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Car Rental for Holidays –
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Tips, comparisons and booking: when a hire car really makes sense, what to look out for — and how to avoid paying too much.
Car Rental for Holidays –
Car Rental Guide
When does a hire car make sense?
A rental car makes sense whenever the destination offers more than the hotel pool. If you want to explore secluded beaches, mountain villages, or national parks off the tourist trail, you need your own wheels. At destinations like the Algarve, Croatia or Crete, a hire car reveals the genuinely beautiful corners that organised tours and resort shuttles simply don't reach.
For purely beach-focused all-inclusive stays where everything is on-site, a rental car may not be necessary at all. The decision depends entirely on your travel style.
Popular destinations for hire cars
Portugal – Algarve & Lisbon
The Algarve is the classic hire car destination. Wild cliff bays, hidden Praia beaches and whitewashed inland villages are almost impossible to reach without a car. Pick up near Faro airport, drive the coast towards Sagres — that is the Algarve. Lisbon, Sintra and the Alentejo are equally rewarding by car.
Croatia – Coast & National Parks
The Dalmatian coast and Istria reveal themselves properly by car. A road trip from Split to Dubrovnik, a detour to Plitvice Lakes or into quiet fishing villages away from the main tourist spots — all easily done. Ferry crossings to islands like Brač or Hvar with the hire car are straightforward to plan.
Crete
Crete is Greece's largest island — and without a car you'll stay on the tourist strip along the northern coast. The south coast with its near-untouched beaches, the Samaria Gorge, and the Lasithi Plateau are all only reachable by car. Pick up directly at Heraklion or Chania airport.
Mallorca
The north and west of Mallorca — the Tramuntana mountains, Valldemossa, Deià, Cap Formentor — are barely accessible without your own wheels. Anyone wanting to go beyond the southern beach resorts needs a hire car. For purely south-coast beach holidays a rental is less essential.
Canary Islands – Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria
A hire car on the Canaries unlocks entirely different experiences: Teide National Park on Tenerife, the Timanfaya volcano landscape on Lanzarote, the Maspalomas dunes on Gran Canaria. Car hire on the Canaries tends to be competitively priced and great value for money.
Greece – Islands & Mainland
On larger islands such as Rhodes, Corfu and Kos, a hire car is ideal for day trips into the interior. On the mainland — the Peloponnese, Epirus — a car is almost essential for cultural touring. Smaller island stays can also be explored by quad or scooter for shorter distances.
Hire car with a package holiday
A hire car and a package holiday work very well together. Many travellers book a package (flights and hotel) and hire the car separately at the destination airport — straightforward and independent of transfer schedules. Book the car in advance: availability and prices get tighter closer to your travel dates.
Families with children benefit particularly from combining a package with a hire car: flexible excursions, no waiting for resort buses, and child seats in your own familiar vehicle. Some all-inclusive hotels are set a little apart from local towns — a hire car makes evenings out and day trips much simpler.
What to check when booking a hire car
01
Full cover and excess
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) is essential — but many tariffs still carry an excess, meaning you pay the first portion of any claim yourself. Zero-excess tariffs cost more upfront but give complete peace of mind. Read the policy details carefully before confirming.
02
Fuel policy
'Full to full' is the fairest option: pick up with a full tank, return with a full tank. Fill up at a petrol station shortly before drop-off. 'Full to empty' sounds easy but is almost always expensive. Always choose 'full to full' where available.
03
Additional driver
If you want to share driving, the second driver must be officially added to the rental agreement — this usually costs extra. Anyone not listed who drives the car can invalidate the insurance.
04
Child seats
Child seats can be booked in advance through the hire company — not just on the day. Selection and quality vary. For certainty, consider bringing your own seat (check it is aircraft-approved first).
05
Airport pickup
Most major hire companies have desks inside the arrivals terminal or a short shuttle ride away. Have your booking confirmation and driving licence ready. An EU licence is valid across the EU and many other countries — an international permit is only needed in a small number of destinations.
06
Credit card and deposit
Almost all hire companies require a credit card in the main driver's name at pickup for the security deposit — which is held as a block on the card. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Make sure the card has enough available credit before you travel.
07
Car category and road conditions
In Croatia, Greece and the Canary Islands there are unpaved tracks leading to beaches or viewpoints. Many hire agreements exclude damage on off-road surfaces — check the contract. For mountain regions, choose at least a compact car with reasonable ground clearance.
Hire cars for families
For families, a hire car is often the most practical choice: day trips on your own schedule, no dependence on resort transfers, supermarket runs for self-catering. Book an estate or MPV well in advance — they sell out quickly in peak season. Always pre-book child seats.
A good combination: book a family package holiday for the security of a fixed price and statutory insolvency protection, then add a hire car separately. Best of both worlds.
Frequently asked questions
When does a rental car really make sense?
Whenever there is more to explore than the resort itself. The Algarve, Croatia, Crete, northern Mallorca, the Canaries and the Greek mainland or larger islands all reward independent exploration by car.
What does CDW with excess mean?
Collision Damage Waiver covers the car if it is damaged — but up to the excess amount you still pay yourself. Zero-excess tariffs cost more but provide full protection. Always read the policy details.
Which fuel policy is best?
'Full to full' — pick up with a full tank, return with a full tank. Fill up shortly before drop-off. It is the most transparent and usually the cheapest option.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car?
Yes, in almost every case. A credit card in the main driver's name is needed for the deposit block. Debit cards are not usually accepted.
Can I combine a hire car with a package holiday?
Yes, easily. Book the package with our travel partner and the hire car separately via SunnyCars or Auto Europe. Pick up the car directly at the destination airport on arrival.
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Car Rental Checklist
- ✓Full cover, zero excess
- ✓Fuel policy 'full to full'
- ✓Additional driver registered
- ✓Child seats pre-booked
- ✓Credit card ready (deposit)
- ✓Airport pickup time confirmed
- ✓Off-road clause checked
Popular hire car destinations
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