Sygic GPS NavigationandNavmiiare two that come preloaded with drive entropy , alert you to any construction , fomite tolls , and border hybridizing total up ahead .
Shutterstock/lkpro
Flickr/Hakan Dahlstrom
Sixt
Unsplash/Mert Kahveci
