Travel experts have revealed the ideal time to book a car rental and there are a couple of dates you’ll definitely want to avoid.
Holidaymakers could save nearly 50 per cent on their car hire if they time their booking correctly, according to research by TravelSupermarket.
The experts found that booking around two weeks before a holiday offered the best prices on car hire, with average prices of £46.75 a day.
Despite that, tourists should avoid booking exactly 14 days ahead of departure. The research found there was often a spike in price exactly two weeks before a holiday due to a surge in demand on that date.
But the worst mistake is booking a full year ahead of travel when prices average £93.12 a day, nearly double the best price.
Last-minute bookings are another expensive error, with holidaymakers who secure a car the day before their trip paying around 15 per cent more than the average rate.
The Christmas period is the priciest time of year to hire a car, with bookings between December 20 and January 5 around 60 per cent more expensive than the average.
On the flipside, October half-term is the cheapest time to hire a car, with prices 16 per cent below the average, making an autumnal break an attractive option.
Travel experts have revealed the ideal time to book a car rental and there are a couple of dates you’ll definitely want to avoid
Holidaymakers could save nearly 50 per cent on their car hire if they time their booking correctly
TravelSupermarket recommends booking a hire car around two weeks before the pickup date, while avoiding one year ahead and exactly 14 days before.
Ed Sharp, head of car hire at Travel Supermarket, says: ‘Whether you’re planning a city break or a beach holiday, these timing principles apply universally.
‘The key is understanding that car hire pricing follows predictable patterns, and smart travellers can use this knowledge to their advantage.
‘Car hire prices aren’t swinging as wildly as they did post-pandemic, so there’s less pressure to jump early.
‘I’d recommend using a deal with free cancellation – book something you’re happy with, then check back for drops as your trip approaches.’
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