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How Much Can You Save by Comparing Car Hire Prices?
Car hire prices can vary widely depending on demand, destination, supplier pricing and the time of year. Because of this variation, many travellers use comparison websites to check multiple offers before booking.
Travel pricing studies and consumer travel guides consistently show that comparing prices across multiple providers can help travellers find lower rates. While exact savings vary, customers who compare prices typically save around 10% to 25% on average.
Estimated Average Savings When Comparing Car Rental Prices
| Rental Scenario | Direct Price | Comparison Price | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Weekend rental (3 days) Average saving: 15% | €135 | €115 | €20 |
|
Short break (4–5 days) Average saving: 17% | €210 | €175 | €35 |
|
1 week rental Average saving: 19% | €320 | €260 | €60 |
|
2 week holiday rental Average saving: 20% | €600 | €480 | €120 |
In this example dataset, the average saving works out at approximately €58 per booking, or around 18%.
| Rental Length | Estimated Saving | Visual Representation |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend (3 days) | €20 | ■■■■ |
| Short break | €35 | ■■■■■■■ |
| 1 week | €60 | ■■■■■■■■■■■■ |
| 2 weeks | €120 | ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ |
Disclaimer:
The figures shown on this page are illustrative estimates designed to demonstrate typical price differences that can occur between car hire suppliers. Actual prices vary depending on destination, travel dates, vehicle category, availability, insurance options and supplier promotions.
Savings are not guaranteed and may differ for individual bookings. The examples above are intended to show typical market patterns rather than real-time pricing.
Comparing Different Car Rental Companies
Not all car hire companies operate in exactly the same way. Well known international brands such as Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt and Enterprise often operate alongside smaller regional providers in many destinations.
While the vehicle categories may look similar across suppliers, factors such as insurance terms, deposit requirements and mileage policies can vary from one company to another. Comparing several providers at once makes it much easier to see which offer provides the best overall value.
| What to Compare | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Daily rental price | Some companies offer lower base prices but charge extra for add-ons |
| Insurance and excess | The excess amount can vary significantly between suppliers |
| Deposit requirement | Different companies may hold different amounts on your card |
| Mileage allowance | Some rentals include unlimited mileage while others do not |
| Fuel policy | Policies such as full-to-full or prepaid fuel can affect total cost |
By comparing offers from multiple suppliers including major brands and local firms, travellers can often find better deals and choose the rental option that suits their needs best.
Cheap Car Hire Comparison
Spain Car Hire
Planning a holiday to Spain? maybe Malaga, Alicante, Majorca or the Canaries? How about Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife or even Ibiza? or perhaps Portugal and car hire Faro Airport is more your style?
Car Rental France
How about a trip to the south of France and it’s wonderful cities such as Nice, Nantes, Rodez, Biarritz or Toulouse from which you could easily drive to Paris.
We provide some great value car hire Perpignan Airport rates as well as cheap car hire Carcassonne Airport deals.
Perhaps you would prefer a ski trip to Chambery or Grenoble? or maybe you require Geneva Airport Car Hire.
Switzerland and Austria
Nearby Switzerland is a great option with fantastic cities such as Zurich. Austria is another superb country to explore with places such as Innsbruck, Vienna, Linz and Salzburg.
Car Hire Ireland
Some may prefer closer to home trips and compare car hire Ireland rates in locations such as Dublin Airport, Shannon, Cork, Knock, Kerry, Derry Airport or Belfast.
Car Hire UK
You can find cheap car hire UK prices in places such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Luton, Heathrow, Southen, Bristol, East Midlands Airport or Prestwick Airport. Compare cheap car hire Stansted Airport prices.
USA
Orlando is another holiday spot that is always better with car rental. We also offer rental cars at Sanford Airport and in exciting destinations such as Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York and so many more. Compare car hire USA rates.
Cheap Car Hire Italy
Italy has so much to offer. Fabulous weather, beautiful scenery and more culture than you can imagine make it a fantastic destination. Locations such as Pisa, Venice, Naples and of course Rome all stand out. Take a look at our low cost car hire Bergamo Airport rates.
Greece and Cyprus Car Rental
In Greece, you can choose from beautiful spots such as Rhodes, Crete or Corfu. Cyprus car hire options include stunning destinations such as Larnaca and Paphos.
Car Hire in Germany
In Germany you can find car rental in all the major cities and airports such as Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg as well as smaller airports such as Memmingen and Weeze.
Rent a Car Worldwide
Take a look at our car hire Croatia offers. We also provide rental car comparison options in South Africa, Australia and Canada as well as in Belgium, Holland (Amsterdam, Eindhoven), Sweden, Norway, Denmark (Billund), Turkey, Malta and all over Europe.
Car Hire FAQ
| Is it cheaper to hire a car from the airport? |
| Normally, Yes. This is because there is a bigger selection of cars at the airport as well more firms to choose from. It’s always worth getting quotes for city pickups too though particularly if having car at the airport is not essential. |
| How much would it cost to hire a car for a week? |
| Impossible to answer as it all depends on location, time of booking, availability etc. You can find really cheap deals in holiday locations such as Malaga or Alicante but will likely have to pay more in cities such as Paris or London. |
| Is it worth it to get car rental excess insurance? |
| Yes, absolutely! It’s costs very little and offers great peace of mind. |
| Which rental cars are cheapest for those under 25? |
| You will have to pay a young driver surcharge if under 25 in most countries. This is unfortunate but at a young age you are seen as higher risk. Hiring a small car will probably be your best option as larger vehicles can sometimes be restricted to over 25’s |
| Do I need a credit card to hire a car? |
| Not always but it is a standard with most companies. Debit cards are also sometimes accepted. |
| What exactly do I need to hire a car? |
| There are 3 essentials. (1) ID, (2) Up to date drivers licence and (3) credit/debit card. You may need other items depending on the terms of the rental. |
| Do I have unlimited mileage with my rental car? |
| Normally this can be arranged but may not come as standard. Depending on location, you may have to pay extra after passing a certain mileage point |
| Can I add an additional driver policy to my rental agreement? |
| Yes, there is usually an extra charge. The additional driver will need all the required documents such as a valid driving licence etc and must be present at pickup. |
| How do you keep your prices so low? |
| We work with so many different suppliers including all the well known ones such as Budget, Sixt, Avis. Thrifty. Hertz etc. We also however work with numerous lesser known car hire firms all over the world which keeps our prices extremely competitive. |
| Can I rent an automatic car or perhaps hire a people carrier? |
| Yes, you can search under class if you wish to limit your search to a particular type. You can choose between budget, economy, estate, people carrier, automatic, luxury, convertible, van, eco friendly, 4×4 or 9 seater. |
| What If I want to drop-off my car hire in a different location than where I picked it up? Is it possible? |
| In most cases, yes. This is called one way car hire. When you use our booking engine you simply tick “different drop off location” and enter the details. |
| Where can I find the best website for cheap car hire? |
| Well, you’re already here. With so many cheap car rental suppliers to compare prices from, you are guaranteed a great deal. |
Understanding Car Rental Insurance and Excess
Car hire insurance can seem straightforward at first, but the cheapest rate does not always include the lowest risk. Most rentals include basic cover, yet an excess usually still applies. This is the amount you could be asked to pay if the car is damaged or stolen during your hire.
| Scenario | Damage Cost | Excess | Driver Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor accident | €1,200 | €900 | €900 |
| Small scratch repair | €400 | €900 | €400 |
| Major damage | €4,000 | €900 | €900 |
For that reason, it is worth checking whether reduced or zero excess cover is available before you book. Paying slightly more upfront can sometimes work out better than facing a large deposit hold or unexpected charge later. A quick look at the insurance terms can make it much easier to compare deals properly.
Payment and Deposit Checks Before You Book
One of the easiest ways to avoid surprises with car hire is to check the payment rules before you reach the desk. Some suppliers accept debit cards, some insist on a credit card and others only allow certain card types for the security deposit. That can matter just as much as the daily rental price.
The deposit is usually a temporary hold placed on your card when you collect the vehicle. This amount can vary widely depending on the supplier, destination and vehicle type, so two similar-looking deals may come with very different card requirements.
| Check Before Booking | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Credit card or debit card accepted | Not every supplier accepts both, especially for the deposit |
| Deposit amount | A low rental price can still require a large card hold |
| Name on the card | The main driver usually needs to present their own payment card |
| Prepaid or virtual cards | These are often not accepted at pickup |
| Pay now or pay on arrival | This affects flexibility, cancellation terms and cash flow |
A good habit is to compare not just the headline rate, but the full payment conditions as well. A slightly higher rental price can sometimes be the better deal if it comes with a lower deposit or more flexible payment terms.
Compare Car Hire – Choosing the Right Type of Rental Car
The type of vehicle you choose can have a big impact on both price and comfort during your trip. Smaller economy cars are usually the cheapest option and are ideal for city driving or short breaks.
Families or groups travelling together may prefer a larger vehicle such as a people carrier or a 7 or 9 seater. These provide more space for passengers and luggage, which can make longer journeys much more comfortable.
Many travellers also look specifically for automatic cars, particularly when driving abroad. Most comparison engines allow you to filter by vehicle type, making it easy to narrow your search to options such as automatic, luxury, electric or larger family vehicles.
| Vehicle Type | Typical Daily Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Economy / Small Car | €15 – €40 | City trips, couples, budget travel |
| Automatic Car | €30 – €70 | Drivers unfamiliar with manual transmission |
| Family Car | €40 – €90 | Families needing extra luggage space |
| 7 Seater / People Carrier | €70 – €140 | Larger families or group travel |
| Luxury / Premium | €120 – €300+ | Business trips or special occasions |
Car Hire Ireland Comparison
Irish travellers can often benefit significantly from comparing car hire prices when renting vehicles abroad. Car rental markets vary widely between countries, and prices for the same vehicle can differ substantially between suppliers and booking platforms.
By using a compare car hire website, travellers from Ireland can quickly see offers from multiple international rental companies in one place, helping them identify better-value deals and avoid paying higher prices by booking with a single provider.
Car Hire Tips for Irish Travellers Renting Abroad
Irish travellers rent cars all over Europe and beyond, but a few small checks before travelling can make the pickup process much smoother. Most rental companies accept an Irish driving licence without any issue, particularly within the EU.
Outside the European Union, some destinations may recommend or require an International Driving Permit in addition to your Irish licence. It is also important that the name on the booking matches the name on the driving licence and payment card used at pickup.
| Requirement | What Irish Travellers Should Know |
|---|---|
| Driving licence | A full valid Irish licence is normally accepted across Europe |
| International Driving Permit | May be required in some non-EU destinations |
| Passport or ID | Often required to confirm identity at pickup |
| Payment card | Usually must be in the main driver’s name |
| Age restrictions | Drivers under 25 may pay a young driver surcharge |
Checking these simple requirements before travelling can help avoid delays at the rental desk and ensure you can collect your vehicle quickly after arriving at your destination.
How to Find Cheap Car Hire Deals
Car hire prices can vary significantly depending on demand, location and when you book. Travellers who compare prices across multiple suppliers often find better value than booking directly with a single company.
Booking early is usually one of the easiest ways to secure lower prices, especially during busy travel periods such as school holidays or summer months. Flexibility can also help. Small changes in pickup times, vehicle size or location can sometimes reduce the total rental cost.
It is also worth checking what is included in the price. Some deals may appear cheaper at first but add extra charges for insurance, mileage or additional drivers. Comparing several offers side by side makes it easier to see the true value of each option and choose the deal that suits your trip best.
