A vacation is something we look forward to. We dream of seeing a large number of places around the globe if possible and go from one place to another. We will certainly need to look into a car to hire which couldn’t be easier in the States.
We often think that there are too many fine details involved, that the process requires endless checks or financing but this not the case.
A simple bit of planning can make things go a lot smoother, and it will take a big weight off your shoulders once you’ve arrived at the destination country by not having to search and remember where all the transport depots are, or busses and train stops.
Looking for the perfect vehicle may seem daunting at first, but if you write down your main priorities in terms of features you are looking for and the objectives of the trip, then it is easier to narrow down the specifics. Think about travel plans, areas you intend on visiting, how many people will be traveling, and whether you are willing to go above your set budget if it means added extras.
The Car for You:
Determined by your traveling party size the vehicle you choose will be either one of 3 factors: comfort, efficiency, and size. Knowing you are a group of friends looking to explore the United States while having fun, like celebrating a recent engagement, ideally, you will want a car that is big enough so that everyone can travel together.
Having vacationed in a group, I can personally vouch for a minibus. Not only is there ample space for everyone and their luggage, but the atmosphere is always energetic and it makes the experience that much more enjoyable.
Look for the efficiency of fuel if you will be doing a lot of day trips.
You wouldn’t want to be stopping constantly to be filling up (as there might not even be a gas station nearby), but the cost will work against you in the long run.
As the old saying goes, “bigger is better.” A vehicle that is tough enough to handle the ups and downs of adventure enthusiasts, but still chic enough to not look like you’re driving an armored car is what you should search for when going for a vacation.
To get the ball rolling and help you see what is available on the market, take a quick browse at Goautos.no/leiebil/usa/ for a variety of cars suited for all demographics and holidays, and most importantly won’t break the bank. You don’t want to find the perfect car only to discover it is not in your price range or would essentially work against you for this trip, do your homework, shop around and conclude from there.
Why Rent?
Are you one of those people who think that you’re “wasting money” on a car that is not and never will be yours? Then I’m sure you are hesitant at the thought of hiring a rented vehicle, but if you weigh up the odds versus using the local and public transport means available, are you saving yourself time, not to mention money?
There are endless perks to renting a vehicle as opposed to going local, let’s take a look at the top 5 points people pointed out that made them decide to hire a car while holidaying abroad rather than using buses or taxis.
Distance:
This is especially important if you are a large group, opting to be picked up and ferried to your destination and back could cost an arm and a leg.
You would need a suitably sized vehicle for starters, drop-off, and pick-up times may be set by the company which could work against your itinerary, and if the driver has to wait there because it is too far to travel up and down, his time is your money.
Time:
How long is your trip?
If you are on a long weekend and looking to see as many sights as possible the last thing you want to be doing is wasting time standing in bus queues or on train platforms waiting for the next one to arrive because you just missed this one. Simply hop in your rental and the day begins immediately.
Freedom:
The luxury of coming and going as you please comes easy with a hired car. The tour buses may go on the main tourist routes and sites, but if you see something interesting you would have to go back later that day or even the next to go explore. With a car you just need to make a pit stop, jump out, and go experience something new and different, ‘off the beaten track.’
Cost:
When traveling abroad some transport companies try their luck by pushing up prices with tourists or when they hear a foreign language, and being none the wiser this could cost you double what it should have had you been a local or used a rent a car. Taxis could take ‘the long way around which also adds up on the meter by the end of the trip.
Weather:
Depending on the time of the year you are traveling the weather may not be in your favor, and worse so if you have children in tow.
Perhaps you’re away for a snowy Christmas, you want your kids safe and warm in a vehicle or indoors and not waiting outside for taxis to arrive or in the pouring rain.
See some handy tips in this link to consider when traveling abroad with kids, how to make their trip fun and more comfortable which will inevitably mean you will have a good time too. We know how quickly a situation can change when a little one is not in a good mood, hungry, or cold. Being organized can prevent these situations and you can focus on having a great time.
Renting and returning:
The time has come when all the fun and madness has to come to an end and sadly it is back to reality and the working week of the 9-5 rat race.
Taking the car back to the rental agency is not as simple as arriving and handing over the keys, believe it or not, so be aware of a few common mistakes people make.
One of the most common faux pas I have noticed and have been victim to myself is not checking the traveling distance or time it will take to get back to the rental parking lot, and agencies have a strict late-return policy which comes with a hefty price tag. Be sure to mark and map your route and leave ample time to get there. Better to be early than late.
As with most rental firms when returning the car it should be as it was when collecting, this usually means with a full tank of petrol.
Be sure to check the map for the closest fuel station to the agency and stop to fill up, be sure to keep the receipt in case there are any queries.
A great tip I learned from a friend was once you have parked be sure to take pictures of the internal and external areas of the car, as well as the dashboard with the ignition on so you can see the fuel gauge and mileage count. This way you have evidence that all was in order when you handed over the keys and these images can be presented if you need to make a case or claim of unexpected charges to your card.
Lastly, be sure you have ALL your belongings. Check glove compartments, the boot and back seat areas, the middle console, and the most forgotten about gaps – the sides of the doors. There is a slim chance you will get anything back that you have forgotten no matter how honest you want to believe that people are.
A final thought:
If you have all the necessary and essential paperwork and documentation in order there is no reason why renting a vehicle abroad should cause any headache. The world is becoming easier to explore, to venture out into, and driving wherever the wind takes you is as easy as shopping for the perfect rented car.
The practice of renting out cars has been around for centuries, only now we have more options, and it’s more fun, win-win.
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