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Tips for booking a car hire

Need a car rental for your next holiday? These tips can help you find some of the best deals.

How to book a car hire?

The first step to booking a car hire is entering the necessary information on Expedia, detailing the location as well as the dates and times for pickup and drop-off. Of course, you can always check out popular car hire types and destinations, like a car rental in London, if you're not sure where to start. You may even browse by specific car hire companies, such as Europcar UK car hires.


What kinds of cars are available?

Several kinds of cars are available whether you're looking for a SUV car hire in Iceland or a midsize car hire in Edinburgh. You may even opt for luxury if you want to ride in style, such as what you'll find with a luxury car hire in France. With so many different suppliers, styles and options available, it's easy to find a vehicle that fits your needs for your ideal holiday experience.


How much does it cost to hire a car?

The cost of your car hire depends on several factors, including the class of car you select and the location where you plan on picking it up and dropping it off. The type of car hire you opt for also plays a role since a one-way car hire typically costs more than booking something round-trip. Luxury vehicles will cost more, and popular destinations also tend to have increased prices. Consider sorting your search results by price if you want to find the cheapest options, and be sure to take advantage of the search filters for budget limitations.


How do I find a cheap car hire?

To get a cheap car hire, you can use price filters to sort out vehicles that don't fit within your budget. Among the search filters, you'll also find low-price estimates. For example, the price estimates for the mini and economy car types tend to be cheaper than the full-size and premium car types.


What type of car is the cheapest to hire?

Out of all the available car types, the mini is typically the cheapest car to hire, followed by economy cars and compact cars. This is in stark contrast to luxury cars, which are the most costly by far.


Where can I hire a car?

Several destinations are available for car hires, including right at the airport, such as a cheap car hire at London Heathrow, or near your hotel. City-centre car rentals are also an option, and you can book car hires near points of interest, including a car hire in Italy at the Colosseum. Search filters are available that let you sort your results by the neighbourhood in which you want to hire a car. If you're travelling to a big city, a car hire in the city centre may be perfect if you're looking to get to places more quickly than public transport can carry you.


Is it worth it to hire a car?

Hiring a car comes with several advantages you wouldn't enjoy otherwise, including the ability to get around faster than public transport options can allow. Plus, it'll let you feel more like a local when you visit. If your destination doesn't offer taxis or the local taxis are too expensive to use regularly, a car hire makes economic sense. One of the most beneficial advantages is that your itinerary is easy to plan and will have room for more activities since you can get around your destination easier.


How do I get a good deal on a car hire?

Using the 'Great Deal' filter is the easiest way to find deals on car hires. With this filter, your search results will automatically show you the lowest-priced car for each category available on Expedia. Feel free to use filters for any special features as well as budget filters to see if anything with the characteristics you want is available at a price you're comfortable with.


Do I need insurance to hire a car?

You do need insurance for your car hire, but it doesn't have to be your personal insurance. You can purchase insurance from the car hire company to cover only the duration of the hire, although some personal insurance policies do cover car rentals as well. Travellers will have to check out the details of their policies to see if they qualify. Keep in mind that a lot of car hire companies already include the cost of insurance for the duration of the hire when quoting prices to begin with. All insurance policy information is available for every hire on Expedia by clicking the 'View rules and restrictions' link in the rental policies section.


Can I hire a car with a debit card?

While it's not as common as hiring with a credit card, several car hire companies do allow travellers to hire a car with a debit card. Since a debit card is more of a risk for car hire companies, they tend to make the process of hiring a car with one a bit more tedious. Additionally, only bank-issued debit cards will work, and prepaid cards are not an option. Proof of insurance, multiple forms of ID, a deposit and a credit check are just a few of the potential hoops they may ask you to jump through.


Can I hire a car at 18 years of age?

No, the minimum age for hiring a car in the UK is 23, and even that has restrictions. Some types of vehicles aren't available to anyone under the age of 25. The minimum age to hire a car abroad varies depending on the destination.


Can I book a long-term car hire?

Yes, long-term car hires are available throughout the UK and beyond. These are handy if you plan on having an extended stay anywhere and want to be able to get around easily.


Are car hires fully refundable?

Some car hires are fully refundable, and you can see which ones qualify by looking for the green text indicating as much on the search results page. Plus, there's a filter for fully refundable hires you can set during your search.


Why should I book a car hire with Expedia?

Booking a car rental with Expedia makes it easy to find the right kind of vehicle for your holiday, thanks to our array of search filters, but that's just the beginning. We also offer flights, hotels and even activities that you can book along with your car hire to plan your entire holiday in advance. Expedia Rewards members earn points on eligible purchases that can be put towards discounts on future trips. Membership is free, so sign up today.