Decided to rent a car in Utrecht? Here’s Everything You Need to Know:
Renting a car in Utrecht can be an excellent way to explore this charming Dutch city and its surrounding areas at your own pace. Whether you're planning a day trip to nearby attractions or need a vehicle for your entire stay, Bookingautos is here to help you find the best car rental deals from both international and local companies in Utrecht.
Why Rent a Car in Utrecht?
Utrecht, located in the heart of the Netherlands, is a vibrant city known for its medieval old town, canals, and iconic Dom Tower. While the city center is easily walkable, having a car allows you to:
Explore nearby towns and attractions like the Castle De Haar
Visit the famous Dutch countryside and windmills
Take day trips to other major cities like Amsterdam or Rotterdam
Enjoy the flexibility of traveling on your own schedule
What You Need to Know
Before renting a car in Utrecht, consider the following:
Driving Requirements: You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license. An International Driving Permit is recommended for non-EU visitors.
Parking: Utrecht has limited parking in the city center. Consider using Park & Ride facilities on the outskirts of the city.
Traffic Rules: Familiarize yourself with Dutch traffic laws, including right-of-way for cyclists and trams.
Insurance: Check what's included in your rental agreement and consider additional coverage if needed.
Fuel: Most rental cars in the Netherlands use diesel. Make sure you know which fuel type your rental car requires.
Booking Your Rental Car
With Bookingautos, you can easily compare offers from various car rental companies in Utrecht. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure the best rates and ensure availability of your preferred vehicle type.
Whether you're looking for a compact car for city driving or a larger vehicle for a family trip, renting a car in Utrecht opens up a world of possibilities for your Dutch adventure. From exploring the historic city center to venturing out to the picturesque Utrecht region, having your own set of wheels gives you the freedom to create unforgettable memories at your own pace.
Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations
Where to Park Your Rental Car in Utrecht
Utrecht, a vibrant Dutch city, offers several options for parking your rental car. Here are some convenient locations:
City Center Parking Garages
Hoog Catharijne: Located near Utrecht Central Station, this garage offers easy access to the city center.
Springweg: Situated in the heart of Utrecht, perfect for exploring the historic district.
La Vie: Close to shopping areas and restaurants.
Park and Ride (P+R) Facilities
For a more budget-friendly option, consider using P+R facilities on the outskirts of Utrecht:
P+R Westraven: Located south of the city, with frequent tram connections.
P+R Utrecht Science Park: Ideal if you're visiting the university area.
Remember to check parking rates and time limits, as they may vary depending on the location and time of day. Always follow local parking regulations to avoid fines.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
31 € / Day
Best price
22 € / Day
Estimated price for 7 days rental in Utrecht:
January
€188
February
€127
March
€137
April
€152
May
€172
June
€229
July
€239
August
€246
September
€167
October
€124
November
€105
December
€151
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Utrecht in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in Utrecht is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €19, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model Toyota Camry is €79per day.
Our rental office in Utrecht can offer you a wide selection of over 40 car models. You can rent exact car model. All cars are new and technically fully functional.
The cost of car rental per day directly depends on the season, car class and rental period. The more days, the cheaper average daily cost. A modest economy car will cost at least €15 per day. In the middle segment, the offer range is €44-€56 per day. Business class car prices start at €68. In the high season, absolutely all rental cars become more expensive, especially rare models and convertibles. So, in summer in Utrecht popular with tourists VW T-Roc costs at least €79 per day.
Recently, in Utrecht has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Utrecht, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Tesla Model X.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Key Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience
Download Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Early Booking Discount
Utrecht is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Utrecht. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car VW Up or VW Polo. These models are the most popular with our customers in Utrecht.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Fiat Tipo Estate will cost €33 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel Policy
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Utrecht for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Mileage without limits
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Utrecht, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
When renting a car in Utrecht, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Utrecht, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in Utrecht is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Utrecht
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
Download the BookingAutos mobile app
Download our mobile app and get access to special offers and discounts in Utrecht.