Road trips are a default for me. I’ve meandered through the winding backroads of Croatia all by myself, driven from Cusco to the Amazon rainforest in Peru with my husband, and happily spent two weeks exploring the Baltic nations via rental car.
That said, while there’s unparalleled freedom in having your own vehicle abroad, it sometimes doesn’t make sense to rent a car internationally.
In some cases, I’ve regretfully made that discovery after the fact, and in others I’ve come to that conclusion while 30-tabs deep into the research process.
Let my first-hand experience be a helpful guide for you.
In this article
- 1. Skip a Car When Excellent Public Transit Is Available
- 2. Avoid Rental Cars in Places With Challenging Road Conditions
- 3. Car Rentals Aren't Worth It When Traffic Is Notoriously Bad
- 4. You Don't Need a Car if the City’s Super Walkable
- 5. Parking Can Be a Major Headache
- 6. A Car Is a Waste of Money if You’re Not Leaving the Resort
- The Shortcut
1. Skip a Car When Excellent Public Transit Is Available
Not every city or country is blessed with incredible public transportation, but if you’ve landed somewhere known for their trains and metro system then take advantage of this.
For example, unless you’re venturing to rural parts of Europe or Japan, the vast network of trains and buses will save you money, traffic woes, and often time.
For instance, the London Tube can whisk you from Heathrow to neighborhoods across the entire city with ease, while the Paris Metro makes hopping from one cultural landmark to another a cinch.
Japan also has a famously efficient train system, including speedy bullet trains that can transport you from city to city. These systems are easy to get the hang of, even if you’re a public transit beginner.
2. Avoid Rental Cars in Places With Challenging Road Conditions
Even the most well-versed road trippers will tell you that traversing challenging road conditions isn’t for everyone.
Some city centers can leave you frazzled (like Tokyo or Seoul) while others will absolutely have you white knuckling the steering wheel, like in Cairo, Bangkok, Mumbai, and Rome, to name a few.
These are highly populated, dense cities where traffic rules are known to fall by the wayside. For example, in Cairo (where I most certainly had a driver) I noticed that people did not obey traffic signals, merging was an Olympic-level sport, and honking was the primary mode of communication.
Additionally, some areas are less developed or dangerous; think steep mountain passes, minimal signage, livestock crossings, or natural disasters. I’ve personally witnessed these scenarios in Costa Rica and Peru.
If you want to explore wilder areas like this, I personally think it’s best to hire a guide who can drive you around, and also help with language barriers.
3. Car Rentals Aren't Worth It When Traffic Is Notoriously Bad
Major traffic is nerve-rattling on its own, but it can also end up costing you lots of time.
For example, I made the mistake of driving from Paris to Bruges when I could have just taken the train and saved myself two to three hours. And getting across London is way more efficient by way of the Tube versus car, especially during rush hour.
A city like Lima, Peru, may be an exception because it’s spread out and the transit isn’t great, but even then, ordering an Uber on an as-needed basis can save you the headache of personally helming the steering wheel.
4. You Don't Need a Car if the City’s Super Walkable
While a car may come in handy in a sprawling city like Mexico City or more rural areas, they’re not necessary in walkable destinations.
From Paris to Barcelona to Edinburgh, many international cities were specifically built with foot-traffic in mind.
That said, I always love taking advantage of these beautifully laid out cities. The restaurants and cafes and public transit spots are all walkable from one to the other.
Plus, you really immerse yourself in the culture when walking versus driving in these areas. Get those steps in!
5. Parking Can Be a Major Headache
Traffic is one thing, but finding adequate parking is another.
If you've rented a car abroad, you’ll absolutely need to factor in whether parking is available at your destination, how much it costs, and how challenging said parking is.
I once had to have an AirBnB host in Croatia help me out of a super challenging parking spot. Some historic cities, like Ghent, Belgium or Ljubljana, Slovenia, won’t even allow cars in the city center itself.
And when you can find parking, it can get pretty expensive. For instance, I had to pay about $50 per night at my hotel when parking a car on-site in Cologne, Germany.
6. A Car Is a Waste of Money if You’re Not Leaving the Resort
There’s no sense in renting a car if you’re planning to stay in a hotel or resort for your entire stay. This is especially true in tropical locales like Cabo or during a wellness getaway in Costa Rica.
And if you do want to leave campus, or you need transport to and from the airport, you can usually coordinate this easily with the property itself, a tour company, or simply book an Uber.
Not only will you rarely (if ever) use the rented car, but you’ll likely have to pay a per-day parking fee which can easily cost around $50 or more a day.
The Shortcut
Sometimes the “freedom” of a rental car abroad comes with stress, expense, and logistical headaches.
Depending on the destination, public transit, walkability, or local transportation options may make a rental car feel unnecessary.
From difficult driving conditions to surprise parking issues, there are several situations where skipping the rental counter can make for a smoother trip.
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