UK Ferry Tickets

Now holiday season is in full swing, your summer holiday might be looming on the horizon. If you are planning a self-drive holiday in Europe then you might want to start thinking about whether you are to take your own car or whether you are going to hire one after travelling on the ferry or via Eurostar.

Of course, it would be more comfortable for you to travel in your own car because you’re used to it and can handle it if anything goes wrong. However, if your car is anything like mine then you probably wouldn’t dare take it abroad. I don’t trust my car to get me to the nearest town so I definitely wouldn’t take it abroad! If this sounds familiar then a car rental is the best possible option.

Hiring a car when you get across the English Channel is not as simple as it sounds though. There are things that you should consider beforehand, including the following:

• You should always choose a reputable car rentals company that is located close to the ferry/Eurostar arrival point. Smaller companies may well be trustworthy, but larger companies often have more facilities to help you and are easier to find customer reviews about.
• Make yourself aware of any penalty costs. This applies if you have an accident or have the car stolen when you’re in Europe. Some do charge steep penalties whereas others only charge a slight excess. Check these before you even book the car to make sure that you know about what the potential costs of renting a car are.
• You should also check whether or not the care rental company would provide all of the equipment you legally need to be on the road. You will definitely need a red hazard triangle and a visibility vest, but you may also need other equipment, depending on where you’re going. You will need to take any equipment that they don’t provide with you. Check that you have everything you need when you get there as well and do not drive off without it.

There are also factors that you should consider when you arrive on the continent, including:

• Always check the rental car inside and out before you drive it away and have any damage documented. Everything from the smallest scratch to the largest dent should be documented before you leave the car rental depot. If you miss anything you could be charged for it upon your return. If it is documented then the company has no comeback, but if it’s not then legally you don’t have a leg to stand on.
• Always make sure that you have all of the paperwork you need. You’ll need insurance, ownership and any other legally required documents that you need to be able to drive your rental car. If you don’t have it and are stopped by the police then you’ll definitely be fined if not taken to the local police station. Make sure you have it all to hand before you drive off.
• Every car rental company should have a breakdown service on retainer so ensure that you have the number. This is definitely a just in case measure but you never know what might happen. It’s much better to be safe than sorry and completely broke!

If you fail to consider any of the above factors before you go on holiday and then follow through with them when you are there, you could end up finding that your holiday has cost you a lot more than you bargained for.

Guest Article by Louise Cowley

Wednesday, June 11th, 2008