Best Way to Rent a Car Abroad in 2026
Renting a car is where good trips quietly leak money — at the booking screen, and again at the counter. Here’s how to book it for the right price, understand the insurance and excess that actually matter, decline the upsells you don’t need, and dodge the traps that catch travellers out anywhere in the world.
The short version
Compare the total trip cost before booking. Check the deposit, included protection, pickup location and cancellation terms alongside the rental price. Start with DiscoverCars, then compare a direct supplier quote on the same terms. Choose your destination guide for local details.
Where to book a rental car (and why it matters)
Compare these three booking routes on the same dates and conditions:
| How you book | The reality | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Comparison site (aggregator) | Lets you compare participating local and international suppliers. Check the total and the conditions of each rate. | Almost everyone |
| Direct with one supplier | You only see that one brand’s price and fleet. Occasionally wins with loyalty status or a corporate rate. | Loyalty members |
| Walk-up airport desk | Availability and counter prices may differ from online quotes. Compare before committing. | Nobody, by choice |
A comparison site helps you shortlist participating suppliers, but it does not show every possible offer. Compare your shortlist with the supplier’s direct price, including the same pickup times, protection, deposit and extras.
Other comparison sites and direct suppliers may show different prices or conditions. Compare the same pickup location, times, vehicle category and extras. A cheaper headline rate is only useful if its deposit, protection and cancellation terms work for you.
Compare prices for your destination
Enter your dates to compare participating suppliers. Read each offer’s total price, deposit, included protection and cancellation conditions before choosing.
Compare rental cars on DiscoverCars →Book in advance, not at the airport
Checking before departure gives you time to compare vehicle availability and conditions. Automatics and larger vehicles can have limited availability on busy dates. Do not assume an advance quote is automatically the lowest price.
If you want the option to change plans, choose a rate whose cancellation deadline and refund terms you can meet. If you find a better booking later, check the original conditions before cancelling it.
Rental insurance & excess, explained simply
Read the rental conditions before choosing extra protection. The excess is the amount you may owe under the rental agreement; the deposit is the security hold or payment the supplier requires. They are different figures.
DiscoverCars Full Coverage works by reimbursing eligible costs after you pay the supplier. Buying it does not remove the supplier’s deposit requirement or change the excess on the rental contract. Check the covered items, exclusions, limit and claim documents before buying.
| Option | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Supplier waiver or excess reduction | The excess after purchase, remaining exclusions and the resulting deposit requirement. |
| DiscoverCars Full Coverage | Reimbursement terms, eligible costs and claim documents; budget for the supplier’s deposit. |
| Existing travel policy or card benefit | Whether your trip and vehicle qualify, the excess benefit and any conditions on paying for the rental. |
A useful check: if the supplier requires a €1,000 deposit and your available card limit is €700, reimbursement cover does not solve that €300 shortfall. Choose a rental whose deposit and card conditions you can meet.
Source: DiscoverCars Full Coverage explanation and deposit requirements, checked 16 September 2026.
What you can usually decline at the counter
Compare optional extras against what you already have and what the rental requires. Ask for an itemised quote before accepting additions.
- Fuel: compare the return policy and refuelling charges. With full-to-full, keep the final fuel receipt.
- Protection: compare the supplier’s offer with any reimbursement product you bought. They may work differently, so do not assume they provide identical cover.
- Equipment: price a second driver, navigation and any required child seat before arrival.
If a required deposit or card condition cannot be met, resolve that before paying for the booking. Photograph the car and record existing damage at collection and return.
Licence & International Driving Permit rules
Whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) depends entirely on the country and your licence:
- Some countries accept your home licence alone if it’s in their language or in English (e.g. New Zealand accepts English-language licences for up to 18 months).
- Others legally require an IDP — a paper translation carried alongside your original licence (e.g. South Korea requires the 1949 IDP).
- Within the EU/EEA, member-state licences work across the bloc; visitors can usually drive on a home licence for a set period (often up to ~6 months).
Carry your original licence alongside any required International Driving Permit. Check the destination’s rules and supplier requirements in advance, and obtain the appropriate permit from an authorised issuer where you are eligible.
The 60-second pre-booking checklist
- Compare a shortlist of rental quotes, including a direct supplier quote on the same terms.
- Read the all-in price — car + insurance, not the teaser rate.
- Compare protection: distinguish supplier excess reduction from reimbursement cover, and check any existing policy or card benefit.
- Pick full-to-full fuel, not prepaid.
- Filter for automatic if you can’t drive manual — they cost more and sell out.
- Check the licence/IDP rule for your destination and sort the IDP at home.
- Check the cancellation deadline and refund method if you want flexibility to change the booking.
- At pickup: photograph everything and confirm the fuel level and existing damage on the sheet.
Quick decision guide
Car rental guides by country
Pick the place you will collect the car. Country guides cover the wider trip; local and airport guides help with a specific pickup.
Europe
Africa & the Middle East
Asia, Oceania & the Americas
Islands & local guides
Airport pickup
For mobile maps and booking access, compare the travel eSIM options before departure.
Car rental FAQ
What is the best site to book a rental car?
Use a comparison site such as DiscoverCars to shortlist participating suppliers, then check the full conditions and a direct quote. The best booking is one whose total cost, deposit, pickup and cancellation terms suit your trip.
Is it cheaper to book in advance or at the airport?
Compare before departure so you can check availability and terms without pressure at the counter. Prices fluctuate; booking early does not guarantee the lowest rate. Cancellation conditions determine whether you can change to a better offer later.
What car rental insurance do I actually need?
Start with the included protection, excess, deposit and exclusions in the rental conditions. Compare supplier excess reduction with any reimbursement cover and existing benefits. DiscoverCars Full Coverage reimburses eligible costs; it does not remove the supplier’s deposit requirement.
What does CDW not cover?
Standard CDW commonly excludes the windscreen and glass, tyres and wheels, undercarriage and roof, keys, interior, towing and your personal belongings — plus anything caused by negligence, wrong fuel, off-road driving or drink-driving. Read your waiver’s exclusions before declining extra cover.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
It depends on the country and your licence. Some accept a licence in their language or English on its own; others legally require an IDP (a paper translation carried with your original). Get the IDP in your home country before you travel, and check the rule for your specific destination.
Should I prepay for fuel?
Usually no. Prepaid fuel means you pay for a full tank up front with no refund for what’s left, so you typically overpay. Choose full-to-full — collect the car full, return it full — and decline prepaid unless you have a rushed return and can’t refuel nearby.
Ready to book?
Enter your dates to compare participating suppliers. Read each offer’s total price, deposit, included protection and cancellation conditions before choosing.
Find your rental car on DiscoverCars →Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links — if you book through them, Backpacking Is Life may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Insurance terms, fees and driving regulations vary by country and change over time; this guide explains the general principles, but always read your specific rental, insurance and toll terms, and confirm the licence rule for your nationality, before you book. Last updated September 2026.