Renting a car when you are traveling with kids is appealing because you do not have to struggle on and off public transport and children do not travel light. You have the benefit of privacy and independence and setting your own timetable and avoid at least some of the stresses of family travel when going on your family holiday.
If you are renting a car with the kids we have partnered with cartrawler who search thousands of car rental special offers and special deals and you can book car hire here on the site. Have a look here too at the tips for car hire savvy savings.
Top tips for smart car rental when traveling with children
Booking a rental car
Shop around for the best deals and use a comparison site or a site which negotiates with local and international car hire companies. Check what is and is not included such as insurance,extra driver fees, high excess and all the other extras that drive the prices up.We like Car Trawler who do this so check them out here.
If you are booking flights do consider the airline's car hire partner as they can work out cheaper. it will costs you more to pick up from the airport so if you can get into town ( hard we know with a pile of kids hanging out of you) or if your hotel is not too far away consider getting the car in town or delivered to the hotel. An early morning rush hour hire (8-10) will generally cost you more so avoid this if you can.
Selecting your vehicle will make a huge difference in terms of comfort. Most families will travel with several bags and suitcases and you need to check boot size. If the cost of upgrading to a slightly larger vehicle is modest we would always suggest you super size if the budget allows.
Additional drivers can be expensive so if you are going to be sharing the driving try to get a company that does not charge for an extra driver or one where this is only a small fee and not a daily price.
If you are collecting at the airport check if the office is actually at the airport or a distance away which can mean getting a bus which is an extra hassle with children and adults alike at the end of a flight. Look also at the returning arrangements.
If it is possible pay in advance as the prices can be significantly less although check the terms and conditions as you could be stuck if you have to cancel or alter your trip
Upholstery that is easy to clean will be best and if you are going to be in a warm climate, air-conditioning is important. This also applies where air pollution could be an issue.
Car seats are generally an extra charge and do add up in terms of cost with some being charged at up to €7 or more a day or others at €45 a rental per seat. If you are traveling on a tight budget you can save money by taking your own seat. Many airlines will allow you to check in a car seat into the hold. Some allow you to carry on and some like Ryanair charge an arm and a leg for this so check the airlines terms and conditions.
If you would rather not carry your child's car seat on the flight, check what car seats the car rental company provides and ensure that it is suitable for your child’s height and weight. Always pre-book a car seat if you require one as local supply can be limited. If you are bringing your own car seat, you must check that it can be installed in the model of the car you are renting.
Most car rental companies give you a full tank of petrol and ask you to return it full. Avoid those that ask you to return it empty as you will rarely be able to do that and will end up paying for expensive petrol that you do not use. When you are returning your car leave lots of time and if you can try to spot a petrol station on the way out of the airport to pop into on your return. Even if you refuel on the way as long as the gague is pointed at full you should be fine.
A car with an entertainment system such as a CD player will be the best option to entertain the children either with child's CDs or audio books.
We would always recommend you get comprehensive insurance including accident or collision damage waiver. Children can have a habit of spilling or scratching things and the smallest piece of damage could result in a large bill. This can be pricey though at €7 or more a day. If you hire a car a few times a year think about getting annual excess cover to cover you for the whole year which can be purchased for around €55 if you shop around and one such company is insurance4carhire.com. Consider and compare excesses as well as they can very from €500 to over €1000.
Car seats and seat belts are always recommended for children under the age of twelve but global laws vary. In some countries children are not allowed in the front seat of a car and either car seats or booster seats are rightly mandatory in most developed countries. Make sure you check the local legal requirements.
Collecting a rental car
Send an advance party ahead when one parent is collecting the bags to get the ball rolling on the paperwork for the car hire to save time and sanity.
Always take both parts of your driving license with you as both are required by the rental companies.
Check that airbags are disabled if you are using a rear facing car seat for a baby.
Make sure the car is properly equipped with all of the appropriate safety features. Before you set off ensure that car seats are properly installed, child locks enabled (this can often be forgotten when collecting a rental car in unfamiliar destinations) and any sunshades or rear view mirrors are installed.
Check the condition of the car very carefully before you set off ( even if the kids are crying and tempers are frayed) and in particular check for scratches, dents and chips on the windows. Ensure that all defects are noted on the documents before you leave with a member of staff and get their name.
Check that the car rental company have done a full car check including tires, spare wheel, water, oil, antifreeze, fuel, brake fluid and pads and airbags.
Make sure you have all of the contact details in case of breakdown or accident and that you know where to return the car as in some cases this can be away from the airport and you need to leave extra time on your return for a transfer.
Plan your route carefully. Get a map and study it before you set off not en route. Make sure you have explicit written directions or even better beg steal or borrow a satellite navigation system enabled for the destination. Our Tom Tom has saved us many fraught journeys over the last few months and the kids love the silly voices and the bossy lady as they call her.
Consider special equipment designed for traveling with kids such as neck supports, toy storage systems, sunshades, child rear view mirrors and snack trays. The extra expense can make a huge difference.
Check that you are fully aware of the rules of the road in your destination country if you are traveling abroad and have a look at sites like the AA for rules of the road and any tips on driving overseas or in your destination.
Returning a rental car
When you are returning your car try to leave extra time so that you can stock up on fuel close to the drop off point and have the car checked to ensure that all are happy that there is no damage.
The difference preparation will make when you are traveling in a car with your family is immense and proper timing, appropriate stocks and good in-car entertainment will make a huge difference to this experience. We have provided a long list of top tips for traveling in a car with the kids and hope that you will find them useful.
We have prepared some advice and a checklist of what to bring on a car journey as well as several lists on how to entertain the children while you are traveling with the kids through the various ages and hope these are helpful.
For thousands of car rental special offers and special deals and you can book car hire here on the site.
You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday.
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