Renting a Car While Abroad: The Pros and Cons

Are you currently mapping out your dream trip and wondering if there is a need for a rental car versus relying on public transportation or guided tours? Today, I want to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of renting a car while abroad, helping you determine when it’s worthwhile to invest in this expense and when it may not be necessary. Having explored 35 different countries, I’ve personally rented a car in just 7 of them (Italy, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Botswana, Australia, and New Zealand). Now, let’s unravel the reasoning behind my car rental decisions and distinguish when it is a requirement versus a matter of convenience.

To put it simply, I’ve chosen to rent a car in very specific circumstances. For instance, in South Africa, where public transportation lacks reliability and safety, we opted for a rental car to travel along the Garden Route the way we wanted to.  Now, you might be curious as to why we ended up renting a car (a sedan at that) in Botswana. As the last minute planner that I am, we booked our flights the night before our departure, only to find that one of the flights we needed was sold out. Our quick solution was to rent a car to get from Maun to Kasane and call it a day (if you’re ever curious on how that experience unfolded, I would love to write a dedicated blog post on driving in Botswana. Spoiler alert- it involves countless potholes and herds of elephants lining the highway).

Below, I’ve broken down different scenarios where renting a car may or may not be necessary during your travels. By doing this, I hope that I can help you decide whether renting a car is the right choice for you when exploring new destinations.

The City-Hopper

I’m going to call this travel style the city-hopper and it mostly applies to that trip to Europe that everyone dreams of. The one where you’re dancing under the Eiffel Tower one night and laying on the beaches of Italy the next afternoon. Public transportation throughout Europe and their major cities (specifically Western Europe) is very efficient and comprehensive. Renting a car may not be worth the hassle or cost unless you specifically aim to explore regions like the French Riviera or Tuscany, where a car provides flexibility and access to some remote, beautiful locations.

I vividly remember our car rental experience in Italy where we had rented a car to get from Florence to our Tuscan villa. The rental agent sternly warned us not to turn right out of the parking lot, as it would lead us directly into the stressful center of Florence. Navigating Europe’s narrow streets and dealing with parking challenges can be overwhelming. With excellent train systems and affordable flights, opting for public transportation is often the better choice for this city-hopping adventure in Europe.

Our Tuscan villa

Remote Locations

If you enjoy off-the-beaten-path destinations or visiting remote areas where tourist spots are harder to reach, renting a car is your ideal option. The Scottish Highlands, for example, are almost impossible to see in all of their glory without a car since public transportation is limited and unreliable in that region. 

Similarly, in Ireland, venturing outside of the major cities to stay in charming bed and breakfasts or see the scenic Ring of Kerry is easier and more rewarding with a rental car. While guided tours here do exist, opting for renting a car allows you the freedom to see exactly what you desire at your own pace.

Isle of Skye in Scotland

Long Term Travel

If you are someone who has been traveling around for a while now or plan on taking a trip spanning four weeks or more, renting a car can greatly enhance the convenience of a long trip, particularly if you plan on frequently changing locations. It took me four months of travel before finally renting a car in South Africa and it made moving around so frequently far less inconvenient. Having a car provided a sense of homebase. I could leave things in the car if I didn’t need it and my suitcase didn’t have to be perfectly packed. I also had the freedom to determine when and where I was heading next, adding a level of flexibility to my travels that I hadn’t had before.

View along drive in South Africa

Lack of Public Transportation

In destinations with limited public transportation options, such as most of the United States, renting a car becomes a practical choice more than anything. As an American, we are not known for having the best public transportation (outside of maybe New York or D.C) so this is the perfect example of where renting a car becomes the practical choice. 

New Zealand also falls into this category. When planning my four-week trip there, I weighed the options of the Kiwi Experience (a semi-guided tour) or renting a van. Your decision ultimately comes down to your preferred travel style. If you prefer having everything planned out or want to meet fellow travelers, a guided tour may suit you best. On the other hand, renting a car offers more freedom and control over where you are going and what you are doing. In my case, I found 2 girls in Australia and the three of us rented a van for an amazing experience around all of New Zealand.

Our van in New Zealand

Solo Travel vs. Traveling with Friends or Family

Are you traveling solo or with friends/family? This question plays a crucial role in determining whether renting a car is a suitable option for your trip. Solo travelers wanting to meet others may find guided tours more appealing and can be more cost effective if you don’t have anyone to split the price of a vehicle with.  On the other hand, traveling with friends or family often makes renting a car more budget-friendly since costs can be shared. However, if you are not stuck to a strict budget and truly desire a solo experience, renting a car might be the better option for your travel needs.

Safety

The last thing to consider when renting a car abroad is safety. I mentioned this in the beginning, but public transportation in South Africa is not necessarily the safest or most reliable option, so renting a car was really the only option for us. I always recommend looking at the safety index for where you are traveling, doing some research to hear others experiences traveling in that country, and most importantly, talking to others who have traveled there. I’ve been to plenty of countries many would deem “unsafe” but I would tell you that I felt perfectly safe there! 

With that being said though, if public transportation in that country or city is not deemed as safe, renting a car, despite the cost, is your best option. I always say you can’t put a price on safety and will always spend as much as I need to in order to feel safe.

Conclusion

I hope this post has provided you with a bit more insight to determine whether renting a car during your travels is the right choice for you. Renting a car abroad has its pros and cons and deciding what to do when planning your dream trip can feel overwhelming. By considering different factors such as your travel style, destination, duration, companions, and safety, you can make an informed decision that works best for you and your travel style. Happy travels!