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Whether you fancy a jaunt along the Amalfi Coast or an epic road-trip across the American West, renting a car is often the absolute best way to experience a destination on your own terms. But if you’re not careful, it can also turn into a wallet-draining ballache packed with sneaky fees, pointless extras, and frustrating surprises.
Most rental car tips currently online only cover the basics (like “Bring Your Licence”) but we’re going down a hella lot deeper—these 15 hacks are the ones that even seasoned travelers often overlook, and they could save you hundreds of dollars (and a fuckton of stress).
Let’s get started shall we?
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Use a VPN to Check Rental Prices
Many rental companies adjust pricing based on your geographic location or local demand, even for the exact same car on the exact same dates. By using a good VPN though, you can simulate searches from different countries to see if better deals are available.
For example, switching your location to the rental company’s home country (e.g. Italy for Europcar) can sometimes reveal lower rates or hidden deals. It’s a pretty simple trick that takes just minutes, and can knock a surprising amount off your total cost — especially during peak season or in tourist hotspots.
Your Credit Card Might Already Include Insurance
Whenever you book a rental, you will be offered insurance by the rental agency and in some cases, it may even be mandatory. In other circumstances, it may be included (or hidden) in the price.
However, many major credit cards—particularly Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — offer Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage when you use the card to pay for the rental.
This often includes coverage for theft and some damage, although liability and third-party coverage may still be needed separately.
If you do decide to rely on your credit cards ‘built in’ rental insurance, always be sure to call your issuer before you travel to clarify exactly what’s included. It’s an easy way to save $15–30 per day.
We have explored this and other hacks in our travel banking guide by the way.
Book Early—with Free Cancellation—and Keep Watching
Rental prices fluctuate just like airfares (in fact more), often rising closer to the pickup date. Booking early therefore usually locks in a better rate – but only if you choose a deal that includes free cancellation.
This way, you can keep on monitoring prices and rebook if you spot a cheaper rate. Some travelers use services like AutoSlash to automate this process, but even manually rechecking just once a week can pay off.
It’s not uncommon to find a 30% price drop a few days before your trips start date.
Avoid Airport Rentals If You Can
Airport car rentals are undeniably convenient, but they come at a cost. Many countries add hefty airport concession fees and taxes that can inflate your total by as much as 10–25%.
Instead, consider comparing prices at downtown or suburban locations, especially if you’re staying overnight before hitting the road. Even with the cost of a rideshare to a city pickup point, you might still come out way ahead.
Bonus Tip: local offices are often less crowded and more flexible with upgrades or returns.
Never Prepay for Fuel
Sure, the prepaid fuel option sounds tempting — you just drop off the car and go. But unless you’re driving until the tank is bone dry, you’re likely overpaying for a bit of convenience.
Rental companies charge a flat rate per tank that’s often much higher than local fuel prices, and they rarely ever refund for unused fuel. Instead, choose the “return full” option and refill at a nearby gas station before dropping off the car. You’ll avoid inflated charges and maintain full control over your costs.
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Use Price-Tracking Tools Like AutoSlash
We mentioned this one already but here it is again. Once you’ve booked a rental, sites like AutoSlash will monitor prices for your exact dates and rebook automatically if they find a cheaper deal than the one you have.
It works with most major agencies and takes all of the legwork out of price watching. Just remember to make sure your booking has free cancellation.
Combine this with price alerts from Kayak or Skyscanner and you’ve got a set-it-and-forget-it system that can save you money without lifting a finger.
Bring Your Own GPS or Child Seat
Need a GPS or baby seat? Well rental agencies are more than happy to provide them but at a steep daily cost. A GPS unit might cost $10–15 per day, and a child seat could run up to $50 for a weekend.
Our tip is to get an eSim and use your phone for navigation (download offline Google Maps or use Waze) and bring your own car mount.
If you’re traveling with kids, some parents rent child gear from local baby equipment companies at a much lower flat rate or even bring their own lightweight travel seats on the plane.
Take Photos and Video at Pickup and Drop-Off
Damage disputes are one of the most common —and infuriating —problems with car rentals. Don’t simply rely on the agent’s word or a vague checkbox form. Instead use your phone to take detailed photos and video of the car when you pick it up and again when you return it.
Capture all angles, close-ups of any scratches, dents, or windshield chips, and even the interior and roof. Timestamped footage can be a proper lifesaver if you’re ever accused of causing damage you know you didn’t.
Watch the 24-Hour Rule
Rental periods often run in 24-hour blocks. That means if you pick up the car at say 10 a.m., returning it at 11 a.m. on the last day could cost you a full extra day.
Wherever possible, always match your drop-off time to your pickup time, and avoid late returns. Some companies do offer a grace period of 29–59 minutes, but not all.
Mind the Mileage Limits
Not all rentals include unlimited mileage and this is especially common in Europe, Asia, or South America.
Exceeding ‘daily limits’ can result in surprisingly high per-kilometer charges. Always double-check the mileage policy when booking and calculate your expected driving distance beforehand.
If you’re planning a long road trip, it may be worth paying a bit more upfront for an unlimited mileage plan.
A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!
Jetpac eSIMs work just like an app: you download it, pick your plan, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.
Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic.
Grab an eSIM!Demand a Printed Inspection Report
A verbal “yeah, it’s all good” from the desk agent isn’t enough if a problem later aries. Always insist on a printed or emailed inspection report that shows the condition of the vehicle at pickup.
Some agencies have staff inspect the car with you and mark issues on a diagram. Others may skip this entirely—don’t let them. Having written confirmation protects you from being charged later for pre-existing dents or windshield chips you didn’t cause.
Automatics Are Scarce (and Costly) Abroad
In North America, automatics are the norm. But in much of Europe, Australia, and South America, manual transmissions dominate, and automatics can be in very short supply. If you can’t drive stick shift, be sure to book an automatic far in advance—especially in smaller towns or off-season destinations.
Expect to pay a premium, sometimes as much as 30–40% more. Alternatively, consider brushing up on manual driving before your trip — it could open up much cheaper options and save your ass in the event the automatic you reserved 3 months in advance isn’t available on the day (which happens).
Think Twice About “Upgrades”
It’s flattering when the rental agent offers a “free upgrade,” but it might not be in your best interest. For example, a larger car could mean lower fuel economy, harder parking, and higher tolls, particularly in countries with size-based road fees.
That fancy SUV they offer may not fit into tight European parking garages or narrow coastal roads. Unless the upgrade truly fits your needs (extra passengers or gear), it’s often better to stick with whatever you booked.
Double Check Cross-Border Travel Rules
Planning to drive across a border—say, from France to Spain or from the U.S. into Canada? Well not all rental agreements allow this, and some void insurance coverage once you cross certain borders.
Even if it’s technically allowed, additional fees or paperwork may sometimes be required. Always inform the rental company in advance if you intend to cross borders, and ask for a copy of written approval if applicable. Failing to do so could lead to massive fines—or being denied roadside assistance if you break down abroad.
Inspect the Spare Tire and Tool Kit
Flat tires do happen—especially on road trips that venture off the beaten path. Before leaving the lot, check the trunk for a spare tire, jack, and toolkit.
Make sure the spare is inflated and that the jack actually works. This step takes two minutes and could save you hours and hours of frustration if you get stranded in a remote area.
Bonus tip: also check for a reflective triangle or safety vest if required by law in the country you’re driving in (many European nations require this).
Handle Fines Promptly to Avoid Extra Fees
Got flashed by a speed camera or slapped with a parking ticket? Whatever you do don’t ignore it. In many countries (especially across Europe), rental agencies are legally obligated to pass your info to the local authorities—and then they’ll charge you a hefty administrative fee, often €20–€75 per ticket, on top of the fine itself.
If you’re handed a ticket directly, try to pay it right away on the spot, either online or at a post office or kiosk. It’ll usually be cheaper than waiting for it to catch up with you via the rental company.
Don’t Connect To The Bluetooth
Fun fact, if you connect your phone to the card bluetooth, then this opens up a whole world of data sharing from your device to the car that you can’t easily undo. While we do (kinda) trust rental companies you never know who is going to get into the car after you.
We know you might want to connect to the sound system to get your music going, but maybe use a portable speaker instead.
Bonus Tip: Ask About Local Driving Rules Before You Drive Off
And finally…
Ignorance won’t save you from a ticket. Always ask the desk agent about unusual local road rules—like low-emission zones (LEZ), city tolls, or no-parking days.
In places like Milan or Paris, driving into the wrong zone could mean a fine of over €100 without even knowing it. Some cities also use automated cameras to fine foreign drivers. A quick little chat at pickup can save you serious money later.
Where To Book Car Rentals
There are too many car rental agencies to choose from if you ask us. When ever we search for a car rental, we use either AutoSlash or booking.coms excellent car rental aggregator.
Have a look now…
There are too many car rental agencies to choose from if you ask us. When ever we search for a car rental, we use either AutoSlash or booking.coms excellent car rental aggregator.
Have a look now…
Final Thoughts
As you can see, renting a car isn’t simply about picking a model and hitting the road. It’s about knowing the rules, anticipating the fees, and being a little savvier than the average mug.
With these top insider car rental car hacks though, you’ll be better equipped to save money, avoid stress, and enjoy the ride—no matter where the road takes you.
Planning your next trip? Check out our guides to driving in Europe and how to plan the perfect road trip itinerary.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links, since we’ve decided to keep the site ad-free. So here it is!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
