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Sometimes hiring a car
when abroad is unavoidable. You want to be able to explore the area without
relying on excursions and public transport. Or perhaps you’re avoiding the
costs of flights this year and relying on a vehicle instead. But, how can you
keep costs low when driving abroad?
Taking
your own car
It might sound like a
hassle, but often taking your own car abroad is cost-effective and straight
forward. First of all, you save on the cost of hiring abroad. You have more
flexibility as to what times you can travel and how far you can go too.
Make sure that you inform
your insurance company if you are taking your car abroad and for how long, as
you could have to pay an additional premium. You also must consider breakdown
cover; many companies extend their cover to Continental driving. Although new cars are becoming more
reliable, there is still a chance that it could fail you when you’re abroad.
This can add reassurance to your trip too, which never goes a miss.
There might be extra kit
that you need when driving abroad too. In Spain, you must have replacement
headlamp bulbs and in Greece, a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit. Be
prepared to avoid facing a fine.
Plan
ahead
Planning ahead can help
avoid unexpected costs. You could spend hours driving and finding your way if
you don’t have a set route — racking up a heavy petrol cost. Journey planning
can also allow you to avoid toll roads. These again can add unwanted costs to
your holiday and sometimes are avoidable.
Do your research on fuel
prices too — look online or enquire as soon as you arrive. In the midst of
budgeting for food, drink and day-trips, you might forget to think about the
cost of fuel. It’s likely that it will be different to the price in the UK and
it’s always best to be prepared.
Drive
carefully
As well as getting used
to driving on the opposite side of the road in some countries, you must be
extra aware of the country’s rules to follow.
There could be different
speed limits, for example. Be aware that speeds might be shown in km rather
than miles, so familiarise yourself with the conversion rate. The speed limits
in built-up areas in the UK might be different to those in housing areas
abroad. Similarly, motorway speeds could vary. If you’re travelling through a
few countries in one journey, be aware that speed limits could change as you
cross the border as well.
In most of Europe, police
can issue on-the-spot fines for going over the limit — an unwanted cost that
can be avoided with vigilance.
As we can see, there are
a range of ways to save money when driving abroad. It’s mostly about being
fully prepared before you go, planning your routes and being aware of the new
rules of the road. Follow these tips to avoid unwanted fines and unintentional
costs.
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