7-day car rental has increased by 50% in the UK between winter 2021 and winter 2022

Summer vs Winter travel; Car rentals are 14% cheaper on average during the winter months

DiscoverCars.com has explored its internal data to visualise the difference in the cost of renting a car between the summer and winter seasons in 2022. They also looked back at the prices throughout 2021 for further comparison.

They analysed the cost difference between 2021 and 2022. To do this, they averaged the price of a 7-day, 5-day and 4-day rental in 80 different countries, islands and US states.

Comparing 2021 to 2022 

Firstly, they took a look at the overall price difference between 2021 and 2022, throughout both the summer and winter months. For summer, they analysed months from May to August, for winter, they analysed months from November to February.

Length of Rental	2021	2022	Increase
7 days	£251.80	£323.43	25%
5 days	£196.17	£259.04	27%
4 days	£160.04	£215.68	30%

The comparison shows an evident rise in car rental costs over the past twelve months. 

In particular, the price of 4-day rentals rose by 30% and saw an increase of £55.64 on average.

In 2021, the most expensive location for a 7-day rental during summer was Hawaii, costing £605.10 on average. By summer 2022, this figure has seen a slight decrease of 4% to £581.62.

Next, they examined the difference in costs between the summer of 2022 and the winter months (November 2022 to February 2023). 

Length of Rental	Summer 2022	Winter season 2022/2023	Decrease
7 days	£356.61	£290.25	21%
5 days	£274.77	£243.30	12%
4 days	£224.93	£206.43	9%

Summer months

As the table confirms, renting a car in the winter months is considerably cheaper than throughout summer, for several destinations. 

In Norway, the cost of a 7-day rental has decreased by 67% between summer 2022 and winter 2022, a reduction of £375.21.

The top five most expensive locations to rent a car for a week during summer 2022 are:

1. Iceland: £834.73
2. Norway: £744.81
3. Canada: £723.18
4. Ireland: £715.32
5. Switzerland: £685.64

The top five cheapest locations to rent a car for a week during summer 2022 are: 

1. Martinique: £172.30
2. Thailand: £177.63
3. Malta: £178.99
4. Canary Islands: £180.92
5. Brazil: £182.41

Winter months

As the table confirms, renting a car in the winter months is considerably cheaper than throughout summer, for a great number of destinations. 

Canada, one of the most expensive countries for 5-day rentals during summer (£531.85) has seen an astonishing decrease of 65% in price as the winter months began.

DiscoverCars.com looked at the most expensive and cheapest locations for renting a car (for four days) this winter, the top five most expensive locations are:

1. Martinique: £518.18
2. Hawaii: £446.67
3. Argentina: £436.92
4. Puerto Rico: £404.40
5. Belgium: £403.26

The top five cheapest locations for a 4-day rental this winter are:

1. Malta: £69.82
2. Balearic Islands: £70.99
3. Crete Island: £74.50
4. Greece: £78.06
5. Kosovo: £85.63

However, comparing car rental costs in winter 2021 to 2022 highlights a clear rise in prices. This included Canada where in 2021, a 5-day rental cost £191.67, fast forward 12 months and the same rental period will set you back £309.55, an increase of 47%.

Elsewhere, a 7-day rental in the UK throughout winter cost £277.63 in 2021 compared to this year’s price of £462.49, an increase of 50%.

Aleksandrs Buraks at DiscoverCars.com said: ”We found our exploration into our internal data really insightful when comparing the costs of renting a car during different parts of the year. It was also useful to note the average spent, which is 30% more compared to last year for 4-day rentals.

”Overall, we also found it valuable to highlight the difference in cost throughout the winter months. A vacation during the winter months is a great idea, you can see your favourite or a new location in a completely different way. Of course, travelling during winter will also be most likely more budget-friendly.”