How many passengers will you have in the car? This is important to ask because there’s nothing worse than arriving after an international flight with family in tow, and not being able to pick up your rental car. If you book a 5 seat wagon, and have six passengers, most car rental companies will not let you leave the lot. One seatbelt per person is the rule in all of Europe. Another reason this is an important question is that if you have 7 passengers, and you have booked a 7 seat van, you most likely won’t be able to fit everyone’s luggage comfortably, so you will either want to book two smaller vehicles, or one larger 9 passenger van.
How much time will you be spending in the rental car? A small car may hold you and your luggage, but be very uncomfortable in the back seat for additional passengers. If you only plan to go to and from the beach a couple of times, you can probably bet that you will be okay.
If you are going to be driving far distances like from Nice to Paris, you will probably want something with a little more room.
Do you need 4 doors? This is related to the above question. If it’s just two passengers, might as well get a 2 door. If it’s three adults, you may want to reconsider.
How much luggage do you really need? Most times, there is luggage you can afford to not bring. Consider looking into laundry stations, they are just as fast and affordable as they are in the United States! The more luggage you have, the more you have to carry, and the worse your gas mileage will be, so lighten up if you can!
Do you need anything extra with the vehicle? If so, it’s best to book it in advance. Items that fall under this category are ski racks, child seats, GPS and snow tires/chains.
There are usually fees associated with these, so make sure to do your research so you’re not overwhelmed with additional charges.
By asking these simple questions, you may save yourself some time and money on your next vacation to Europe!