Rent a car with the Winter Tires service: Stay safe on the road during winter

Heading out on vacation during the winter months and planning to drive around in a rental car? Of course, you can! It is important to check in advance what tyres the hire car is fitted with.

Whether winter tyres are included depends on the country where you collect the rental car. Are you renting a car in a country where winter tyres are required? If so, the winter tires are already included n your all-in car rental. Are you renting a car in the Netherlands and then travelling across the border to a country where winter tyres may be mandatory? In that case, it’s important to check in advance whether winter tyres are fitted or can be requested. This way, you’ll always hit the road well-prepared. 

Not sure whether winter tires are mandatory at your destination? Check the ANWB overview with the latest winter tyre regulations by country. 

What is the Winter Tires service?

At Sunny Cars, we want everyone to enjoy 100% worry-free touring. Along with comprehensive insurance, we do everything to ensure safety—in every season. Driving in winter without winter tires is like skating on thin ice—literally and figuratively. Always consider winter tires when heading to a snow-covered paradise. Luckily, Sunny Cars has you covered. In destinations where winter tires are mandatory, they are already included in your all-in car rental.

Heading to a destination where winter tires aren’t mandatory, but where winter conditions may occur? Or are you crossing the border in your rental car to a country where winter tyres are mandatory? In that case, winter tyres can often be requested as a service or accessory. Convenient!

What are the benefits of the Winter Tires service?

If you're traveling to a region during the winter season where winter tires aren't mandatory, it’s still wise to reserve them. In wintry conditions, you’ll be glad to have sturdy wheels with excellent grip under your car. This ensures a safe and worry-free drive.

Tip: More people are opting to fly to their winter sports destination and rent a car upon arrival. This way, you avoid traffic jams and reach the slopes much faster!

How to reserve the Winter Tires service?

When reserving your rental car online, first enter the destination and dates. On the next screen, you’ll see a filter on the left. If the Winter Tires service is available, you’ll see the option “Winter / All-Weather Tires” under the services section. Check this option and you’ll see the range of rental cars that include winter tyres or all-weather tyres. 

Always check the specific terms and conditions for the hire car. Here you can see whether winter tyres or all-weather tyres are included and whether winter tyres can be added as an accessory. 

Are you renting a car in a country where winter tyres are mandatory?

In many European countries, there are regulations regarding winter tyres during the winter months. These include Germany, Austria, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Poland. At Sunny Cars, all-in rental is standard. That’s why winter tyres are included as standard with Sunny Cars when you rent a car in a country where they are mandatory.

Flying to Geneva? Check whether you need to pick up the rental car on the French or Swiss side. In Switzerland, winter tires are mandatory and automatically included. In France, winter tires aren’t mandatory on all roads, so they’re not standard. However, they are recommended in ski areas. In other words: if you rent a car in France, you must book winter tires separately. The earlier you do this, the better. This ensures that cars equipped with winter tires or additional accessories are still available. A great start to your worry-free car rental experience!

Are you renting a car in the Netherlands and heading off on a skiing holiday?

Are you renting a car in the Netherlands and crossing the border into a country where winter tyres are mandatory? Then, the rules are different. As winter tyres are not mandatory in the Netherlands, they are not included as standard with every rental car. Are you travelling by rental car to Germany, Austria or another winter destination? Always check the specific rental terms of the rental car. These will state whether winter tyres are included or can be requested. 

Are winter tyres available? If so, you can request them at Sunny Cars during the booking process. Winter tyres can be added as a service. If this option is not available, you may be able to request winter tyres as an accessory. Are winter tyres not available for your chosen rental car? Then, take a look at a different type of rental car. Winter tires may be available as a service or accessory for a different type of rental car. In that way, you'll set off well prepared and worry-free.