Press release
Travellers will pay double for car hire in some holiday hotspots this Easter compared with pre-pandemic, Which? research finds
5 min read
Jo Rhodes, Deputy Editor of Which? Travel, said: "High demand combined with a shortage of rental vehicles means prices across Europe and the US are still incredibly high compared with before the pandemic. "Shop around and book in advance to lock in the most competitive rates, especially during peak periods. Use recommended companies, or small local firms endorsed by a trusted broker, and always be wary of 'too good to be true' prices. "Paying in advance, if you can, often works out cheaper overall and helps secure your booking. We also recommend taking out third-party insurance before you travel; in the past, we've found hire companies selling inferior policies at the desk at marked up prices."
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
How to secure the best deal -Wherever possible, book your car hire as early as you can - ideally at the same time you book your holiday. This is especially true if you plan to travel during peak periods or in a high-demand country. -When you book online, opting to pay upfront will generally prove cheaper overall, with average savings of between £20 and £50 for a week. Paying in advance also helps guard against unscrupulous companies cancelling your booking in order to take a more valuable one as rates rise. -If a rate looks too good to be true it usually is, so be wary of anything that doesn't look quite right. Less reputable companies will sometimes offer a low rate which is then 'topped up' with sneaky hidden charges. In a recent Which? survey, 13% of people told us they were charged more than they had been quoted, and the average additional charge was £101. The most common disputed or unexpected charges were for damage to the car and refuelling, but others included admin fees, an over-70s surcharge, extra mileage, and late drop-off. -Which? has previously found that insurance policies offered by car hire companies are often overpriced and poor quality when compared with the policies offered by third parties, so purchase cover in advance to avoid being ripped off at the rental desk. Be aware that if you purchase standalone insurance, your hire company will insist that you leave a hefty (refundable) deposit, and you'll have to pay an excess if you have an accident. But you can claim it back from your insurance later. - Avoid paying for extras like satnavs and car seats. Instead, download a free navigation app like Navmii to your mobile, which can access maps offline without eating into your data allowance. Some airlines will let you bring a car seat free or charge; alternatively, you can sometimes rent them from airports for a fraction of the price quoteds by car hire firms.
Our research Broker Zest Car Rentals supplied the average daily rate across all car categories in Easter holidays in 2019, 2022 and 2023 in nine destinations: Spain, Balearics, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Madeira and the US. Prices are average rates based on over 5000 rentals, including all car types. 2019 prices are based on rentals booked up to a month before pick-up; 2023 figures are based on advance bookings made by mid-January 2023.
Price of a 7-day rental in 2019 | Price of a 7-day rental in 2023 | Price difference | % difference | |
Spain (mainland) | £187 | £277 | £90 | 48% |
Portugal (mainland) | £111 | £221 | £110 | 99% |
Balearic islands | £176 | £310 | £134 | 76% |
France | £291 | £364 | £73 | 25% |
Greece | £105 | £207 | £102 | 97% |
Italy | £243 | £362 | £119 | 49% |
Cyprus | £117 | £248 | £131 | 112% |
About Which? Which? is the UK's consumer champion, here to make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Our research gets to the heart of consumer issues, our advice is impartial, and our rigorous product tests lead to expert recommendations. We're the independent consumer voice that influences politicians and lawmakers, investigates, holds businesses to account and makes change happen. As an organisation we're not for profit and all for making consumers more powerful. The information in this press release is for editorial use by journalists and media outlets only. Any business seeking to reproduce information in this release should contact the Which? Endorsement Scheme team at .