Nowadays, flying is so affordable that it is cheaper to fly to the south of France and rent a car from there to your holiday villa. As a result, you do not lose time in traffic jams and it is ideal for short holidays. But what is the easiest way to book a rental car, where do you pick it up and what insurance do you need?
At Nice and Toulon airport you will find various options for car rental. Nice Airport has two terminals of which Terminal 2 is the newest. If you fly with KLM/Air France or EasyJet, you will arrive at Terminal 2. Here you have the opportunity to quickly walk to the Car Rental Center (behind Parking P5) where almost all well-known rental companies are located, such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and National. If you arrive at Terminal 1, where Transavia, Ryanair and Lufthansa fly, you can easily travel to Terminal 2 via the shuttle. You will find cheaper rental companies, such as Truche, mainly around Terminal 1. At Toulon Airport you only have 1 terminal and there is an easy walking route to the rental companies.
Renting a car online has many advantages over arranging on the spot. By booking in advance you are assured of availability of the desired model and the chance of a discount is greater. In addition, many car rental companies offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival, so you can always make changes and find the best deal.
In case you decide to rent a car online, please think about the following:
1. Book in advance
- Make sure to reserve your rental car online before your trip, especially during high season.
2. Bring your driver’s license and credit card
- You’ll need a valid driver’s license and a credit card in the name of the main driver.
- Some rental companies require a credit card with a high spending limit for the deposit.
3. Choose your insurance wisely
- We recommend choosing full coverage with no excess to avoid unexpected costs.
- Check if your credit card or travel insurance already offers rental coverage.
4. Optional extras = extra costs
Extras such as:
- Additional drivers
- GPS (using your phone may be cheaper)
- Child seats (mandatory in France up to age 10)
- Toll badge for highways
- …may come with extra fees.
5. Check the car before and after
- Take photos or a video of the car’s condition.
- Check the mileage and fuel level. Make sure you understand the fuel policy (usually “full to full”).
- Keep the rental contract and drop-off receipt.
6. Fill up before returning the car
- There are gas stations near the airport, e.g. on Promenade des Anglais.
- Watch out for limited opening hours on Sundays and holidays.