Fly and Drive Holiday Planning: Combine Flights and a Rental Car

A fly and drive holiday combines a flight with a rental car picked up at or near your arrival airport. It gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, reach places public transport does not serve and change plans as you go. The key is making the flight and the car work together, from the pick-up time to the return before your flight home.

This guide covers how to plan the route, choose flights, time the pick-up and drop-off, and avoid the costs and surprises that can catch fly and drive travellers out.

1. Plan the Route First

Before booking anything, sketch the route you want to drive. It shapes which airports you fly into and out of.

• Decide whether you want a loop that ends where it started, or a one-way journey.
• Estimate realistic daily driving times. Leave room for stops, slow roads and sightseeing.
• Avoid scheduling long drives on your arrival day.
• Note any borders, ferries or toll roads on the route, because they affect rental rules and costs.

2. Consider Open-Jaw Flights

An open-jaw ticket flies you into one city and home from another. It suits fly and drive trips because you do not need to drive back to your starting point.

• Search with the multi-city option to compare open-jaw itineraries.
• Compare the total cost of an open-jaw ticket plus a one-way rental with a return ticket plus a loop.
• Check both airports have rental desks and suitable opening hours.
• Our guide to one way, return or multi-city flights explains how each type works.

3. Understand One-Way Rental Fees

Picking up a car in one place and returning it in another is convenient, but it often costs more.

• Rental companies may charge a one-way or drop-off fee, which can be significant.
• Fees are usually higher when the drop-off is in a different country.
• Not every location accepts one-way returns, especially smaller offices.
• Check the total price, including any one-way fee, before you book rather than at the desk.

4. Check Cross-Border Driving Rules

Driving into another country can be straightforward or forbidden, depending on the rental company and the countries involved.

• Check whether the rental terms allow you to take the car across borders, and which countries are permitted.
• Some companies charge a cross-border fee or require you to declare the trip at pick-up.
• Insurance cover may differ or not apply outside the rental country.
• Some countries require road tax stickers or vignettes, safety equipment or specific documents.
• Check whether you need an International Driving Permit. In the US, these are issued only by AAA and AATA. Our international driving permit guide explains when you need one.

5. Pick Up at the Arrival Airport

Collecting the car at the airport saves time and a transfer into town, but plan the timing carefully.

• Choose a pick-up time that allows for immigration, baggage collection and walking or shuttling to the rental desk.
• Give the rental company your flight number when booking or before travel, where possible, so it knows if you are delayed.
• Check the desk's opening hours, especially for late-night arrivals. Some desks close in the evening.
• Ask what happens if your flight is late. Some companies hold the car for a limited time, and others may release it.
• Bring the documents the rental company requires: your driving licence, passport, any permit needed and the card for the booking.

Our airport car rental tips cover the pick-up process in more detail.

6. Bring the Right Card

Rental companies are strict about payment cards.

• The card is usually expected to be in the main driver's name.
• Many companies require a credit card for the security deposit, and some do not accept debit cards.
• Make sure the card has enough available credit for the deposit as well as your other spending.

Read our guide on what card you need to rent a car before you travel.

7. Be Careful Driving After a Long Flight

Fatigue after a long-haul flight affects your reactions and judgement, and you may be driving on unfamiliar roads, possibly on the other side.

• Avoid long drives on arrival day. Book your first night close to the airport if you land after a long flight.
• If you must drive, take breaks and stop if you feel drowsy.
• Familiarise yourself with the car's controls and local road signs before leaving the car park.
• Use navigation set up before you start driving, not while moving.

8. Return the Car Before Your Flight Home

The drop-off is where fly and drive trips most often go wrong, because of traffic, fuel and paperwork.

• Plan to return the car well before you need to check in, allowing for traffic and refuelling.
• Check the fuel policy and refill near the airport if you need to return the tank full.
• Allow time for the inspection and keep any return receipt.
• Take photos of the car's condition, fuel gauge and mileage at drop-off.
• Find the rental return area in advance, as it is often signposted separately from departures.
• Remember international flights generally need more time at the airport than domestic ones.

Common Mistakes

• Booking a pick-up time that does not allow for flight delays or immigration queues.
• Not sharing a flight number with the rental company.
• Ignoring one-way fees until the desk adds them.
• Driving into a country the rental terms do not allow.
• Starting a long drive straight after an overnight flight.
• Using a card that is not in the main driver's name or lacks available credit.
• Returning the car too close to departure time and rushing check-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fly and drive holiday?

A fly and drive holiday combines a flight with a rental car, usually picked up at the arrival airport. It lets you explore a region by road at your own pace instead of relying on public transport or tours.

Is it cheaper to return a rental car to the same location?

Usually, because one-way rentals often carry an extra drop-off fee. However, an open-jaw flight can save driving time, so compare the total cost of both options before deciding.

What happens if my flight is delayed and I miss my car pick-up?

It depends on the rental company. Giving it your flight number can help, and some companies hold the car for a period. Check the policy and contact the desk if you know you will be late.

Can I drive a rental car into another country?

Sometimes. It depends on the rental company's terms, the countries involved and the insurance cover. Check before booking and declare the trip at pick-up if required.

Should I drive after a long-haul flight?

It is safer not to drive long distances right after a long-haul flight. Fatigue and jet lag affect your reactions, so consider staying near the airport on the first night.

Plan Your Fly and Drive Trip with FlyZafy

With FlyZafy you can search flights, including multi-city itineraries for open-jaw trips, and see layovers, baggage and fare conditions before you book.

You can also rent a car by searching your pick-up place and dates. At checkout you enter a card, and the name on it must be the main driver's. A confirmation PDF is emailed to you after booking.

Official Resources

• US Department of State, travel information
• European Union travel information
• Transportation Security Administration
• AAA and AATA, the two issuers of International Driving Permits in the US
• The road safety or transport authority of the country you are driving in

Disclaimer

This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Driving rules, licence requirements, border rules and rental terms vary by country and company and can change. Always confirm the current requirements with the official authorities, your airline and your rental company before you travel.