How to hire a car abroad cheaply: Guide, tips & debit card options

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Hiring a car for a trip abroad can be a daunting task, especially when you’re trying to keep costs low – but my guide will cover everything you need to know about how to hire a car – with my usual money saving tips to help you to find a cheap rental car. I know a lot of people would prefer to hire a car without a credit card too – it can be trickier to hire a car with a debit card but this guide will also look at options for that too, and which companies you can hire from. With a bit of planning and organisation, you can save a considerable amount of money and ensure a smooth rental experience. Here’s my guide on how to hire a car abroad without spending a small fortune!

1. Compare rental prices online

The first step in hiring a car is to compare prices across different websites with companies like Skyscanner, Expedia or Holiday Extras which will help you to find the best deals with minimum time and effort. These platforms collect prices from various rental companies, allowing you to see at a glance which one offers the most competitive rate without spending hours doing research! Expedia will also highlight various car hire deals at popular destinations and airports.

2. Book your hire car in advance

One of the golden rules of saving money on car hire is to book as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as the pick-up date approaches, so securing your vehicle well in advance can lead to significant savings – I actually saw someone sharing that they’d hired a car for £4 a day recently! On top of this, booking early often gives you a better choice of vehicles which will also likely give you more options within your budget. Holiday Extras advertise that they provide cheap car hire deals starting as low as £2.28 per day – so it’s definitely worth taking a look as they also have a free cancellation policy in case your plans change.

3. Consider package deals

Sometimes, it’s cheaper to book your car hire as part of a package deal when you’re booking your holiday or flights. If you’re booking flights, British Airways partner with Avis and Budget to offer reduced rates. And, EasyJet also offer reduced car hire rates through their partnership with CarTrawler. Travel agencies in particular will often provide package deals that include flights, accommodation and car hire at a reduced rate. If you’re booking with TUI, they have partnerships with major car rental companies like Europcar, Enterprise and Alamo with discounted rates, with the option to cancel or amend your booking up to 24 hours before the rental at no extra cost. And, Eurocamp also offers discounted car hire options through partnerships with major car rental companies too.

4. Hire the right car for your needs

Select the car that fits your travel requirements. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, a compact car will be more economical in terms of fuel and rental cost. However, if you’re traveling with family and need more space, consider hiring a larger vehicle but balance this against the higher costs. When hiring a car through a company like Expedia, you’ll be able to search by price, car and type.

5. Check for hidden fees

Be aware of additional charges that can inflate the cost of your car hire. These might include insurance, extra driver fees, young driver surcharges or charges for returning the car to a different location. Always read the terms and conditions carefully, to avoid being caught out when you get there, and factor these costs into your budget.

6. Use your own car insurance

Rental companies often push you to buy their insurance, which can be quite costly. First, check if your existing car insurance or credit card offers coverage for rental cars as this could save you a substantial amount of money – but always make sure that you understand the coverage limits and exclusions.

7. Avoid airport car rentals

Renting a car at the airport might be convenient, but you’ll likely pay a highly inflated price for being disorganised. If you haven’t booked your hire car before you travel, consider renting a car from a local company outside of the airport. There will often be car rental shops dotted around in towns and cities, and they’ll likely be cheaper than if you rent directly from the airport.

8. Fill up the tank yourself

Rental companies typically charge over-inflated rates for refuelling the car if you return it with less fuel than when you picked it up. Make a note of the fuel policy when you rent the car and ensure you fill up the tank yourself before returning it – we always take a photo too to prove that we refilled the fuel! (You don’t want to get charged twice!)

9. Check for discounts and coupons

If you don’t book through your car hire through your flight or holiday provider, it’s still possible to find discount codes and coupons online before booking your car. And, you might even find discounts on their own websites – companies like Europcar frequently offer promo codes and special discounts directly through their own website. Signing up for newsletters from major car rental companies and travel websites can also be a good way to receive exclusive discount codes and offers sent directly to your inbox. And, websites like vouchercodes will advertise cheap car hire offers too.

10. Inspect the hire car before you leave

The number one most important rule of car hire is to thoroughly inspect the car for any pre-existing damage, and make sure it’s documented, before you drive away. This can prevent disputes (and possible costly fines!) when you return the car. Take photos or videos of the car from all angles, including the interior, to have proof of its condition at pick-up. I’ve heard so many horror stories about this so, even if you’re shattered after a long flight, make the effort to video the car inside and out all the way around to avoid issues later.

11. Limit additional drivers

Most rental companies charge a daily fee for additional drivers. If possible, limit the number of people who will be driving the car to avoid these extra charges. Some companies waive this fee for spouses or domestic partners, so it’s worth checking their policy, but if only one adult is likely to drive anyway then it might save you money to book your rental car with just one named driver.

12. Understand the car rental agreement

Finally, make sure you fully understand the rental agreement. Ask questions if anything is unclear – especially regarding insurance, mileage limits and fuel policies – and do so via email so that you have their response in writing in case of any future issues. Understanding these details can help you avoid unexpected charges and ensure a hassle-free rental experience. By following these tips, you can hire a car without breaking the bank, allowing you to enjoy your travels without worrying about excessive costs.

Can you hire a car without a credit card – which companies accept debit cards?

I thought it was important to include in my guide (for those who would prefer to use a debit card) that it is possible to hire a car in the UK and Europe without a credit card, but it can be more challenging and might require additional steps. Some major car rental companies, such as Hertz, Enterprise, Sixt and Europcar, may allow you to use a debit card instead of a credit card. However they often have stricter requirements, such as:

A Security Deposit: A larger deposit may be required when using a debit card, and this amount will be held on your account until the car is returned.
Proof of Identity: You might need to provide additional identification, such as a utility bill, proof of address or even your return flight details.
Age Restrictions: Some companies may have stricter age requirements if you’re paying with a debit card.
Car Category Restrictions: Certain vehicle categories, such as luxury or premium cars, might not be available for hire with a debit card.

When booking your hire car, make sure to specify that you want to use a debit card and confirm that it will be accepted. It’s advisable to book directly with the car rental company rather than through a third-party site to avoid any misunderstandings. When using a debit card to hire a car, ensure that you understand the amount of the security deposit and how long it will be held after the car is returned. The acceptance of debit cards varies significantly between rental companies and even different locations of the same company so always check in advance. Always verify payment methods before booking to ensure a smooth rental experience.

Remember to organise car seats

If you’re travelling with children, don’t forget to organise car seats too. These can be rented from the car rental firms but make sure you do so in advance – don’t assume they’ll have any suitable for your child when you arrive without prior notice. You can also bring your own cars seats for the kids – which is the option we have always gone for – as most airlines allow you to bring car seats for free and they can be checked in with your luggage. We put ours into car seat bags and wrap our towels around them (saving suitcase space and offering them a bit of protection for being thrown about!) and that saves on rental costs, as well as giving us peace of mind that the car seats are suitable and safe for our kids.

I hope my ‘how to hire a car’ guide has been helpful – and hopefully if you follow my tips it should be a stress free process – just be sure make contact with rental companies if you want to book without a credit card and use a debit card instead. Hunt around for cheap deals and get organised in advance of your trip to see the best savings. And, Happy travels!