Start with the route, not the price
A car that is comfortable for short town hops is often tiring on long motorway legs, and a large SUV that is easy on the open road is awkward in a historic centre.
Sketch the actual week — where you sleep, where you drive daily, what the longest single leg is — and choose against that.
Matching class to use
Economy
Best for towns, tight parking and short daily distances. Cheapest to run, but the smallest engines feel strained on long climbs and loaded with luggage.
Comfort
The sensible default for mixed routes with real motorway distance. Quieter at speed, better seats and more boot space than economy.
SUV
Worth it for higher ground clearance, steep approaches and larger loads. It costs more in fuel and is harder to park, so take it for a reason rather than by default.
Minivan
The right answer for groups of five or more with luggage. Cheaper and simpler than running two small cars.
Check the boot against the actual luggage
Seat count and boot capacity are separate limits, and the boot is usually the one that bites. A five-seat car quoted for five people rarely takes five large suitcases.
If the numbers are close, size up one class rather than planning to fold a seat down and lose a passenger.
Terms that matter more than the daily rate
- The insurance excess and what a full-cover package removes.
- The deposit amount and whether your card can carry it.
- The mileage policy on multi-day routes.
- The fuel rule and how the tank is checked at return.
- The cancellation deadline if your plans are not final.
Compare totals, not headline prices
Two quotes at the same daily rate can differ substantially once the deposit, insurance, mileage cap and fuel rule are accounted for.
The useful comparison is what you actually pay by the end of the rental, including anything blocked on the card in the meantime.