Which is more budget friendly–car rental vs lease for longer travel plans?
I decided to find out for myself about a car rental vs lease for my vacation in France. So, I planned the itinerary for our three-month vacation and determined we’d need a car for six weeks. Since the pandemic, renting a car has become quite expensive. I read that a short-term, guaranteed buy back lease can be a more affordable option to renting and includes many extra benefits.
I wanted a fully insured vehicle, to have a stress-free driving experience in France. So, I first shopped for the best price on a rental that included unlimited miles and zero deductible insurance. The total costs ranged from $2,600-$3,200 for a 4-door economy vehicle for 45 days. The average cost per day was $58-$71.
We travel often without ever adding rental car insurance. We always use a credit card that includes insurance coverage, but it’s stressful to think about getting into a wreck or having the car stolen or damaged. One year, we were in a car accident that wasn’t our fault. Although we were covered by our credit card insurance, there was a deductible. In addition, when our credit card company didn’t agree with the car rental company on the cost of repairs that they felt were excessive, you guessed it, we had to pay the difference in addition to the deductible. An expensive lesson that cost us $800+.
Travel Tip #1: always check with your credit card benefits to learn exactly how much your deductible will be if you have an accident.
Which websites offer short term lease options?
I discovered that there is an option for tourists that offers car leasing while in France and other European countries. There are several automotive companies participating: Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, and DS. Car-2-Europe or Temporary Transit are the names for this program. Residents outside the EU qualify for this type of lease, but there’s typically a minimum lease term of 3 weeks. The longer you lease, the cheaper the daily rate. I found several major websites that participate, Motorvana (Citroen), AutoTT (Renault EuroDrive), and Auto Europe (Renault, Citroen, Peugeot, DS), though there are others.
After reviewing each site above to compare vehicles and pricing, I chose Auto Europe. The total cost for 45 days was $1,594, all inclusive. That’s less than $36 per day–a savings of $1,000-$1,600 to lease rather than rent!
Travel Tip #2: to compare prices between a rental and lease, ensure both quotes include the same desired features (unlimited mileage, zero deductible insurance, GPS, additional driver, etc.).
What are the all-inclusive program benefits provided by the lease that are so unbeatable?
- you select a new car model that’s built for you, though you can’t choose the color. Note that not all models are available, and pricing and availability may change depending upon production at the time of leasing.
- unlimited mileage
- zero deductible insurance against damage and theft in approximately 40 European countries
- no additional VAT taxes or airport surcharge fees
- flexibility to pick up and return at different locations throughout France, free of charge
- GPS navigation included
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- no fees for additional drivers
- return the car with an empty fuel tank
- free shuttle service to/from the airport to the car lot to retrieve and return your car
- car and insurance will be registered under your name during your lease, and you’ll receive instructions by staff on the car’s operation at point of pick up.
So, for us, choosing this Car-2-Europe program was a huge money savings “no brainer”. I booked it online months in advance, as I had already confirmed my travel dates. I received my confirmation and voucher immediately after booking. I’ll post a Pt. 2 in 2023 to share our experiences with the car and process.
Have you used this type of program to lease a car in Europe? If so, where and how was your experience?
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