FAIRBANKS — Your long awaited vacation is here. You have avoided sneaky travel fees the airlines charge and are ready to enjoy it. Not so fast — a rental car also can cost you a bundle.

Does it make sense to rent a car? Sometimes it is smart to use public transportation, hotel shuttles and taxi cabs. Search the Internet for the visitors bureau of the place you are visiting. Ask them the best method to get around. A car might be the best, or it might be harder because of parking difficulties traffic congestion.

If public transportation or inexpensive cab fares are available, it might be smarter to take advantage of them.

If you rent a car online, make sure you what all the fees are. Twenty dollars per day looks affordable, but when you add extra fees, it can cost considerably more. There are taxes, airport fees and other fees that add to the cost. Know what they are before you commit.

Read the contract carefully and ask questions. Some contracts allow a certain number of miles per day while others offer unlimited miles. Don’t get hit with a surcharge for driving more than the allowed mileage, as it can be as much as $.50 per mile. If you intend to drive a long distance, make sure the rental company offers unlimited miles.

Also, be sure you can drive where you want to according to the contract. We are all familiar with the “no gravel roads” rule in Alaska, but in the Lower 48 you might be hit with a charge for driving out of the allowed area.

Many rentals don’t let you to drive to another state. If you plan to cross several states, make sure your rental contract allows it. Many cars are equipped with GPS equipment that tells the company where you have been.

Where you rent the car makes a difference in what you pay. If it is practical, don’t rent at the airport. Fees vary according to location, but there will be additional fees for the convenience of picking up the car at the airport. If you are willing to take a cab, you can reduce the price by as much as $20 to $75. Many rental agencies also provide a shuttle.

Once of the first things you will be faced with at the rental counter is whether to buy insurance coverage the rental car company offers. It can cost $10 to $35 per day, depending on coverage, and in many cases you are paying for coverage you already have. Before you leave home, check your car insurance. If you have full coverage on your car insurance, you probably are already covered. Call your insurance agent and check. In addition, many credit card companies automatically cover any damage when you use the card to pay for the rental. Check before you get to the rental counter.

A quick hint; reserve a low-cost car. These models are often oversold. That means you might get a bigger car at the lower price.

Is vacation the only time it makes sense to rent a car? Sometimes it is a good idea to rent a car even when you are close to home. I drive an older car that is a gas hog. If I have to travel far, I rent a car. Not only are you driving a newer vehicle, if something goes wrong the car company has to fix it. I’ve found that the difference in the amount of gas will pay for the cost of the car rental.

Car rentals give us a great deal of freedom whether we are at home or on vacation. Make sure you know all the costs before you rent.

Roxie Rodgers Dinstel is a professor of extension on the Tanana District Extension Faculty. Questions or column requests can be emailed to her at rrdinstel@Alaska.edu.