Travellers will pay double for car hire in some holiday destinations this Easter compared with pre-pandemic rates, according to Which? research.
The consumer watchdog found that the cost of renting a car on holiday this Easter is 72% more expensive on average than the same period in 2019.
Which? studied figures supplied by car hire broker Zest Car Rental for more than 5,000 rentals in nine popular holiday destinations including Spain, France and the US.
It found weekly increases of more than £100 in seven out of nine destinations.
Which? said: “Cyprus has seen the most dramatic price rises, with the average daily rental rate more than doubling this year when compared with before the pandemic.
“A seven-day rental would now set holidaymakers back £248, up 112% on pre-pandemic rates. Portugal and Greece were not far behind, with increases of 99% and 97% respectively.”
It said the US was “by far” the most expensive country, with holidaymakers paying £537 per week on average, adding £239 onto the cost of a holiday compared with 2019.
France saw the smallest price increases overall, at 25%, but it is one of the more expensive regions, with a week’s rental costing £364 on average.
Which? explained that the cost of car hire rose “hugely” last year because of “widespread” vehicle shortages.
“While companies have now had an opportunity to begin restocking fleets that were sold off during the height of the pandemic, rates have not dropped as much as might have been anticipated, instead settling far higher than travellers were accustomed to pre-pandemic,” it said.
“Demand remains extremely high this year, contributing to increased costs. Zest Car Rental reports that advance bookings are up 132% compared to the same point last year.”
Which? noted that rental firms are also facing increased staffing and insurance costs, while cars themselves are also becoming more expensive.
Estimates by Zest suggest that the cost of purchasing a Fiat Panda, one of the smallest typical cars in a rental fleet, now costs around £5,000 more on average than in 2019.
Jo Rhodes, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said: “High demand combined with a shortage of rental vehicles means prices across Europe and the US are still incredibly high compared with before the pandemic.”
She advised holidaymakers to shop around and book in advance to lock in the most competitive rates.
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