World car hire
It’s hard to overstate the depth of experience one can get from travelling with a rental car. With the exception of the US, public transportation in most developed nations is more than adequate to get you to the main attractions, but by flying or using the bus, you often miss out on the view as you go. A rental car opens up the possibility of pausing whenever you like or changing direction at the drop of a hat. There’s no freedom like the open road, and now you can compare car hire deals from leading global names such as Alamo, Hertz and Sixt right here.
World car hire driving tips
In some countries such as the US, it’s imperative to have your own car if you want to get around and see the sights. But the truth is, even in tiny destinations like the Turks and Caicos Islands a rental car is often better value than hiring taxis every time you want to visit a different beach or take a drive.
Need to know essentials
Driving licences: since every country has different rules about the kind of driving licenses they will accept, the best bet is to get an International Driving Permit, which is recognised worldwide.
Which side does the world drives on: the right side is the ‘correct side’ most would argue unless you’re part of the Commonwealth. So, Britain and all its former colonies including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and English speaking Carribbean countries drive on the left, while most of Europe, the Americas and Asia drive on the right. There are a few exceptions though.
Speed limits: Generally;
Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 120kph
National or provincial roads: 100kph
Local roads: 80kph
Urban roads: 50kph
Alcohol limits: around the world, the standard alcohol limit is 0.05 per cent or 50mg/100ml to operate a vehicle. Some places, such as the US, are extremely strict and use checkpoints and breathalysers, imposing massive fines and other penalties for violators.
Driving age: typically you must be 18 years old to drive in most countries, although the age limit is only 16 in the US. The person renting the car almost always needs to be at least 21 or 25 years old to qualify.
Compulsory items: in many developed countries, safety items such as a warning triangle, a reflective vest, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher are required to be in every vehicle by law. Check with the car hire office to ensure they have your car properly covered.
Seatbelts: are almost universally required by law to be worn by every passenger, and many nations also have specific age rules regarding children sitting in the front seat. Not wearing your seatbelt in the US will quickly get you pulled over and fined. In many countries now, seatbelts in the rear seats must be worn too.
Mobile phones and GPS: everywhere from the UAE to the US prohibits the use of a mobile phone while driving a car. Hands-free kits are usually allowed, but be sure and double check with the rental office. Some countries police this more vigilantly than others. A GPS is a useful device to have in the car, especially when driving in countries like Uruguay or Venezuela where language and spotty road signs can cause trouble. Programming of such a device must be done while the car is at a standstill.
Cost of fuel in the world: in Middle Eastern nations like the UAE, the price of petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel is considerably cheaper than in the UK. Even US petrol prices are significantly less than in Britain.
Car hire and fuel payment: the person hiring the rental car will need to show a valid credit card or put down a large cash deposit in order to pick up a vehicle. In developed nations like the US, it’s common for petrol stations to be self-service and credit cards are almost always accepted at the pump.
Insurance: the car rental company should provide third-party liability insurance with your rental but they usually don’t cover smaller issues like windscreen damage or flat tyres. Check your coverage carefully and make sure you are properly insured against every potential hazard.
Traffic and parking: only in idyllic places like the Turks and Caicos can you expect nothing in the way of traffic. The US and the UAE have good traffic flow everywhere except the major metropolis areas like Los Angeles and Atlanta. Parking is a problem that vexes most travellers, as every destination has its own specific rules. Coloured markings on the pavement and signs are typically used to indicate when and where you can park, but the safest bet is to ask a policeman or local before risking an expensive ticket.
Our travel editor’s recommended drives
Pacific Coast Highway, US – winding wondrously along California’s scenic coast, the ‘PCH’ is a true joy for a slow cruise, passing quaint beach towns, towering redwood forests and even cutting right through the heart of San Francisco.
Costa Rican volcanoes – few sights are more awe-inspiring than active volcanoes spewing red lava into the sky, so see as many as you can while in Costa Rica. The popular La Fortuna to Lake Arenal route passes waterfalls, hot springs and small villages.
Cape of Good Hope – a spectacular, cliff hugging driver along the mountains that make up this stunning cape south of Cape Town, in South Africa. The ocassional beach and endless viewpoints are a dangerous distraction from the windy road!
The Mae Hong Son Loop – is a roller coaster ride over the tail end of the Himalaya in Northern Thailand, starting out in Chiang Mai and traversing lush tropical topography to reach a frontier town on the Burmese border.
World travel tips
Whether it’s a secluded tropical beach in the Turks and Caicos or a road trip through America’s desert southwest, a car rental is often the only way to make it happen. Most travellers would agree, the road is full of potential memories and can be the difference between an average holiday and one for the books.
World weather and tourist seasons
The weather is one factor that is often overlooked during travel planning, yet it can determine whether your trip is a success or a failure. In the US alone, the deserts of Arizona are glorious in winter while blizzards rage across Chicago and New England. In South America, the warm months arrive in December and January and in the UAE the month of August can drive a person mad with heat. The European vacation season runs from June to August, while the Turks and Caicos fill up over the New Year holidays. Careful consideration of peak holiday seasons and local climate can make all the difference to a holiday.
Holidays and festivals
Incorporating a festival into a trip is a great way to liven up any holiday. More youthful nations like the US are known for their world-class festivals that showcase film, food, wine, music and art while older cultural traditions are on display in countries like Venezuela and Uruguay, where religion often takes centre stage in the event. One thing to remember, however, is that the most popular festivals and holidays equate to more crowds and less hotel availability so plan accordingly.
Money matters
In countries like the US, you can use your credit card virtually everywhere for everything, but travel to Zambia or Uruguay and you’ll find that cash is much more widely accepted. In any country, banks are the best places to cash travellers cheques, withdraw money from your credit card or exchange currency. Avoid using hotels or airports for big currency exchange transactions as they typically offer low rates. ATMs are convenient but many overseas transactions come with a sizable fee attached to them. For big charges like rental cars and hotel rooms, a credit card is the right choice.
Health and safety
Even in a seemingly wealthy country like the US, the risk of contracting hepatitis A or B is a real concern so be sure to get vaccinated before travelling anywhere. Deadly diseases are rarely a problem in most popular tourist spots, however. Malaria is something to be aware of in any tropical place, but the easy precaution of covering up at dusk and dawn will reduce exposure. Even if the tap water is okay to drink, stick to bottled water to avoid getting an upset stomach. Raw food is another potential holiday-killer, so avoid it altogether unless you’re dining in a nice restaurant. In countries like the US, it’s essential to have some form of medical insurance coverage as the cost of healthcare can be astronomical.
Fitting in…
Knowing the local etiquette always creates a more pleasant travel experience. It only takes a few minutes to learn the basic dos and don’ts of a culture, and learning some phrases in the local language is usually a crowd pleaser. In the US, there really aren’t any taboos to worry about, but places in Asia have a lot of cultural and religious considerations.
Visas for the world
Travellers with a passport from the UK, the US, Canada, Australia or much of the EU can visit most countries without a pre-arranged visa. Some destinations offer free tourist visas while others charge a small fee. Extending your visa once inside a country is usually a simple affair; just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past whatever date you plan to enter a country. Travellers from other countries should contact their local embassy for the latest visa regulations.
Electricity
Throughout North and South America, the voltage is 110 Volts, 60 Hertz, but in the Middle East, Asia and Africa it ranges from 220-240 Volts, 50 Hertz. Since plugs and outlets vary widely between countries, one of the best purchases you can make is a quality universal travel plug adapter.
Business hours
For the most part, businesses around the world keep the same hours of operation. Shops in tourist destinations can be relied on to stay open even longer than usual, though most businesses close up on Sundays and national holidays. Government offices in most countries follow the same global schedule of Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00. Remember that in the Middle East, Friday is their ‘Sunday’, while hot countries often take an afternoon siesta and prefer to do business in the evening.
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