Summer is one of the busiest times of year for travel. Whether you’re planning a beach holiday, road trip, countryside escape or visiting family abroad, renting a car can give you more flexibility and freedom while you’re away.
Instead of relying on train timetables, expensive taxis or crowded public transport, having access to your own vehicle means you can travel at your own pace and explore more of your destination.
This guide explains why renting a car this summer might make sense for your trip, what to watch out for before you drive away, and how car hire excess insurance from Cover4Rentals can help protect you from unexpected costs.
1. Summer Travel Can Work Better With A Car
Summer is peak travel season across much of Europe, which can mean crowded trains, fully booked transport routes and long waits for taxis in busy tourist areas.
Having a car gives you more flexibility. Instead of planning your day around transport connections, you can travel when it suits you, stop whenever you want, and change your plans if needed.
This is especially useful if you’re:
A rental also allows you to explore places that are harder to reach by public transport, including quieter beaches, rural villages and scenic coastal routes.
2. You Can Save Time While Travelling
Public transport can sometimes mean spending a large part of your holiday waiting around for connections, navigating unfamiliar stations or queueing for taxis.
Renting a car can make travelling between places quicker and more straightforward, particularly if you’re moving between airports, hotels, beaches or other attractions.
Instead of working around transport schedules, you can spend more time actually enjoying your holiday.
3. Driving Can Feel Easier
Although roads are often busier during summer, driving conditions are generally more predictable than during winter months.
Longer daylight hours can improve visibility, road signs are easier to read, and weather conditions are usually more stable. This can make driving abroad feel less stressful, particularly if you’re not used to driving in another country.
Once you leave major cities and tourist hotspots, roads in coastal or countryside areas can also feel quieter and more relaxed.
4. A Rental Car Gives You More Flexibility
Sometimes summer holidays don’t go to plan, whether it’s a delayed flight, changing weather conditions or busier than expected attractions.
Having access to a car means gives you more freedom to adapt your plans as you don’t need to rely on train times or public transport. If you decide you want to stay somewhere longer, leave earlier or explore somewhere unexpected, you can do it far more easily. For many travellers, this flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a car abroad.
5. Makes Group Travel Simpler
If you’re travelling with friends or family, renting a car is often more convenient than organising separate tickets, transfers or taxis. You’re able to keep everyone together, split travel costs between passengers, and avoid carrying luggage across stations or public transport networks.
A Cover4Rentals excess insurance policy covers eight additional drivers named on the rental agreement under one policy, making it easier to share the driving on longer journeys.
For families with children, a car can also make travelling more comfortable when carrying things like beach equipment, suitcases or pushchairs.
6. Airport Transfers Aren’t Always Convenient
Not every holiday destination has reliable public transport links from the airport. Some resorts, more rural areas or coastal towns can be difficult to reach without paying for private transfers or multiple taxis. If you rent a car, this means you can go directly to your accommodation after landing which can feel a lot easier after a long flight, especially if you’re arriving late at night or early in the morning.
7. You Can Explore More During One Trip
A rental car can also make multi-stop holidays much easier to manage. Rather than staying in one place for your entire trip, you can explore different towns, beaches, or regions without worrying about transport connections or carrying luggage between locations. This is particularly popular for:
In destinations like Spain, Portugal, Italy and France, many travellers choose to hire a car specifically so they can explore beyond the main tourist areas.
8. Hiring a Car Can Feel More Comfortable
During peak summer season, public transport can quickly become crowded and uncomfortable, particularly during heatwaves or peak travel times.
A rental car, on the other hand, gives you your own space, air conditioning and somewhere secure to keep your belongings as you travel. For longer journeys or day trips, this can make travelling feel much more relaxed.
Excess Insurance for Rental Cars
Although renting a car can make summer travel easier and more flexible, it’s still important to understand what protection you have in place before you collect the keys.
Many rental companies charge a high excess if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. The company does tend to offer additional protection at the rental desk, but this can often be expensive and may not provide the level of cover you expect.
If you do decide to rent a car this summer, don’t forget to get car rental excess insurance. Having the right cover in place could help you avoid unexpected costs.
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