Car Hire Search – Bucket List idea’s – Car Hire FAQ’s – Insurance explained – Top Tips – If something goes wrong

Compare Car Hire Prices

✈️ Planning your next getaway? Whether you’re heading off on a beach break, city escape, or a scenic road trip, we make it easy to compare car hire prices from trusted providers around the world 🌍.

With Air-Holiday, you can explore car hire options for every type of traveller — from compact city cars to family SUVs and bucket-list drives 🚙✨.

👉 Pre-book online, save money, and hit the road with confidence.

Collage of various rental cars with "Car Hire" text in the center

🚙 Bucket List Car Hire

Make your car hire part of the adventure! Here are a few ✨ once-in-a-lifetime ideas worth the drive… Whether you’re planning a round trip or want to pick up in one place and drop off in another, many providers offer flexible one-way car hire — perfect for road trips that don’t loop back.

Four images showing: convertible by the coast, couple loading suitcases into SUV, compact car near Eiffel Tower, and airport car park with landing plane
From coastlines to city breaks – car hire makes it all possible ✨

Inspired to hit the road?
Jump to the compare car hire prices search and get your quote in seconds 🚘

🧾 Car Hire FAQs

You usually get basic insurance cover with a car hire but to make sure you’re fully covered when hiring a car, we recommend combining these two types of protection:

🚗 Travel Insurance – click here for who we recommend or use the comparison site.
Covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and personal belongings — including anything inside the hire car.

🛡️ Car Hire Excess Insurance
Optional cover that reimburses you if you’re charged the excess after damage or theft. It’s often cheaper to buy separately rather than adding full coverage at the rental desk. We respect and recommend this company.

When you compare car hire prices, most quotes include basic insurance like Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection, Third-Party Liability, local taxes, and often unlimited mileage. You’ll be covered for damage, theft, and legal claims — but usually with a high excess to pay if something goes wrong.

Extras such as GPS, child seats, and additional driver cover can be added during booking. Toll charges, out-of-hours pickup fees, and cross-border permissions aren’t normally included and may cost more. Some rentals also require you to return the car with a full tank under the fuel policy.

Always check the terms carefully when comparing car hire prices to avoid unexpected costs.

Fuel policies vary by provider, but the most common is full-to-full — you collect the car with a full tank and return it the same way. We recommend this option! This is usually the most cost-effective option, as you only pay for the fuel you use. Some rentals use a full-to-empty or pre-purchase policy, where you’re charged for a full tank upfront and may not be refunded for unused fuel.

You’ll see the fuel policy clearly stated when you compare car hire prices — always check before booking so you know what to expect. Returning the car with less fuel than agreed can lead to additional charges.

Not always. Most European countries accept a full UK driving licence, but for destinations like Japan or parts of South America, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Always check the local requirements before you travel — especially when comparing car hire prices across countries.

Yes! Many providers allow you to pick up your hire car in one location and drop it off somewhere else — ideal for road trips that don’t loop back. Just tick the one-way rental option when you compare car hire prices. When searching and booking through our partner, this is an easy filter to apply, and you’ll see any additional location fees clearly shown before checkout.

Some car hire companies allow cross-border travel, while others restrict where you can drive. If allowed, you may need to pay a cross-border fee or provide extra documentation.

For example, driving from Spain into France, or from Germany into Austria, is often permitted — but taking a hire car from mainland Europe into the UK (or vice versa) is usually not. You’ll see these rules clearly when you compare car hire prices, and it’s best to check the terms before booking if your trip involves more than one country.

Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old, with a young driver surcharge often applied to those under 25. Some providers may have a maximum age limit, usually around 75 to 80.

Drivers over a certain age may need to provide medical documentation or proof of recent driving experience. If you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive safely, it’s best to check the rental terms or contact the provider in advance. These requirements are usually shown clearly when you compare car hire prices online.

It’s important to check the opening hours of your car hire provider — especially for late-night or early morning arrivals. Some pickup points are off-site and may close early, especially at smaller airports. Some require a shuttle service.
If your flight is delayed and the desk is closed when you arrive, you may have to wait until it reopens or risk losing your booking. Some companies offer an out-of-hours pickup service, but this often needs to be arranged in advance and may come with an extra fee.

To avoid surprises, always enter your flight number during booking and review your provider’s policy on delayed arrivals when you compare car hire prices.

When you book, you’ll usually choose a car category (like economy, compact, SUV), not a specific make or model. The vehicle shown is a sample — you’ll get something similar in size and features. If you have a strong preference (for example, automatic transmission, or boot size), you can filter these options when you compare car hire prices, or add a request in the booking notes. Consider the terrain, luggage space, and distances you’ll be driving when selecting a category (compact, SUV, etc.).

💡 Top Tips for Booking Car Hire

🚗 Book early – Prices often rise closer to departure, especially in busy holiday seasons.
🔑 Know the local rules – Make sure you’re familiar with how to drive in your destination — including which side of the road they drive on, and rules on the roads like traffic lights (like turning on red in the USA).
🔍 Use filters when searching – Filter by transmission, mileage, free cancellation, and more to find the best match for your trip.
🔧 Inspect the car before you drive away – Take a quick walk around while videoing, check for damage, dents, scratches, tyres, interior, etc, advise the company of the damage already found before you drive off — it only takes a minute but can save hassle later.
📶 Download offline maps before you go – If you’re travelling abroad, mobile signal may be unreliable or expensive to use. Download Google Maps or similar navigation apps offline so you can still find your way — even if you lose signal or don’t have data.

🚨 If Something Goes Wrong While You’re on the Road

Even the smoothest trips can take an unexpected turn — but being prepared makes all the difference. Whether you’ve had a minor accident, experienced a mechanical issue, or found your hire car damaged or stolen, here’s what to do to stay on track:

📞 1. Contact the Hire Company Immediately

Every rental provider should give you a 24/7 emergency number — usually found in your confirmation email or on the rental agreement. Call them as soon as it’s safe to do so. They’ll guide you through what to do next, including whether a replacement vehicle or roadside assistance can be sent.

🧾 2. Have Your Rental Info and ID Handy

Keep a copy (physical or digital) of your:

  • Rental agreement
  • Booking confirmation
  • Driving licence
  • Insurance policy (including excess cover, if you arranged this separately)
    Having these ready will speed things up and help avoid delays if paperwork is needed.
📸 3. Take Photos and Make Notes

If there’s visible damage, a flat tyre, or a collision, take clear photos from multiple angles. Note:

  • The time and location
  • Any damage (even small scratches or cracks)
  • Other people or vehicles involved
  • Witness names and contact details, if applicable

This helps protect you from liability later and makes any claim process smoother.

🚗 4. Don’t Try to Fix It Yourself (Unless It’s Safe and Approved)

Some hire agreements prohibit roadside repairs unless you’ve been given approval. For breakdowns, wait for authorised help or use the roadside number provided in your paperwork. If you’re in an unfamiliar country, trying to fix something on your own could invalidate your insurance.

💡 5. Report the Incident to Police if Required

For serious damage, theft, or accidents involving other people, you may need to file a local police report — especially if you’re claiming insurance. Ask the rental provider if this is required.

✅ Stay Calm and Follow Their Guidance

Rental companies deal with these issues all the time. As long as you act quickly and follow their process, they’ll help get you back on the road as soon as possible.

🧠 Bonus Tip: Be Proactive Before You Drive Off
  • Double-check your insurance cover
  • Save the emergency contact number in your phone
  • Make sure you understand how to report incidents
  • Keep your documents accessible — not buried at the bottom of your luggage!
Woman with suitcase reading a document next to an open car boot on a quiet road by a river
Car hire hiccups? Most are easy to fix. Stay calm and carry on 🚙🌿
Consider Excess Car Insurance

✅ Ready to roll?

Compare car hire prices in seconds and lock in your ride before you fly ✈️👇

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