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    ONE WAY CAR RENTALS

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    Domestic and International One-Way Car Rental in Europe

    Great Deals on One-Way Car RentalsThere are two types of one-way travel with a rental car: domestic and international. One of the conditions of returning a rental vehicle to a different location is a compulsory charge known as a one-way car rental fee or "drop fee." This varies in price depending on the rental car company's rate for a prearranged return at a domestic or international location.

    Domestic One-Way Fee - Thanks to our continuing partnerships with our suppliers, a domestic one-way fee is generally free for a trip from one city to another within the same country, as long as a minimum rental period is met. Auto Europe does work with suppliers who will waive this drop fee if your domestic one-way booking is over a week. The actual cost of a drop fee will vary based on your itinerary; most domestic drop fees aren't over $100 and can be as little as $25⁠–$30.

    International One-Way Fee - An international one-way fee is almost always required for a trip from one country to another and tends to be much more costly. In a random sampling of drop fees analyzed for rental bookings in Europe for summer 2019, international fees ranged from $250⁠to USD 1200. Unless stated otherwise, it is essential to note that rental companies worldwide charge an international one-way drop fee, though some companies don't disclose it upfront. Auto Europe always discloses one-way rental car fees.

    Is a One Way Car Rental More Expensive?

    As mentioned above, most one-way car rental itineraries will add a charge to your final car rental rate. A standard one-way fee for a car rental from Amsterdam to Paris is around $436, and from Paris to Barcelona, it is around $618. Fees constantly change based on the destination and time of the year you are booking, so be aware that the fee may change if you alter your itinerary. Auto Europe recommends travelers visiting multiple countries consider making two separate or multiple bookings to avoid the drop fee when possible. Read our post about 6 Tips and Tricks to Score the Best One-Way Car Rentals.

    Auto Europe works with multiple suppliers in most cities across the globe. Compare supplier rates to find your next trip's least expensive drop fee. Below are 2022 travel estimates for one-way fees to popular destinations. 

    One-Way Car Rental Fee Estimates for November 2022
    Country Pick Up City Drop Off City One-Way Fee Range
    France Paris Marseille $155
    Germany Munich Frankfurt $20⁠–$43
    Ireland Dublin Shannon $66⁠–$149
    Italy Rome Florence $66⁠–$140
    Italy Florence Rome $66⁠–$140
    Italy Milan Rome $112⁠–$140

    How to Save Money on a One-Way Car Rental

    Knowing the different ways to save money is helpful when booking a one-way car rental. If you pick up a rental car and drop it off within the same country, you will often not be charged a one-way fee. Typical one-way fees can range from $100–$300, but if the drop-off location is far away, the fee can be up to $1000. Particular places can be expensive, especially when crossing country borders. Also, remember that picking up a car rental downtown is frequently cheaper than picking it up from the airport or train station. Rick Steves, a popular public television host and best-selling guidebook author, has some great recommendations for saving money on car rentals.

    Why Book a One-Way Rental Car in Europe?

    If extensive travel is on your itinerary, driving your rental car from Spain to France or Italy to Germany will be an inspiring, unforgettable journey across a landscape brimming with ancient monuments, innumerable dining choices, diverse cultures, and exciting celebrations that deliver the ultimate European holiday. When you pick up your car at one destination and drop it off at another, you can cover more ground and experience more during your trip. Check out our One Way Car Rental PDF Guide for more information. For rates, reservations, and information about one-way fees, call us toll-free at 1-888-223-5555 to speak with a knowledgeable team member or get your quote online in minutes. Here's how:

    How to Search One-Way Car Rental Deals

    One Way Car Rental

    Step 1. Using the booking form at the top of the page, enter your desired pick-up and drop-off locations for your one-way trip. Fill in the pick-up and drop-off times and dates. Click the "Find Your Car" button to proceed to the vehicle results page. A disclaimer will appear at the top of the results page advising of potential costs for one-way travel.

    Step 2. Continue your reservation by choosing a suitable rental vehicle with a guaranteed low rate. Various insurance coverage options will listed to the right of the vehicle image, detailing the price for an introductory rate, inclusive rate with deductible, and, if available, inclusive rate with a zero deductible.

    Step 3. Once you choose your rental vehicle, click the blue "Show Locations" button to proceed to the next step. Once there, you can choose where you would like to pick up and drop off your vehicle from the available locations shown on the map and the different insurance packages.

    Step 4. Once you select your pick-up location, return location, and desired insurance coverage, you will proceed to the one-way confirmation page, asking you to verify that you understand there is a locally paid fee for one-way car rentals.

    Step 5. After selecting the "Accept One Way Fee and Continue" button, you will be brought to the contact and payment information screen to find a breakdown of costs and fees.

    Finalizing your One Way Car Rental in Europe

    Once you have successfully generated a booking, you will receive a confirmation email with your voucher number and a PDF of your reservation, complete with your contact information, rental details, and the car rental company's confirmation number. This will also include a detailed breakdown of the terms and conditions of your car rental, advising of inclusions and exclusions. Information about the one-way fee will be printed on the voucher. Print and present the voucher to the rental car desk to obtain your rental vehicle and start enjoying your time in Europe! See our car rental FAQ for more information.

    While any car rental company can make a reservation for a one-way rental car in Europe, Auto Europe goes the extra mile to confirm all the details so that there are no surprises when you pick up or drop off your rental car. Auto Europe can also reserve a private drive to make your arrival possible. We understand that your trip to Europe is a special occasion. As European one-way car rental specialists with over 60 years of experience helping customers arrange complex (but fantastic!) itineraries, we look forward to ensuring your upcoming trip is perfect.



    Auto Europe One-Way Car Rental

    One-Way Car Rental in Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Reviewed by:
    5/ 5 Stars One Way Car Rental Europe - Review Rating
    Contact Auto Europe for your One Way Rental"I called and talked to a couple of the employees for an international trip I was doing during a study abroad. They were able to look up all the information that I requested promptly. I ended up with a vehicle at about half the price I was originally quoted once we played with pick-up and drop-off locations (I drive through more than one country, so it is hard to have international one-way fees that vary a lot by country). I was happy to book everything over the phone after they had answered my questions."