Wondering how to plan your road trip in Europe? Explore car rental companies in Europe!
Exploring the vivid landscapes of the countryside, dramatic mountain hilltops, and charming villages in and around the different European countries is on every traveller’s to-do list.
However, to witness the stunning beauty and landmarks in European countries, the best way to plan your trips is by car, renting a car from the top car rental agencies in Europe.
To make the right choice between the different car hire companies in Europe, assessing the various options available is crucial. Below is a curated guide on the best car rental companies in Europe.
List of Top Car Rental Companies in Europe
Car Rental Companies in Europe |
Key Benefits |
Europcar | - Variety of rental cars and vans
- Daily car rental deals and offers
- Online booking and tracking convenience
|
Hertz | - One of the biggest car rental companies in Europe and the world
- User-friendly online booking convenience
- Loyalty program
|
Sixt | - Premium cars at affordable rates
- 24-hour drop-off rental convenience
- Inclusive of complete protection coverage
|
Budget | - Affordable rates
- Wide variety of rental cars
- Simple booking procedure
|
Thrifty | - Budget-friendly options
- Various options for car selection
- Offers basic coverage to ensure lower prices
|
Alamo | - Located in major tourist destinations and airports
- Convenient booking and pick-up processes
- Loyalty program for better discounts
|
Avis | - Top-notch brand reputation
- Reliable services
- Loyalty program for free upgrades, pick-ups, etc.
|
Ace Rent a Car | - Ideal for short trips
- Quick pick-up and drop services
- Located at convenient airport locations
|
Detailed Insights on the Best Car Rental Companies in Europe
Europcar
Renting a car in Europe is easier when you get the value of money as per your budget. Europcar is one of those car rental companies in Europe that offer value addition with their services on top of the wide selection of vehicles available for short and long trips.
USPs
GPS tracking
User-friendly app
24/7 customer service
Customisable fuel plans
Customer Reviews
Insider Tip
Keep an eye out on the website for special offers, discounts, and deals to enhance your driving experience around different countries with one of the best car rental companies in Europe.
Hertz
When it comes to reliable customer service and easy booking or rescheduling processes for rentals, Hertz tops the list. With rental options available for different travel needs, the company also boasts a widespread network of car rentals all around Europe to maximise convenience.
USPs
Customer Reviews
Insider Tip
Enrol in the Hertz Loyalty Program before you leave for your Europe adventures to save time and effort during rental pick-ups once you reach your first destination. Moreover, it increases the possibility of higher reward points, upgrades as per availability, and more for future trips.
Sixt
Sixt is one of the best car rental companies in Europe for premium cars and services. From the availability of a premium fleet and high-performance rental cars, Sixt also provides extensive safety packages with their base inclusions to ensure maximum peace of mind while you explore Europe.USPs
Fast services
Easy pick-and-drop convenience
Comprehensive protection inclusions in the base price
High-performance cars for rentals
Customer Reviews
Insider Tip
Look for special deals and promotions on the website occasionally. Moreover, if you plan to book Sixt for your European adventures, make prior reservations to avoid higher booking rates, especially during peak season.
Budget
If you are travelling to Europe on a budget and looking for cost-conscious car rental companies in Europe, Budget is the best solution. The company provides an extensive range of car options and packages to cater to travellers' specific travel needs and requirements without draining their savings.
USPs
Customer Reviews
Insider Tip
Before booking with Budget, check the package's inclusions and exclusions to avoid paying unnecessary fees for additional insurance deals or other services. Moreover, check the availability of Budget locations before booking to ensure the pick-up and drop-off points align with your travel itinerary.
Thrifty
Another popular car rental company that offers affordable rental car packages is Thrifty. The main focus of this company is to provide easy car rentals for different European travel without the hassle of hidden costs and unnecessary customisation. Thrifty offers basic coverage to cater to different travellers and their budgets.
USPs
Customer Reviews
Affordable rental cars for short and long trips
Smooth purchase and tracking methods requiring minimal time and effort
Limited customer support available when compared to other car rental companies in Europe
Insider Tip
For added discounts, combine your car rental bookings with Thrifty and flight and accommodation bookings from partnered businesses. This will reduce the overall expenses.
Alamo
Alamo is also considered one of Europe's most reliable and convenient car rental companies. The company has strategically placed its pick-up and drop-off points at major tourist spots and airports to maximise traveller convenience.
Moreover, Alamo’s website allows you to benefit from various deals, discounts, and email signups for unique codes and coupons.
USPs
1100+ car rental locations around the world
Availability of many family-friendly car options
Loyalty program for added benefits, reward points, and discounts for future bookings
Customer Reviews
Convenient purchase and pick-up process
Limited variety of car rentals
Limited customer support for query resolution
Insider Tip
To get better deals on future bookings, enrol in the Alamo Insiders program. This program allows you to use the points you collect to avail of better deals and discounts on your next booking.
Avis
One of the most reputable and reliable car rental companies in Europe is Avis. Renowned globally, Avis offers many rental car options and caters to specific budgets and traveller requirements. It allows you ample flexibility to change or cancel your bookings and provides a quick and easy booking process for maximum traveller convenience.
USPs
Customer Reviews
Insider Tip
If you are a frequent renter or have multiple trips planned around Europe, enrol in the Avis Preferred program to receive upgrades based on availability and smoother pick-up and drop-off services.
ACE Rent a Car
If you are looking for fast rental car solutions, ACE Rent a Car is a popular choice for Europe travellers. With pick-up and drop-off locations spread across major tourist attractions and airports, ACE Rent a Car offers budget-friendly car rental services without the hassle of long wait times.
USPs
Customer Reviews
Fast and convenient car rental experience
A streamlined process for car rentals without the additional risk of hidden costs
Their GPS navigation system helped improve the driving experience
Insider Tip
Join the ACE Rent a Car’ Membership program to earn a point for every dollar spent, double your points via pre-payment for bookings and redeem points easily for future discounted rates.
Benefits of Best Car Rental Companies in Europe
Self-Paced Adventures
You can plan and explore Europe at your own pace with a rental car, allowing you to indulge in spontaneous detours and layovers.
Cost-Effective Travel Solutions
Even with Europe's extensive public transportation network, car rental companies offer more cost-effective solutions to align with your travel itinerary.
Flexible Options
Regardless of where you are going and who you are travelling with, you have many options to choose from to find the best car to drive around European countries.
Better Accessibility
As opposed to public transport, where you might be required to be in Europe for bookings and reservations, car rental companies in Europe allow you to pre-book before your trip for easy commuting.
Role of Travel Insurance for Europe
Before securing a good deal from one of the best car rental companies in Europe, you must fulfil certain visa requirements to enter and explore Europe without any hassle.
If you travel to one of the 29 European countries included in the
Schengen country list, Schengen Visa and Travel Insurance are mandatory.
Travel insurance is not only mandatory for visa applications but also provides a financial safety net to manage out-of-pocket expenses during medical and other travel emergencies or unexpected circumstances.
Reliance General Insurance offers two types of
Schengen travel insurance plans: basic and standard. These plans are designed to cater to the insurance eligibility and coverage requirements for the 29 Schengen countries.
In addition, we also offer Asia travel insurance,
international travel insurance, student travel insurance, and senior citizen travel insurance plans for your travel needs.
Conclusion
Europe is one of the top tourist destinations for Indian travellers. Whether it be a family trip or a solo excursion, explore Europe on the road by selecting the top car rental companies in Europe and assessing your travel needs and itinerary.
You can choose from a wide range of car rental companies in Europe based on affordability, unique features, add-on benefits, customer service, premium experience and other specific value additions.
Book a car rental and explore Europe like never before.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors to consider when choosing the best car rental companies in Europe?
To choose the best car rental company for your travel needs, you must consider your budget, travel itinerary, and rental car specifications. You must also assess different car rental companies based on their pick-up and drop-off locations, added benefits, loyalty programs, and purchase convenience.
Is travel insurance mandatory for renting a car?
No, travel insurance is not mandatory when renting a car in Europe. However, basic car insurance is necessary. So, when choosing a car rental company, check for the availability or inclusion of basic insurance coverage in their rental packages.
What are the necessary documents to pick up a rental car in Europe?
To pick up a rental car, you must provide your valid driving licence from your home country or an international driving licence permit along with your passport and booking voucher.