DriveAtlas
Car Rental Costs in Macedonia 2026
North Macedonia is one of the cheapest countries in Europe to rent a car, and possibly the cheapest that still has roads you actually want to drive on. Economy cars from Skopje Airport start under 15 EUR per day in low season, fuel is roughly 30% cheaper than Western Europe, tolls are negligible, and parking rarely costs more than pocket change. We spent four days driving across the country and the total car-related costs – rental, fuel, tolls, and parking combined – came to less than what a single day of rental costs in Zurich.
The Macedonian denar (MKD) is the local currency, pegged loosely to the euro at approximately 61.5 MKD = 1 EUR. Dollar equivalents fluctuate, but for quick math: divide MKD by 55 for approximate USD. Rental agencies typically quote in euros, fuel stations price in denars, and tolls accept both.
North Macedonia sits at the intersection of Balkan budget travel and genuine natural beauty. The pricing reflects a country that is developing its tourism infrastructure without yet having the international recognition that drives prices up. Expect Bulgaria-level costs or lower, with scenery that competes with Greece or Croatia.
Daily Rental Rates by Car Class
Prices per day for 7-day pre-booked rentals from Skopje Airport.
| Car Class | Example Models | Low Season (Nov-Mar) | Shoulder (Apr-May, Sep-Oct) | High Season (Jun-Aug) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Fiat Punto, VW Up, Hyundai i10 | 12-18 EUR/day | 15-22 EUR/day | 20-30 EUR/day |
| Compact | VW Polo, Opel Corsa, Renault Clio | 16-24 EUR/day | 20-30 EUR/day | 25-38 EUR/day |
| Intermediate | Skoda Octavia, VW Golf, Toyota Corolla | 22-35 EUR/day | 28-40 EUR/day | 35-50 EUR/day |
| SUV | Dacia Duster, Nissan Qashqai | 30-45 EUR/day | 35-55 EUR/day | 45-65 EUR/day |
| Minivan | VW Touran, Renault Scenic | 35-50 EUR/day | 40-60 EUR/day | 50-75 EUR/day |
Notes on the table above:
- Walk-up prices (without pre-booking) are typically 30-50% higher
- One-day rentals cost 40-80% more per day than weekly rates
- Local agencies (Autorent, Euro Rent MK) are generally 10-25% cheaper than international chains (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt)
- Automatic transmission adds 5-10 EUR/day (manual is standard for economy/compact classes)
- Ohrid pickups are 15-25% more expensive than Skopje due to limited competition
Price Comparison: Agency Types
| Agency Type | Economy (7-day summer) | Compact (7-day summer) | SUV (7-day summer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| International (Hertz, Europcar, Sixt) | 25-35 EUR/day | 32-45 EUR/day | 55-75 EUR/day |
| Local (Autorent, Euro Rent MK) | 18-28 EUR/day | 22-35 EUR/day | 40-60 EUR/day |
| Direct booking (agency email) | 15-25 EUR/day | 20-30 EUR/day | 35-55 EUR/day |
The direct booking column represents our experience contacting local agencies by email or WhatsApp with our dates and asking for their best rate. The savings were genuine – not marginal. On a 7-day SUV rental in September, direct booking saved us about 85 EUR compared to the same local agency’s price on a comparison site.
Seasonal Price Patterns
Macedonian rental prices follow the tourist season, with the sharpest variation between winter and peak summer.
| Period | Price Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| November-February | 75-85 | Off-season; mountain roads may be snow-covered |
| March | 85-90 | Pre-season; roads opening up |
| April-May | 95-100 | Spring shoulder; excellent driving weather |
| June | 105-115 | Summer beginning; Ohrid season starting |
| July-August | 130-150 | Peak summer; Ohrid at full capacity |
| September-October | 100-110 | Autumn shoulder; best overall combination |
(Index: 100 = baseline late spring price)
The most useful insight from this table: September and October offer better-than-spring weather (warm days, cool evenings, autumn colors in the mountains), significantly lower prices than peak summer, and thinner crowds at all major attractions. If you have any flexibility in travel dates, late September is the optimal time to visit North Macedonia.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
January-February: Lowest prices of the year. Winter tires legally required on mountain roads. Ski season in Mavrovo and Popova Sapka – if you want snow sports, this is when to come. Mountain passes can close temporarily. Some local agencies offer discounts of 30-40% off shoulder rates for multi-day rentals in these months.
March: Transitional month. Snow still possible at altitude, wildflowers starting in the valleys. Prices begin rising mid-March as spring bookings come in. Still good value.
April-May: Ideal for driving. The countryside is green, the light is extraordinary, and the roads are empty by European standards. This is arguably the best driving season in North Macedonia.
June: Prices jump as summer begins, particularly from the second week. Ohrid lake tourism starts in earnest. Pre-book 4-6 weeks ahead.
July-August: Peak prices, peak crowds in Ohrid, peak demand for SUVs (everyone suddenly wants to explore mountain roads). Book 6-8 weeks ahead. Walk-up rates at summer peak are the highest of the year and availability is unreliable.
September: We repeatedly come back to September because the value is exceptional. Summer rental prices have dropped, but the weather is still excellent. Lake Ohrid is warm well into September. Mountain roads are perfect. The country feels like it belongs to residents again.
October: Similar to September in value terms. Fall colors begin appearing in the mountains by mid-October. Shorter days from the second half of October. A few mountain roads become less reliable after heavy autumn rains.
Insurance
Insurance in North Macedonia is straightforward compared to the labyrinthine systems in Western Europe.
| Coverage | Included in Standard Rental | Typical Excess |
|---|---|---|
| CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) | Yes | 300-600 EUR |
| Theft Protection | Usually yes | 300-600 EUR |
| Third-Party Liability | Yes (legal minimum) | N/A |
| Optional Add-On | Cost per Day | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Excess reduction (SCDW) | 5-10 EUR | Reduces excess to 100-200 EUR |
| Full excess elimination | 8-15 EUR | Excess drops to 0 EUR |
| Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) | 3-5 EUR | Covers driver/passenger medical |
| Roadside assistance | 2-4 EUR | 24/7 breakdown and towing service |
Our recommendation: The standard CDW with a 300-600 EUR excess is adequate for most drivers on Macedonian roads. If you plan to drive mountain roads (Mavrovo pass, Galichica, Pelister) or visit in winter, the excess reduction is worth the extra 5-10 EUR/day for peace of mind.
Road condition insurance note: Macedonian mountain roads are the main reason to consider excess reduction. The surface changes unpredictably, gravel is common, and narrow passes leave little room for error. A 10 EUR/day excess reduction on a 7-day rental costs 70 EUR – if you avoid paying a 400 EUR excess over one pothole encounter, it pays for itself twice.
Third-party insurance alternative: Before purchasing excess reduction at the counter, check if your travel insurance or credit card covers rental car excess. Many premium credit cards (Visa Gold, Mastercard World) include rental car coverage that reduces or eliminates excess – this can save 35-70 EUR on a week-long rental.
Cross-border insurance: If you plan to drive into Albania, Greece, Kosovo, Serbia, or Bulgaria, you need to confirm with the agency that your insurance covers those countries. Cross-border coverage is an add-on, not standard – and some agencies prohibit certain border crossings entirely (particularly Albania and Kosovo). Clarify this at booking.
Insurance Cost Breakdown for Typical Trips
| Trip Duration | Standard CDW (included) | + Excess Reduction | + PAI | Total Insurance Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 days | 0 EUR | 20-40 EUR | 12-20 EUR | 32-60 EUR |
| 7 days | 0 EUR | 35-70 EUR | 21-35 EUR | 56-105 EUR |
| 10 days | 0 EUR | 50-100 EUR | 30-50 EUR | 80-150 EUR |
Whether to pay for excess reduction comes down to a simple calculation: how much would a 400 EUR excess hurt, and how much risk do you plan to expose the car to? If you are driving a compact around Skopje and Ohrid on tarmac roads, the excess reduction is probably unnecessary. If you are taking a Dacia Duster on gravel tracks through Mavrovo or navigating the Radika gorge in wet conditions, the peace of mind is worth the cost.
Fuel Costs
| Fuel Type | Price per Liter | Full Tank (50L) |
|---|---|---|
| Eurosuper 95 (petrol) | ~75 MKD ($1.35 / 1.22 EUR) | 3,750 MKD ($68 / 61 EUR) |
| Eurosuper 98 (premium) | ~78 MKD ($1.41 / 1.27 EUR) | 3,900 MKD ($71 / 64 EUR) |
| Eurodiesel | ~72 MKD ($1.30 / 1.17 EUR) | 3,600 MKD ($65 / 59 EUR) |
| LPG | ~35 MKD ($0.63 / 0.57 EUR) | 1,750 MKD ($32 / 29 EUR) |
Weekly fuel budget: For a typical week of driving in North Macedonia (800-1,200 km), budget 3,500-5,500 MKD ($64-100 / 57-89 EUR) for a compact petrol car. Diesel is 5-10% cheaper and common in intermediate and SUV classes.
Comparison: Fuel in North Macedonia is roughly 25-35% cheaper than in Western Europe (Germany, France, Italy) and about 10-15% cheaper than neighboring Greece. It is comparable to Bulgaria and Serbia.
Fuel budget by route:
| Trip | Distance | Fuel Cost (compact petrol) | Fuel Cost (SUV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skopje to Ohrid via Mavrovo | 170 km | 1,300 MKD ($24) | 1,700 MKD ($31) |
| Ohrid Lake Circuit | 85 km | 650 MKD ($12) | 850 MKD ($15) |
| Tikves Wine Loop | 130 km | 1,000 MKD ($18) | 1,300 MKD ($24) |
| Skopje to Bitola via Prilep | 175 km | 1,350 MKD ($25) | 1,750 MKD ($32) |
| Ohrid to Sveti Naum and back | 86 km | 660 MKD ($12) | 860 MKD ($16) |
| Skopje eastern circuit (Stip, Strumica) | 240 km | 1,840 MKD ($33) | 2,400 MKD ($44) |
| 7-day full country circuit (~1,200 km) | 1,200 km | 9,200 MKD ($167) | 12,000 MKD ($218) |
Station availability: Makpetrol and OKTA are the dominant local chains with the most stations. Shell and Lukoil also operate in the country. Motorway stations and city stations are 24/7. Rural and village stations close at 20:00-21:00 and are sometimes cash-only. Fill up in the last major town before heading into mountain terrain.
Key fuel stops to know:
- Before Mavrovo from Skopje direction: Gostivar (85 km from Skopje on A2)
- Before Mavrovo from Ohrid direction: Debar (40 km south of the park)
- Before Galichica from Ohrid: Ohrid town (fill up before the mountain road begins)
- Eastern Macedonia: Stip is the main hub before heading toward the Bulgarian border
Tolls
North Macedonia’s toll system is simple and inexpensive.
| Route | Distance | Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Skopje to Veles | 55 km | 60 MKD ($1.10 / 0.97 EUR) |
| Skopje to Gevgelija (Greek border) | 175 km | 200 MKD ($3.60 / 3.25 EUR) |
| Skopje to Tetovo | 42 km | 30 MKD ($0.55 / 0.49 EUR) |
| Skopje to Kumanovo | 35 km | 30 MKD ($0.55 / 0.49 EUR) |
| Full A1 north-south crossing | ~175 km | 200 MKD ($3.60) |
| Skopje ring road sections | Varies | 20-40 MKD ($0.36-0.73) |
Total weekly toll budget: Even if you drive every toll road in the country, your total toll costs for a week will be 200-400 MKD ($3.60-7.25 / 3.25-6.50 EUR). This is rounding-error territory. Unlike Italy or France where tolls represent a meaningful travel cost, Macedonia’s motorway charges are almost too low to plan around.
Payment: Cash (MKD) is the most reliable method. Cards are accepted at major toll booths but machines occasionally malfunction. Keep 200 MKD in coins and small notes accessible in the car – the toll collector will thank you.
Toll-free alternatives: Because the tolls are so low, there is rarely a financial reason to take a longer route to avoid them. The A1 motorway, the main toll road, is also the fastest and safest route for long-distance journeys. Taking slower regional roads to avoid 200 MKD in tolls would cost you an extra 2 hours and more fuel.
Parking Costs
| City | Zone/Location | Cost | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skopje | Zone 1 (Center) | 25 MKD/hr ($0.45) | 8:00-20:00 |
| Skopje | Zone 2 (wider center) | 15 MKD/hr ($0.27) | 8:00-20:00 |
| Skopje | Mall garages (City Mall, Skopje City Mall) | Free | During shopping hours |
| Ohrid | Old town gates | 50-100 MKD/hr ($0.90-1.80) | Summer 8:00-22:00 |
| Ohrid | Beach areas (south of old town) | Free | Year-round |
| Bitola | City center | Free to 15 MKD/hr | 8:00-20:00 |
| Tetovo | Center | Free | Year-round |
| Ohrid | Hotel parking | Varies (often included) |
Weekly parking estimate: For a 7-day trip mixing Skopje (2 nights), road travel, and Ohrid (3 nights) with reasonable use of free parking options, budget 200-500 MKD ($3.60-9.00) total. If you are staying at hotels with included parking, your cost is essentially zero.
Hidden Fees and Surcharges
| Fee | Typical Cost | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | 5-15 EUR | Pick up from city office (saves 5-15 EUR for short rentals) |
| Young driver (under 25) | 5-10 EUR/day | N/A – unavoidable if under 25 |
| Additional driver | 3-8 EUR/day | Some rentals include one free; confirm at booking |
| GPS rental | 5-10 EUR/day | Use phone with offline Google Maps instead |
| Cross-border fee | 20-50 EUR per country | Stay in Macedonia or confirm and budget for it |
| One-way fee (Skopje-Ohrid) | 30-50 EUR | Return to pickup location |
| Late return (per hour) | 10-25 EUR | Return on time; confirm grace period |
| Fuel service fee | 15-30 EUR | Choose full-to-full, return with full tank |
| Child seat | 3-5 EUR/day | Bring your own if traveling with children |
| Winter tire upgrade (if not standard) | 5-10 EUR/day | Confirm winter tires included Nov 15 - Mar 15 |
| Out-of-hours pickup | 10-25 EUR | Book within desk hours |
| Mileage excess | 0.10-0.25 EUR/km | Confirm unlimited mileage at booking |
| Cleaning fee (excessive dirt) | 20-50 EUR | Return car in reasonable condition |
The GPS fee is completely avoidable. Google Maps works offline in North Macedonia and is more up-to-date than any agency-provided GPS unit. Download the offline map before arrival. The 5-10 EUR/day GPS fee on a 7-day rental is 35-70 EUR wasted.
The most significant potential extra cost is the cross-border fee. If your itinerary crosses into Albania, Greece, Kosovo, or Bulgaria, budget 20-50 EUR per country plus ensure your insurance covers those countries. Some agencies prohibit Albania and Kosovo entirely. Confirm all of this at booking, not at the counter when you are already committed.
Young driver fees: If anyone in your group is under 25, expect 5-10 EUR/day per young driver. Some agencies set the threshold at 21, others at 25. The fee applies regardless of driving experience. Confirm the policy at booking if any driver is under 25 – the surcharge adds 35-70 EUR per week to the base rental cost, which is significant on a budget trip.
Total Trip Cost Estimates
7-Day Skopje-Ohrid Road Trip (Economy Car, 2 People)
| Expense | Cost (EUR) | Cost (USD) | Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car rental (7 days, economy) | 105-154 | 116-170 | 53-85 USD |
| Insurance (standard CDW, included) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Excess reduction (optional) | 35-70 | 39-77 | 20-39 USD |
| Fuel (~1,000 km) | 55-75 | 61-83 | 31-42 USD |
| Tolls | 3-6 | 3-7 | 2-4 USD |
| Parking | 5-15 | 6-17 | 3-9 USD |
| Total per person | 109-179 USD |
4-Day Weekend from Skopje (Compact Car, 2 People)
| Expense | Cost (EUR) | Cost (USD) | Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car rental (4 days, compact) | 80-120 | 88-133 | 44-67 USD |
| Insurance excess reduction | 20-40 | 22-44 | 11-22 USD |
| Fuel (~500 km) | 30-45 | 33-50 | 17-25 USD |
| Tolls | 2-4 | 2-4 | 1-2 USD |
| Parking | 3-8 | 3-9 | 2-5 USD |
| Total per person | 75-121 USD |
10-Day Complete Macedonia Tour (SUV, 2 People)
| Expense | Cost (EUR) | Cost (USD) | Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car rental (10 days, SUV) | 300-450 | 332-498 | 166-249 USD |
| Insurance excess reduction | 50-100 | 55-111 | 28-56 USD |
| Fuel (~1,500 km) | 90-120 | 100-133 | 50-67 USD |
| Tolls | 5-10 | 6-11 | 3-6 USD |
| Parking | 10-25 | 11-28 | 6-14 USD |
| Total per person | 253-392 USD |
What these numbers mean: A complete 10-day tour of North Macedonia in an SUV, including all driving costs, comes to roughly 250-400 USD per person. That is less than a single week of car rental in Switzerland or Norway, and considerably less than a comparable tour of Greece or Croatia. The comparison in terms of scenery per dollar spent is genuinely remarkable.
Budget vs. Comfort Rental Comparison (7 Days)
| Setup | Car | Agency | Total Cost | Per Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Economy, manual, local agency | Autorent, direct | 105-140 EUR | 15-20 EUR |
| Mid-range | Compact, manual, international | Europcar, pre-booked | 155-210 EUR | 22-30 EUR |
| Comfortable | Intermediate, auto, international | Sixt, pre-booked | 210-280 EUR | 30-40 EUR |
| Premium | SUV, auto, international | Hertz, pre-booked | 280-420 EUR | 40-60 EUR |
Adding fuel, tolls, and parking: the complete budget setup (7 days, all costs) comes to 190-250 EUR total per person (2 sharing). The premium setup: 350-550 EUR total per person. Both figures remain excellent value by European standards.
Money-Saving Tips
1. Book local agencies through their websites. Autorent, Euro Rent MK, and similar local operators often offer prices 15-25% below what appears on aggregator sites. Send them an email with your dates – they frequently have unpublished rates that beat everything online.
2. Rent for a full week even if you need only 5 days. Weekly rates in Macedonia are so much lower per day than short-term rates that a 7-day rental sometimes costs less than a 5-day rental. Check the math before committing to dates.
3. Choose manual transmission. Automatics in the economy/compact classes come with a 5-10 EUR/day premium. If you can drive manual, the savings add up to 35-70 EUR per week – enough for multiple restaurant meals.
4. Skip the GPS. Google Maps works offline in North Macedonia and is more up-to-date than most agency GPS units. Download the offline map before arrival. Save 35-70 EUR per week.
5. Fill up at Makpetrol. The national chain often has the lowest fuel prices, particularly outside Skopje. OKTA stations are similarly competitive. Motorway service stations charge a few denars more per liter – fill up at roadside stations when possible.
6. Use credit card insurance. If your credit card includes rental car coverage, you can decline the agency’s excess reduction and save 35-70 EUR per week. Call your card issuer before the trip to confirm coverage in North Macedonia specifically – not all cards cover all countries.
7. Negotiate at local agencies. This is not standard practice with international chains, but local Macedonian agencies will sometimes offer a discount for cash payment, longer rentals, or (occasionally) just for being polite and asking directly. It costs nothing to try. We have negotiated 10-15% discounts simply by asking “Is there a better price if we book directly?” after seeing an aggregator price.
8. Travel in May or September. These shoulder months offer the best combination of pleasant weather, low rental prices (15-20% below summer peak), and uncrowded roads. May is particularly good: spring wildflowers, clear mountain air, and the entire country without the summer tourist density.
9. Return the car full of fuel. Fuel service charges at agencies are typically 50-100% above market pump price. There is always a petrol station near Skopje Airport (on the main road from the city, turn off toward Petrovec). Fill up there rather than returning empty and paying the agency’s fuel rate.
10. Book one-way if flying out of a different city. If your itinerary brings you from Skopje to Ohrid and you are flying out of Ohrid Airport, the one-way fee (30-50 EUR) is almost always worth it compared to spending half a day driving back to Skopje.
11. Consider off-airport pickup. Many local agencies offer city-center pickup at rates 5-15 EUR below their airport prices (no airport surcharge). If you are arriving by bus, train, or if a friend drops you at the office, this is pure savings.
12. Compare total cost, not daily rate. A 14 EUR/day rental that imposes a 100-km daily mileage limit will cost more than a 20 EUR/day unlimited-mileage rental if you plan to drive 300 km/day. Calculate the total cost including all fees before committing to the cheapest-sounding daily rate.
Quick Savings Summary
| Action | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Book local agency direct (vs. international on aggregator) | 15-25% on daily rate |
| Pre-book vs. walk-up | 30-50% on daily rate |
| Manual vs. automatic | 35-70 EUR/week |
| Skip GPS | 35-70 EUR/week |
| Credit card insurance (no excess reduction needed) | 35-70 EUR/week |
| Travel May or September (vs. July-August) | 20-30% on daily rate |
| Return car full of fuel | 15-30 EUR |
| 7-day vs. 5-day rental (even if driving 5 days) | Check calculation; sometimes saves 20-40 EUR |
Payment and Deposits
| Car Class | Typical Deposit |
|---|---|
| Economy | 200-400 EUR |
| Compact | 300-500 EUR |
| SUV | 500-800 EUR |
| Intermediate | 350-600 EUR |
Credit cards: Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. Amex is accepted at international chains only. The deposit is a hold (blocked amount), not a charge – it is released when you return the car undamaged. The release takes 3-10 business days depending on your bank.
Debit cards: Some local agencies accept debit cards with a higher cash deposit. International chains require a proper credit card with sufficient limit (rental cost + deposit must fit within available balance).
Cash deposits: A few local agencies allow cash deposits of 300-800 EUR depending on car class. This ties up physical cash for the duration of the trip but avoids the credit card hold. Useful if your card has limited available balance.
Pre-authorization vs. charge: Confirm with the agency whether the deposit is a pre-authorization (hold, then released) or an actual charge (refunded after return). International agencies universally use holds. Local agencies are variable – some charge and refund, which takes longer to clear. For short trips, this matters: a 400 EUR charge that takes 5 business days to refund may only arrive after you have returned home.
How Macedonia Compares to Neighboring Countries
| Country | Economy Car (summer peak) | Fuel (per liter) | Tolls (per week) | Total 7-day Budget (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia | 20-30 EUR/day | 1.22 USD | ~6 EUR | 186-277 USD pp |
| Bulgaria | 22-35 EUR/day | 1.30 USD | ~8 EUR | 200-310 USD pp |
| Serbia | 25-40 EUR/day | 1.28 USD | ~15 EUR | 220-340 USD pp |
| Albania | 25-40 EUR/day | 1.35 USD | ~5 EUR | 210-330 USD pp |
| Kosovo | 20-35 EUR/day | 1.20 USD | ~0 EUR | 190-290 USD pp |
| Greece | 40-65 EUR/day | 1.80 USD | ~30-60 EUR | 350-550 USD pp |
| Croatia | 50-80 EUR/day | 1.65 USD | ~20-40 EUR | 400-600 USD pp |
| Italy | 60-100 EUR/day | 1.75 USD | ~80-120 EUR | 500-750 USD pp |
(pp = per person based on 2 people sharing)
North Macedonia is consistently the cheapest option in the region. If budget is a primary consideration, it is the clear choice. If it is one stop on a broader Balkan itinerary, renting specifically in Macedonia rather than carrying the same car from Greece or Serbia will typically save money even after accounting for one-way fees.
The regional context: Kosovo has similar pricing, but the rental market is smaller and the infrastructure less developed. Albania is competitive on price but road conditions in the mountainous north and the complexity of the insurance situation add practical costs. Bulgaria offers similar value to Macedonia with more agency competition in Sofia. Greece is significantly more expensive on every metric. If cost is your primary driver, Macedonia is the Balkan benchmark.
North Macedonia delivers exceptional value for the self-driving traveler. The combination of low rental prices, cheap fuel, negligible tolls, and a country small enough to explore thoroughly in a week makes it one of the best budget road trip destinations in Europe. The scenery, the food, and the hospitality are bonuses that cost nothing.
For route ideas, see our best road trips guide. Airport pickup details are in our airport rental guide. General insurance advice is in our car rental insurance explainer.