Can I rent a car in the UK and drive to Europe?
Ava Robinson
Updated on February 21, 2026
Then, can you hire a car in the UK and take it abroad?
However if you wish to take a UK registered vehicle abroad, you are required by law to be in possession of a VE103B form which is proof Hertz have permitted the vehicle to travel abroad. This fee applies even if you have a continental cover which covers hire vehicles.
Secondly, can I rent a car and drive to another country? Most of them, yes. It's not common for car hire companies to forbid crossing borders, but it does happen. It's always worth checking the Ts & Cs for your deal and asking the counter staff where you can take the car. Some car hire companies don't let their luxury or sports cars enter certain countries.
Hereof, can you rent a car and drive through Europe?
You can drive a car rented in Western Europe from most companies into nearby eastern countries such as the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia without paying extra. If you plan to rent in the west and drive through Eastern Europe, just check with the rental company when you reserve.
Can I hire a car in Spain and drive to UK?
One Way Car Rental in Spain. Renting a car at one of our SIXT stations and dropping it off at another is easy with our one-way rentals. We offer a selection of luxury vehicles that can be picked up at a location in Spain and gives you the freedom to drive to Portugal, France or even the UK.
Related Question Answers
Can I hire a car in the UK and take it to France?
As you can take a rental car on a ferry, it is possible to arrive into France, Spain and the Netherlands via Ferry from the UK and continue into mainland Europe from your arrival point. Rental agents typically list countries in 'zones' and certain car types are restricted in certain zones.What countries require international driving permit?
International Driving Permits are Required* in the following countries for US Licensed Drivers: Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Spain. *IDP enforcement may vary based upon car rental supplier as well as renting country.Can I rent a car in France and drive to Italy?
Driving a hired car in another countryIf you plan to travel with your rental car both in EU and non-EU countries – for example from Switzerland to France, Germany, Austria or Italy – you need to tell the rental company in advance. They can provide you with an EU-registered car in order to comply with EU customs laws.
How do I rent a car in Europe?
If you decide to rent a car while in Europe, drop by or call a local car-rental agency, or book through a travel agency. You'll need to decide from whom to rent, what kind of car to get, and where to pick it up and drop it off.Can you take enterprise cars abroad?
Does Enterprise Allow me to Cross into Bordering Countries? Yes. You will need to purchase European Travel Coverage and will need to contact the rental location 72 hours before your rental pickup time to arrange your mandatory VE 103 certificate.Can you take a rental car from UK to Ireland?
Most car hire companies in the UK will allow a renter to take and drive a rental car to Ireland. However, please note that fees and conditions apply. Charges will depend on extra insurance and roadside assistance cover for which you will be required.Can you rent a car in Spain and drive to France?
No hire car company will let you take a car into France without an additional fee. The 'cheaper' car rental companies charge either a daily, or one off payment, for cross-border insurance. Other hire companies, like Avis, Hertz etc already include insurance for neighbouring countries, in the price.Can an American drive in Europe?
Whether you're American or Canadian, your passport and driver's license are all you need in most European countries. However, some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is an official translation of your US license (making it easier for the cop to write out a ticket).Is it cheaper to drive or train around Europe?
Every year, as train prices go up, car rental becomes a better option for budget travelers in Europe. While solo car travel is expensive, three or four people sharing a rented car will usually travel cheaper than the same group using rail passes.Which country in Europe has cheapest car rental?
TurkeyCan you cross borders in Europe in a rental car?
Cross Border Travel: With SIXT, you can have a European road trip, as it is possible to travel across borders with your rental car. Remember, a one-way car rental fee may be applied, unless specified in the reservation process. Other limitations may apply when crossing borders with a specific car rental category.What is the best car rental in Europe?
Best Car Rental Companies in Europe- #1 – SIXT (8.3/10) ??
- #2 – ENTERPRISE (7.2/10) ??
- #3 – ALAMO (7.1/10) ??
- #4 – EUROPCAR (6.5/10) ??
- #5 – HERTZ / FIREFLY (6.1/10) ??
- #6 – AVIS (6.0/10) ??
- #7 – THRIFTY (5.8/10) ??
- #8 – GLOBAL / Buchbinder (5.7/10) ??
Is driving in Europe difficult?
The mechanics of driving in Europe aren't all that different from home, but the first day or two can be an adjustment. Drive defensively, observe, fit in, avoid big-city driving when you can, have a good map on hand, and wear your seat belt. Below are my top tips for driving safely, and enjoyably, on European roads.What is the cheapest way to travel to Europe?
The 7 Best Ways To Travel Europe Cheap- Traveling Europe by Megabus.
- Traveling Europe by Busabout.
- Traveling Europe by FlixBus.
- Traveling Europe by Budget Airline.
- Traveling Europe with a Eurail Pass.
- Traveling Europe Using BlaBlaCar.
- The Cheapest Way To Travel Europe: Hitchhiking.
Is renting a car in Europe expensive?
Renting a car in Europe isn't much more complicated than in the US, except for some byzantine insurance options. The cheapest company for rental in one country might be the most expensive in the next. Comparison-shop to figure out which one is best for your trip.Which car rental company is best?
Here are the best car rental companies:- Best overall car rental company: Enterprise.
- Best car rental company customer satisfaction: Hertz.
- Best car rental company website and app: National Car Rental.
- Best car rental company for cheap quotes: Alamo Rent-A-Car.
- Best peer-to-peer car rental: Turo.
Should I drive my car or rent a car?
For long trips that last only a few days, it's often cheaper to rent a car than to drive one you own. But the decision to rent depends on many factors: the trip's mileage, leasing costs, fuel efficiency, how much your car depreciates with each mile, tire wear, and the price of oil changes.Can you cross borders with a rental car?
Most major car rental companies allow their renters to drive the vehicle from the United States to Mexico. However, there are restrictions and only a few locations allow rental cars to cross the border.Can I drive in London with US license?
Any person with a valid driving licence issued in their country of origin is permitted to drive in the United Kingdom for at least 12 months. You're permitted to drive in Great Britain for a year, before you will need to take and pass the DVSA driving test. If you do not take the test, you will not be allowed to drive.Does Costco rent cars in Europe?
As you can see, Costco only works with Avis in this location. As a result users only see a single price and vehicle type for each car-class.Costco Car Rental vs Auto Europe: Supplier/Fleet Comparison.
| Costco Travel vs Auto Europe Supplier Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alamo | Yes | Yes |
| Avis | Yes | Yes |
| Buchbinder | No | Yes |
| Budget | Yes | Yes |
Can you rent a car in Portugal and return in Spain?
Most rental companies in Spain and Portugal will let you take their cars across the border. Some companies will include the cost extra cover for taking the car abroad in their rental deals. Most don't, however, so you'll pay a 'cross-border fee' at the counter when you arrive to pick up the car.When can I rent a car UK?
In most European and North American locations, the minimum age to rent a car is 21, and in Scandinavia it is 19. In the UK, you'll need to be at least 23 year's old.Is one way car rental more expensive?
Renting one way is typically more expensive than renting round trip. Your price is broken out into different components: the daily rate (a.k.a. time and mileage), taxes and fees, and a one-way drop charge. The drop fee can vary from one rental-car company to another, and even within a single rental car company.Who has the cheapest one way car rentals?
One-way airport rentals starting at $9.99*- Book a one-way car rental.
- Drop off at select neighborhood Hertz locations.
- Rates starting at $9.99 per day.
- Length of rental: less than 24 hours.
- Enjoy 150 free miles and complimentary refueling.
- Subject to availability at time of booking.