Posted by StephanieP | Under car hire, car rental, long drive, long journey, Travel Tips
Now days it seems like prices are constantly rising with petrol and diesel being one of the worst. This can become a problem for holiday makers who want to hire a car in Europe but are worried about spending copious amounts on fuel. So, which is better, Diesel or Petrol?
Personally I believe diesel to be the better option when travelling in Europe. Now day’s diesel is widely available in Europe so you will have no problem when it comes time to fill up. You’ll also find that diesel is often cheaper then petrol in Europe with most of the locals owning a diesel vehicle.
There are quite a few websites out there that compare the price difference between petrol and diesel throughout Europe. These can help you plan your trip and help you decide which fuel option you would prefer. For some diesel just isn’t an option making personal preference a deciding factor. Diesel however does allow you to get greater mileage, saving you money in the long run.
Do you prefer to drive a diesel or petrol car? Tell us what you think!
Posted by StephanieP | Under car hire, car rental, long drive, long journey, Travel Tips
Fuel, it’s something that most people don’t think about when hiring a car. Besides the fact that you will have to fill up along the way most people overlook the charges that come with returning the car with an empty fuel tank.
While all car hire suppliers have different conditions when it comes to fuel it can be a very costly mistake if returned with the wrong amount. Make sure you read the terms and conditions every time you hire a car because the fuel rules will almost always differ, especially if you are travelling to another country.
Majority of car hire suppliers advise you to either return the car with a full tank of fuel or the same amount of fuel that was given on collection of the vehicle, others have prepaid options for rentals over a certain period of time. Making sure you check these conditions will save you in the long run.
If you’ve ever picked up a hire car before you would have noticed the fuel price displayed on the rental counter. What you may not have noticed is this price is usually a lot higher than what you would pay at the petrol station. These prices are always in the local currency so when you get home you could find a nasty fee charged to your credit card.
Another thing to remember is that car hire suppliers can sometimes charge administration fees for the time it takes them to sort out the fuel problem, these fees are also quite high and charged in the local currency. To avoid these fees make sure you read and understand the fuel conditions. If in doubt ask the attendant at the rental counter when you pick the car up, they will be able to fully explain the conditions before you leave so you don’t wind up getting charged an enormous fee.
Have you been charged for returning your rental car with the wrong amount of fuel? Let us know!
Posted by StephanieP | Under car hire, car rental, Destination Spotlight, long drive, long journey, Weekly List
We get asked quite a lot why there are so many restrictions on driving rental cars from Western Europe into Eastern Europe. All car rental suppliers have different conditions as to where their cars can and can’t travel but the main reason for this is insurance and the safety of the area you are travelling to.
Whenever you are travelling into an Eastern European country you are required to advise the car hire company where abouts you are wanting to travel. This allows the supplier to let you know if you are permitted into the Eastern European countries you want to visit. This applies even if you are just going to be travelling through one country to get to another country.
If you are allowed to travel into Eastern Europe you will find that you need to pay an additional insurance fee. This is normally calculated per day and differs between car groups. If you don’t advise the rental supplier you are travelling to Eastern Europe and don’t pay the additional insurance or travel to a country that is off limits all insurance is void and any damage that happens to the car you are liable for (this includes if the car is stolen).
The only way to get around these surcharges is to lease a Peugeot however this is only possible for rentals over 17 days. If you choose the Peugeot Leasing option the car is registered in your name therefore allowing you to travel easily into Eastern Europe the only restricted countries are Albania, Algeria, Belarus, Georgia, Russia and Ukraine. In most cases Peugeot Leasing works out cheaper then car rental however you do need to weigh up the 2 options and see what best suits your needs and what will make things straightforward so you don’t have any problems while on holidays.
Have you ever taken a rental car from Western Europe to Eastern Europe? Did you find it to be any trouble? Let us know!
Posted by StephanieP | Under car hire, car rental, long drive, long journey, Travel Tips, Weekly List
For most people who are travelling overseas and planning on driving an International Drivers Licence would be the last thing you would think of. It is however an important part of hiring a car.
For most car rental companies a full drivers licence is required for a minimum of 1-3 years, depending on the type of car you are hiring. However if you are hiring a car in a country where English is not the first language you are required to have an International Drivers Licence along with your current drivers licence.
An International Drivers Licence is basically a licence translated into another language. So for example if you are hiring a vehicle in France the International Drivers Licence would be written in French. This makes things a lot easier if you are pulled over or asked to show your licence to someone who cannot read English.
These special licences are available from the NRMA, RACQ, RACV etc and are valid for about 12 months. Unfortunately they are not free of charge and cost between AUD25-AUD45 depending on where you buy the licence from and if you are a member of your state motoring association.
International Driving Licences can be used as another form of identification if you don’t have your passport on you however it is always a good idea to have your passport handy. If you are staying for a while you may need to obtain a local drivers licence but it’s always a good idea to check with your state’s motoring association before you leave.
Let us know, have you ever needed an International Driving Licence? Did it come in handy?
Posted by StephanieP | Under car rental, long drive, long journey
When you plan a holiday there are so many things you need to think about, what flights you are going to book, where you’re going to stay, what you’ll need to take with you, when’s the best time to go. One of the last things you would think about is how you’re going to get around. Car hire is the easiest way by far however if you are travelling to Europe you have another option, Peugeot Leasing. There’s no better way to get around a foreign country stress free and with ease.
So let’s compare car hire with Peugeot Leasing. If you are wanting to hire a car for more then 17 days Peugeot Leasing is the way to go. Not only does it work out cheaper then normal car hire but you are guaranteed to get the car you want. For example if you hire a compact car but would prefer a certain car you will never be guaranteed to get that certain model, even if it is the suppliers example model however with Peugeot Leasing, whatever you book you will be guaranteed to get.
Another plus for Peugeot Leasing is the freedom you get when you lease the car. All Peugeot’s are brand new and registered in the client’s name therefore allowing you to take the car wherever you like (exceptions include Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Algeria). By taking the Peugeot Leasing option you avoid large one way fees and additional insurances for travelling into other countries thus giving you a wider option of countries to drive to.
Other benefits include no additional driver’s fees, no airport/train station service fees and no fuel surcharges. All these additional fees add up quickly when hiring a car so Peugeot Leasing has a clear advantage. If you meet all the Peugeot Leasing requirements you would be crazy not to choose the leasing option as in the long run you will be saving yourself hundreds of dollars.
If you are unsure of which Peugeot would suit you best why not visit your nearest Peugeot showroom to decide which model suits your needs the best, not to mention check how much luggage space you will need!
Tell us what you think…have you leased a Peugeot before? Is this something you would do again?
Posted by StephanieP | Under car hire, car rental, long drive, long journey, Travel in Australia, Travel Tips, Weekly List
Normally being aged under 25 is generally seen as a good thing; however this doesn’t really apply when hiring a car. Renting a car may sound easy and be a lot more convenient than catching public transport while you’re overseas but if you are under 25 here are a few things you need to take into consideration.
Young Drivers Surcharge: This is a mandatory fee charged by the supplier at the time you collect your vehicle. These fees can be quite high however prices differ from supplier to supplier and depend on where abouts you are renting your car.
Additional Driver: Signing on as an additional driver might seem like a good way to get out of paying the Young Driver Surcharge but this is not the case. Not only will you have to pay the Young Driver Surcharge but you will have to pay for being an Additional Driver as well (unless your rate includes Additional Drivers).
Vehicle Type: Due to age suppliers will normally restrict the type of vehicle you are allowed to hire. SUV’s, Luxury and Sport’s cars are, in general out of the question,
stick to smaller cars such as economy and compact car groups.
Credit Card: All car rental suppliers require you to have a credit card. This is used for the security bond, again this differs from supplier to supplier and, depending on your vehicle type can be quite high. Suppliers will not allow debit cards but some do allow cash rentals which are on a request basis only.
Insurance: For drivers over 25 years additional insurance is an optional extra however for drivers under 25 years additional insurance can be mandatory. Like most of the other charges this can be quite pricey and won’t always reduce your excess to Nil.
Drivers Licence: A clean, valid driver’s licence is required for a minimum of 1 year however depending on car type this can be as high as 3 years. Also keep in mind this doesn’t include P Plates so you will have to have a full drivers licence.
Statistics show that drivers under 25 years old are more likely to be involved in an accident due to having less driving experience than someone over 25 years. If you’re travelling with someone over 25 years old why not let them do the driving, saving you money which means more money to spend on yourself.
Are you under 25 years and have rented a car? Did you find any of the additional fees off-putting? Tell us what you think.
Posted by StephanieP | Under car hire, car rental, long drive, long journey, Travel Tips, Weekly List
Driving overseas or in a different city can be very daunting. Not knowing the roads can make getting around very difficult and frustrating. Hiring a GPS is one of the easiest and most stress free ways to enjoy driving in a foreign country.
There’s nothing worse then having to spend majority of your day pulled over at the side of the road trying to figure out where you are and where you have to go. Gone are the days of trying to read a map and driving around aimlessly. Hire a GPS when you go overseas and get the most out of your driving holiday.
GPS units are small so they don’t take up much room while you are travelling. With AutoEurope Australia you are able to get the GPS sent to you before you depart Australia, giving you time to play with it and figure out how everything works.
Hiring a GPS unit allows you to focus on the road and gets you to your destination faster without the constant stops to ask people for directions. Not only are they handy for when you are driving but GPS units are able to be used out of the car as well. Using your GPS in ‘pedestrian’ mode allows you to see restaurants, shopping malls and other places of interest. You can also use the GPS incase you ever need to find the closed hospital or doctors office.
So next time you go overseas be sure to take a GPS unit with you so your driving holiday goes as smoothly as possible.
Have you used a GPS whilst driving overseas? Could you ever go without one? Tell us what you think!
Posted by StephanieP | Under car hire, car rental, Cars, long drive, long journey, Weekly List
Hiring a car in a different country can be exciting yet scary at the same time. Depending on where you are going the road rules can be very different from what you are normally used to, so you will need to use a bit of extra caution. Before you go here are a few tips to get you started and on your way to a great road trip.
Road Signs
Researching road signs before you travel is a great idea. Road signs around the world are very different to what we have here in Australia so don’t be fooled into thinking you can just wing it. You will save yourself a lot of hassle and your trip will be more enjoyable.
Collecting Your Car
It’s always exciting when you pick up a hire car but make sure you take the time to familiarise yourself with the car and its controls. It could be something as small as the windscreen wipers being on the other side of the steering wheel that causes you problems out on the road. Also make sure you know which side of the road the locals drive on as this can be quite confusing.
Major Cities
If you can it’s always a good idea to avoid driving in major cities. The traffic can be terrible and finding parking is always like looking for a needle in a hay stack. Cities like New York are a prime example of this. Use public transport where you can to avoid traffic jams and get the most out of your time overseas.
Drivers Licence
This might sound like a given but make sure you have your licence on you at all times whilst driving. If an international licence is required make sure you have this on you as well, this is important for places where English isn’t the native language.
Map or GPS
Maps or a GPS are crucial when driving overseas. If city names aren’t familiar to you it can be difficult to navigate your way around a new city. Make sure you have a good map or GPS that you can use to make your trip easier and more pleasant.
Fuel
Make sure you check what type of fuel your hire car needs before you fill it up. It can cost hundreds of dollars to repair if you do use the wrong fuel and you won’t be able to drive your car until it’s fixed. If you are unsure there is normally a sticker on the inside of the fuel flap that tells you the correct fuel that can be used but if you are still in doubt ask the attendant at the rental counter when you pick your car up.
How do you feel about driving overseas? Would being in another country discourage you from driving? Let us know!
Posted by StephanieP | Under car hire, car rental, Cars, long drive, long journey, Travel in Australia, Travel Tips, Weekly List
With the great choices and varieties of cars available to us, it’s no surprise that they are often bought for looks and reputation rather than purpose. Since the early days of motoring, there have been associations with types of cars and their drivers. Be it a sports car, 4WD, people mover or ute, there is always a certain image projected by the car, a stereotype that just seems to stick.
Some assumptions are of course based on the purpose that the car was designed for. For example a ute or van could imply a worksman or delivery driver, while a people mover or station wagon could be the family car.
While some drivers can choose whatever style of car they fancy to drive, the owners of these cars often have little choice, as they need a vehicle for a specific purpose.
Even so, those who must drive a ute or people mover now have the countless options to customize their rides, giving it a character of its own. From the colour of the car to custom number plates, and flashy wheels to humble bumper stickers, there is a wide world of car features and accessories to effect the impression given by your ride.
From plain and simple, standard cars, to overly modified cars which more closely resemble art, there is a greater variety on the roads these days than ever before, and each one will have a story of its own.
What does your car say about you? And did you customize it or buy it as it is?
Posted by StephanieP | Under car hire, car rental, Cars, long drive, long journey, Travel in Australia, Travel Tips, Weekly List
Without a doubt one of the worst things to have happen when enjoying a nice leisurely drive, is the car breaking down. While there are varying levels of inconvenience that can happen, from a mere fuse blowing to total system meltdown, it’s never fun when our mode of transport stops working.
There are different ways people deal with a breakdown. Some are automotive experts, finding out what the problem is in minutes, and sometimes fixing it too. Some people are completely clueless, flagging down passers by for help only to reach the conclusion “yes, you have broken down”.
Luckily there are services in place to help us with breakdowns, offering assistance when we are roadside and in desperate need. For our own cars, we can take out membership with various motoring associations that include breakdown services in their benefits. The NRMA or RACV are examples in Australia and their mobile helpers can determine problems on the spot, often fix them, or organize a tow truck.
When traveling in a rental car, things are even better. Most suppliers have breakdown cover on all their cars, meaning if you do have the unfortunate luck of breaking down, there will be a phone number for you to call, with an operator at the other end who will organize everything. In the worst case scenario the car has a major fault, a replacement will be provided to you asap, so be sure when booking your holiday car hire, you check to make sure this is included.
