Travelling with kids: tips for stress-free car rental
Cruising along the Pacific Coast, stopping to explore unspoiled coves and take hundreds of photos of the dramatic scenery was one of the highlights of our road trip to California. The same goes for driving through the mountain roads of Gran Canaria.
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And neither would have been possible if we hadn’t rented a car. But after years travelling with my daughter, working out my tricks for flying with a baby, packing for family travel, essential hand luggage toys, and even how to get a jetlagged pre-schooler from A to B during a long-haul flight, car hire abroad can still be one of the most stressful parts of the holiday.
Everyone’s heard the tales of being stung with extra charges or ripped off by less reputable firms on your return. But there are a few things you can do for stress-free car rental.
1. Do your research
As well as comparing reviews, remember that the biggest may not always be best – especially if that means huge queues after a long flight.
Don’t forget the small print either: are there staggeringly high fuel costs or unexpectedly big deposits on your credit card, tying up your available funds?
Some companies insist you show your fuel receipts when you return the car, and will charge for a full tank if you don’t (whatever the gauge reads).
One of my favourite sites for car hire is Zest Car Rental or you can compare car rental at Discover Cars
2. Work out the total
Once you add in extras for second drivers, child seats, satnav, excess waiver fees, the final bill can rocket – so it’s worth checking the total, rather than just the price per day.
Not all companies will put them on the website in advance, so if you can’t find out, consider if you want to take the risk. Or pack your own if you don’t want to blow all your data on Google maps.
3. Avoid the extras
For babies and older pre-schoolers, it’s definitely worth bringing your own car seat or booster. At smaller rental locations, you may not be guaranteed the size you want and you’re certainly not guaranteed decent quality or condition.
Our Bubblebum inflatable booster was a godsend while the Trunki Boostapak is another good option. Purchasing car hire excess insurance policy in advance can cost a lot less too – and helps counter the inevitable upsell.
4. Check the local laws
That means everything from whether you need an International Driver’s Licence or just your photocard, to what compulsory equipment you need in each country – some even insist on certain things inside the car.
For more of my tips for road trips with kids, check out my posts on everything from planning and packing to road trip activities and snacks
5. Doublecheck everything
The last thing you want to do with jetlag is to have to go over the car with a fine toothcomb – but if there’s unrecorded damage, the cost could land at your door.
Point out any scratches and scuffs as well as checking the wheels and tyres, and it’s worth taking a video (use your phone so it’s timed and dated) when you collect and drop it back.
It goes without saying that you should read the contract carefully in case any extras have crept back on – once you’ve signed, it’s binding.
6. Don’t relax straight away
Handed the keys over? Keep an eye on your credit card statement when you’re back too… just in case.
PIN FOR LATER: TIPS FOR STRESS-FREE CAR RENTAL
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
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Hiring a car abroad is a very frustrating job..I have been stung with extra charges in past..It is very important to do a detailed research before going out for it..These tips are very interesting..Thanks!!
Thanks – I think the more checking you can do in advance, the better. Definitely not the most fun part of planning a holiday!
Great tips and gorgeous photos. We are big fans of taking along your own car seats too…I’m always surprised by the cost of hiring them (and often the condition of them in hire cars too).
Thank you! It’s been so tricky for those in between years where she was too old for a more portable baby car seat but too little for a booster – group 1 seats are a bit unwieldy, especially when I’m on my own. even when they’re in decent condition, it’s never fun wrestling with an unfamiliar model after a flight, and we’ve definitely had some distinctly unimpressive ones. And the cost is extortionate – often it would be cheaper to buy one, if only you could get from the airport to a shop without them.
These are great tips for hiring a car. We hired a car last year and had not taken into account you would have to pay for additional drivers x
Thanks! It’s amazing how much the extras add up.
Some really good tips in this post and when my sister took my nephew on holiday, I was shocked at how much it was to hire a car seat, exorbitant x
Thank you! It’s incredible how much they charge sometimes – it would be cheaper to buy a new seat…
Really useful tips. I hate hiring cars abroad- it really gives me a headache. All those extra charges and waivers too!
Thanks – and definitely, I think it sometimes feels like you’ve found a good deal, relax and then BAM extras, extras, extras…
Great tips, I really wish we had traveled more when our children were younger. Beautiful pictures 🙂
Thanks! I’m frantically trying to squeeze in everything I can…
Fantastic photos and advice x
Thanks
Great tips Cathy. We have been stung a few times with extra hidden costs, particularly in the US
Thanks – it seems to happen to a lot of people.
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? – how on earth did my parents manage? lol Great tips xx
Haha, those tips are a whole different post!
Reading this and relating! Queuing for hire cars at the other end and poor quality car seats are things you don’t think about! Handy advice as always Cathy!
Thanks! There’s nothing worse than a big queue for the car when all you want to do is get on with the holiday!
Lots of useful stuff here. We also always take lots of photos of the car before we leave the car park. Not only does it help if you are accused of damage on return, if you are touring in places that have huge car parks, it helps you identify your unfamiliar vehicle. In places like Dubai where all the cars are silver or white and all the car parks massive this is quite good!
Thank you – and that’s a very good point, I hadn’t thought of that bonus.
I have not thought about car rental before but after our car issues on holiday I would consider it now
Oh no, have just read about your car – what a nightmare, I hope you can get it fixed (and that the tips might come in useful)
My mummy is always too nervous about a hiring car abroad, local laws and dangerous roads always put her off. Great tips though x
There are definitely some countries I wouldn’t fancy driving in too (Egypt, China…) – thanks!
Great tips and awesome photos!
Thank you!
Great tips – especially about watching the extras – it can really add up. Also, car hire on an island such as Menorca is SO much more expensive. Kaz x
That’s a good point – smaller locations and destinations would be pricier when there’s less choice.