In a previous blog I noted that motor vehicle crashes – not crime or terrorism – are the No. 1 killer of healthy Americans in foreign countries. That blog certainly didn’t make a very good argument in support of getting behind the wheel of a car when traveling abroad. And I didn’t even touch on the financial pitfalls associated with renting a vehicle in foreign land. For example, the car and gas will cost more than in the United States. Also, you may need to purchase additional insurance since the chances of something going wrong are much higher than they are here. Then, there are those pesky parking fees and tolls (the trip from Paris to Marseille will cost you $75 in tolls alone). So what’s a budget conscious worrywart to do?
There are transportation alternatives, though some might not be viable options in all countries. But they are certainly worth checking into before you depart on your next international vacation.
Public Transportation. It exists in virtually every foreign city; you simply need to track down the nearest train, subway, or bus station. You could also hail a cab, though most bus lines in major international cities are comfortable and inexpensive alternatives to taxis. Also, public railways stretch across much of Europe and Asia and offer efficient travel at a fraction of the price of a rental car.
Hire a Driver. Did you know that in more than dozen foreign countries it’s actually cheaper to hire a driver than to rent your own car? This is especially true in places where there is a surplus of taxi drivers. A cab driver would much rather book a solid day’s fee than have to drive around looking for short-hop fares. If you need help finding a driver, ask the staff at your hotel or at a local travel agency office.
Book a Tour. The Internet is teeming with foreign tours that include transportation as part of the package deal. Whether it’s a cross-country skiing trip that includes shuttles from resort to resort or a hiking and biking tour that provides transportation from lodge to lodge (including a support vehicle that carries your baggage), you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get in on this kind of experience.
Book a Flight. My friends spent their honeymoon in Thailand and spent $60 on two one-way flights from Bangkok to Phuket. If they had rented a car and drove the distance it would have cost them $85 per day (for an economy car). And that’s not an isolated case. In most of Europe and Southeast Asia you can fly from one end of the country to the other for less than it would cost you to rent a car and drive. Also, consider if you drive one-way you are subject to a drop-off charge and you run the risk of getting lost.
Related Articles:
Keeping Safe While Visiting Mexico
Tips For Driving In Bad Weather