When is the best time to book a car hire?

Knowing when is the best time to hire a car depends a lot on your travel destination and the period of the year. Generally, the best time to book a car hire is 6–12 months in advance if you’re travelling with a big group during peak season. In some other cases, a last-minute booking can be cheaper. Follow the guide.

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In this post

When is the best time to book car hire?
Why prices fluctuate
When it’s best to book in advance
When "last minute" is the best time to hire a car
The golden rule
Frequent questions about the best time to book a car hire

When is the best time to book car hire?

One of the main questions people ask when trying to find the best deal on hiring a car is about the best time to book. Does the day of the week make a difference in getting a cheap hire car? Is it better to book weeks in advance or does it not make a huge difference? When do car hire prices drop? These are all important things to wonder, and the answers may surprise you.

Two happy individuals inside a car look out the driver's window.

A black car rental signage hung at the airport.

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Why prices fluctuate

The first thing to keep in mind is that rental car prices change a lot, and there are a number of factors that determine the price on any given day. Prices can fluctuate because of the season, a particular holiday, the car category, the car hire company, and timing (just to name a few).

In general, car hire companies want to rent out as many cars as possible, just like hotels want to rent out as many rooms as possible. They’ll price cars competitively to increase demand, but when demand is high, they may raise prices to capitalise on it.

Keep in mind that the base price is the most likely thing to change. All of the additional elements of the car hire, from young driver fees to baby seats to ski racks, will stay the same price regardless of the timing. This background information will help explain how far in advance you should book your hire car.

When it’s best to book in advance

If you know you’ll be hiring a car during a busy period when prices are likely to be the highest, it pays to book as much as 6–12 months in advance. If you’re travelling with a big group or with kids and think you’ll need a minibus, a large van, or extra amenities, you should start your search early.

The best strategy is to shop around and compare online before committing to any single deal. Once you’re familiar with the price range for your itinerary, decide on a target price or the highest price you’d be willing to pay. When you find a deal that you’re happy with, just book it. It’s better to have booked a car for a reasonable price than wait until the very last minute and risk missing out on an equally good deal, or learning the rental company ran out of vehicles.

Expert tip: If you have free cancellation, you can always cancel your booking and spring for a cheaper deal when you see one.

A smiling woman sits on the trunk of a car and pets her dog.

When "last minute" is the best time to hire a car

If you know you’ll be hiring during a less busy period or you’re flexible with your dates, it’s acceptable to book closer to your rental date. If you’re travelling alone, with your partner, or in a small group and you don’t have any special requirements, you can leave it a little late.

Common car types are the most available, so prices may not change that much. With that said, prices may rise during the final 48 hours so don’t leave it until the very last minute! One last thing to look out for when booking late is seasonal promotions that are emailed to subscribers.

Expert tip: If you want to determine the best time to hire a car for your specific travel destination, try running a few simulations on KAYAK's search tool. Compare the prices for renting over a period of seven days, both three months in advance and starting in one week.

The golden rule

The golden rule for the cheapest car hire is simple – book a car in a common category, like compacts or full-size sedans, in a popular destination at an off-peak time of the year around 1–3 months in advance. This is effective for a large number of cases if these circumstances fit your travel plans.

This post is part of our Car Hire Guide.

Frequent questions about the best time to book a car hire

There is no conclusive evidence to say that the prices of hire cars depend on the day of the week. The fluctuations in prices will vary depending on the season during your search, the destination you are targeting, the type of car, and whether it's an area with many car hire companies or only a few providers.

Car hire companies want to rent out as many cars as possible, which is why you may notice prices dropping for some destinations during the low tourist season when you get closer to the date. However, in the last 48 hours, prices tend to rise again, as travellers are willing to pay more when they have limited options left.

How KAYAK knows what to put int this guide

KAYAK knows car hire inside out. Travellers have been finding great deals from a variety of agencies with us for years. Our experts put together this guide to help you understand how prices change and when the best time is to hire a car, so you can stick to your budget while travelling.