Traveling makes life more beautiful and fulfilling. Every change of surroundings feels good, and even going to a nearby town can relax you. Not to mention multi-day or multi-week trips when you completely reset your body and mind.
Everyone has a different idea of a perfect vacation. Some like to relax on the beach, and others enjoy going around and exploring the destination. And if you have the chance to visit Molde, a hidden tourist gem in Norway, the first look at the city and its surroundings gives the impression that this place is worth exploring.
If you prefer an active vacation, the four-wheeler will be your best ally. Going on a road trip has many advantages, which you can find out about at this link. And heading to Norway in a car can be a real adventure if you come from the land, i.e., Eurasia.
But if you’re an overseas traveler, transporting your vehicle can be an expensive endeavor. In that case, a cheaper and more practical option is car rental. If you haven’t done it before, there may be a few things that might confuse you.
Know Your Needs
Whatever you do, it’s good to have at least a rough plan that can serve as a guideline for future decisions. In the case of your trip to Molde, Norway, it’s good to know details such as the place of stay, what you want to visit, and how many days you will need for all that. Based on that, you will assess your needs for a rental car.
Also, you should know how you’re going on the trip, whether alone, with someone, or with family or a group of friends. That significantly affects your decision to rent a car because the number of passengers (including the number of drivers) affects which vehicle you will choose, as well as the rental price itself.
For example, if you’re going on a trip with your partner and want to enjoy relaxed and long drives, a sedan will work just fine for you two. In case you’re on a budget, you need an economical variant, so a hatchback or even a mini vehicle will do (depending on how much luggage you have and how long you need the car).
For family and group trips, your choice can be a sedan, SUV, or even a minivan. It depends on the number of passengers, the amount of luggage, and your itinerary. For instance, if you plan to tour Molde and the surrounding bay where this town is located, an SUV is definitely the best solution, as it allows you to go off-road and enjoy the natural beauty of this region.
How to Find a Car Rental Agency
Busy places like Molde have several car rental agencies that can be at your service. Even if you’re not coming directly here but from Oslo, Trondheim, or another larger city, there are a large number of car rental providers in Norway at your disposal.
If you haven’t booked a vehicle in advance, you can always do it at the airport. It’s certainly a convenient option, but very often, you can have a limited car choice, which can be quite costly. Actually, renting a car at the airport offices is significantly more expensive than if you do it in the city. So if you don’t want to spend a fortune on rental, don’t do it as soon as you land.
As said, booking a vehicle in advance can save you a lot of trouble and leave some money in your pocket. In fact, the sooner you do this, the more you will save. And if you devote enough time to check several agencies, their fleets, and rental rates, you can certainly choose the most favorable option.
When choosing an agency, we have already said what things you should pay attention to. This information is available on their websites, so you can check if these service providers have the vehicle you want, how much it costs, and for how long. Be sure to check the business policy of these agencies, as well as the legitimacy of their work.
Read Reviews
Do not forget to read the reviews for rental agencies near Molde since they can give you more information than the official websites. Pay special attention to negative comments and complaints, as these reviews may indicate what you need to pay special attention to.
That can be faulty vehicles, payment problems, hidden taxes, poor customer support, etc.
Of course, you should never trust reviews blindly.
Always take these comments with a grain of salt, whether they are too overly complimentary or critical. Many times, people tend to overreact and claim things that could be easily avoided or solved.
Get Familiar with the Costs
After checking the car rental agencies in Norway, you can shortlist a few reputable ones near Molde with the most favorable rates and fleets. Only after that can you devote yourself to a detailed study of their offers and fees.
When you rent a car, you don’t just pay the rental price. There are also a lot of catches that you need to pay attention to, such as whether you’re picking up and returning the car to the same location or only need it one-way. In most cases, the second option is more expensive. Also, some rental agencies can charge you a fee if you return the vehicle before the agreed deadline.
Of the expected costs, you should know that companies have extra fees for each additional driver, so you might want to cut on that. Also, they will charge you extra for a car seat, which is a must when traveling with kids. But it’s not always necessary to prepay it at the rental agency, especially if you can bring your own seat.
When you book a car, it might happen that it’s not on the agency’s lot when you arrive. If you’ve already paid for the vehicle, you can ask for a refund, but in most cases, the agency will offer a replacement. And even if your car is there, an agent will gladly suggest an upgrade. That’s a vehicle better-equipped than yours but also costlier.
Hold Charge
Keep in mind that most rental agencies will have a hold charge. It means they reserve part of the funds from your credit card (a few hundred dollars, although some agencies can hold up to $1,000 or more). That’s something like collateral in case of car failure, theft, or any problem that may cause damage to the agencies.
Be sure to pay attention to this cost, which must be specified in the contract, in order not to be unpleasantly surprised. If you somehow neglect this charge, you can be in trouble if your credit card is declined or blocked due to the reached limit.
Car Rental Insurance
Reputable car rental agencies do everything to protect their clients and preserve their fleets. That’s why they must offer drivers appropriate insurance policies when leasing their vehicles. Of course, for drivers, it’s always better to be safe than sorry on the road, especially in a foreign country.
But that might be an unnecessary cost if you already have personal insurance. It’s good to check it before renting the vehicle since this policy may already include certain coverage for damage to the rental cars and even personal liability. It’s always wise to reach out to your insurer to double-check your policy and thus save yourself unnecessary insurance costs.
Having a car while traveling in Norway is a huge convenience. If you start from Molde, make sure to find a legit and reputable agency with a solid fleet and affordable rates. That way, you can enjoy your stay and tour this beautiful country without breaking the bank.
Michael C Vang is a passionate blogger. He has been blogging since 2013 on a variety of topics. He is committed to creating informative and engaging content that helps readers learn more about everything.
