When your car breaks down the day before you need to leave, here's the quickest approach: find out from the garage how long the repair will take, work out how many people and how much luggage you'll be carrying and how many kilometres you'll drive, then choose a replacement vehicle accordingly. Then call JJ Rent Car or submit a reservation online. Below you'll find a decision-making process based on exactly what you need to transport.
First, three questions that will save you time
Before you start looking for a car, answer three questions. It will take a few minutes and will significantly speed up your booking.
- How long do you need the car for? The garage will often say "a few days". It's better to plan for a bit extra. The daily rate is charged every 24 hours, so the exact pickup and return times matter.
- How many kilometres will you drive? The daily limit decreases with the length of the rental: for one-day rental it's 300 km per day, for 2–5 days it's 250 km per day, for 6–14 days it's 200 km per day.
- Who and what will be travelling with you? Number of passengers, luggage, sports equipment, child seats.
If your route takes you abroad, think about it straight away. Travel is only possible to EU countries and only by prior agreement, and assistance service is mandatory in such cases. Find full details in our rental terms.
Situation 1: Business trip and meetings
A typical case: a sales representative with meetings in Brno, Pilsen or Dresden the next day. You need a reliable, comfortable car for motorway driving and plenty of space for a laptop, samples and a briefcase.
- For one or two people and longer motorway stretches, Škoda Superb Liftback with automatic transmission and satnav is ideal.
- If you prefer practicality over luxury, choose an estate from the Octavia range (see below).
Situation 2: Family with children and luggage
A broken family car before a holiday or weekend at grandma's is mainly a question of space. Child car seats, a pushchair and luggage take up more room than you'd expect.
- For a family of four, Škoda Octavia Combi with 1.6 TDI diesel engine and generous boot space is a practical choice.
- For larger groups or multiple families, there's Škoda Kodiaq 7-seater, which offers seven seats and automatic transmission.
- Confirm child seats in advance by phone so there are no delays at pickup.
Situation 3: Just getting around while your car is being fixed
If you mainly need a car for commuting, shopping and errands around Prague, you don't need a large vehicle. Škoda Fabia with 1.0 TSI engine, air conditioning and manual transmission parks easily and is perfectly adequate for city driving.
Situation 4: You're not sure how long the repair will take
Waiting for parts sometimes stretches from two days to two weeks. In such cases:
- book immediately for a reasonable period and extend the rental by agreement if needed,
- consider long-term rental, which is designed for extended periods,
- if it's a company vehicle, operative leasing from two months with 3,000 km per month mileage allowance may make sense.
How it works in practice
- Call +420 703 149 146 or email [email protected]. State your dates, number of passengers and expected route. We will confirm availability of the specific vehicle when you book.
- Prepare your documents. You will need a valid driving licence and identity document. Minimum driver age is 21.
- Find out about the deposit. The amount varies depending on vehicle type and is shown in the vehicle details.
- Arrange pickup. You can pick up the car at our Westfield Černý Most branch, Chlumecká 765/6, Prague 14. We can arrange delivery around Prague by phone or email. How our delivery service works is described in this earlier article on vehicle delivery.
- Inspect the car at pickup. Check the exterior condition, fuel level and mileage and take photos of everything. All our vehicles have third-party liability and comprehensive insurance; in case of accident the customer pays the excess according to the insurance type.
What to watch out for
- Don't wait until the last evening. The sooner you get in touch, the more options you'll have.
- Don't underestimate space. It's better to go up a class than end up with overstuffed boots on the back seat.
- Calculate the mileage. If you're driving a long distance, check the limits for your chosen vehicle.
- Ask about what you need to know. If you're unsure, use our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book a car at the last minute?
Often yes, but it always depends on current vehicle availability. The safest option is to call and confirm the dates straight away. The sooner you get in touch, the more vehicles you can choose from.
Can I take the rental car abroad?
Yes, but only to EU countries and only by prior agreement. When travelling abroad, assistance service is mandatory, so please mention this when booking.
What do I need to rent a car?
A valid driving licence, identity document and you must be at least 21 years old. The deposit amount depends on the vehicle type and is shown in the vehicle details.
What if the repair takes longer than expected?
The rental can be extended by agreement. For longer repairs, it's worth considering long-term rental or operative leasing, which are designed for extended periods.
Book your replacement today
Choose a vehicle based on your passengers and route and send us a reservation. If you need advice, call +420 703 149 146. You'll be ready for tomorrow's trip without any unnecessary stress.
