Car-rental true-cost calculator

The headline rental price is never the real price. This calculator adds the things rental counters do not advertise: the insurance excess gap, the fuel-policy trap, one-way drop-off fees, the under-25 surcharge, and — most importantly — whether your road-trip crosses into Switzerland or Italy.

Headline daily rate (€)

Number of days

Pick-up city

Drop-off city

Driver age

Insurance package

Fuel policy

Estimated km driven

Itinerary flags

Crosses into Italy (€0 fee but extra insurance + toll vignette) Crosses into Switzerland (CHF40 vignette mandatory for motorway) Crosses into Andorra Add a second driver (€8–12/day) Add GPS (€10/day, offload to Google Maps) Baby / booster seat (€7–10/day)

What this tool actually solves

Rental counters in France advertise the rate, not the cost. The cost depends on three traps the counter does not explain:

Insurance excess gap: third-party liability covers €0 on the car itself; damage/theft excess can be €1,500–2,500. You can decline the agency's CDW and buy a standalone excess-insurance policy for ~€5/day from iCar or Mutualides — total savings €100+ on a week.
Fuel policy markup: the "prepaid full tank" option is a 10–15% markup on retail. "Bring back same level" is the worst, because refuelling on the way to the airport costs 30% more per litre than a supermarket station 2 km before.
One-way surcharge: returning the car in another country adds €100–250. Picking up in France and dropping in Switzerland adds €200, but most agencies will not allow it at all unless you book a "premium" class.

How to read the result

The "real cost" line is what you'll actually spend if you keep the car for the duration, drive the planned km and respect the fuel policy. The "minimum exposure" line is the cost if everything goes perfectly — no traffic ticket, no scratch, no extra driver. The gap between real and minimum is your realistic worst-case delta.

The "do this instead" section is the practical advice for the most common French-counter traps.

Limitations

Estimates of insurance surcharges and fuel markups are based on 2025–2026 published averages. Refundable deposits (€300–1,500 blocked on your credit card) are not included in the daily cost — they are not charged, but they tie up your credit limit for 7–30 days after return. Some agencies accept debit cards, but most will not.

FAQ

Do I really need full insurance?

If you can self-insure €1,500–2,500 (i.e. you would not be in financial distress to lose it), decline the agency's CDW and buy a third-party excess policy. If you can't, take the full insurance — the cost of a single scrape in a Paris underground parking is €600+ minimum.

Can I cross into Switzerland without telling the agency?

No. If you have an accident in Switzerland without Swiss-Italian authorisation on the contract, the entire insurance (CDW included) is voided. You pay the repair bill yourself, and the car is on a tow truck. Always declare the cross-border trip at the counter (free) and check the gravel pane option is ticked.

What's the cheapest way to refuel before return?

Within 5 km of any French airport there is usually a Leclerc, Carrefour or Intermarché station. Diesel and SP95 there are typically €1.65–1.80/L vs. airport station €1.95–2.10/L. For a 50L tank the difference is €15–20. The full-to-full policy is then refunded.

About

Independent calculator, not affiliated with any car-rental agency. 1 of 38 tools in France Trip Toolkit. Rental-agency pricing data from the 2024–2026 published terms of Eurocar, Sixt, Avis, Enterprise, and ADA.

Privacy

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Disclaimer

Estimate only. Rental-agency terms change. The actual quote from the agency at the counter is the source of truth.