Car Hire Bargains as Prices Drop Across Popular Holiday Destinations

CHESTER, England, February 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Research shows savings of up to 45* per cent across popular destinations
• Prices down by an average of 34 per cent across Spanish favourites in Whit week
• TravelSupermarket recommends booking ahead to get the best deals

New research from TravelSupermarket has revealed that car hire is now up to 45 per cent cheaper than two years ago for key holiday periods in 2012. Car hire prices across Malaga, Alicante, Murcia, Palma, Tenerife and Faro all saw a drop in price from 2010 across Easter and Whit Week, with six of the eight also offering significant discounts in August.

The biggest savings were found during Whit week where prices were an average 26 per cent cheaper across the eight destinations. Car hire in Spain is a huge 34 per cent cheaper during the popular holiday week in 2012 compared to the same time in 2010, when booking on TravelSupermarket. The lowest price for a mini economy car in Malaga is £63.89 for eight days, a saving of 44 per cent on 2010 prices. This works out less that £8 per day.  A medium family car in Alicante is £82.59, a huge £66.30 (45 per cent) cheaper than two years before.

In August, a peak holiday time for families, there is a similar story, with prices on average 17 per cent lower than in 2010, whilst Spanish destinations came in at a significant 27 per cent cheaper than two years ago. Only Heathrow (one per cent) and Nice (two per cent) showed marginal increases in the peak month of August. The start price for a people carrier in Palma is £186.11 for a week, 40 per cent cheaper than in 2010. A family car in Faro starts at £238.06, a significant £103.12 (30 per cent) cheaper than in 2010.

Finally, it might only be a matter of weeks away but the Easter period also offers strong reductions. Overall, prices were down by almost eight per cent, with Spain and its islands 22 per cent cheaper than in 2010. A mini economy car in Palma is available from £85.00 this Easter compared to £128.60 two years ago, a saving of 33 per cent. Start price for a large family car in Tenerife is £127.35, 40 per cent cheaper than in 2010 when the same car cost £211.62.

Average savings across popular destinations:

                                               Average       Average
                            Average saving   savings at    savings in
          Destination        at Easter (%)    Whit (%)     August (%)
            Malaga                25             35            26
           Alicante               23             34            32
            Murcia                29             35            22
             Palma                12             42            31
           Tenerife               20             15            20
             Faro                  4             37             2
           Heathrow               22              2            -1
             Nice                 34              9            -2
            Average                8             26            17
      Average of Spanish
       destinations and
            islands               22             34            27

Easter - 2010 - 2012 (27 March - 3 April 10 vs. 7 April - 14 April 12), Whit - 2010 - 2012 (29 May 10 - 5 June 10 vs. 2 June - 9 June 12), Dates differ due to bank holidays, August - 2010 - 2012 (7 - 14 Aug 2010, 4 - 11 Aug 2012)

Prices sources 1 Feb 2010 and 13 Feb 2012, All 8 days car hire, airport to airport.

Sample savings  

     Destination and                                              Difference
         car type       2010 price   2012 price  Difference (%)     (GBP)
       Mini economy
 
      Palma, Easter     GBP128.60     GBP85.00        33%          GBP42.82
       Large family
 
     Tenerife, Easter   GBP211.62    GBP127.35        40%          GBP84.27
       Mini economy
 
       Malaga, Whit     GBP114.73     GBP63.89        44%          GBP50.84
      Medium Family
 
      Alicante, Whit    GBP148.89     GBP82.59        45%          GBP66.30
      People carrier
 
      Palma, August     GBP312.00    GBP186.11        40%         GBP125.89
       Large family
 
       Faro, August     GBP341.18    GBP238.06        30%         GBP103.12

Bob Atkinson, travel expert from TravelSupermarket commented: "This research offers great news for holidaymakers who may have either not yet booked their holiday car hire or have been put off hiring a car altogether in fear of high prices and trying to reign in family travel expenditure.

"This year, the Spanish mainland and its islands, in particular, are significantly cheaper than two years ago. The changes in prices are due to the effects of the credit crunch on fleets plus changes in demand; however, these low prices are current and are likely to go up as more people leave it late to make their main holiday bookings. So if you have already reserved your holiday now is the time to book your car hire and the easiest way to do that is using a comparison site like TravelSupermarket. You will save a packet and guarantee your car, giving you the ultimate freedom on your trip."

Bob Atkinson's booking tips:

• Book early to secure the car type you want.
• Buying ahead is always cheaper than walking up, plus by comparing prices you may find you can afford a larger vehicle than you originally had in mind
• Economy cars can be sometimes cheaper than mini economy so search all car types not just the smallest in order to get the best price
• And don't forget to maximise your saving by buying car hire excess insurance to save even more money PLUS getting better protection than policy reductions offered when you pick your car up.

Notes to Editors:

* A medium family car in Alicante in Whit week is £82.59 vs. £148.89 in 2010. A saving of £66.30 or 45 per cent

About TravelSupermarket

TravelSupermarket is an online comparison service where customers can find the best value travel options for their needs and purchase over the internet. The website compares flights, car hire, hotels, cruise, package holidays plus dynamic packaging by searching hundreds of travel websites. The information supplied is unbiased and is designed to save the customer time and money.

The site thrives on offering its users accurate real time availability by taking information directly from suppliers such as Opodo, British Airways, Thomas Cook, Radisson, Sol Melia, easyCar, Auto-Europe and many more, ensuring users are presented the best possible price at all times. It searches:

• Over 650 scheduled, low cost and charter airlines from 39 individual suppliers
• Over 200,000 individual hotels from over 42 individual hotel suppliers
• Over 200 individual car hire providers from over 21 suppliers
• 1,000s of individual package holidays from over 34 suppliers

Additionally, travelsupermarket.com also compares prices on travel insurance and on airport car parking.

TravelSupermarket is part of the Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC.

http://www.moneysupermarket.com is a website where consumers can compare personal finance products, save money and apply online. The website has several service areas including personal loans, credit cards, mortgages, current accounts, savings accounts, motor insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, health insurance, mobile phones, broadband and shopping.

For further press information contact:
Emma Morris
TravelSupermarket
emma.morris@travelsupermarket.com
+44(0)1244-220-671