How to Rent a Car in Russia
Renting a car in a foreign country is usually an adventure. Renting a car in Russia is no exception. Because there are not a lot of drivers and cars in Russia, there are also not as many rental car companies. Because of this, the options to rent a car in Russia greatly decreases.
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Instructions
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Book the car beforehand with a well-established company. If you are booking a flight to Russia on a travel website, it is best to go ahead and rent the car you want at the same time. You can do this by selecting the "Rent Car" option on the travel website pages. This is the easiest option for renting a car in Russia.
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Look for logos. After stepping off the plane, you may find a few words in English at the airport, but by and large, everything will be in Russian, including the names of rental car companies. Instead of trying to read words, look for logos. For example, look for signs with cars on them and follow the arrows.
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Choose a reputable company. The best companies are those that are well-known in the United States. For the most part, these are also the only companies that offer rental cars in Russian airports. When arriving at the rental car area, there may only be two or three rental car agencies. This is true even in large Russian airports. It is best to choose a company like Hertz over a company with a Russian name.
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Show your driver's license and express interest in renting a car. If you are at an international airport, there is likely to be someone there who speaks English well. There is a lower chance you will deal with a person who speaks English well at an airport that does not have international flights.
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Pay for the rental car by handing the rental car company employee either cash or a credit card. Checks are rarely accepted in Russia, so it is best to plan on using some other form of payment. Opt for the car rental insurance when paying for the car. A couple of extra dollars a day is well worth it.
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Sign the contract, take the keys, and buckle up. Chances are that driving a car in Russia may be one of the scarier things you have experienced in your life. There are fewer traffic rules and not much police presence to enforce them. Russians are likely to scare you with the way they drive.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider not renting a car. Major Russian cities have so much public transportation and so many taxis that a rental car really isn't needed.
Russian police sometimes will target drivers for bribes because they are perceived to have more money.
