Renting a car in Malta

Are you a traveling businessperson, a family touring for relaxation or a couple wanting to spend honeymoon in the culturally rich islands of Malta? This article will help you understand important details when trusting a Malta car rental including straightforward and realistic explanations about the following: locations of car rental services, types of rental reservations, factors to be considered in the renting process, elements of good car decision making, ways to avoid road problems, importance of reading the contract, and advantages of renting. This guide will make you realize the possible outcome of your choices and the impact of such decisions in achieving the best vacation or uncomplicated business travel you’ll ever have. Furthermore, this article will show comparison of situations that may happen when traveling without rented cars or with services from a Malta car rental. You are also assured to gain significant information without reading any company advertisement, exaggerated descriptions or too-good-to-be true suggestions.

A Southern European country sited at the heart of Mediterranean, Malta is an archipelago reflecting the fusion of cultural influences, historical richness, and natural magnificence. With a populace of around 400,000, the island nation offers travelers a destination with accessible public services, euro-accepting stores, available mediums of transportation, and eclectic blend of local treasures.

With various means of transportation present in the country, hiring services from a Malta car rental proves to be the most pragmatic option. There are vehicle companies around the islands where local residents and foreigners can hire their preferred automobile for a tour in the prehistoric temples, and baroque-styled architectures in the Valleta capital. For those who want to be comfortable in traveling from airports and sea ports, there are rental companies stationed near such places.

Companies providing Malta car rental allow either advanced reservations or in-office booking. The former is usually made by visiting a company’s official website and applying for car services. Usually, booking is done months or weeks before arrival to avoid hearing no-car-available statements and other forms of reservation troubles. The latter, on the other hand, is done when travelers are already in Malta. They can hire available services and outline the trips expected every day. Between these two, reserving cars in advance is more recommended so that traveling to and from various places in Malta will be smoother.

When obtaining services from any Malta car rental, it is important to analyze some factors involved in the process. For instance, rental rates, types of cars offered, system of reservation, insurance, and client safety policies – these things vary according to the Malta car rental and their packages. Some may provide complete services in which drivers can also become tour guides and there are on-call response team when accidents or car breakdown happen. Some may have limits in their services where clients need to pay for the gasoline.

Tourists especially businesspeople who want to savor every moment in Malta cannot accommodate car-related problems. Of course, no one likes to be stuck inside in the secluded corners of a rented car or to stop kilometers away from the planned location. For this reason, visitors or even local travelers are suggested to take a look at some elements when acquiring a Malta car rental. This is a good way to understand possible unlikely situations and become ready when such things happen. Here are the relevant elements:

In selecting the vehicle from a Malta car rental, consider the number of people to ride the car and the number of baggage to bring. The car size must be big enough for a family with about five and more members. A smaller and simpler automobile can be good for partners or single-traveling clients. It is also significant to determine if the car can accommodate the needs of small children or infants if they are brought in the travels. There shall be gear where safety of the passengers is ensured. If the family supports environmental-friendly vehicles, there are also available Malta car rental providing such services.

When booking a vehicle from a Malta car rental, take note of the travel schedule and destinations to go to. Make sure that the details are clearly stated in the application for reservation. Because most companies are outlining their drivers’ schedules, while considering their clients’ requests, it will be best to disclose real and exact information to avoid company-clients dilemma. It is better to read policies of the Malta car rental and clear those that are vague. Also, clients must ask if the company can provide support groups in case of emergencies.

When reserving a Malta car rental, some customers choose those that are cheap, but small; even if their movements are constrained when inside. However, they must remember that it is more practical to pick cars that can accommodate the number of passengers, while ensuring their comfort. This tip is very valuable especially when shopping around or touring in Malta’s rocky terrains. If clients really want to save money from a Malta car rental, it is suggested to look for companies offering discounts and low rates compared to competitor companies. This is typically offered during certain seasons, loyalists of the company, credit card holders, and those with signing up for promotional offers.

Every Malta car rental company has their own policies, offers, and restrictions. Clients must be careful when doing reservations because they might miss some important statements. It will be fruitful to be inquisitive before sealing agreements. Whether booking vehicles is done by phone, online or face-to-face, always ask the following questions to the Malta car rental: Are there any penalties for delays or cancellation of reservations? If there are any, how much will we pay? Are there any on-call teams in times of emergencies? Are we going to pay for the car’s gasoline? What are some existing restrictions? Are we allowed to make stopovers when traveling to the destination? How can we contact your company? How will the company ensure that the driver will not be late or will show on the date we specified?

To ensure that the clients will be served appropriately and in time, the Malta car rental will get the confirmation number of reservation, flight number of tourists and their schedule of arrival. These details will help in protecting the clients if there are unexpected delays in flight or cancellation of flights due to weather conditions and other external reasons.
If hiring a vehicle from Malta car rental and the client prefers to drive, certain traffic safety guides and road condition tips must be considered. For example, does the company allow clients to drive? Does the car have GPS system? Does the driver know how to drive on the left? These are just some common questions to ensure that safety of the traveler and the public will be regarded. When returning the car from a Malta car rental, revisit the contract and be sure to meet the provisions pertaining to the vehicle’s return.

[edit] Benefits of renting a car in Malta

Whether the visit in Malta is due to business purposes, leisure activities or family bonding, trusting a Malta car rental proves to be helpful. Certain advantages are conferred by this option to people who travel in large groups, by partners or alone. These benefits are just some of the reasons most foreigners travel with rented vehicles. To further understand the assistance a Malta car rental gives, here are some gains acquired by clients:

• First, the hassle and bustle of traveling in an unknown place will be reduced. By hiring a Malta car rental, drivers already know the traffic conditions and road paths. There is no need to stop and ask traffic enforcers or by standers just to reach hotels, restaurants or any location in Malta. Time will also be spent wisely instead of taking time going around similar place because there are troubles with directions.
• Second, a Malta car rental helps in reducing costs of travelers especially when part of the plans is touring various destinations in the islands of the country. There’s no need to ride a bus or taxi just to reach certain place and transfer from bus to bus with bags being carried. One full payment is settled to enjoy a comfortable ride in an air-conditioned and private vehicle.
• Third, a Malta car rental is safer when traveling with small children or old people. Of course, kids and oldies take time when walking or riding high steps of buses. They may either be left behind or be tired to transfer from one vehicle to another. When touring in large groups, parents or leaders need to see if everyone’s there or someone is missing. Without a Malta car rental, it will take time, efforts, and money to meet plans of the day.
• Fourth, by hiring services of a Malta car rental, travelers will be dropped in exact locations. Unlike riding a bus where there are designated stopovers and pickup spots. In case the location is far from the busy roads, clients will be required to walk. If there is a car and a driver, travelers will travel with ease and on time.

[edit] Long term rentals

Most of the international rental agencies offers long term rentals of cars to both businesses and individuals. The cost of long term renting of cars start from around 350 Euro per month for a small car, all inclusive.

[edit] Chauffeur service in Malta

Hiring a car in Malta with a personal driver is cheap in Malta.

Arranging for a pick-up at the airport (driver waiting at the arrival with a sign) and delivery in a luxurious car to for example Valletta or Sliema should cost the same as going the same distance by registered taxi - around 20 Euro.