Car rental abroad: compare prices and save up to 40%
Booking through a comparison site costs 20 to 40% less than going directly to Hertz or Avis. Here you will find the cheapest car rental per destination, what a week of driving costs and how to avoid the insurance trap.
What is car rental abroad?
Car rental abroad means hiring a car from a rental company at your holiday destination. You travel flexibly without depending on bus timetables and can reach places that are barely accessible by public transport. Popular destinations include the Greek islands, the Algarve (Faro) in Portugal and the Sicily coastal route.
How to compare car rental abroad
Use a comparison site that searches multiple rental companies at once. DiscoverCars compares more than 500 suppliers worldwide and shows the total price including insurance, so you face no surprises at the desk. Find the cheapest car rental per airport in just a few clicks.
Popular destinations for car rental
- Spain (Malaga, Barcelona, Alicante) Cheapest car rental in Europe: small car from €20/day outside peak season. Great for the Costa del Sol or a road trip through Andalusia.
- Portugal (Lisbon, Faro, Porto) The Algarve is practically unreachable without a car. From Faro Airport you reach the best beaches in 20 minutes. Price: €25-45/day.
- Greece (Crete, Rhodes, Kos) A car is essential on the islands. Crete is large: without a car you miss Samaria Gorge and Balos Beach. Cost: €30-60/day in low season, €60-120/day in July/August.
- Italy (Rome, Catania, Palermo) Avoid city centres (ZTL zones fine foreign plates), but for rural Sicily or the Amalfi Coast a car is ideal. Price: €30-70/day.
- Morocco (Marrakech, Agadir) International driving permit required. Self-driving gives freedom to explore the Atlas Mountains and desert routes. Local suppliers are cheaper than international chains.
What does car rental abroad cost?
Prices vary widely by country, season and car class. These are realistic ballpark figures:
- Southern Europe, low season Small car (Seat Ibiza class): €20-35/day. Week: €140-245 including basic insurance.
- Greek islands, peak season (July/Aug) Even a small car costs €60-120/day on popular islands such as Santorini and Mykonos. Book at least 6 weeks ahead.
- Automatic transmission 30 to 50% more expensive than manual in Europe. Reserve early if you need an automatic: they are the first to sell out.
- Extra costs to watch for Young driver surcharge (21-24, approx. €8-15/day), additional driver (approx. €5/day), child seat (approx. €10/day), GPS (skip it: use Google Maps on your phone).
Insurance for car rental abroad
Third-party liability is always included. But the excess in case of damage is high: €500 to €2,000. Two ways to cover this:
- Desk insurance The rental company offers CDW/full cover at the desk for €10-25/day. Expensive but simple.
- Annual excess-waiver (recommended) Take out a separate policy with Allianz or Insurance4Carhire: around €50-80/year, covering all your car rental trips. Better value if you rent more than once a year.
What do you need for car rental abroad?
- Valid driving licence Held for at least 1 year. Within the EU your Dutch licence is enough. Outside the EU (Morocco, Turkey, US, Thailand) an international driving permit is often required: apply at the ANWB or AA (approx. €17).
- Credit card in your name Required to block the excess as a deposit. Some suppliers accept a debit card but the choice is more limited.
- Passport or ID card Your ID must match the name on the driving licence and the booking.
- Minimum age 21 Young drivers (21-24) pay a surcharge. Under 21 renting is not possible with most companies.
Tips to save money
- Book 4 to 8 weeks ahead The sweet spot. In the last 7 days before departure prices rise 50 to 100%.
- Choose full-to-full fuel policy Always cheaper than full-to-empty. With full-to-empty you pay for fuel already in the tank that you cannot fully use up.
- Skip the rental GPS Do not rent a GPS from the rental company (unnecessary, approx. €8/day). Google Maps on your phone does the same.
- Pick up outside the airport Airports charge a 10 to 15% surcharge. A pickup in the city centre or at the train station is cheaper, but factor in the taxi cost.
Frequently asked questions about car rental abroad
What do I need to rent a car abroad?
You need a valid driving licence (held for at least 1 year), a credit card in your name and a passport or ID card. Outside the EU, an international driving permit may also be required in some countries.
What is the minimum age for car rental abroad?
Most rental companies require a minimum age of 21. If you are between 21 and 24, they often charge a young driver surcharge of 5 to 15 euros per day.
Is an international driving permit required?
Within the EU your regular driving licence is sufficient. Outside the EU (Morocco, Thailand, the US, Turkey) an international driving permit is required or strongly recommended. Apply at the ANWB or an AA/RAC office.
How much does car rental abroad cost on average?
In Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Greece) a small car starts from 20 to 35 euros per day. In peak season or on popular islands prices can reach 60 to 100 euros per day. Using a comparison site like DiscoverCars you typically save 20 to 40% versus booking directly with Hertz or Avis.
What insurance is included in car rental abroad?
Third-party liability is always included, but the excess in case of damage can be 500 to 2,000 euros. Buy supplemental cover via an annual excess-waiver policy (around 50 euros per year) instead of the expensive desk insurance (10 to 25 euros per day).