Auto Europe
Car Hire in Slovakia – A Mountainous Retreat
Slovakia is a landlocked country located in eastern Europe. It shared its borders with five countries – Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Ukraine. Covering around 19,000 sq. miles, Slovakia has just over 5.4 million inhabitants. Bratislava is its capital city, and by far the most popular for visitors. Kosice is the country's second largest city. Home to two Gothic churches, the city itself dates back to medieval times. Exploring both cities is easy with a car hire in Slovakia.
Known for its mountainous terrain, Slovakia is often sought after for its skiing and natural national parks. Poprad which is located just at the foot of the Tatras mountain range is a great starting point for exploring the Tatras National Park. The country has many fairy-tale castles and forts, quaint traditional villages and plenty of hiking opportunities both over and underground. View the impact of its communist era, the hidden world war bunkers and get to know the country’s culinary delights.
With over 65 years of international car hire experience, Auto Europe is well placed to offer all its customers a great rental rate and regular promotions designed to save you money. Along with standard car hire, we also provide luxury car hire and motorhome hire. All our fleets are in convenient locations and customers are offered a large vehicle selection in which to choose from. If you haven’t used our service before, consult our Slovakia car hire reviews section to see what others have thought.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Slovakia, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
| Our Car Hire Suppliers in Slovakia | Slovakia Car Hire FAQs | Vehicle Options in Slovakia |
Where to pick-up a car hire in Slovakia
There are plenty of convenient pick-up locations in the country, mostly are based either at a local airports, in a main train station or within the city centre. Finding your preferred location therefore shouldn’t be very challenging. Having partnered with the very best suppliers, means that you’ll get a great service and rental rate. Make sure you have all your documents ready before you arrive at the car rental desk. All suppliers provide the same great level of service regardless if you are picking up in Bratislava or Zilina.
Once at the desk, you’ll need to provide your driving licence (including an International Driving Licence, if required), car rental voucher, identification and at least one credit card. The credit card must be under the main driver’s name and contain enough funds for a deposit to be held on it. Some vehicle categories may require more than one credit card. All of which is clearly set our in your rental voucher’s terms and conditions. Make sure you inspect the car, noting anything of concern on the pick-up slip. Also make sure the car is reinspected upon returning. We also recommend reading carefully the terms and conditions on the voucher, paying particular attention to any restrictions and the fuel policy.
Compare Car Hire Rates at the Most Popular Airport and Rail Stations in Slovakia
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Book with the best car hire suppliers in Slovakia
Through our partners we provide great savings on car hire globally, together with amazing vehicle choice. You can benefit from numerous promotions, deals and a great basic rental rate with our local, national and international car hire rentals. Alamo, Budget and Mega Drive are just some of the main car rental suppliers in Slovakia, all with convenient pick-ups across the country and even in Banska Bystrica. The whole booking process is designed to be as transparent as possible, with the added benefit of being able to cancel a booking free-of-charge up to 48 hours before the start of your reservation.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Renting a Car in Slovakia
The following section has been compiled as a guide to help you navigate some of the most common concerns from drivers in Slovakia. Our aim is to make your visit and car hire experience as stress-free as possible. If after having viewed this section, you still have more questions, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. All these road rules and regulations apply throughout Slovakia, whether it be in Bratislava or Piestany.
How old do I have to be to rent a car in Slovakia?
In Slovakia you need to be a minimum of 19 years old to hire a car, and have held a valid driving licence for at least a year. This unfortunately means that anyone under the age of 18 will not be able to hire a car. Those under the age of 21 and with less than 26 years of age may hire a car but be subject to a young driver fee. Consult our age requirements section for further reading on the matter. Make sure you enter your age during the online search when you decide to rent a car in Slovakia - this will allow our system to display only suppliers that are willing to hire a car for that specific age group. All fees and restrictions will also be displayed. For further information, click on “Info button” or refer to your rental voucher’s terms and conditions. Adhering to these rules will allow your first car hire to be as stress-free as possible.
Can I pick up my car rental in Slovakia in one place and drop it off in another?
Yes – one-way car hire is allowed in Slovakia. An additional fee will apply and customers must confirm their pick-up and drop-off locations during the booking process. This will allow only those suppliers interested in allowing a one-way car hire to display their rates and conditions. A daily fee will apply which is paid directly to the car hire supplier. The fee amount is determined by the car type, rental duration and locations. Car rental is available for those wishing to travel out of Slovakia, although you must list all locations that you wish to travel to during the booking process. Again, a daily fee will apply and is paid directly to the supplier. Restrictions will vary between suppliers but generally travel to western European countries is permitted. Travel to eastern Europe is dependent from supplier to supplier. Click on the Info button during pick-up to view fee amount and conditions. You may also consult your car rental voucher terms and conditions.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Slovakia?
Yes - a valid credit card is required for collecting your vehicle. Depending on the vehicle type, suppliers may request more than one credit card. The credit card must be in the main drivers name and contain enough funds for a security deposit to be held on it. All major credit cards are accepted – Mastercard, Visa, etc. Click on Info button to view a list of payment methods or consult your car rental voucher’s terms and conditions. During your car rental in Slovakia, it is important to take care, as the deposit will only be released back onto the credit card once the vehicle is returned in the same condition as when it left. For further reading consult our credit cards section or our credit cards questions and answers section.
What are the most important driving rules in Slovakia?
Slovakia adheres to many of the same road rules and regulations as other European countries. Generally, the speed limit is 50km/h in urban areas, 90km/h in suburban areas and 130km/h on motorways. There is a zero-alcohol tolerance for Slovakia, meaning no drink driving is permitted at all - fines can reach 1,300€ and even imprisonment. Roundabouts are particularly tricky in Slovakia as drivers need to give way to cars that wish to join the roundabout, unless a give-way sign exists. The usage of mobile phones is strictly prohibited whilst driving. The use of a hands-free kit is allowed. If travelling with children, they cannot sit in the front unless they are either 12 years old or over 150cm tall. At the front and rear of the car, children must have appropriate child seats or a restraining system. During winter vehicles must have appropriate winter tyres. These must be marked M&S (Mud & Snow) and contain a minimum thread depth of 3mm. Snow chains are permitted but cannot be spiked. If you breakdown do not panic and call for assistance and inform both the rental supplier and Auto Europe. Put your Hi-Viz on and the triangle out.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Slovakia?
Yes – Slovakia operates an e-vignette system for use on its motorways. Locals normally pay for a yearly pass, whilst tourists have the options to purchase a 10-day pass for 10€ or a 30-day pass for 14€. Some car rental suppliers include the toll passes as part of the rental. Check your voucher’s terms and conditions to confirm or speak to one of our booking agents. Passes can be purchased online, at petrol stations, post offices or at the border.
What kind of insurance do I need for my car hire in Slovakia?
All rental rates come with the minimum legally required car hire coverage for Slovakia. This includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection (TP) and Liability Insurance – with or without excess. It is important to realise that this does not cover all eventualities or damage. For a more in-depth protection we recommend taking out our Full Damage & Theft Protection Cover during the booking process. This protection will cover loss and damage to keys, mirrors, undercarriage and much more. The fee payable is determined by the car category and rental duration. Consult the “info button” during booking or your voucher’s terms and conditions.
Local suppliers may offer additional insurances which are fully optional and for the most part, if you have already purchased our Full Damage & Theft Protection Cover, then these local insurances won’t be needed. Local insurances include Super CDW, Personal Effects Coverage, Travel Insurance and many more. These are paid directly to the supplier and Auto Europe does not endorse or profit from them. Refunds are not provided even if the insurance was deemed not to be needed afterwards.
Can I use my UK licence to drive my rental in Slovakia?
Yes – you may use a valid UK driving licence to drive in Slovakia for up to six months. An International Driving Permit is not required. A valid DVLA code or print out of any endorsements is required when presenting your driving licence to the supplier. Please consult the DVLA changes section for further information. Endorsement print outs most not be older than 21 days before commencement of rental.
Can I add an additional driver to my rental car in Slovakia?
Yes – you may add any additional drivers to your car hire in Slovakia. An additional cost may be incurred however we often have free additional driver promotions at select locations. The additional driver must present all the same paperwork as the main driver. It is important to name all additional drivers so that they will be covered by the insurance policy. Failure to do so will mean any damage to the vehicle will be paid for by the main renter. For further information click on “info button” during the online booking process.
Additional Vehicle Rental Options in Slovakia
There is rental car for every person, every journey and every adventure. We provide a large selection of vehicles so that you’re able to find the ideal vehicle for your trip. From our mini car category to our larger SUV cars – they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Many of the smaller cars are very fuel-efficient, whilst if you’re looking for a little more power, then consider one of our larger vehicles. Other factors to take into consideration is seating capacity, luggage capacity and legroom. Our compact and economy car range provides a greater balance between efficiency, power and space. If you’re thinking of doing long-distance driving, then consider a car from our large category. These cars are powerful and spacious, excellent for motorway driving. Consult our Slovakia fleet guide for further information.
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Luxury Car Hire Slovakia - Many of our business travellers opt for a luxury car in Slovakia instead of our standard rental cars. These glamourous cars include many top BMW, Mercedes and Toyota brands. They are glamorous inside and outside, and come with all the best and modern equipment that you would expect from a high class car. These cars have powerful engines and great handling capabilities. Ideal for meetings and making a great first impression, rent a luxury car hire in Slovakia and start your trip the very best way.
Van Hire Slovakia - If you’re looking to move a lot of things, or are travelling with a large group, then consider a van hire in Slovakia. Vans are powerful vehicles and thus ideal for many scenarios that require both power and space. Inside a van can normally carry up to seven people with plenty of legroom. It can also take all their luggage and equipment if needed. Many who opt for a van, are visiting events in Slovakia or have arrived with a large group of people. Often hiring a can is cheaper than hiring multiple smaller vehicles.
SUV Hire Slovakia - Often staying in the city isn’t enough and many customers wish to visit and explore much of Slovakia’s great landscapes and sceneries. A mountainous country, Slovakia has many wonderful landscapes to enjoy, numerous spectacular views to see, and many quaint traditional towns to enjoy. This is why an SUV comes in handy. These large vehicles have plenty of power and are sturdy enough to handle any eventuality.
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