Book Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes car rentals from $97

Boasting miles and miles of glorious highways and open roads, many travelers opt to turn their Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes vacations into driving journeys. If you're organizing an unforgettable road trip, you'll need to know which destinations to put on your bucket list. Experience some (or all) of this place's most renowned cities:

• Lyon (population of 472,300)
• Saint-Etienne (population of 176,300)
• Grenoble (population of 158,600)
• Clermont-Ferrand (population of 138,700)

We've pulled together a list of the best ways to help you save on a rental car:

• Use our nifty filter tool to steer you toward the cheapest car rental rates around — then compare the prices;
• Set an email Price Drop Alert for your upcoming vacation destination. You never know what terrific deals will make a detour to your inbox;
• Research is the key to scoring the best rental deals in town, so be sure to look into both airport and non-airport pickup and drop-off outlets before you splash cash on your ride;
• You can often save a few dollars if your travel plans are flexible. Compare different days and dates and see what savings can be made;
• Pickup and drop-off times usually need to be the same (e.g, both 10 a.m.) or you may be required to pay for a full extra day;
• Oftentimes companies reward you big time for paying upfront — keep an eye open for these penny-pinching deals;
• The early bird catches the juiciest worm, and also the hottest deals! Book now to score some impressive savings.

Compact cars are by far the most popular rental car type in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. And if you're going to spend a good deal of your time traveling around the busy streets of Lyon or Saint-Etienne, you'll quickly learn why. Swap that hulking SUV for a ride that's chic and compact — parking is a breeze and they're a pleasure to drive!It's always nice to get out of the city, and if you do, you'll be richly rewarded. With impressive rock formations, valleys, and extinct volcanos to enjoy, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes offers loads of day trip opportunities. A larger vehicle like an SUV or a four-wheel drive will give you and your passengers more comfort and room for those longer drives.