ÖAMTC: Spain, the USA and Greece are particularly popular with rental cars

March 14, 2024
5:03 am

It’s worth booking early, and take note of the travel requirements, even if you’re renting a car

Vienna (OTS) – The cost of rental cars in holiday regions has fallen slightly compared to previous years – this is mainly due to the better availability of cars. However, you should book the rental car in good time. Early birders not only get the best offers, but also benefit from a larger selection. “Particularly popular travel destinations that are explored by rental car are Spain, the USA and Greece. But rental cars are also often booked in Italy, the popular holiday destination for Austrians,” says ÖAMTC travel expert Yvette Polasek.

Optionally: Tips for travelers who are traveling with a rental car

* Compare prices and providers: “A comparison of the different providers, but also of different vehicle classes and offers, can be worthwhile. It is important that you not only look at the price, but above all the overall package – for example which insurance companies The price is included,” says the ÖAMTC expert.

* Please also pay attention to what you have to carry when renting a car: What you have to carry can vary greatly from one another and is not uniformly regulated even within Europe. “Nevertheless, ignorance does not protect against punishment. If the mandatory equipment is not complete, you can be punished,” warns the ÖAMTC expert. Therefore, you should find out in advance what you are required to carry. “It is often forgotten that the regulations also apply to rental cars. It is therefore advisable to always check that the vehicle is correctly equipped when picking up the vehicle.” You can find out which carrying obligations apply in Europe at: www.oeamtc.at/mitfuehrpflichten.

* Environmental zones and driving bans: There are now environmental zones, driving bans and access restrictions in numerous European cities. However, there are no uniform regulations for the different zones. If a rental car already has a corresponding environmental sticker, you no longer have to worry about anything. “However, the tenants of the vehicle themselves are responsible for advance registration in an environmental zone with mandatory registration. Likewise, the city toll fees must be paid themselves and general driving bans such as the ZTL in Italy must be observed,” explains Polasek. Further information about the environmental zones in Europe can be found at: www.oeamtc.at/umweltzones.

* Returning the rental car: When booking, you should find out about the conditions under which you have to return the rental car. For example, the car usually has to be returned with a full tank.

Occasionally: ÖAMTC at the holiday fair – book your holiday and rental car on site

This year the ÖAMTC will once again be represented at the Vienna Holiday Fair from Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th March at the Vienna exhibition center in the Prater. A fixed date for everyone who wants to get advice about inexpensive holidays and also make use of the club’s tourist information services. At the ÖAMTC stand (Hall C, Stand C-0824), travel enthusiasts will receive personal travel advice as well as the opportunity to book vacations and rental cars safely and easily. There are also exclusive discounts for ÖAMTC members.

Aside from the holiday fair, rental cars can also be booked at www.oeamtc-mietwagen.at. With just a few clicks you can compare the current all-inclusive rental car prices at home and abroad – for more than 60 destinations at over 5,000 locations worldwide. There are no fees for rebooking or cancellation and fully comprehensive insurance is always included.

Further tips and a lexicon on rental car and insurance abbreviations are available for download in two checklists (for booking and also for picking up the vehicle) at www.oeamtc.at/mietwagen.