Is it Cheaper to Rent a Car Online or at The Airport?

A certain website that encourages us to buy things at the last minute has given a lot of people the idea that you could save money by buying late. That might sometimes be true, but it’s a long way short of always being the case. When it comes to car hire, you’re likely to get a much cheaper deal by booking in advance instead of waiting until you land at your destination before getting it organised. 

Here at UK Car & Van Rental, we allow our customers to book online well in advance because that means that we can give them a far better deal all round.

But why might that be so?

4 reasons it’s cheaper to rent a car online 

Airports are expensive

Unless you’re getting a bargain in the duty-free shop, pretty much everything you buy in an airport costs more than if you were anywhere else, and that’s as true for car hire as it is for a beer, a meal or a bottle of water. 

You’ve got more time to shop around

When you organise your car hire at the airport, you’re going to be faced with a limited choice of suppliers and with little time to shop around before getting on with the next stage of your journey. When you book in advance, you can take all the time you need to make sure you’re getting the right car at the right price. You’re also more likely to be able to take advantage of special offers and discounts.

Rental companies can pass on their own savings

If rental companies are doing most of their business online, it’s going to cost them less than for those trading at the airport. That’s because they don’t need to have a desk at each terminal or as many staff on any desks they do have. Nor do they need to keep their vehicles close by for the convenience of the customers – they can just bring them on site when their clients need them. Land close to airports is notoriously expensive so that can be quite a saving. A good rental company will be able to pass all these savings onto their customers.  

Booking in advance is always cheaper

Try to book a train for tomorrow and you’ll pay a far higher price than if you book the same journey well in advance. The same principle applies to car hire firms. Being able to plan their resources ahead of time allows companies to use them more effectively and more efficiently, so they will often be able to make their services cheaper for those who help make that happen.

Other reasons you’re better off booking car hire in advance

The great news is that booking your car hire online isn’t just cheaper than doing it on arrival at your destination airport. Here are two more great reasons to book in advance:

More choice

When you book at the airport, you’re going to have a far more limited number of cars to pick from than if you browse all the companies operating in the area online first. That means that you’ll have a better chance of getting the right vehicle for your needs, whether that’s a cost-effective runaround, a spacious family vehicle, the latest electric car or a premium car with all its luxuries and comforts.

Greater convenience

Book at the airport and you’ll probably have to wait a while before being able to get on with your journey. Book in advance, and a good car and van rental company can have your vehicle of choice waiting for you at your terminal when you land. Apart from a few formalities, such as checking the vehicle’s condition, you can be on your way almost immediately. 

Here at UK Car & Van Rental, we offer all the cost savings, choice and convenience that comes with online car and van hire whichever of London’s airports you land at, from Gatwick, Luton and HeathrowHeathrow to Stansted, Southend and City airports.

Book your vehicle with us now and discover the many benefits of online car hire booking.