It gives you the freedom to explore your surroundings and set your own schedules rather than relying on public transport.

However, knowing how to get the best price can be tricky, the cost of booking and filling up can impact your budget. With that in mind, we spoke to the experts at Elfakhr-car.com for some advice on finding the best deal.

Book your car at the best price

Try to book your car three to six months in advance, because that’s when you’ll make the biggest savings. As soon as you have booked your flights and accommodation, this should be the next thing to do. Not only will booking in advance save you from last-minute price hikes, but it will also give you more choice in the types of vehicles available to you.

Flexibility in your pick up and return times is essential.

The time you choose to pick up and drop off your vehicle may affect the price of your rental services. Cars tend to be loaned out in 24 hour blocks, so if you pick up your car at 10am it would be best to drop it off at 10am when you return it, otherwise drop it off later and you’ll automatically pay another day’s charge.

Review the different fuel options available

The ‘ full to full ‘ option tends to be the most cost effective option to choose when renting a car. The customer picks up their car with a full (or almost full) tank and once they are ready to return it, they fill it with the same amount of fuel as at the time of pick-up. No extra costs or hassle, just stop at a gas station on the way back to drop off the vehicle.

Car rental at airports

Picking up your car at the airport is probably the most convenient option, but it’s also the most expensive. In most cases, larger towns have several pick-up points, and some even offer a shuttle service (sometimes free) to a pick-up point further afield.

Do your research, if you can catch a free shuttle or find a pickup counter next to where you are staying, it would be best to go with one of these options.

Don’t fixate on the car model

When booking a car, you will often see the phrase ‘or similar’ alongside the details of the vehicle you have chosen. This means that although you will see a photo of a specific car next to each option, you may not get the exact make or model.

If you don’t like the car you can always ask if it is possible to change it, or depending on what is available you may even be able to get an upgrade at no cost.

Don’t forget the free cancellation period

Most car rental services companies offer a free cancellation period. This can act as a safety net if your trip changes as you get closer to the date or if you get a better price after booking your car. But before deciding to cancel anything, check the terms and conditions of your reservation, as the cancellation period varies from one rental services Company to another.