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Comparing car rental prices for your weekend away
We all know it’s great to use public transport as much as possible when you go away. But what happens when it can’t take you to all the places that you want to visit? Or the timetables just don’t work out with your schedule? Whether you’re heading abroad or going on a weekend staycation, sometimes things are just much more enjoyable and easier when you have a car to drive.
If this is the case for you and you’re currently planning your next weekend getaway, there are a few things to consider when finding the best car hire. Before rushing and booking the first thing you see, take a look at our top tips, which will help you compare car rental prices and find the best deal for your needs.
Book in advance
Just like most things when it comes to travel, it always pays to plan ahead. You’ll likely find the best deals and there’ll be more choice and availability when you do. You should always avoid booking car hire once you get to an airport, too, as this will always end up being more expensive.
Shop around
Before booking, take the time to look around and do your research. Don’t just call or go to the website of the only car hire company you’ve heard of. Instead, use a price comparison site that’ll search hundreds of cars and prices, finding you the best fit for your desired criteria.
Consider your luggage
One of the biggest mistakes people make when booking car hire is that they forget to account for the size and weight of their luggage. Don’t be tempted to book the tiny Fiat 500, just because it’s got enough seats for everyone and offers the best price, only to turn up and have nowhere to fit your suitcases! Nobody wants to spend their weekend cooped up and cramped in the back of a tiny car hire with no boot space. Always check the luggage capacity before trying to pack your car!
Be realistic
As tempting as it might be to go for the cheapest car that you can find, it’s important that you take your journeys and surroundings into consideration. There’s no point hiring a small car with a tiny engine if you’re going to be driving long distances or over a terrain that’d be more suited to the likes of a 4x4. Similarly, don’t book anything too big, posh and swanky if you’re just planning on heading to a busy city where you’ll need to squeeze into some less-than-generous parking spaces.
Check the deposit
Something that you need to bear in mind when researching hire cars isn’t just the amount for the rental itself, but also how much deposit you’ll need to put down in advance. Some car hire companies make it a requirement to take upwards of £1,000 as a credit card deposit before you even get hold of the keys. So, check this before you book if you either don’t have a credit card or don’t have the funds to cover it.
Read the small print
It’s vital that you read all the small print before confirming a booking for a car rental. Some prices may sound too good to be true, and that might just be the case. Double check that the car you’re looking at doesn’t have an attractive rental price…but a sky-high excess on the insurance. It’s all well and good booking a cheap car hire, but you don’t want to be forking out far more than you can afford, should anything go wrong.
Ready to book the car hire for your weekend away? Hopefully now you’re in a position to know exactly what it is you’re looking for and will find yourself the perfect car at the best price.
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