If you’re planning your next trip, one of the things on your list is probably going to be how you plan to get around. If you’re hoping to do a lot of exploring once you reach your destination, there is no better way to get around than hiring a car. But, many people are put off from driving abroad – whether it be due to the cost of hiring a car, or simply because they find the idea of driving on the opposite side of the road that they’re used to a little scary. However, the benefits of hiring a car when you travel definitely outweigh the drawbacks!

You’re in Control

Providing you are over the age of twenty-five and hold a UK driving license (if you don’t hold a license yet you can prepare for the theory test over at toptests.co.uk to get started), you will be able to hire a car abroad. When you’re at the wheel, travelling by car in another country can give a whole new meaning to the word independence; there’s nothing quite like the knowledge that you can simply go anywhere that you want to go without having to worry about things like public transport running times, fares or strikes.

Get Off the Beaten Path

For those travellers who like to get away from the crowds, do their own thing and explore the areas of their destination that don’t get much footfall, a car is essential. Public transportation is often referred to as mass transit – and for good reason, because it goes where the masses go. Because of this, it can often be difficult to get off the beaten path using buses or trains, and taking a cab can sometimes cost a fortune. Having your own wheels to take you wherever you want to go can certainly open up a whole wealth of new opportunities to you when you travel.

It’s Actually Cheaper

Unless you’re a solo traveller and are planning to cover the whole cost of the car hire on your own, you might be surprised to hear that hiring a car can actually work out cheaper than many other forms of transportation that you might choose when you travel. If you are travelling as a pair or in a group, splitting the cost of a car hire for the duration of your travel can, depending on the make, model and size of the car that you choose, actually be much more affordable than you may realise.

Before You Go

Although there are many benefits of hiring a car abroad, it’s good to have a game plan before you go to ensure that you’re safe on the roads. Make sure that you read up on the highway code in your destination, and always opt for a car hire which includes GPS, or ensure that you will be able to use data roaming on your smartphone in order to prevent you from getting lost.

Hiring a car when you travel can add all sorts of amazing experiences to your trip!