Car Hire Costs More than Holiday

According to an exclusive consumer investigation from the Sunday Mirror, hiring a car for a summer holiday abroad can cost more than the holiday package itself. Rental costs have surged since 2008, with prices in Spain being nearly 200% more. Experts in the industry believe prices will increase again this summer due to a shortage of vehicles, as car hire companies have reduced fleets since the recession, forcing prices up.

The UK newspaper compared the cost of renting a mid-size family car with online holiday packages during the school half-term next month. They found that a 7-night self-catering holiday in Faliraki, Rhodes from Cooperative Travel costs £284 per person, and hiring a car with Avis costs £360 for the whole week. They also compared prices for holidays in Spain, only to find that the car hire would cost more there as well.

The Sunday Mirror has suggested that holidaymakers look around before settling on a holiday. They advise that people use comparison websites like travelsupermarket.com and carrentals.co.uk, which offers travelers the cheapest deals. Carrentals.co.uk managing director Gareth Robinson said that hire firms have been hit hard by the recession, leaving them unable to increase their vehicle fleet because of a lack of funding. The short supply of cars is restricting availability and increasing prices, he added, which is a trend they expect will continue through the summer.

The newspaper is also suggesting to check with car hire brokers like Holiday Cars Direct and Holiday Autos, which both offer reasonable deals through negotiating with car rental companies. They also advise holidaymakers to check with tour operators and airlines, who can also offer good deals since they usually have a partnership with an international car hire firm.