I'm about to confirm a car rental beginning in April. I note that some rental agencies suggest that there would be an additional charge for winter driving which included snow tires &/or chains. I will pickup/return car to Amsterdam and the first 10 days of driving will be in Netherlands, Belgium & France before driving in Germany & Austria.
Has anyone had a car rental experience in April that required snow tires and/or chains? Advice/Suggestion?
Thanks & Happy Holiday
dwe
It is only in the Alps you might need Winter tyres, the far south of Bavaria (Germany) and Austria and Switzerland. I would be surprised if a rental agency in the Netherlands stocks them. Snow chains never unless you are going very high into the Alps on minor roads.
In Switzerland they say you need Winter Tyres "O - O" (=Oktober bis Ostern = October to Easter). On that basis, you don't need them in April.
You may already be aware of these, but a few more points to note.....
With regard to the snow tires / chains, you might have to wait a few months to make a decision on that. I'm not sure anyone knows yet how severe winter might be this year. If it's a mild year you may not need snow tires in April.
The umweltplakette (the environment sticker mentioned above) is only needed within the signed areas in and near the centres of the cities. If you stay out in the suburbs you will likely not need it.
I don't like to be restricted in where I can go, especially in Munich and Stuttgart, so I spent the money to get one. About half an hour in a Tüv garage and something like €15. I have a similar one for France, and am registered in Antwerpen. Too bad that there isn't one Europe-wide sticker. Oh well....
But I wouldn't see a need for doing that with a rental - just don't go into the Zone.
