Holiday car hire fees have jumped by £100 a week since Covid pandemic, consumer groups says

The cost of hiring a car on holiday goes through the (sun)roof! Fees have jumped by £100 a week since Covid pandemic, consumer group reveals Typical car hire cost has risen by more than £100 in seven popular destinations In Cyprus, the average daily rental rates of vehicles have more than doubled By Sean Poulter Published: 00:01 GMT, 10 February 2023 | Updated: 00:59 GMT, 10 February 2023 e-mail 1 View comments Holiday car hire fees are soaring with some travellers hit with charges that have doubled compared with before the pandemic, according to research. Analysis by experts at Which? found that the typical weekly costs have risen by more than £100 in seven of nine popular destinations. The average increase across holiday hotspots was 72 per cent, while charges have doubled in some locations – just as the half-term break looms.

Which? examined data supplied by car hire broker Zest Car Rental for more than 5,000 rentals in nine holiday destinations including France , Cyprus and the US. Cyprus has seen the most dramatic price rises, with the average daily rental rate more than doubling this year when compared with before the pandemic. There was a rise of 99 per cent in Portugal and 97 per cent in Greece.

In Cyprus, a seven-day rental would now set holidaymakers back £248, up 112 per cent on pre-pandemic rates. The US was by far the most expensive country, costing holidaymakers £537 per week on average, up by £239 since 2019. The average increase across holiday hotspots was 72 per cent, while charges have doubled in some locations – just as the half-term break looms Cyprus has seen the most dramatic price rises, with the average daily rental rate more than doubling this year when compared with before the pandemic RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next France ditches lecturing motorists about drink-driving and.

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. . Share this article Share Although France saw a more modest rise of 25 per cent, it remains one of the pricier destinations with one week’s rental costing £364 on average.

Which? said one reason for the increase last year was a global shortage of new vehicles. While this has since eased, hire fees have not fallen as expected. Demand remains extremely high this year with Zest reporting that advance bookings are up 132 per cent compared with last year.

Rental firms are also facing increased staffing and insurance costs, while cars themselves are also becoming more expensive. Estimates by Zest suggest that the cost of purchasing a Fiat Panda, one of the smallest typical cars in a rental fleet, is around £5,000 more than in 2019. Deputy editor of Which? Travel, Jo Rhodes, advised: ‘Shop around and book in advance to lock in the most competitive rates.

Use recommended companies, or small local firms endorsed by a trusted broker, and always be wary of “too good to be true” prices. ’ Advertisement Share or comment on this article: Holiday car hire fees have jumped by £100 a week since Covid pandemic, consumer groups says e-mail Add comment Comments 1 Share what you think Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all The comments below have been moderated in advance. View all The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

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