Time Warner Cable News' Valarie D’Elia looks at the differences between leasing and renting a car in Europe in this Travel With Val report.
If you have plans to visit Europe for three weeks or more and you want to cover a lot of ground, leasing a car may be the way to go. The cost benefit of leasing over renting kicks in when you keep the car for about a month, when it's almost half that of a rental.
Perks you usually have to pay extra for with a rental are free with a lease. Comprehensive insurance is included, valid practically everywhere in Europe with no deductible, so you do not have to worry about crossing borders without protection. There is no charge for extra drivers, or roadside assistance. In addition, the minimum age to lease is 18.
Taxes are also folded into the overall rate, which for me, renting a Dacia Duster through Renault Eurodrive, was approximately $50 a day for the minimum 21-day period.
Best of all, you are driving a brand new car - that is the deal with short-term leases: Turn it in at the end of your trip and the company sells the vehicle as a slightly used car. Therefore, if you do not want to part with it, you can even buy it.
Other car companies you can lease from include Auto Europe and Europe by Car. However, one downside is that many of these companies charge an extra fee to pick up or drop off the car anywhere but France. And gas - it comes empty, so leave it that way when you return it.