In general throughout the rental industry, the longer you rent, the less you’ll pay per day. A la carte daily rental rates can be quite high, so booking weekly is usually the best bet for easing the burden on your wallet and getting the most motor for your money. Still only looking to rent for just a few days? How about by the hour? If so, avoid the hassle of insurance, tank re-filling, and lease payments courtesy of Zipcar (www.zipcar.com), a U.S.-based alternative rental company with locations in Canada and London, offering everything from BMW’s to pickup trucks for “self-hire,” by the hour or day, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Members (annual rates do apply and vary by destination), known as “Zipsters,” pay only for the hours they actually use the car, with international car rental rates starting from under $10. For lengthier terms (a month or more), look into leasing; rental companies that lease vehicles for extended periods, like Europe by Car (www.europebycar.com), often utilize new cars for the purpose, and include taxes and collision insurance to sweeten the deal.

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