While traveling to a new destination, you may prefer to hire a rental car for the convenience of visiting the local area without searching through maps and asking assistance from the locals. Accordingly, you may find the perfect deal that seems cost effective and worth the expense. However, are you aware of the numerous hidden costs that car rentals charge to their customers?

There are dozens of hidden costs that you are charged with when you opt for a car rental. Some of the most common ones are:

Airport Fees

When travelling via airplanes, most people opt for a car rental company that is located at the airport itself, hoping for a more convenient car pickup. However, they are unaware of the fact that companies situated at the airport are actually required to pay an airport fees that they charge to their client’s bill.

Taxes

With car rentals, you are also charged with local and state taxes, such as road tax, motor vehicle tax, stadium tax and many other similar taxes that are paid by you within your car rental fee.

Underage Driver Penalty

In most locations, drivers under the age of 25 have to pay an additional charge on a daily basis to be allowed to drive a rental car.

Fuel Charges

When returning your rental car, remember to fill the fuel tank to the brim or else the rental company will charge you with a refueling charge that is a combination of fuel costs and penalty fee.

Car Insurance

Most rental car companies charge extra fees as insurance for the car in case of any damages that it may incur while under your possession. This cost is usually known as Collision Damage or Loss Damage Waiver.

Additional Driver Cost

If you are traveling in a group and plan to share the driving seat with others, be prepared to pay extra for every additional driver, as many car companies will charge you extra for it.

Early Car Return

Retuning a car late can lead to a penalty, but returning it before your contract is over can also lead to a fine, as many companies consider it as a contract breach.

Frequent Flyer Charges

You can earn airline miles and frequent flyer points if you travel frequently with the same airline. However, to earn this reward, you will need to hire rental cars with partnered companies only, and will be charged additionally by the company to receive these points.

One-Time Drop-Off

You may be charged extra if you pick up your car from one location and drop it off at another.

Late Fees

Most cars are rented on a 24-hour clock basis. Once a new day starts, you will be charged for a full day even if you return the car after just a few hours.

Mileage

Some car rental companies charge their clients based on mileage driven rather than a flat rate fees and you need to be aware of the billing criteria prior to renting your car.

Peak Season

Car rental rates can fluctuate with regard to peak or off seasons, with peak seasons rentals charging additional costs.

Sources:
http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/car-travel/car-rental-hidden-costs

Geneva is situated in the French quarter of Switzerland along the banks of Lake Geneva. It is categorized as one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. Geneva offers a variety of entertainment activities and dine-in options. The city is primarily known for housing the European headquarters of the United Nations and other famous organizations like WHO, ILO, ICRC and the Red Cross. Geneva is also famous for its quality of life. This culturally rich city has a variety of museums, and has many tourist attractions such as boating, hiking, biking, wine tasting and much more.

Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is a world famous destination and one cannot afford to miss it. It is the largest lake in Western Europe. Jet d’Eau, a fountain in the lake is the most attractive site in the lake. The water from the fountain shoots about 140 meters high and provides a magnificent view to the people. The lake is surrounded by beautiful parks and amazing cafes. You can either take a dive in the lake or enjoy food in the cafes. There is a boat tour for people who love to explore the city from the lake.

Patek Philippe Museum

Situated in a small street in Geneva, this museum displays the outstanding history of the famous watches of Geneva. The watches are awe inspiring with delicate designs crafted with hands. All the pieces in the museum portray the skill and dedication of the makers. Don’t get fooled by the ordinary looking façade of the building; the interior is exquisite to say the least. The museum consists of three floors and exhibits the world’s most luxurious and unique watches. You will be surprised to find a vast variety of unique collection of watches in the museum.

Cathedrale de St-Pierre

Located in a town in old Geneva, Cathedrale de St-Pierre is famous for the sermons of John Calvin. It is one of the most visited archeological sites in Geneva. You can walk to the top of the towers and experience the amazing views of Lake Geneva and the Jet d’Eau. The cathedral signifies the importance of religion in Geneva and also serves as a museum. You can take a look into the history of Geneva and the place of worship of the ancient people.

Musée Ariana

Also known as the Museum of Ceramics and Glass, this museum displays a variety of ceramic and glass work. If you are interested in art then this museum is a place for you. The museum exhibits around 20,000 pieces of art from the ancient Geneva. It represents the artistic, cultural, technological and historical importance of ceramics and glass in ancient times. Even the architecture of the museum is fascinating.

The Molard Tower

It is a high tower situated in the Molard shopping area. At top of the tower, you can experience an outstanding view of the city and enjoy local Genevan food and wine. You can observe the tower’s beautiful ceilings and well preserved architecture. The tower is surrounded by a variety of shops which makes it appealing to the tourists, particularly the shopaholics. You can also enjoy shopping at the local farmers market near Molard Tower.

Sources
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g188057-Activities-Geneva.html

Barcelona Airport, officially known as the Barcelona el Prat Airport (IATA Code: BCN) is located only three kilometers from the city’s port and 12 kilometers southwest of the city center. As the second largest airport in Spain – the first being the Madrid Barajas Airport – the Barcelona Airport provides service to more than 35 million passengers annually. A second terminal was opened to accommodate the additional flow of passengers experienced with the Olympic Games in 1992.

Brief History

Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in the world – seven million passengers arrive through the Barcelona Airport to visit various landmarks and points of interest such as La Pedrera and La Casa Mila. The first operations at the airport took place in 1916 and once served as a base for the Spanish Navy feet of zeppelins.

Facilities

Barcelona Airport has all of the modern amenities travelers expect at a major airport, including restaurants and cafes, duty free shops and retail kiosks and passenger services. Throughout the two terminals, guests have access to a range of passenger services such as currency exchange, children’s play area and business centre.

Car Hire Services

Transportation to and from the airport to nearby points of interest are available through car hire companies located within the terminal. Passengers will easily find car hire desks located near the car park on the first floor. Car hire companies include Avis, Hertz and Sixt. Visible signs point passengers in the right direction through Terminal 1 and are easy accessed by foot. Passengers have a variety of companies to compare including:

• Avis – http://www.avis.es
• Hertz  – https://www.hertz.es/rentacar/reservation/
• REntalcars – www.rentalcars24.co.uk
• Sixt  – http://www.sixt.es

It is highly recommended to pre-book a car hire before arriving at the Barcelona Airport. As one of the most popular tourist destinations year-round, pre-booking through a major car hire company ensures passengers have a vehicle to accommodation travel arrangements. Car hire offices are not usually open 24-hours and may be able to provide service only through peak hours.

Be sure to review additional information about the Barcelona Airport by visiting the website at http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona/en/Barcelona-El-Prat.html or by calling the customer service line at +34 902 40 47 04. Barcelona Airport is located at 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.

References:
Barcelona Airport – http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona/en/
Hertz – http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona/en/ServiciosDe_FP/1243303234327/1045569607595/Hertz.html
World Travel Guide – http://www.worldtravelguide.net/spain/barcelona-airport

Germany is one of the most beautiful countries in Western Europe, offering a variety of geographic features, historical sites, history, and cuisine.  Germany is located in western central Europe. Bordered on the north by the North Sea, to the northwest by the Baltic Sea, and to the south by the Alps, Germany offers a variety of landscapes, terrain, and geography. Germany is divided into 16 states, each of which is autonomous and enjoys its own state constitutions.

Brief History

Following the First World War, the German Empire transitioned into the Weimar Republic but lost a great deal of its territory as a result of the Treaty of Versailles. Germany, after experiencing a Great Depression, rose to power once again under the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler and the formation of the Third Reich in 1933. A Second World War followed. Following the conclusion of that war in 1945, Germany split into two: Eastern and Western Germany, with the Eastern German Democratic Republic becoming part of the communist bloc. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Berlin took her place on the map as the capital city of a reunified Germany. Since then the country has provided a positive influence on peacekeeping roles, economic coalitions, and economies throughout Western Europe.

Languages and Religion

The official language of Germany is German, but minority languages also exist and include lower German, Romany, Danish, and Frisian. As a country with a large number of immigrant populations, additional languages spoken in Germany today include Balkan languages, Turkish, Polish, Russian, and Kurdish. The largest and most popular religion practiced in Germany is Christianity, with the majority of Germans following the Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical church in Germany.  However, the second-largest religion practiced in Germany is Islam (approximately 5%), with other inhabitants practicing Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism.

Climate

The climate in Germany is as diverse as the landscape. The bulk of Germany enjoys temperate seasonal climates, with warmer weather along the borders of the North Sea. The eastern portion of the country experiences extremely cold winters and warm summers. The central and southern portions of Germany enjoy relatively mild weather climates, although the mountainous and alpine regions of the country are cool to extremely cold year-round.

Places and Cities to Visit

Germany enjoys over 645,000 km of roadways, providing excellent access to all regions of the country via her well-maintained highways. Germany’s main runway, the Autobahn, is perhaps the most famous. Germany is also famous for Oktoberfest, with a wide variety of beer, cuisine, and culture. When in Germany, don’t pass up some other famous attractions that include:

• Schloss Neuschwanstein – Germany’s most famous castle, after which the castle at Walt Disney’s Disneyland was modeled.
• Stand in awe of the Köln (Cologne) Cathedral.
• in Berlin, visit historical Charlottenburg Palace, stroll Unter den Linden Boulevard, and view Brandenburg gate and the Tiergarten.
• Drive through the Black Forest.
• While in Munich visit Marienplatz, the Munich Botanical Garden or St. Peter’s Church.
• In Leipzig, visit the Leipzig Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Leipzig) or St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach served as choirmaster and where he is now buried

Every region in Germany is filled with a variety of attractions – from architectural wonders to historical landmarks to beautiful scenery. Take advantage of your drive to Germany by stopping at as many points as possible in order to totally immerse yourself in Germany’s cultural heritage.

Car Hire Services

Germany provides a variety of internationally known and domestic carriers including Avis, Alamo, Hertz, Eurocar, and Sixt. Rental cars are found at major rail stations, airports, and cities.  Renting a car in Germany requires a valid driver’s license from your home country.  While the minimum age for driving in Germany is 18, you have to be over 21 years old to rent a car in most locations. Car rental agencies may also request an international driver’s permit or license and a passport in order to rent a car, so always check ahead with the car rental agency you choose. Compare rates and options with some of the most popular:

• Hertz – https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/car-rental/germany
• Auto Europe – http://www.autoeurope.com/go/car-rental/germany/
• Car-hire.net – http://www.car-hire.net
• Europcar – http://www.europcar.com/car-GERMANY.html

Check to see if you can take the rental car across any of Germany’s borders. Be aware that most German rental cars are manual transmission, and if you request an automatic transmission option, you may pay more. Make sure that your rental car has a green insurance certificate known as the Green Card, as this is an important document that must be produced upon demand by any law enforcement while traveling through the country or following an accident.

Driving Regulations

In Germany, any fines or penalties following traffic infractions or accidents are collected on the spot. You can pay these finds with cash or credit or debit card, but always ask for an official receipt from the ticketing officer. Speed limits in Germany depend on the type of road you’re on and the type of vehicle you’re driving. Adhere to the following unless otherwise posted:

• Inside urban areas – 50 kph
• Outside urban areas – 100 kph
• Autobahn and expressways – 130 kph

Speed limit designations are represented by black numerals within a red circle for urban areas and by a square blue sign with white numbers for Autobahns and expressways.  Also be aware that in adverse weather conditions including rain, snow, or fog, maximum speed limits decrease. Don’t drink and drive when driving in Germany, as their fines and penalties for doing so are severe. Limits for drunk driving start as low as 0.03 blood-alcohol, so keep in mind that the most of the social beverages offered in Germany have a high alcohol content. If you get in an accident, penalties can be quite severe even if you’re under the limit.

Sources:

How To Germany – http://www.howtogermany.com/pages/driving.html