Explore Europe on a Budget: Top 10 Cheapest Car Hire Locations | Travel News | Travel

Malta is the cheapest place to hire a car in Europe, costing just £20.68-a-day. Faro in Portugal, which costs £22.82-a-day, and Antalya in Türkiye, costing £23.11, are a close second and third respectively. 

Making up the top five are Paphos, in Cyprus, at £24.30 per day and Seville, in southern Spain, at just £25.39. Alicante (£25.41) and Valencia (£25.42) in Spain are also among the cheapest destinations for hiring a car, along with Larnaca, in Cyprus (£25.92). Malaga, in Spain (£25.98) and Lisbon, in Portugal (£25.99) completed the top 10.

The figures were compiled by Skyscanner, using the data from its car rental service across a host of European and worldwide destinations.  

Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner’s travel trends and destinations expert, said: “Hiring a car lets you get out and about to enjoy parts of your trip you might otherwise miss.

“From stunning coastal scenery to getting up close and personal with a city, there are so many benefits to getting behind the wheel and exploring.

“Hiring a car can be an extremely affordable way to get around while on holiday, if travellers know the tips and hacks for shopping around and comparing their options.”

For motorists looking to get the best value car hire, Albania has seen the biggest price drop year-on-year, down 34%. Those looking to get behind the wheel in Italy also have cheaper car hire fees, 26% lower than last year, while France (down 16%) and Austria (down 15%) also offer drivers good value. 

It comes after research found 12% leave it to the day before or day of travel to book their vehicle. However, the Skyscanner data shows those looking to hire a car in Spain or Italy should do it a week before they travel – while those jetting off to France should book vehicle hire two weeks ahead to get the best price. 

A study of 2,000 drivers, carried out via OnePoll, also found France (27%), Spain (21%) and Ireland (13%) are the top foreign countries to drive in.

With the best things about driving abroad including being able to see sights you wouldn’t have otherwise (39%), a sense of freedom (37%) and experiencing unique scenery (34%). Others like that it makes it easier to get around (43%).

But the different traffic rules (44%) and driving on the opposite side of the road (43%) are the most off-putting things about getting behind the wheel on holiday. 

A Skyscanner spokesperson added: “While it might be daunting driving on the opposite side of the road, or getting to grips with foreign road signs, people soon get used to it and enjoy the experience.

“As our research shows, there’s a whole host of situations where you can benefit from getting behind the wheel. Gone is the need to wait ages for unreliable public transport – get behind the wheel and enjoy the holiday you want, where you want.”