Prices: Many car rental companies/local partners offer a low price online, but are all fees included?

Terms:
Are taxes, collision damage waiver (CDW) amount and other insurances included?
How much is the exemption/liability amount and the guarantee amount? Please check the 'Terms & Conditions' of your selected offer for further details.

Working hours :
In most destinations, you can pick up and drop off your car at any time, day or night, every day of the year. In selected destinations we also offer the option of picking up/dropping off your car from your hotel.

How many people are traveling with you? How much luggage will you all have?
Take the above into account when choosing your car.

Need something extra:
You can check the list of additional services / equipment and order them all together during your booking process.

Child seats:
They are mandatory in most countries and can be ordered during the booking process. The standard of child seats may differ from what you are used to, however you are welcome to bring your own.

Roof rack:
Consider renting a larger car instead of a smaller car with a roof rack. It will be safer to drive without a roof rack and without the risk of theft. No insurance will cover damage caused by either a roof rack or roof-mounted luggage.

Know the traffic laws of the country you are traveling to.
This information can be requested from the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting.

Make sure your driver's license is valid.

You may also need an International Driving Permit, please check the rental terms and conditions available in your My Booking account.
Don't forget your credit card and your car rental voucher.

Make a plan for your first day of driving.
Where will you travel?
Will you stop along the way?

Contact:
Will your mobile phone work abroad?
You may need to call your telephone company to check how international calls are made.
Remember that you probably also pay if someone calls you abroad.
Check the country code you will use to call home.
Please note that in many countries the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited.

Route planning:

Check the local map at home to decide how far you want to drive and for how long.
You can leave the detailed planning for later, but make sure you have the first day's route roughly in mind.

Who is driving?

If you are sharing driving, make sure all co-drivers are listed on the contract and are authorized to drive. Make sure everyone has a valid driver's license and passport.

Scheduled stops:

No one is designed to sit for hours, so plan your stops until your destination.
Set a time limit to stop for a meal or a walk. Break the journey into maximum 2 hour segments if you are traveling with children. Ideally, choose the first overnight stop as close to the airport as possible, especially if you've arrived after a long flight or arrive overnight. Remember the point is to enjoy your vacation and relax and not burn out.

Traveling with children:

Are your children not comfortable in the car? If so, better avoid screens. Will a tablet or iPod cause more accidents than it's worth?

In the unfortunate event of an accident, the most important advice is:
Keep calm and try not to panic!
If someone is injured, help them first and, if necessary, call an ambulance.
Call the car rental company/local partner.
Their contact number is on the rental agreement. Also call the police and file an accident/damage report.
Get as much information as possible about the other vehicle and driver, such as name, registration number, etc.
In case of mechanical breakdown, contact the car rental company or Roadside Assistance.
You can find the contact numbers in the rental agreement.

Check:

• damage to the car. Do you list any previous, existing breakdowns/damages on your policy?
• Where are the spare tires and the necessary tools for changing tires.
• DO NOT forget to get the copy of the contract!
• if you have currency for tolls etc. Not all gas stations accept credit cards.
• you need to know exactly where to return the car when the rental is over.
• ask the representative for directions to your first destination.
• check what kind of fuel the car needs. Diesel or petrol?
• ask what you should do in the event of an accident / damage.

In most destinations it is necessary to make a police report for even the smallest damage.