Sneaky rule on Italian road trip cost Aussie traveller hundreds
Though train travel is a popular way to explore Europe, renting a car to travel around the continent can take you to a lot of beautiful spots off the beaten path.
But some travellers have been caught out by sneaky rules and hidden fees that have ended up costing them hundreds.
Like a colleague whose Italian road trip went awry after a simple sentence from the check-in clerk when they went to pick up their car.
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Rental cars can come with hidden conditions. Getty
They picked up a rental car at Milan airport, with plans to drive it into the Dolomites and then to Lake Bled in Slovenia, before returning to Italy.
But upon pick-up, they were warned that taking the car across international borders would result in a €500 fine.
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The staff at the car rental place told them that it was all laid out in the terms and conditions, which they should have read before paying.
Not wanting to be slapped with that hefty fee, they had to cancel their non-refundable accommodation in Slovenia. Then, they had to pay even more for a last-minute place to stay in Italy.
The travellers had to change their itinerary at the last minute. Getty
But to add insult to injury, upon checking the terms and conditions after the trip, the contract stated they would have only been charged €40 for taking the car across a border.
"They scared me!" the traveller told 9Travel, admitting she wished she'd read the fine print before making a booking. But after living in Europe for a year, where cross-border travel is extremely common for people on road trips, it never occurred to her to check.
Aussie travellers have been caught out by other simple issues with car rentals when travelling abroad.
I personally had to fork over an extra $100 to add my partner as an additional driver to a car rental in New Caledonia, because I forgot to pack my driver's licence and only had a photo.
Always read the terms and conditions. Getty Images/iStockphoto
I've also had a car rental company refuse to loan me a car because I didn't have the right type of credit card, stranding me in a random suburb in Denver, USA, and having to scramble to find an alternative.
"Most rental car problems are avoidable," says Sarah Jenkins, road safety specialist at My Car Reg Check.
"It's usually a simple case of not knowing a local law, not having the right paperwork, or ignoring small-print fees. Ten minutes of prep before you travel can save you hundreds."
A common fee to be aware of is the one imposed on drivers under the age of 25, who will have to pay up to $70 extra per day.
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European road trips are great but you don't want to be hit with hidden fees. Getty
Some European countries have random rules that you need to be aware of. For example, speed-camera detectors (including sat nav warnings) are illegal in France. If you're caught with one, it's a €1,500 fine.
Even renting a car here in Australia can see you hit with hidden fees for e-toll usage.
Tips to know before booking a rental car
- Check local laws for your destination. Camera bans, tolls, and low-emission zones can differ wildly.
- Confirm insurance cover. Don't rely solely on your credit card or your travel insurance policy.
- Match your booking details exactly to your driving licence and payment card.
- Ask about toll handling. E-tags, passes, and admin fees add up.
- Renew your photocard licence before travel if it's near expiry.
