European rental car fees

As anyone knows who has rented a car in Europe, rental car fees are not the exclusive province of the United States. Here are some of the most important fees and a view about how they affect European rental car rates.
With all these fees, there are many work-arounds, but many require lots of effort and a knowledge of the local language. And, in some cases, can be a total pain in the butt — reason enough to just pay the fee.
Here is an interactive chart provided by AutoEurope of European Car Rental Fees.
THE AIRPORT/RAIL STATION FEE
A tax on cars picked up at an airport or a major train station. This is similar to many of the higher rental car rates that we find here in the USA at airports vs. downtown locations.
The Damage: It could range from 15 percent (Italy) to 20 percent (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), or else it’s a flat fee, such as in the U.K. (about $25), Spain (about $50), and France (about $45).
The Fix: After your flight or train arrives, hop a taxi to an off-airport rental-car
location (sometimes as close as five miles away). Note: The fee only applies to the pickup; you can return your car at the airport or train station without charge.
EXTRA DRIVER/UNDER-AGE DRIVER FEES
The Damage: $5.50 to $25 a day
The Fix: Be aware of the fees. Let the rental agent know whether you are planning on adding a driver. If so, some companies, such as AutoEurope, can find a rental operator that does not charge for an extra driver. Otherwise, be aware that adding another person to the contract normally incurs additional fees. The same for under-age drivers (about $20-$30 per day).
CROSS-BORDER DROP-OFF FEES
One-way rentals within any given Western European country are generally free, such as if you picked up a car in Rome and dropped it off in Florence. But drop the car off in another country and you’ll be hit with this penalty.
The Damage: From $70 to $4,000, depending on how far from home the car is returned.
The Fix: Comparison shopping is a must; fees vary by company and country. But, this one of those fees where paying the drop-off fee might be worth it. Once, I drove back and forth between France and Italy to avoid the fee. I drove into France and picked up my new car in Chamonix. Then, a friend and I drove both cars back to Italy where I dropped the Italian car off. Then we drove back to Chamonix. In the end between the Mont Blanc Tunnel tolls, the gas and time wasted, it may have been a better deal to just pay the drop-off fee in Paris.
INTERNATIONAL CAR RENTAL TRAVEL FEES
This is a tricky fee. When traveling within the European Union (EU), there are no extra fees. However, when taking the car out of Europe to non-EU country, especially, former Eastern bloc countries, these fees can be significant.
The Damage: As much as $25-$55 per day.
The Fix: Different companies will charge different amounts for international car rental travel, and some may not permit certain travel at all. While there is no way to avoid these fees altogether, savvy consumers can take care to consider these extra costs when hunting for the best overall rates. Pay special attention to terms like “cross border fee” and “border crossing charge” when reading your car rental contracts or quotes, and don’t wait until you’re at the pick-up desk to let your supplier know you plan on driving outside the EU countries.
ROAD TAX, OR VEHICLE LICENSING FEE (VLF)
Most European car companies sneakily pass along the cost of necessary vehicle permits and licenses as a “tax” or fee.
The Damage: As much as $5 per day.
The Fix: You won’t be able to avoid paying it, but if you book through a European agency, such as Auto Europe (autoeurope.com), you’ll be quoted all taxes and fees along with the rate so you won’t get a misleadingly low-priced number.
LATE RETURN FEES
The traditional hour-long grace period is disappearing. If you’re more than 29 minutes late returning a car in many Western European locations, you’ll be charged for a full day extra.
The Damage: Cost of one day’s rental.
The Fix: Return the car before the time stamped on your contract.
MANDATORY WINTER TIRE FEES
Driving somewhere with icy roads, such as a mountain resort? You’ll need winter tires, which you should request in advance.
The Damage: From about $3.50 per day in Austria to about $21 per day in Germany; maximum charge is about $170.
The Fix: The fee is mandatory in some countries (such as Germany) in cold weather, so your only option is to see if the total cost of the rental — including the fee — is still worth it. You might do better taking another method of transportation.
UNFILLED TANK FEE
If renters say they will fill up the tank themselves before returning the car but then forget to do it, they may be socked with an additional fill-up fee on top of the inflated per-liter rate that the car company will charge. In the U.S., renters only will be hit with the extortionate cost of the gas.
The Damage: In France, for instance, Avis charges about $12 as a penalty.
The Fix: Not much to it. Fill ‘er up before you drop your car off (and keep your receipt as proof that you did).
Author’s note: I have worked with AutoEurope (800-223-5555) for years. I can recommend this company as hands-down the best rental car operator for European cars in the country. Their customer service, based in Portland, Maine, is phenomenal, includes toll-free numbers from every country were they rent cars and is staffed by Americans who can probably understand the issues you are experiencing as well as you can.