3 Things Every Traveler Should Know About Renting A Car In A Foreign Country
Posted on: 13 February 2015
You may frequently rent vehicles when you travel here in the US, but auto rentals in a foreign country can be a completely different experience. Many drivers are surprised to discover just how different things can be when you climb into a car far away from home. While most auto rental companies do their best to inform you about the differences and what to expect, it is all too easy for certain details you need to know to get lost in the mix. Here are three things every international traveler should know about renting a car in a different country.
Manual Transmissions Are The Norm In Many Countries
Here at home it may be harder to find a manual transmission than automatic when it comes to rental cars, but the opposite is true in a lot of places. In fact, most European cars are sold with manual transmissions and the same is true when it comes to rental cars. If you have not driven a manual in a while, your trip to a foreign land is not the best time to brush up on your skills. Additionally, consider the fact that in some countries, the shifter is located to your left, which can be confusing in itself. Some rental companies will have the option of an automatic transmission, but the costs can be comparably higher because of lack of availability.
Do Not Expect Air Conditioning
You may rely on the air in a rental car here in the states, but when you step into a rental car in some countries, there is a good chance you will not find an AC button at all. Many foreign rental cars will not be equipped with air either just because it is not normally needed or to keep the car as efficient as possible. Fuel economy is incredibly important to many countries because fuel prices are often much higher than what you know in the US, and therefore, cars are often missing things that could cause higher fuel usage.
Sizing Is Different
What you consider to be a compact car is most likely larger than what the average foreign car rental company will have available. Be careful when you are making reservations for the car that you need because it is easy to be confused by this fact. To ensure you actually know the size of your car, book by passenger seating capabilities instead of the familiar terms you are used to.
When you get the chance to travel to a new country it can be rewarding to have your own means of transportation available. Make sure you know what to expect from your foreign auto rental experience.
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