Whether you’re travelling as a single person or with family, the cost of car hire can take a significant sum from your budget. However, depending on the location, having the freedom to self-drive to local attractions and stock up on food at the local supermarket can save you money once you arrive.
An alternative to a traditional rental car is a car-share. Car-sharing companies are arguably cheaper and more convenient, and because you’re renting from a local person you often get the added benefit of personalised customer service.
When you book a car share rental, you’ll find all the usual vehicle types on hire and you can make a choice based on your budget and requirements.
How do choose a car share hire to suit your needs? Here’s how to book a car-share when you travel.
Determine your reason for a car-share hire
Before you fly, sit down and work out how often you’ll use a car, and how many people will be travelling with you. How much space will you need, how many people will take a turn at driving, and what level of comfort will you and your travel buddies expect.
Next, determine whether you’ll need a lot of space in the boot for luggage and whether the car needs to be suited to city driving or comfortable enough for long-distance day trips.
Consider your budget
Once you’ve booked your flights and accommodation work out how much you can afford to spend per day on a car share and choose a vehicle class accordingly. Some car share companies charge per hour while others charge a daily rate regardless of the number of hours you spend driving. Keep in mind that if you opt for an hourly rate each day you may have to collect and return the vehicle to a specific place.
Trunk/boot capacity for luggage
If you are travelling with your family or a group of mates, consider a vehicle with a large boot that can accommodate everyone’s baggage. Boot size is also a factor to consider when you’re heading out on an adventure travel tip such as camping or extreme sports such as SUCBA diving or snowboarding.
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The style of the ride
Car-sharing companies such as Avail car sharing give you options for different classes of vehicles to rent. Usually, you’ll find Standard, Mid-Size, Large SUV, and Mini-Van. If you’re planning an eco-friendly trip, choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle for your requirements and minimise your driving time where possible.
Fuel economy
For every kilometre they travel, different cars use different amounts of fuel depending on their engine’s capacity. If you want to reduce your daily spend do your best to use less fuel. To achieve this you can look to hire a fuel-friendly vehicle that will reduce the cost of your overall spend on the rental. However, if style and comfort are your priority, you might be swayed by the appeal of a less economical but more stylish ride.
Manual or automatic
If you passed your driving test in a particular type of car, manual or automatic, it’s best to stick with what you know when driving an unfamiliar vehicle on unfamiliar road networks. Neither type of car tends to be cheaper than another, however, if you are comfortable driving any type of transmission, then you may have a greater choice of vehicles in the most affordable price bracket.
Booking a car share when you travel is much the same as booking a traditional car rental, however, it can often be a more affordable option with less hassle on arrival at your destination.
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