World car hire

Whether you’re planning to explore the Outback of Australia or the French-flavoured culture of Canada’s Quebec Province, a rental car adds a dimension of intimacy that simply isn’t possible with public transportation. Better yet, many travellers discover that renting a car is actually more affordable than buying train and bus tickets, so take the time to compare car hire deals from the world’s top rental firms on this site.

World car hire driving tips

In countries such as India or China, where public transport is crowded and unreliable, having your own vehicle can greatly enhance the overall experience of travel. Bus fares in these countries may be cheap but travel by bus may be a headache unless you’re in search of an adventure. Even a trip from the airport to your hotel can cost less with a rental in some world cities so if you’re a confident driver, consider the value to be gained from having your own transportation when travelling the world.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: outside of Europe and North America, few countries recognise foreign driving licenses, even if they are in English, except Australia. The safest option is to get an International Driving Permit before travel. These permits are accepted worldwide.

Which side does the world drive on: this varies by country and should be the first thing you research. All of continental Europe, most of the Americas and Asia drive on the right, while Britain and the Commonwealth drive on the left.

Speed limits: Mostly;

Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 120kph

National or provincial roads: 100kph

Local roads: 80kph

Urban roads: 50kph

Alcohol limits: the global average limit is 0.05 per cent or 50mg/100ml. While drunk driving is strictly prohibited in developed countries, enforcement is often quite lax in poorer parts of the world.

Driving age: the legal driving age in much of the world is 18 years though in countries like the US, it is 16. Many car hire firms require hirers to be at least 21 or above.

Compulsory items: developed countries in regions like Europe often have laws requiring certain safety items to be in the car, such as a warning triangle or first-aid kit. Check with the car rental firm for the specifics and make sure the required items are included.

Seatbelts: are required for all people in the car in most countries. Even if seatbelts aren’t mandatory in your destination of travel, they are always a good idea.

Mobile phones and GPS: in developing countries like Colombia, there aren’t any laws about driving while talking on a mobile phone, but most of the developed world has outlawed the practice including places such as Canada and Iceland. Japan has gone as far as to prohibit hands-free devices while driving. Having a GPS in your car can be a lifesaver in destinations where signage is poor or language is an issue, such as in China or Japan, but programming such a device should only be done when the vehicle is stationary.

Cost of fuel in the world: outside of Europe, the price of unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel is considerably cheaper than in the UK.

Car hire and fuel payment: car hire companies in every country require a credit card or cash from the renter as a deposit against damages. It may be best to use cash when buying fuel, as some foreign countries such as China and Japan add a fee for credit card use. Yet credit card use is convenient for fuel payment in the likes of Europe.

Insurance: depending on the country, the rental company may not offer or require any form of insurance. In most destinations, basic third-party insurance is mandatory and offered with the rental. For your own protection, it’s wise to spend a little extra and buy coverage against liability and minor damages like broken windscreens.

Traffic and parking: most of the world’s major cities are congested and suffer from bad traffic but outside the urban hubs, the roads are typically a pleasure to drive. Road conditions can be a bit rough in developing nations so choose the right vehicle for the local roads. Parking is always an issue, and varies from place by place. Ask a local or policeman for the parking rules to avoid getting a ticket.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

Canada’s Northern Rockies – few places in North America are more visually stimulating than Canada’s Rockies, where jagged peaks rise up around superlative wonder spots like Banff and Jasper, and the roads are magical in early summer and autumn.

Iceland’s Ring Road – the sublime Ring Road runs the entire circumference of Iceland, allowing drivers to witness truly unique sights like the Blue Lagoon, geysers and charming fishing villages such as Arnarstapi. 

The US Canyonlands – America’s southwest is home to miles of empty road running through red rock canyons and majestic pillars rising from the desert floor in northern Arizona and southern Utah. 

The Great Ocean Road in Australia – wrap yourself around 151 miles of glorious coastal scenery along Australia’s southern shores, passing natural highlights such as the 12 Apostles and cool surf towns like Torquay.

World travel tips

From tiny nations like Costa Rica to the vast expanses of Australia and India, a rental car is an unbeatable way to really see the land you’re visiting. While a rental car may not be totally necessary in congested cities, it can transform a trip in exciting travel destinations such as the Middle East or Europe.

World weather and tourist seasons

No matter what time of year you want to travel, you can always find the ideal weather somewhere in the world, but the local climate needs to be considered when renting a car. North America and South America have opposite seasons, while Asia is split between the four seasons in the north and the steady temperate climate of the tropical south. For a winter trip to Japan or Scandinavia, be sure and request snow chains or consider a four-wheel drive, while a cruise around most parts of Australia can be done in a fun convertible at any time of the year.

Holidays and festivals

A major festival or holiday is a great excuse to plan a trip to a new destination. You can bet that in any month of the year there is something exciting and interesting happening somewhere on this planet. India is a treasure trove of cool festivals, from the colourful Holi to the bewitching lights of Diwali. Japan, Canada and Australia are great for modern cultural festivals featuring wine, cinema, art and music but if you need something more exotic, simply head to Indonesia or China to witness their ancient traditions at work. Keep in mind the main holidays like Chinese New Year create bottleneck conditions and plan appropriately.

Money matters

Cash is king in most developing countries like Indonesia and China, where credit cards have yet to make inroads. Banks are always a reliable place to cash travellers cheques or withdraw money using your credit card, but don’t count on being able to charge your dinner to the plastic in India. Exchanging money is best done in a bank or official currency exchange bureau rather than in a hotel or on the street. ATMs, although convenient, are not always the best way to withdraw cash abroad as there’s often a hefty fee tacked on to each transaction. Credit cards are a good way to pay for big expenses like accommodation and car rental.

Health and safety

Your health is an important thing to consider when travelling the world. Most travel destinations are safe in terms of deadly diseases, but it’s always recommended to have shots for hepatitis A and B no matter where you go. Malaria can be a problem in tropical countries, but you can avoid contracting it by covering up at dawn and dusk. Always stick to bottled water as foreign microbes can cause stomach trouble, even in the nicest places, and steer clear of raw food everywhere except for perhaps sushi bars in Japan. Buying travel insurance to cover emergency medical situations is always a good idea.

Fitting in…

The number one rule of good travelling is to respect the local culture, so doing a bit of research prior to your trip can go a long way to making your holiday enjoyable. From basic phrases in the local language to knowing what to do with your hands, feet and other body parts, local etiquette is part of every culture and should be followed.

Visas for the world

Travellers from the UK, the US, Canada, Ireland and Australia are able to enter most countries with a visa on arrival that is either free or costs a nominal fee. Some destinations like China require persons of virtually all nationalities to obtain a visa in advance. But once you are in the country, it’s usually possible to extend your travel visa. Make sure your passport is good for at least six months past the date you plan to travel. Travellers from other countries should check with the local embassy of their travel destination to find out the details on visas.

Electricity

In Europe, Asia and much of the eastern half of the planet, the standard voltage is 220 Volts, 50 Hertz. In the Americas, it tends to be 110 Volts, 60 Hertz. A great investment is a universal travel plug adapter.

Business hours
In popular tourist destinations, shops typically stay open longer than usual. In much of the world, Sunday is a day of rest. Government offices follow a global schedule of Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00.

Resources online

http://www.frommers.com/

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

http://www.fodors.com/