What Should You Consider When Renting a Car?

25.09.2026

When renting a car, looking only at the daily rental price may not be enough to understand how much you will actually pay and what rental conditions apply. Two offers for the same vehicle class may result in different total costs due to differences in coverage, mileage limits, fuel policy, additional driver fees, or pick-up and return conditions. For this reason, alongside asking "How much does the car cost?", it is also important to find out what is included in the price and which conditions will apply throughout the rental period.

1. Research the Rental Company and Its Terms

Before making a reservation, check the company's contact details, rental terms, and how the vehicle is picked up and returned. It is particularly useful to find out the following in advance: • Where and how is the vehicle picked up? • Is pick-up or return outside business hours available? • Is it possible to return the vehicle at a different location or in another city? • Can the rental agreement and pricing conditions be reviewed in advance? • Who can you contact if there is a problem during the rental? Having a physical office or a large number of reviews alone is not enough to assess a company. When reading reviews, it is more useful to pay particular attention to experiences involving vehicle pick-up, return, communication, additional charges, and damage procedures.

2. Compare the Total Cost Instead of the Daily Price

A low daily rental price does not always mean a lower total cost. Coverage options, excess mileage, additional drivers, one-way return fees, or other service charges may increase the final amount. When comparing prices, also check the following: • Basic rental fee • Damage protection and insurance products • Mileage limit and excess mileage charges • Additional driver fee • Pick-up or return fees • One-way or different-city return fee • Additional equipment charges • Fuel policy • Deposit or pre-authorisation • Other contractual charges When requesting a quote, asking "How much will I pay in total for the dates I specified, including the coverage and services I selected?" makes it easier to compare offers from different companies.

3. Choose a Vehicle That Suits Your Needs

When choosing a vehicle, do not look only at the rental price. The number of passengers, amount of luggage, type of journey, and intended use of the vehicle are also important. For example, a small car may be sufficient for a few days of city driving, while luggage capacity or fuel consumption may become more important during a longer road trip around the Aegean region. Consider the following in advance: • How many people will be travelling? • How many pieces of luggage will there be, and how large are they? • Will the vehicle mainly be used in the city or for longer journeys? • Do you prefer an automatic or manual transmission? • Is the fuel type suitable for your planned use? • Will you need to carry a child seat, stroller, or bulky equipment?

A Vehicle Model and a Vehicle Group Are Not the Same Thing

A rental listing may show a specific model followed by the phrase "or similar". In such cases, the reservation may be made for a vehicle group rather than for a specific make and model. If luggage capacity is important for your journey, ask in advance whether the reservation is for a specific model or for a vehicle group.

4. Check Age, Licence, Payment, and Additional Driver Requirements

Minimum age, driving licence requirements, payment methods, credit card requirements, and pre-authorisation conditions may vary depending on the rental company and vehicle group. Before making a reservation, find out the minimum age, required driving licence period, necessary documents, payment methods, and whether a credit card or pre-authorisation is required. If someone other than the person making the rental will also drive the vehicle, ask whether that person needs to be added to the agreement as an authorised driver. Allowing someone who is not registered as an authorised driver to use the vehicle may affect the protection conditions in the event of an accident or damage.

5. Understand the Insurance and Protection Coverage

When renting a car, do not assume that the word "insured" is sufficient on its own. What matters is which situations are covered and what remains your responsibility. When reviewing protection options, clarify the following: • Which types of damage are covered? • What situations are excluded from the coverage? • Is there an excess or an amount for which you remain responsible? • In which circumstances may the protection not apply? Coverage for damage to glass, tyres, wheels, mirrors, headlights, and the underside of the vehicle may vary depending on the selected product. Therefore, do not assume the extent of the coverage based only on the name of the product. Also remember that comprehensive insurance, compulsory third-party liability insurance, and damage protection offered during a car rental are not necessarily the same thing.

What Should You Do in the Event of an Accident?

In the event of an accident, personal safety should come first. Afterwards, carry out the necessary official procedures according to the circumstances and inform the rental company as soon as reasonably possible. • Document the incident and the damage. • Complete the necessary official procedures. • Inform the rental company. • Follow the company's accident and damage procedure.

6. Check the Agreement Before Signing It

Before signing the agreement, review the terms relating to vehicle use, charges, and pick-up and return conditions. If there is a clause that may cause uncertainty later, it is easier to ask about it before taking the vehicle.

Mileage Limit

Find out whether there is a daily or total mileage limit and how much you will be charged if you exceed it. If you are planning a long journey, calculating the approximate total mileage in advance can be useful.

Fuel Policy

Check the fuel level at which you receive the vehicle and the level at which you are required to return it. Also ask in advance whether an additional charge applies if the vehicle is returned with less fuel.

Deposit and Pre-authorisation

If a deposit or pre-authorisation applies, find out the amount, whether a charge is actually taken from the card, and when the blocked amount will be released. Keep in mind that the time required for the pre-authorisation to be released may vary depending on the bank.

Pick-up and Return Conditions

Find out the pick-up and return times, how the rental period is calculated, what happens in the event of a late or early return, and whether there is a fee for returning the vehicle at a different location. The rental period is generally calculated in 24-hour periods. For example, picking up the vehicle at 10:00 on Monday and returning it after 10:00 on Tuesday may, depending on the company's policy, result in an additional charge or another rental day. For rentals connected to a flight, adding the flight number to the reservation can also be useful. If the flight is delayed or the arrival time changes, this can make it easier for the delivery process to be monitored accordingly.

Usage Conditions

There may be specific conditions regarding travelling outside the city, returning the vehicle in another city, taking the vehicle abroad, using it on unpaved roads, or allowing another driver to use it. In such cases, follow the usage conditions specified in the rental agreement.

Keep Your Reservation Details

Keep your reservation confirmation, price quotation, and important rental conditions. In particular, check that the price, vehicle group, rental dates, pick-up location, and selected additional services are correctly recorded.

7. Check the Vehicle When You Pick It Up

When you receive the vehicle, take a few minutes to inspect its existing condition. In addition to major damage, check for minor scratches, dents, or cracks.

Exterior and Interior Inspection

• Bumpers, doors, and fenders • Wheels and tyres • Headlights, taillights, and mirrors • Front and rear windows • Seats and upholstery • Luggage compartment • Air conditioning and multimedia system • Warning lights on the dashboard

Compare the Documents

Check the fuel level, mileage, existing damage, delivery date, and time. Taking photos or videos when receiving the vehicle can be useful for documenting its existing condition. Make sure that any damage you notice is recorded on the vehicle condition report or handover document.

8. Check the Vehicle When Returning It

Before returning the vehicle, check the fuel level, mileage, and its final condition. If possible, keep a record or document confirming that the vehicle has been returned. Especially when returning the vehicle outside business hours or at a different location, it is useful to know in advance not only how the vehicle will be collected, but also how the return procedure will work. Finally, check your luggage compartment, glove compartment, door pockets, and underneath the seats to make sure you have not left any personal belongings behind.

Car Rental Checklist

You can use the following questions to quickly check the essential points before making a reservation, when receiving the vehicle, and when returning it.

Before Making a Reservation

• What is the total amount I will pay? • Which services and protection options are included in the price? • Is there a mileage limit and an excess mileage charge? • Is a deposit or pre-authorisation required? • Is a credit card required? • Is the vehicle a specific model or a vehicle group? • Is it possible to return the vehicle in another city, and what is the fee? • What is the fuel policy? • Is there an additional driver or additional equipment fee? • What are the cancellation and modification conditions?

When Picking Up the Vehicle

• Have all existing damages been recorded? • Are the fuel and mileage details correct? • Is there any warning light on the dashboard? • Have I documented the vehicle's exterior and interior condition with photos or video?

When Returning the Vehicle

• Have I met the fuel and mileage requirements? • Is there any new damage to the vehicle? • Have I received a record or document confirming the vehicle has been returned? • Have I left any personal belongings in the vehicle? • If applicable, do I know when the pre-authorisation will be released? In short, when renting a car, do not evaluate the daily price alone. Consider the vehicle's suitability for your needs, the total cost, the protection coverage, and the rental agreement conditions together. Clarifying a few essential points before making a reservation and checking the vehicle's existing condition when you pick it up can help you identify many potential uncertainties before they arise during the rental period.