Renting a car will get you to little villages, mountains, secluded beaches, and vineyards you’d never see otherwise. Many of the best jaunts I’ve been on in Spain have been by car. Getting wheels is worth the effort it takes.

Related: Calculating the real cost of renting a car in Europe

Tips for Saving on rental cars in Spain

Before you go online to book your vehicle in cities like Barcelona, Madrid, or Seville, and hit the road, take a little time to read through these tips. Over the years I’ve taken many jaunts from Barcelona by rental car, and I’ve learned a thing or two about driving and keeping your rental experience hassle-free. Here are my top tips, many of which are applicable to renting a car throughout Europe.

1. Check your license

Always check with the rental car agency beforehand to make sure you have the right documents for driving on Spanish roads. For Americans, agencies usually only require a valid passport (that means within the six month travel period allotted to Americans for travel in Europe) and a driver’s license.

I have never been asked for an international driver’s license when renting a car, so I have never bothered to get one. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and it is recommended that you get one. You can learn about the International Driver’s License on this website.

2. Find a good deal

I have rented from many different companies in Spain and have had a range of good and bad experiences. The main takeaway is that if it looks too good (or too cheap) to be true, then it probably is. Like the cheapo airlines that will nickel and dime you for every pound of luggage and every inch of legroom, many cheapo rental car companies will hit your wallet for gas, mileage, insurance, and additional drivers.

I have ended up spending much more than I expected to at super budget companies. In the end, I stopped using them and decided to pay more in advance for a better product and less hassle. Check out EuroCheapo’s rental car search to check current prices from a wide variety of companies in Spain.

3. Read the small print and sign off on the dents and scratches

This car rental tip could be applied to many aspects of your trip. Make sure you know all of the extra charges (including unfilled tank charges!) before you sign on the dotted line. If there’s a certain type of car you want, be sure to ask for it. Be assertive and ask now.

At the rental counter, they usually give you a piece of paper that includes a small illustration of a car. Often, especially with city rentals, you’ll have to go outside and find your rental car in a big parking garage, and there may not be anyone there to help you. Insist that someone go with you or meet you in the garage to go over any flaws that the car has on the interior and exterior. Mark all these flaws, even the small ones, on the documents that you got at the rental counter, carefully marking the dents and scratches on the diagram of the car. This may sound excessive, but being thorough could save you a lot of money. The rental company’s representative will have to sign off on all the flaws you identify.

Don’t be embarrassed if it takes you a few times around to find your exit. Photo: BJK

4. Roundabout advice

Depending on where you’re from, you may or may not be familiar with roundabouts. These circular intersections have replaced many crossroads and four-way stops in Spain. Some roundabouts consist of four lanes and can be daunting to merge into and out of. Slow down when entering, but you’ll only need to come to a full stop if you’re waiting for traffic to pass by. Otherwise, gracefully enter and wind around to your desired exit.

Another perk is that roundabouts give you additional time to figure out where you’re going. Not sure which turn off to take? Just keep circling the roundabout until you find the right road! I’ve been known to loop around three times before sorting out the right direction.

5. Pay a bit to save time on toll roads

In Catalonia many of the highways are toll roads, and many of them are not cheap. Expect to pay from €0.45 to €10 for access to these roads. Tunnels also usually collect a hefty toll. You can avoid the toll roads, but more often than not, this will add on to your travel time, and you’ll be faced with more traffic and more roundabouts.

Depending on how far you have to go and how much time you have, it may be better to suck it up and pay for the toll roads. Most toll booths will accept both credit cards and cash. While tolls are very common in Catalonia, other regions of Spain have fewer tolls or no tolls at all.

6. Hide all valuables from sight

Always lock your doors, and do not leave your suitcase, purse, camera bag, or anything else of value in plain sight in your parked rental car. Put everything that could be tempting to an unsavory character out of sight in the trunk. If it’s really valuable, you probably just want to take it with you. This is especially important in big cities like Barcelona and Madrid, but applies to smaller towns as well.

If you don’t drive stick shift, expect to pay a lot more. Photo: LenDog64

7. Be prepared to pay more for automatic transition

Most rental cars in Spain (and throughout Europe) are equipped with manual transmission, and most Spaniards know how to drive a stick shift car. Automatic cars are the exception, not the rule, and you may have to pay hundreds of euros more to rent one.

If you really want to rent an automatic, then look around and compare prices. Make sure to reserve an automatic far in advance, because many companies have a limited supply, especially in the high season when Americans come in droves.

8. Choose your parking spot wisely

It is not easy to park in Barcelona or Madrid. Parking spots are scarce, and when you do find one, you need to determine if it is a public parking space or only open to those living in the neighborhood. I made the mistake of parking in a spot I thought was public parking only to find my rental car towed; €250 later I had learned my lesson. In some small villages you will be able to park just about anywhere and won’t have to pay a cent. This is especially true in the countryside. When in doubt, check with a local to make sure you’re not parking in front of someone’s gate or doorway.

If you are unsure about what the rules are or where you can park, the best bet is to put your ride in a garage and pay a bit more. Your car will most likely be safer in a garage, and will definitely be there when you return. There are parking garages everywhere in cities and larger towns.

9. Be careful on the road

Generally speaking, driving in Spain is not much different than in the rest of Europe or North America. The laws and road signs are similar. Mostly, roads are well marked and freeways are well maintained. Drivers can be aggressive and tailgating is common, and for many locals, turn signals seem like more of a suggestion than a requirement. If you feel stressed or overwhelmed at any point on the road in Spain, just slow down; the guy behind you may not like it, but he can pass.

I’ve driven all over Spain and by far the fastest drivers I’ve encountered were on the island of Tenerife. I’m not sure what it is about island life that makes these locals put the pedal to the metal, but they certainly seem to be in a hurry.

10. Don’t forget to fill ’er up (with the right fuel!)

Gas is self-service in Spain. You pay inside or at the pump with either a credit card or cash. It’s pretty straightforward and very similar to what you’re probably used back home. Just make sure to fill up with right kind of fuel. You really don’t want to put unleaded gas into a diesel car. Trust us!

Your tips for driving in Spain?

Have you rented a car in Spain? Tell us what companies you like, what tips you used to find a good deal, or your favorite road trips!

The post 10 tips for renting and driving a car in Spain appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Currently the BlaBlaCar carpooling service is available in the following European countries: Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Turkey, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Russia, and Ukraine.

What is it?

BlaBlaCar is a lot like Lyft or Uber, but generally geared towards longer-haul car trips. Ride-shares include everything from popular routes in one country, like the trip from London to Stonehenge, to longer trips that cross borders, like the drive from Amsterdam to Paris, or even across oceans, like the ride from London to Brussels. In Barcelona, you can even find a ride to El Prat airport for €5 or less, which is actually cheaper than the Aerobus.

When it comes to budget car travel in Europe (especially in countries where Uber and Lyft haven’t really taken off), the service is a game changer. It’s much cheaper than taking a cab, and at least most of the time, it has the added bonus of a much more interesting travel experience. Most drivers are locals making a commute or a trip and are usually pleased to share their insights into area attractions, places to eat, and their life in Europe.

Searching for rides between Paris and Lyon.

How it works

1. Find the right website

In English: It’s a bit annoying, but in order to get search for details in English, you need to go to BlaBlaCar’s English language page (blablacar.co.uk), even if your trip is between cities in other countries. Unfortunately, your results will always be priced in British Pounds, no matter your destination or where you’re using the service.

Local languages: Localized versions for each country are in its main language and currency (for example, euros and French for France). Thus, if you’re fluent in the local language of your destination, and would like to see prices in the local currency, choose that country on the drop down menu at blablacar.com.

2. Register for an account

Use your Facebook account or an email address to fill out a BlaBlaCar profile and confirm a phone number where drivers can reach you. (If you need tips on how to buy and use a local SIM card in Europe, check out our article before you go!)

3.  Search for rides

On the main search page, enter your departure point and destination and the date and hit “search”. Then compare prices and drivers on the results page. Be sure to check out the driver’s ratings and don’t hesitate to send the driver a question before booking. On member profiles, you can see who has more experience as well as their Facebook and LinkedIn connections, preferences and a mini-bio. You can also see what kind of car they drive.

4. Book your seat

Book your seat and pay for it online through your BlaBlaCar account. When your payment goes through, you’ll get the driver’s phone number.

5. Meet your driver

Once you have the driver’s contact info, you can arrange any final details for the meetup location. You’ll also get a booking code to present as proof of payment when the driver picks you up. Meet the driver at the agreed pick-up point, then sit back and enjoy the ride.

6. After your ride

When you reach your destination, leave a rating for the driver — it will encourage them to leave you a rating (they can’t see your rating until they leave you one). Having some ratings will make it easier for you to book rides in the future. You can also leave an anonymous evaluation of the driver’s driving skills. This is part of an average score displayed on driver’s profiles and helps future users.

What if something goes wrong?

If the driver cancels your ride or for whatever reason doesn’t show up within 15 minutes of the scheduled pick-up time, you’ll be refunded the full fare and all service fees for your ride. If you need to cancel and do so 24 hours in advance or more, you’ll get a full refund minus the booking fees. If you cancel the same day, you’ll be refunded 50% of your fare minus booking fees, unless you’re a no-show at the meeting point. You also have 30 minutes after booking (even within the 24-hour window) to cancel your trip for a full refund minus service fees.

Passengers and the driver are protected by the driver’s car insurance (required by law in most countries and by BlaBlaCar), as well as supplementary insurance from AXA which covers the cost of things like accommodation and alternate transportation in the case of a breakdown.

Every BlaBlaCar driver has a public rating and reviews.

Safety tips

All BlaBla travelers and drivers are rated and verified using the same type of system as Airbnb to create a better and safer user experience. For the safest experience possible, try to stick to drivers with an “expert” rating (six months of experience and positive ratings of 80% or higher) or “ambassador” rating (12 months of experience with 90% positive ratings or higher). If you’re sharing the car with other passengers, try to make sure they’re either people you know or intermediate or experienced users with positive ratings. Trust your instincts. If a driver or passenger makes you uncomfortable, don’t book the ride.

For women who aren’t comfortable using a ride-share with men they don’t know, there’s an option called “Ladies Only” that you can select when you search for a trip. “Ladies Only” means that all passengers in the car will be women. This is a great option for solo female travelers who may be nervous about taking the plunge. If a member is bothering you or behaving inappropriately, contact the customer service department. And remember, for your own protection, never take a ride offered through anything but the official booking platform.

BlaBlaCar vs. taxis

In theory, per the company’s current terms and conditions, BlaBlaCar drivers aren’t supposed to be turning a profit or making a living. That said, there are drivers that are driving the same route back and forth several times a day.

Why does it matter? Because unsurprisingly, in many European cities, taxi drivers are protesting the legality of a service that many regard as unfair competition. BlaBlaCar drivers don’t have the added expense of a taxi license or special insurance for transporting passengers.

So before you book in a given location, it is worthwhile to check up on the legality of the service, and in general, avoid meeting up in taxi pick-up locations like airports and train stations.

How to Get The Cheapest Rides

Booking rides with BlaBlaCar is a lot like booking other kinds of transportation. The more people offering rides on a route, the lower the price will probably be. Inexperienced drivers are also likely to be cheaper, but for safety reasons, we don’t usually hire a ride from a driver that has a rating below the “intermediate”, unless we’re traveling in a group and up for an adventure.

If you have some flexibility on dates and times, choose a day with more rides available, as the increased competition tends to lower the price.

To get an idea of how much you can save, here is a quick example. We recently did a quick search on BlaBlaCar ride-shares between Barcelona and Madrid:

• BlaBlaCar: €27
• ALSA bus company: €30
• AVE high-speed train fare: €60 and above
• Budget airfare: €70 (plus transportation to and from both airports).

The post BlaBlaCar: A ride sharing service for seriously cheap car trips appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, before you head to Germany, hop in a car, and head for the nearest highway, there are a few things you should know about autobahn driving. Below we’ve gathered the most important tips.

Related: Search for affordable rental cars in Germany and all over Europe

1. The same Autobahn can have different names

Each Autobahn in Germany has several different names. For example, Bundesautobahn 5 is also called “BAB 5”, while Autobahn 5 is also called “A 5”. On the road, you will only see the number listed in a blue square.

To make matters a bit more confusing, the A 5 is also part of the E 35, E 40, E 52, E 54, and E 45 (the “E” designates an international European route). The longest of these, the E 40, is 4,971 miles long and crosses through France, Belgium, Poland, Germany, Ukraine, and Russia.

Although you may not feel up to driving the whole distance (though who knows?), it’s still important to know the E 40 and A 5 are the same route when driving in Germany, otherwise the signs can get confusing. The good news: Unlike several of the countries listed in European route 40, you never have to pay to drive on the German Autobahn.

Related: 10-Day itinerary through Germany: Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Munich and Neuschwanstein

This sign shows speed limits in the city and a recommended 130 speed limit on the highway. Photo: Jo.

2. Yes, you really can (almost) always drive as fast as you want

The German Autobahn is famous for its lack of a speed limit, and you really can drive as fast as you want (or as fast as your car can handle). But not always. Occasionally a speed limit is posted — usually 80, 100 or 120 km per hour — in a white circle with a red border. Speed limits are mostly posted around cities or are due to dangerous road conditions (windy mountain roads, around construction sites, etc.).

When a speed limit appears, there are sometimes automated roadside radar photo devices that measure your speed and take your photograph if you’re over the limit — Germans call it getting geblitzed (flashed) because of the bright white light from the camera flash. When you get geblitzed, you can expect a ticket in the mail within the next six weeks (and yes, even for rental cars). The amount varies depending on how much you were speeding, but in most cases it will still be under €100.

On the Autobahn you will also sometimes see square blue signs with “130” written in white letters. These signs are a reminder that 130 km per hour (80 mph) is the “recommended” national speed limit. But, unless an actual speed limit is posted, people can–and certainly will–be driving faster.

3. Driving “as fast as you want” isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be

Many German Autobahns have only two lanes. What this means is you’ll usually either be stuck in the right lane with the big trucks and campers or be in the left lane… with a Porsche or BMW sports car constantly on your tail, aggressively making it clear they want you out of the way.

In other words, it’s not always an easy cruising experience. Driving the Autobahn can at times be pretty stressful.

4. Cruise the Autobahn on Sundays for a less stressful drive

If you just want to get a feel for what it’s like to drive on the Autobahn, we suggest you go for a drive on Sundays. On Sundays, big trucks are not allowed to drive on the Autobahn, so if you do (inevitably) get some speedster on your tail in the left lane, at least the right lane will be a more pleasant driving experience.

5. Sometimes you can’t drive at all

It’s not uncommon for the Autobahn to be backed up with traffic jams for miles and miles. Although this is sometimes due to accidents, it is more likely caused by construction sites.

While a popular German stereotype portrays them as a very efficient bunch, it could also be argued that they tend to make things far more complicated (and even stressful!) than necessary. This definitely holds true when it comes to Autobahn construction. From the spring to the fall, entire stretches are (sometimes inexplicably) blocked off for miles and miles, causing major delays. Nine times out of ten, when you drive by, you’ll never actually see anyone working, giving rise to the rumor they only set up the construction sites to annoy as many drivers as possible.

Related: 10-Day itinerary through Germany: Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Munich and Neuschwanstein

6. Avoid holidays and vacation weeks

To avoid traffic jams, you should also be aware of any school holidays in the area. German schools have fall vacation (two weeks in October), Christmas vacation (ten days over Christmas and New Years), winter vacation (one week in February), Easter vacation (two weeks over Easter), and summer vacation (six weeks).

If you’re traveling during any of these times, you should avoid taking the Autobahn on either the first or last weekend during the school holidays, as it’s guaranteed to be packed. Since the starting dates vary from state to state, it’s best to check the schedule in the area you’re visiting (here’s a list of school vacation dates).

Cruising at high speeds along the Autobahn. Photo: beigephotos

7. It’s illegal to pass on the right

Most rules of the Autobahn are the same as driving in the United States (e.g., use your turn signal, slower traffic stays to the right, etc.). However, it is important to know that it is illegal to pass a vehicle on the right side.

In order to pass, you must always first move into the left lane — otherwise, it is verboten — and potentially very dangerous, since no one will be expecting it. The only exception to this rule is when traffic is moving at a very slow speed, such as during a traffic jam.

8. Get off the Autobahn for more scenic driving

Although a drive along the Autobahn is definitely an interesting experience for any tourist, if you’re not in a hurry, it might be a better idea to stick with a more scenic route along the Landstrassen or Kreisstrasse. Kreisstrasse are smaller, rural roads while Landstrassen are usually busier.

Both of these types of roads will take you through the countryside and towns. Unlike Autobahns, both have a marked speed limit, usually 80 or 100 km per hour (around 50 to 60 miles per hour). Not exactly for speed demons, but you will get to see more of the country and, in the end, you may just feel 60 miles per hour is fast enough after all!

Search for rental cars

Know your travel dates? Search for rental cars in Germany now and compare rates between car agencies throughout Germany to find the best deal.

The post Germany: 8 Tips for driving the Autobahn appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Driving in Barcelona is about as fun as a root canal. There’s traffic. There’s no right on red and pedestrians jump out at every turn, sprinting across the road. And of course, scooter riders weave between cars with an insane amount of confidence.

One must remain calm to drive in Barcelona and know some simple rules of the road.

Some of the most important rules involve parking. You can’t just park your ride anywhere in the city, in fact there many zones where you may not be allowed at all.

Green Zone “Exclusiva”

The Green Zone “Exclusiva” for example, is only for people living in that area. They have a special tag and pay .10 cents a day or so. One neighborhood that has this “Exclusiva” Green Zone is the beach barri, La Barceloneta. If you find yourself in a Green Zone “Exclusiva” then you’ll need to park your Smartcar in a parking garage, which, let me warn you, will not be cheap.

Some Green Zones are “Preferente,” which means that anyone can park there but rates will be high. Expect to pay about €1-2 per half hour.

Mostly I don’t drive in Barcelona but a few years ago I rented a car to go out of town. I parked the car in a Green Zone “Exclusiva” and went to get my suitcase from my apartment. When I returned my car was gone, and in its place was a small green diamond sticker with the phone number of the tow truck company on it. Yes, my car had been towed. This mistake cost me a lot of time, not to mention the €250 or more I had to cough up to get the car out. Thank gawd I had a credit card!

The moral of this story is: Do not park in the Green Zone “Exclusiva” and pay attention to what zone you’re in. (To be fair, I had no idea at the time that the Green Zone was off limits to me.)

Blue Zone

The Blue Zone is found around the city and is open to all. Sometimes the Blue Zone will be free on Saturday afternoons or Sundays. Other times you’ll have to pay no matter what day it is (such is the case by the beach). You can park in the Blue Zone as long as you pay the meter and then put the little paid meter ticket on your windshield.

Many central neighborhoods of interest in the city are Blue Zone. Expect to pay about €1 per 30 minutes.

However, just because there is Blue Zone does not mean that you will ever find a parking spot. You may have to drive around a lot and if you’re not familiar with the city then this could be a bit stressful and a hassle.

Parking lots and garages

The best bet is to to put your car in a car park. Make sure you check to see what time the garage opens and closes, and whether they will close for lunch.

Saba is one company which has parking garages all over the city. On the Saba Web site you can check a map of where their garages are located. Saba’s per-minute rate is €0.04 and a night will set you back €56.99.

At such steep rates it pays to ask your hotel about parking options. Hotels in Barcelona usually charge for parking but it won’t be €50.

Overall, avoid having to drive and park in Barcelona; it’s a pain. If you must then the easiest, albeit most expensive option, is a parking garage. Follow the giant “P” (usually in blue) anywhere in the city to nearby parking garages. Good luck!

Your Barcelona parking story

Do you have a story about parking in Barcelona? Share with us in our comments section!

The post Parking in Barcelona: Green and blue zones, and parking garages appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The Danger Duomo

The first area to go completely car-free was the ring around the Duomo. It seems ludicrous in retrospect, but just two years ago the snaking lines of church-goers ran the risk of “attack by speeding car.” But not anymore. The entire Duomo ring is now carless and harmless. But do keep an eye out for the bicycles, horses and determined stroller-pushing nonnas.

Okay, that’s great. But what about the rest of the monuments (or monumental walking hazards)? Well, it’s just been announced that as of June 24, 2011, the following parts of the city will be completely car free! (Click here for a map of the city’s new pedestrian zones.)

Palazzo [“it’s a”] Pitti there are so many cars

Remember the good old days of getting clipped by the mirrors of passing vehicles while walking from Ponte Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti? Ah, the nostalgia of injuries past.

Okay, it never happened but now it surely never will because the entire Piazza de’ Pitti area will soon be traffic free. That includes that congested 5 inch-wide deathtrap of a sidewalk all the way from Ponte Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti. (But please, hold your applause until the end.)

Shopping Sanctuary

Florence, city of fashion, has a street called Via Tornabuoni where you’ll find the shops of style sultans such as Gucci, Prada and Emporio Armani.

And soon, that little strip of garment pedigree just off Palazzo Strozzi will be – wait for it, wait for it – traffic free! Just imagine meandering with a gelato in your hand and gazing through the windows of fashion greatness with only the sounds of ringing cash registers echoing through the street. Sounds about right, doesn’t it?

Be the best pedestrian you can be

In Italy, two pedestrians per day are killed by cars. This is a place where even motorcyclists use their mobile phones when they drive. Be careful!

Sidewalks are notoriously narrow which makes walking in the street a common habit. Italian drivers may be very good at slalom but still, make use of your peripheral vision!

The post Florence’s New Pedestrian Zones: Where you can put your foot down appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

On past trips, I’ve made the mistake of underestimating these other charges, imagining that they’re probably not that much more expensive than in the States. Not surprisingly, I’ve experienced sticker shock when my credit card bill arrives and I add it all up.

Related: Search and compare rental cars in Europe

Quite often, the initial rental fee will be less than half of the total cost of the final rental experience. With a little planning, however, that shouldn’t shock you.

Why take the time?

Why should you go to the bother of calculating the “real cost” of renting a car before your trip? Quite simply, because you have options beyond just driving. Depending on your itinerary, you may be able to take a train, bus or airplane. By calculating the true car cost, you can make an informed decision about which means of transportation works best for your budget.

Not the final price.

For this post, I’m going to side-step the question of which mode of transportation makes the most sense for your trip. Instead, we’re sticking to cars and their “real cost.” It’s a puzzle worth solving—and should only take you about 20 minutes. Ready?

Our 10-day trip

For demonstrative purposes, let’s take a trip together next March, shall we? Against my better judgement, we’re also going to over-pack our itinerary, visiting four cities during our 10 days in Italy. (I’d prefer three cities–or even two. But this is a typical itinerary.)

We’ll start in Rome, where we’ll spend two nights. Then we’ll drive up to Florence, and spend three nights there. (During one of those days, we’ll explore Tuscany by car.) Next, we’ll head to Venice, where we’ll spend two nights. We’ll then spend one day and night in Verona. Finally, we’ll speed back down to Rome, for one night, before heading home.

With a March 1, 2011 kick-off date, the itinerary looks like this:

March 1: Arrive in Rome. Sleep in Rome.
March 2: Visit Rome. Sleep in Rome.
March 3: Pick up car in Rome, drive up to Florence. Sleep in Florence.
March 4: Visit Florence. Sleep in Florence.
March 5: Drive around Tuscany. Sleep in Florence.
March 6: Drive to Venice. Sleep in Venice.
March 7: Visit Venice. Sleep in Venice.
March 8: Drive to Verona. Sleep in Verona.
March 9: Drive back down to Rome. Sleep in Rome.
March 10: Drive to airport. Return car. Fly home.

For this trip, we’ll pick up our car in Rome on day three and return it one week later. (There is no need to pick it up on your first day in Rome. It will do you no good while you’re visiting Rome and will just run up costs at a garage!)

Good; we have our schedule. Now, let’s find a car.

1. Start with the car rental agency quote.

Let’s get started by searching around the web for the cheapest rate for a car we like. (We’d suggest doing a car search on EuroCheapo. You can search several car rental companies at once.)

After searching around, I found a good rate for the week at Auto Europe. Their quote is $381 for a seven-day rental for a cute little Ford Fiesta, an “economy” class option. Clicking on “terms and conditions,” you’ll find the following details:

This price includes: Unlimited mileage, sales tax, and airport surcharge. There is also theft protection and collision damage coverage, but with a very high deductible.

This rate does not include: Insurance to cover personal injuries to anyone in the car. Gas. Road tax of €2 per day. Tolls.

Cost: $381

2. Add additional coverage.

This part is up to you. Your insurance options will vary, depending on the car rental company you use, the country in which you’re renting and the type and level of coverage that you’d like to purchase. As noted above, our rental comes with some collision damage coverage, but the deductible is high—in our case, we’re liable for the first €1,200.

At the rental office, they’ll probably offer CDW, or a “Collision Damage Waiver” that isn’t technically insurance. Rather, it states that the company will “waive” their right to hold us to the deductible in case of damage to the car. Sometimes this CDW is a good deal, but it, too, can have a high deductible (in which case the rental car company may offer an additional “zero-deductible coverage”). This sort of protection usually runs about $15–25 a day.

Some American credit cards offer the same sort of CDW protection when you purchase the rental with their card. This can save you some serious cash. However, if you take advantage of this, the car rental company may also place a hold on your card—perhaps up to the retail cost of the car itself! (This can obviously wreak havoc with your available credit during your trip!) In case something goes wrong (the car is stolen or you’re in an accident), that card will be charged the full amount—and then you’ll have to take up the refund issue with your credit card company. (For more information on CDW and credit card insurance coverage, check out Rick Steves’ excellent overview.)

For our example, let’s say we’re not covered by our credit card, so we purchase a decent Collision Damage Waiver at $22 per day.

Cost: $154.

3. Calculate distance and approximate gas charges.

Map it out on Google

This can be tricky—and illuminating. Please, stick with me!

To determine the distance we’ll be driving, I just plugged each of these cities into Google Maps in the following order: Rome – Florence – Siena – Florence – Venice – Verona – Rome. If driven directly, on the highways, without stopping to explore, the trip would be 1,363 km (847 miles).

We will be stopping and making little diversions, however, so let’s call it 1,609 km (1,000 miles).

But what’s the fuel efficiency of our car? Again, a little search (for “Ford Fiesta fuel efficiency”) leads us to Cnet, which reports that the 2011 manual-shift Fiesta fuel economy is 28 mpg in the city (11.9 km per liter) and 37 mpg on the highway (15.7 km per liter). We’ll be doing more highway driving, so I’ll average it out to 35 mpg (14.88 km per liter). (To get the mpg-km/liter conversions, I simply typed “35 mpg” into Google, and the conversion came up automatically as a suggestion.)

Doing a little division (1,609 km / 14.88), I can approximate the need for 108 liters of diesel for the trip.

The average cost of diesel in August 2010 in Italy was €1.25 per liter. Multiply liters by price, and we reach €135, or $175.

Cost: $175

4. Calculate tolls.

If you thought calculating distance and gas charges was fun, wait until you start in on tolls! This site, however, makes it possible to view current toll charges on Europe’s main highways.

All European toll roads are not created equal, and charges fluctuate quite a bit depending on the country. For example, France has more expensive toll roads than Italy, while Germany’s Autobahn is free for passenger cars. Also, even in countries with expensive highways, smaller and more charming roads are almost always free to use.

In our case, we have quite a distance to cover, so we’ll stick to Italy’s highways for most of the driving. Looking between Google Maps and the toll calculator, I came up with this:

Rome – Florence: €14.60
Florence – Siena: We won’t take highways. No toll.
Florence – Bologna – Venice: €6.50 + €5.60
Venice – Verona: €3.70
Verona – Bologna – Florence – Roma: €5.30 + €6.50 + €14.60

Total cost for tolls: €56.80 or $74

5. Road tax.

In Auto Europe’s terms and conditions, we find that Italy charges a road tax on car rentals of €2 a day, up to €32 for the rental. This will tack on €14 for our 7-day rental.

Cost: €14 ($18)

6. Parking.

And here we are at our last major charge, but one of the most significant: parking garages. Parking is hardly ever included in the cost of a hotel room when renting in the center of a major European city. (It is often free, however, in more suburban spots or along highways, where there’s often a parking lot.)

In our case, we’ll need to park the car seven overnights in a garage. The price will vary, of course, depending on the garage and city. With some searching, you can figure it out. In our case, we hunted around and found the following rates:

Florence garages (3 nights): €18 per day
Venice garages (2 nights): €20 per day in Piazzale Roma
Verona (1 night): €15 (approximate–couldn’t find specific rates)
Rome garage near Termini (1 night) : €28 per day

Total: €137 ($178)

7. Additional charges

There are certainly other considerations. Here are a couple of charges:

Will you pay extra for a GPS system? Baby car seat? Extra luggage rack?

Will you incur any traffic or speeding tickets? (Those can really get you—you’ll pay for the ticket, PLUS a “processing fee”! Read our earlier post about how speeding tickets make lousy souvenirs.)

Are you crossing any bridges or driving through tunnels?

Are you a young driver? In the case of our rental, the minimum driver age is 23, and drivers 23 and 24 years old will have to pay an extra fee.

Total: In our hopeful case, $0.

The bottom line

We’re ready for the fun part. Let’s add it up:

Car rental: $381
Insurance/CDW: $154
Gas: $175
Tolls: $74
Road tax: $18
Parking: $178
Additional charges: 0

Total: $980

Rather incredibly, the $381 car rental has ballooned to a $980 expense!

It’s not fun (for most people) to trudge through all of this data, but now we at least have an approximate total cost. Now we can more realistically compare this amount to the cost of taking the train between each of these destinations. We might even choose to take a budget flight between Venice and Rome.

Or we might still rent the car. The most important thing, however, is that we make an informed choice—and don’t wind up shocked by incidental costs.

Tell us about additional costs – and your experience

Have you been surprised by the “real cost” of renting a car in Europe? Did you notice a way for us to save on our hypothetical rental? Did we overlook another cost? Have a story to tell? Share your experience in our comments section.

The post How to calculate the “real cost” of renting a car in Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Why, you ask? Allow us to demonstrate photographically what happened on a recent journey when we overlooked this critical step. Come, Cheapos, let’s take a ride…

Step 1: Fill ‘er up

Unleaded? Diesel? Who cares! Just fill ‘er up. In our case, we filled up a diesel-only car with unleaded gas.

Step 2: Hit the beach

Drive (a short distance) to a picturesque location and park the car. For us, it was Lake Como, Italy, where we spent the day swimming and frolicking, nary a care in the world.

Step 3: Try to start car and panic

When the car doesn’t start and you realize that you didn’t use diesel, go ahead and briefly freak out, perhaps for three or four minutes. Then, if you don’t speak Italian, do your best mime routine to the locals and hitch a ride on the back of their ninja motorcycle.

Step 4: Back to the beach

After repeating your mime act at the gas station – much to the delight of both yourself and the assembled audience – hop in a car with the head mechanic and drive back to your stranded car. (Preferably, your car ride should follow directly behind a circus trolley that is inexplicably carrying the head mechanic’s children.)

Step 5: Get towed

Watch with embarrassed relief as your car is hoisted onto the back of a flatbed truck to take you to the gas station.

Step 6: Say goodbye to paradise

Snap a photo and wave goodbye to Lake Como from inside the car (there’s not enough room in the truck’s cabin, natch) as you make your way to the gas station.

Step 7: De-gas and re-gas

Hang around the gas station and watch all the “bad gas” get sucked out of your car’s tank. Try not to concentrate on how much the gas originally cost. Pose confidently for a photo.

Step 8: Learn your lesson

Swear you’ll never do this again. Yet allow yourself to appreciate the experience you just had.

The post What happens when you put unleaded gas in a diesel rental car? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The natural instinct when booking a car is to go with the absolute cheapest rate possible, but rental car companies are notorious for tacking on hidden fees and surcharges (some are worse than others) that can seriously inflate the cost of your trip. The one fee you must ask about up front in Europe is the cost of transferring your personal information to the police in cases of speeding or parking tickets.

I learned this the hard way. I never thought twice about this until a recent trip to the English countryside with my partner and two of our friends. I found a great deal for a two-day rental with Europcar (a nice, big car to fit the four of us)—all told, with insurance, it was around $100. Believe me, this is not bad for London. We had a great time driving through the picturesque villages in the Cotswolds, stuffing ourselves on fish and chips and waking up with sheep bleating in the pastures around our B&B.

Related: Search and compare car rentals in Europe

Speeding tickets!

Then, in the span of six hours, on the same road, everything changed—and we suddenly found ourselves hundreds of dollars in the hole. Our car was photographed twice by speed-enforcement cameras—once going 35 mph in a 30-mph zone, and the other time going 38 mph.

I understand the need for drivers to keep their speeds down in and around country villages, but my partner (who was driving) was hardly channeling Mario Andretti here. Nonetheless, we knew we got nabbed when the flashbulb went off as our car passed the hidden camera. Anyone who has been in this situation in Italy, France, or Germany knows that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.

The tickets I can understand. They were excessive, but there’s really no way to fight them. We were assessed fines of about £60 per ticket, which we paid. (Friends who have received photo-enforced speeding tickets on trips to Italy have ignored the charges when they returned home to the U.S. and apparently been O.K. But I wouldn’t advise that.) We ponied up the $200 and figured we learned a costly lesson.

Hidden fees and surcharges

I didn’t anticipate I’d be hit with more fees weeks later from Europcar. The company charged my credit card twice (without my knowledge, mind you) for what they later told me were “administrative fees” related to the tickets, namely the amount they charge for passing our contact details on to the local authorities.

The amount: a staggering $50 PER TICKET.

Now, I know this is common practice for rental car companies—they maintain that this charge covers the cost of transferring your data to the relevant local authorities. But from a consumer’s standpoint, it helps to be informed of the rules and regulations before you rent, just so you’re aware of the possible tack-ons.

Make sure the amount of the surcharge is clearly stated in the terms and conditions of your agreement. And watch your credit card statements closely in the months after your rental to see if any charges show up without your knowing about it (as it did in my case).

For those who want to learn more about these rental car fees, here’s an excellent article on MSNBC’s website. Educate yourself, or you might find yourself in the same situation I’m in, paying three times the cost of your rental car in profligate surcharges.

The post Renting a Car: Watch out for speeding tickets… and extra charges! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.