Why Hiring a Car on Your Malta Holiday is Recommended
By: Edward Penza
Submitted: 2009-07-14 12:41:55 | Word Count: 771
Car hire in Malta is highly recommended if you plan on visiting all the beautiful places of interest that Malta has to offer. Car hire is affordable and there are plenty of car hire agencies in Malta that can offer you a good deal. With a selection of cars to choose from, hiring a car during your holiday in Malta will definitely save you a lot of time that would otherwise be spent using public transport. Although buses are cheap and their routes cover most of the island, their timetables are not always favourable, especially in the evenings and waiting on a bus stop can waste a lot of time. However if you choose to hire a car in Malta then you can plan your days according to your own time schedule.
Car hire in Malta will cost you the actual rental of the car (with some shopping around you can get yourself the best deal) and fuel consumption. Currently unleaded petrol and Diesel cost less than €1.00 per litre (April 2009) which makes hiring a car in Malta an affordable affair.
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There are some things to remember when hiring a car in Malta, from the booking stage to when you go to collect your car. When you book the car make sure that you know about any deposits and insurance fees that the car hire agency may require. If you do pay a deposit remember to take all the documentation with you that shows the amount that you have paid. Whilst the car hire agency will have their copies it’s always better to have all the necessary paperwork. You will also need certain documents like a valid driving license, EU ID card or passport and a credit card to pay the balance (VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted).
When you go to collect your rental car make sure that the car hire agency checks the car thoroughly before you take it and notes down any damage that the car may already have. You don’t want to get blame for a knock that you didn’t cause! It’s also advisable to ask them for their terms and conditions and insurance cover. Most car hire agencies will have a selection of cars for you to choose from and the one thing that you should always go for (if you’re visiting Malta in summer) is air conditioning! Maltese summers are hot and humid and being stuck in a hot car is not the best way to make the most of the summer sun! Whilst it may cost slightly more, it’s a worthwhile expense.
Once you’re on the road remember to drive on the left! This is something that was inherited from the British, along with the Highway Code, and it might take some getting used to. There are quite a few roundabouts on the Maltese roads so watch out for these as you will need to slow down and given precedence to cars that are going around the roundabout. There are a few speed cameras around with the speed limit set to 60 or 70 km/h (37 or 43 mph) and you’ll know when these are approaching thanks to road signs that warn about them. Whilst there are many cars on the roads at all times of the day, traffic is relatively fast moving; certain areas will however be congested in the morning as everyone heads to work (7:00h – 9:00h) and at the end of the working day (17:00h – 19:00h). This shouldn’t necessarily be a problem; however, do plan your route beforehand because it can cause hassles to discover that you’re heading in the wrong direction.
Hiring a car in Malta is not just about the driving, but also about the parking! Malta is small and space is limited – especially parking spaces! Most spaces involve parallel parking in preset spaces that are marked out in white paint that accommodate the average car. If the spaces are painted yellow then it’s a private space and you cannot park there or a traffic warden will give you a fine. Wardens can be spotted lurking around streets wearing green uniforms; they’re in charge of traffic control with police presence only requested in cases of bad traffic accidents or road blocks.
Car hire in Malta is definitely needed if you plan on visiting every nook and cranny of the island and want to experience the Mediterranean driving culture. So shop around for some options and you will find that care hire in Malta is relatively cheap and well worth the cost, once you explore the island on your holiday!
