Yes you can do it, but 2 caveats. One, crossing the channel with a car is expensive. Most of the big rental companies now allow you to drive a hire car in most EU countries, but non sense in hiring in the UK to go to mainland Europe. Your petrol and ferry costs will probably be more than a flight ticket.
Most vehicles rented in the US can be driven throughout US and Canada. Some vehicle classes like Exotics, Large Passenger or Cargo Vans, and other specialty vehicles may not be allowed to travel outside of the US. Please reach to the renting location directly for details on cross-border restrictions.
Driving from France to the UKTaking a car rental from France to the UK is straightforward. No matter where in France you are coming from, you'll need to go through the Euro Tunnel with a car transport. The departure point is near Calais, France, and it is best to book your spot and pay ahead of time to avoid delay.
In Europe, car hire companies typically allow renters to drive their vehicles across international borders into neighbouring countries. However, you may have to pay a cross border fee in order to drive the car abroad.
One-Way FeesIn most European countries, and with most rental companies, you can pick up your car in one city and return it at another with no extra charge. That works fine for Milan and Rome or Nice and Paris, for example, but returning in a different country can easily cost $500 to $1500 extra.
It is illegal to drive without a valid license and insurance in most countries. You should check with the embassy of the country you plan to visit or live in to find specific driver's license requirements. Many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver's license, but most accept an International Driving Permit (IDP).
No hire car company will let you take a car into France without an additional fee. The 'cheaper' car rental companies charge either a daily, or one off payment, for cross-border insurance. Other hire companies, like Avis, Hertz etc already include insurance for neighbouring countries, in the price.
An IDP can only be issued before leaving the United States. Locate a car rental agency in the country in which you want to rent a car. The most options are usually available at an airport. US-based agencies, such as Hertz and Enterprise, have an overseas presence.
All drivers must produce a full, valid driving licence. Non-EU licence holders are required to have an international driving permit if the licence is not in English. All renters must produce photographic ID - this can be a passport or driving licence.
All car rentalcompanies should provide you with basic insurance – usually called CDW or LDW. This typically covers damage, theft and Third Party Liability Insurance – this may vary from country to county, but generally there is a level of insurance included in the price of your car hire.
An international driving permit is required, and this document is accepted as a valid form of identification in 186 countries around the globe. If you're stopped by the law in a country that requires foreign drivers to have such permits, you'll be expected to present both it and your state-issued U.S. driver's license.
It is not necessary to get rental car insurance from your rental car company. If you already own a car, your car insurance policy might extend to rental cars. You could also have coverage through your credit card. If so, you might be able to decline the expensive insurance offered at the counter and save money.
You can drive in the UK for up to 12 months on a licence issued in a 'designated country' (Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Zimbabwe) after this period you must
Requirements for Renting a Car in SpainTo rent a car in Spain, you need to be over the age of 21 and have a valid driver's license, a passport and a major credit card. The law in Spain requires non-EU driver's license holders to posses an International Driver's Permit, which you can obtain through AAA.
In most European and North American locations, the minimum age to rent a car is 21, and in Scandinavia it is 19. In the UK, you'll need to be at least 23 year's old. Age restrictions also vary by vehicle and selected car groups are not available to drivers aged under 25.
How long will the process take? Getting an IDP over a Post Office counter takes around five minutes on a turn-up-and-go basis.
Countries accepting International Driving Permit
| Albania | Guatemala | Peru |
|---|
| Argentina | Haiti | Poland |
| Australia | Honduras | Portugal |
| Austria | Hong Kong | Romania |
| Bahamas | Hungary | Russian Federation |
The border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is open and barely discernable. Normally no passport is needed when driving or travelling by train or bus from one into the other. Citizens of countries requiring visas for travel to Northern Ireland should consult the UK Border Agency.
Tourists visiting Ireland can drive with a driving licence from any state outside the EU/EEA for up to a year provided the driving licence is current and valid. Note: you need to carry your driving licence or learner permit with you at all times when you are driving in Ireland.
Most dangerous moments in Ireland are when you have to pass a slower moving vehicle on small country roads and you have to use the lane going in the opposite direction.
On a Final Note — Renting a Car in Ireland is Totally Worth It! It was a wonderful trip, and we can't wait to get back there and rent a car again. But having this extra information will help you to be prepared when you are planning a trip to Ireland, so you know when to look for when booking your rental car in Ireland.
The border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is open and barely discernable. Normally no passport is needed when driving or travelling by train or bus from one into the other.
Does Ireland Have Uber? Yes, but you cannot hire private vehicles on it in Ireland. When you use Uber in Ireland, you will only be able to hire a regular taxi or a limousine. More reliable methods of hiring taxis in Ireland include apps like FREENOW or lynk or flagging them down on the street.
US Citizens can use their driving licence in Ireland.
Ireland Car Rental: Insurance Options Comparison
| Optional Insurance | Avg. Insurance Cost at Counter* | Avg. Cost for Zero-Excess Insurance with Auto Europe* |
|---|
| Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) + Theft Protection (TP) | $20-$58 USD per day | $12-$21 USD per day |
It is estimated that there are 300 major and minor crossings along the 310-mile (499 km) border. The border is marked only by a small number of "Welcome To Northern Ireland" road signs on the UK side, placed there by the Northern Ireland Roads Service.
Cheapest way to travel from Amsterdam to LondonProviding you Book far enough in advanced, the cheapest way to travel between Amsterdam and London is by bus. There are around 7 daily services provided by National Express; they do, however, take up to 10 hours and can involve a change.
Ferries from England to HollandStena Line operates 1 route, Harwich to Hook of Holland which runs 14 times weekly with sailing durations around 6 hours 45 mins. DFDS Seaways operates 1 route, Newcastle to Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) which runs 7 times weekly with sailing durations around 15 hours 45 mins.
As previously mentioned, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle's journey time from Folkestone to Calais is just 35 minutes, and from there the drive to the Netherlands is 3 hours and 15 minutes. This means it takes less than four hours to get from England to the Netherlands, which is considerably faster than the ferry.
Without any major delays or unexpected events, this route will take you from London to Amsterdam in 5 hours and 55 minutes. The distance from London to Amsterdam is 330 miles The estimated fuel cost for this journey is £52.77 (excluding Eurotunnel fees).
Travelling by ferry from london to amsterdam has never been easier with stena Line! With regular trains leaving from Liverpool Street and other UK stations to Harwich International Port, your trip will be hassle-free and relaxing, leaving you ready to explore one of Europe's most popular cities.
Direct Eurostar trains from London to AmsterdamThe average journey time by train between London and Amsterdam is 6 hours and 50 minutes, with around 13 trains per day, although it takes just 3h 55m on the fastest high-speed Eurostar services. Eurostar's modern e320 trains operate on the London to Amsterdam route.
You must have a valid full UK driving licence, insurance, vehicle documents and identification to drive in the Netherlands. If you are driving a vehicle that does not belong to you then written permission from the registered owner may also be required. You are not allowed to drive on a provisional licence.
Amsterdam is in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a EU country, participating in the Schengen scheme. If you are a EU citizen or a citizen of one of the Schengen countries, then no, you do not need your passport.
