When is the best time to rent a car?

We often mention here that it’s a good idea to book your rental car well in advance. That way, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from and can be sure to rent the car that best fits your travel plans and budget. But what does “well in advance” mean, and is that always the best option? Read on to find out what to look out for and how to always get the lowest price.

How far in advance should you reserve a rental car?

It’s best to start looking for a suitable rental car for your vacation as soon as your travel plans are set. By that, we mean you’ve already booked a flight or train ticket and therefore know when and where you’ll be arriving and departing. Decide what requirements your rental car needs to meet. Consider the amount of luggage you’ll be bringing and how many people you’ll be traveling with. You can take your time finding the car that perfectly suits your needs and easily compare different car rental providers. Don’t just look at the price—also consider what’s included and what’s not, the security deposit, the fuel policy, and the insurance coverage. Also consider which options you’d like to book with your rental car, such as a second driver. If you wait until you’re at the counter to arrange this, it will usually cost you much more.

Another important point: if you search well in advance, you’ll find a wide selection of rental cars, even in the popular categories. That selection shrinks the closer you get to your travel date.

Car Rental: Check Holiday Seasons Elsewhere

The same rule applies to everything: the higher the demand, the higher the price. Rental cars are no exception. If at all possible, travel outside of peak season, because you’ll pay significantly less for a rental car then. Many people are tied to school vacation schedules and therefore can’t simply take a vacation outside the peak season. This is most true for the summer months, as virtually all countries give school-age children time off then, although the length of the “summer break” varies greatly by country. The Christmas break also falls during the same period in almost all countries: roughly the last week of December and the first week of January. Other vacation periods can vary greatly from country to country and even within a single country—think, for example, of the German states. The Swiss website feiertagskalender.ch (in English, German, French, and Italian).

Booking a Rental Car: Choose Your Pickup and Drop-off Times Wisely

Car rental companies calculate the price in 24-hour periods. If you pick up the car at 10:00 a.m. and return it seven days later at 9:00 a.m., you’ll pay for exactly those seven days. But if you return the car a little later, say at 1:00 PM, you’ll pay a full day’s rental for those three hours. That’s a waste, don’t you think? You can surely spend those few hours exploring the city you’re in at the time. By adjusting your pickup and drop-off times slightly, you can arrange to return the rental car earlier than you picked it up. Instead of wasting money on an extra day of car rental, you can enjoy a bite to eat and a drink on a cozy outdoor terrace.

Don’t rent a car right after you arrive

Do you want to hop into a rental car right after arriving at your destination, or would you rather wander around a bit first? At many destinations, you’ll probably want to explore the city a bit before setting off on a road trip. And in most cities, you really don’t need a rental car—it’s better to use public transportation. So it’s much more convenient to rent a car from a city office. Plus, that can make a significant difference in the price of your rental.

At EasyTerra, you can choose from different pickup locations at virtually all destinations: the airport, a train station, or a city office. As for the airport: there are often car rental companies with locations just outside the airport that offer attractive rates for rental cars. So those can also be an option if you don’t plan to rent a car until a few days after you arrive.

The price of my rental car has suddenly dropped—what should I do?

EasyTerra has a very handy feature that lets you keep an eye on the price of the rental car you’ve booked. Click the “Track Price” link, enter your name and email address, and we’ll keep you informed if the price of the car you’ve selected changes. If the price goes up, you can be sure you’ve got a good deal, but what if the price goes down? It’s very simple: cancel your reservation and book the same rental car again, but at the lower price. Cancellation is usually free up to 48 hours before pickup. In rare cases—especially when renting a van—fees may apply. It’s extremely rare for a car’s rental price to drop in the last two days—it’s more likely to go up. Last-minute deals are unheard of in the car rental industry.

You don’t have to stick with the car you’ve reserved. Even if you find another car that better suits your needs and/or budget, you can cancel your existing reservation free of charge up to 48 hours before departure.

In short, if you find a car to rent and the price suits you, just book it—because it’s not at all difficult to change your reservation if you come across a better deal later.

Book Your Rental Car Early and Stay Flexible

To sum up everything above: booking early and choosing wisely where and when you rent a car can save you a lot of money. Yet you remain very flexible, because you can change your rental car reservation completely free of charge up to 48 hours in advance. That’s the convenience of booking through EasyTerra!

And of course, you know we offer all-inclusive rental cars with our Worry-Free label, which means you don’t have to worry about things like fuel, mileage limits, or insurance—and you’ll never face any surprises.