Restructuring (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2008 employee
Restructuring details
Number of employees impacted							10,700
Restructuring charges incurred to date	$ 645.4
Restructuring charges	77.0		38.0		56.4
Restructuring reserve
Balance at beginning of period	21.0		21.6
Charges incurred	77.0		38.0
Cash payments	(48.6)		(36.8)
Other	(1.0)	[1]	(1.8)	[2]
Balance at end of period	48.4		21.0		21.6
U.S. car rental
Restructuring details
Number of off-airport locations closed							250
Restructuring charges incurred to date	106.2
Restructuring charges	22.8		5.3		0.9
International car rental
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges incurred to date	218.6
Restructuring charges	19.3		21.1		15.7
Worldwide equipment rental
Restructuring details
Number of branches in U.S. equipment rental segment closed							22
Restructuring charges incurred to date	238.7
Restructuring charges	8.4		8.8		40.5
All Other Operations
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges incurred to date	2.0
Other reconciling items
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges incurred to date	79.9
Restructuring charges	26.5		2.8		(0.7)
Termination benefits
Restructuring details
Expected duration for payment of restructuring obligations (in months)	12 months
Restructuring charges	41.6		26.2		14.4
Restructuring reserve
Balance at beginning of period	12.4		9.1
Charges incurred	41.6		26.2
Cash payments	(32.6)		(22.6)
Other	(1.3)	[1]	(0.3)	[2]
Balance at end of period	20.1		12.4		9.1
Pension and post retirement expense
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges	0.1		1.0		0.4
Restructuring reserve
Balance at beginning of period	0.2		0.2
Charges incurred	0.1		1.0
Cash payments	(0.3)		0
Other	0	[1]	(1.0)	[2]
Balance at end of period	0		0.2		0.2
Consultant costs
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges	0.5		1.2		1.3
Restructuring reserve
Balance at beginning of period	0.3		0.6
Charges incurred	0.5		1.2
Cash payments	(0.6)		(1.6)
Other	0	[1]	0.1	[2]
Balance at end of period	0.2		0.3		0.6
Asset writedowns
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges	0		0		23.2
Facility closure and lease obligation costs
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges	15.5		8.9		16.5
Relocation costs and temporary labor costs
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges	19.0		0.4		0.6
Other
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges	0.3		0.3		0
Restructuring reserve
Balance at beginning of period	8.1	[3]	11.7	[3]
Charges incurred	34.8	[3]	9.6	[3]
Cash payments	(15.1)	[3]	(12.6)	[3]
Other	0.3	[1],[3]	(0.6)	[2],[3]
Balance at end of period	28.1	[3]	8.1	[3]	11.7	[3]
Facility closing
Restructuring reserve
Other	0.3		(0.5)
Balance at end of period	8.5
FAS 88
Restructuring reserve
Other			(1.0)
Accelerated equity award compensation
Restructuring reserve
Other	(1.6)
Accumulated translation adjustment
Restructuring reserve
Other	0.2
Relocation costs
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges	21.9
Restructuring reserve
Balance at end of period	19.0
Lease Acceleration
Restructuring reserve
Balance at end of period	7.0
Direct operating
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges	28.1		22.6		46.6
Selling, general and administrative
Restructuring details
Restructuring charges	$ 48.9		$ 15.4		$ 9.8

[1] Primarily consists of decreases of $1.6 million of accelerated equity award compensation, offset by the inclusion of prior facility reserves of $0.3 million and $0.2 million for foreign currency translation.

[2] Primarily consists of decreases of $0.5 million related to a goodwill write-off on a sale of business and $1.0 million in ASC 715 pension adjustment.

[3] As of December 31, 2013, primarily consists of charges incurred for relocation of $19.0 million, facility closures of $8.5 million and lease accelerations of $7.0 million.