Europcar was founded in Paris in 1949 and has grown to become Europe's largest car hire company. With over 11,000 locations across 140 countries — including the Goldcar, InterRent and Ubeeqo brands within its portfolio — Europcar offers remarkable coverage across the continent. The company is especially strong in France (its home market), the UK, Spain and Germany. Europcar's Privilege programme rewards frequent renters with upgrades, priority service and exclusive rates.
Strengths
- Europe's most extensive network — unmatched coverage across the continent
- Portfolio includes budget brand InterRent and Goldcar for value-seekers
- Strong at French airports where it often offers competitive home-market pricing
- Privilege loyalty programme with good upgrade benefits
- Consistent vehicle quality across the European network
Things to be aware of
- Outside Europe, coverage is more limited compared to US-based brands
- InterRent and Goldcar (budget sub-brands) have different service standards to the main brand
- Insurance products can be expensive — third-party excess insurance is usually better value
Best for
Travellers exploring Europe who benefit from Europcar's unmatched continental network. The InterRent brand is worth considering for budget-conscious European road trips.
Where to find Europcar
Europcar operates at airports, city centres and rail stations across the globe. Their locations are well-represented in our search results — compare Europcar against other suppliers for your dates to see if they offer the best value for your trip.
Tips for booking with Europcar
- Always compare the total price including any mandatory fees before booking — the headline price may not include local taxes or airport surcharges.
- Check the fuel policy carefully — full-to-full is almost always more economical than full-to-empty.
- Review the excess amount on your CDW/insurance — consider whether standalone excess insurance would be cheaper.
- Membership programmes (Europcar has loyalty schemes) can offer upgrades and priority service at busy periods.
- Book at least 3–4 weeks ahead for peak summer periods to secure the best vehicle choice.