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How to choose the right hire car for your trip

It’s possible to make exploring a place new more enjoyable with the perfect rental vehicle. Learn how to choose the ideal car to take you on your next excursion.

It could require months of careful planning and meticulous planning, but there are three elements you must have to make sure you have a fantastic driving experience: the perfect car, the best route and the perfect driver or companions. Here’s how you can select the best vehicle for your trip . The rest is yours to decide.
Things to consider prior to you make a decision to rent the car

What car size is right for you?

If you’re planning your family vacation it’s not a good idea to hire an SUV with two seats – regardless of how keen you might be to drop your children at the airport following an exhausting flight. Therefore, ensure that the vehicle you rent includes enough seating for everyone who will be traveling (having passengers sitting on their knees is not an option for children who are very small.).

If you’re booking your car on the internet It should be clear how many seats it has . Smaller cars typically have just two seats at the back, while larger models can include three seats, for instance. If you’re planning to have passengers in the back, consider choosing a car that has at minimum four doors to allow everyone to be able to get in and out quickly.

What size boot will you need?

Think about how much space in the boot you’ll require Be aware that every bag will need to be able to fit into the trunk, as roof boxes and bars aren’t or never an option when you rent cars. The only exception is if you’re skiing You can find an automobile rental that comes with an ice rack.

The idea of putting your luggage in view in the back of your car is not a wise idea since it may draw thieves and could cause a problem for the insurance coverage you have for travel.

Is fuel economy important?

While the thought of driving off the beaten track in a gas-guzzler with a V8 engine is certainly tempting however, you shouldn’t be tempted to spend the entire vacation budget on fuel. Therefore, based from an assumption of smaller vehicles tend to be more efficient in fuel consumption and efficient, calculate the distance you’ll travel, and then estimate the amount of fuel you will require in the kind of car.

Certain models cannot be confirmed at the counter where you rent Consider the kind of car you prefer for your needs, such as economical, compact luxury, SUV, etc. Be sure to look for the rental car rental company’s fuel policy. A ‘full to full fuel policy is most commonly used, and usually the most appropriate choice, particularly for road trippers.

Do you require an automatic?

If you’re used to driving a vehicle that is equipped with an automatic transmission and wish to keep using the same gears you’re comfortable with, you should check at the kind of gears the car comes with when you’re making your reservation. It’s worth a look when choosing a car rental, especially when you’re traveling to an area where the majority of vehicles are equipped with manual transmissions or gears.

Do you require an additional equipment?

If you’re planning to travel with kids, make sure you check the policy on child seats for the destination you’ll be traveling toas the rules could differ from the norm. If you require child seat you should make reservations at the when you reserve your rental vehicle, since they don’t be available in normal. Similar is the case for GPS/satnav systems. These will be charged once you get to pick up your vehicle Rental companies don’t normally provide them with a guarantee. These additional charges are priced at a per-day rate which means you’ll be able to save money by bringing your own. If you’re traveling to a hot destination, make sure your vehicle is equipped with air conditioning otherwise, your journey could quickly turn into too hot for you to manage.

Is the rental car within your budget?

The idea of upgrading to a bigger or faster model is extremely tempting, particularly in the event that it seems like it will not add much to the overall price. However, that small amount of extra day could quickly become a significant amount in the span of up to three or two weeks of car rental. Then there are the fuel-related expenses, higher security deposits and more excesses that come when you rent larger vehicles. When you’ve found a car that ticks all the boxes, you’ll be able avoid a hard sell at the rental counter and stay within your budget.

There’s one more point to keep in mind that not each road journey is equally, which means you’ll need to choose a car that is appropriate for the kind of road trip you’re planning to take. Here are our top choices for specific travel destinations:

What are the top car hire services for city breaks?

Drivers stressed out, congested roads, and confusing one-way systems make city driving can be a nightmare and this is when you consider that everyone could also be in the wrong direction on the road. It’s recommended to opt for smaller cars that can handle well on city roads and is simple to park, perhaps with an automatic system, which means you’ll have less to worry about when you’re stuck in stop-start traffic.

Consider something from your Mini or Economy class like an extremely solid and safe VW Golf or Ford Focus or you could go for a Mini Cooper or Fiat 500 If you’re looking for something slightly more nippy and thrilling to drive.

What are the top rental cars to hire for your adventure holiday?

If you’re planning an adventure trip, be it climbing rocks, skiing windsurfing, climbing or anything else you’d like to do it’s likely that you’ll have a ton of equipment and perhaps even driving along rough roads.

It’s probably best opting for an SUV, perhaps even a 4X4 vehicle, like the Skoda Yeti or VW Tiguan or the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Range Rover Sport for those seeking a luxurious off-roader.

Be sure to check where you are allowed to take your car rental. Most rental companies do not allow their vehicles to be driven off-road.

The SUVs listed are equipped with plenty of storage space for luggage, and when you rent a car in snowy or mountainous regions the car will be equipped with a winter safety kit. It’s also worthwhile to brush up tips on how to drive safely in snow prior to setting off.

What are the most suitable rental cars to use for family vacations?

If you’re traveling with your family it is important to ensure your car isn’t just safe, but large and comfortable, but also has plenty of room for everyone and their luggage, but equipped with a variety of cups, as well as USB ports.

People carriers are spacious and are ideal for families. There are some that have sliding doors for easy access . Try for a Ford Galaxy, a VW Touran or the Dodge Grand Caravan, for instance. There’s no way to guarantee you’ll get the exact car you’ve booked or that the car that you receive will have all the things you require obviously. If you want to travel comfortably you should keep your beverages in resealable containers instead of cups, and bringing USB chargers which plug into the car’s 12V/lighter socket to keep all your devices charged with water.

What are the top car hire services for multi-location holiday trips?

Road trips revolve around traveling long distances and stopping in places that are off the main tourist routes and this means you’ll spend a significant portion of your time in your car. If you’re planning an adventure that spans multiple locations you’ll need a car that’s comfortable enough for long driving hours and has plenty of space for luggage and an excellent gas mileage. We suggest you choose an estate carthat is about the size of the Ford Focus, Skoda Octavia or VW Passat – anything smaller may feel restricted, and bigger models may not be as efficient in terms of fuel efficiency.

What are the top wedding cars to hire for honeymooners?

The honeymoon is the time that you have the chance to take advantage of a little extravagant and luxury, so should you be planning a honeymoon then why not invest on a luxurious car or convertible? Rental companies can provide luxury models such as those of the Porsche Cayman or Mercedes Benz S-Class or Jaguar F-Type and Mercedes E250 convertibles. Certain car rental companies even provide the exact model in the case of high-end car rentals and if you’d like to be certain you’ll get what you pay for instead of relying on the chance to win, do your research before booking.

Be aware that storage space may be limited in these premium models and will be with convertibles. So ensure that you have enough space for your luggage.