In a survey of car hire prices throughout Europe, Reykjavik comes in at number one on the list of the most expensive European cities to rent a car. According to the survey results, you’ll need a big budget to hire a vehicle in Iceland’s capital. Perhaps not surprisingly, Reykjavik is closely followed by Trondheim and Oslo, destinations in Norway where the cost of renting a car is slightly lower.
Other cities making the top twenty include such popular tourist destinations as Athens, Palermo, Geneva and Helsinki. Even though they still made the list, car rentals in Spain and Portugal were nonetheless about half the cost of those in the pricey Scandinavian countries. The survey was based on renting during the peak month of August, with a pick-up from the city airport.
Which leads to the sensible conclusion that if you’re looking to rent a car in Europe, you need to do your homework. Being flexible about your starting point is only the beginning.
There are many other ways in which you can reduce the cost of hiring a vehicle, and maintain the economical and practical advantages that come from having your own mode of transportation at hand while on holiday.
First of all, try to hire a car off-airport. They can be much cheaper at other locations, and the survey results were inflated by only checking airport sites. Booking early will also ensure you get the best possible rate, and many companies offer incentives to those who don’t wait until the last minute to secure their ride.
Finally, review the clauses in your personal car insurance. Adding insurance can dramatically increase the cost of your car hire, and may be entirely unnecessary if you are already covered by your own policy or through a credit card agreement.
While it may well be true that the cost of hiring a car in Iceland or Norway can be expensive in comparison to more southern European destinations, it is still a cost-effective travel option if you plan ahead.
Depending on your destination and the number of travelling companions you’re bringing along, car rentals are often cheaper – and certainly more convenient – than pinning your hopes on other forms of public transportation.
As a final note, working through a reputable service like Debit Card Car Hire ensures that you get the best deal, on the right car, at over 10,000 locations world wide. And if you’re heading for Reykjavik, you should definitely give us a call!