Car Hire Prices for Easter 2025: A Quick Look
Ready to get behind the wheel for your spring escape? A fresh study shows that renting a compact car this Easter is a little less pricey than last year, and a lot cheaper than a couple of years ago.
Prices are dropping, and for good reason
- Average cost this Easter: £283 (down from £311 in 2024).
- That’s only 9% less than last year’s roll‑up, and a full 25% above 2019’s average of £226.
Where to Find the Best Deals
Five of Europe’s must‑visit Easter spots were checked – Barcelona, Milan, Larnaca, Nice, and Tenerife – across six big rental names (Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz & Sixt). The results? Turns out Tenerife is still the king of bargains, with some weeks sliding down to just £106 for a compact.
- Tenerife: £156 a week, 37% cheaper than 2024.
- Barcelona: £312 a week, 8% cheaper than 2024.
- Nice: £494 a week, 23% cheaper than 2024.
- Milan: £369 a week, 9% MORE than 2024.
- Larnaca: £221 a week, 34% higher than last year.
The Hidden Extras that Drain Your Wallet
Don’t let that eye‑catching quote slip into a nightmare. Add‑ons can boost the cost dramatically.
- Car hire excess protection: £148 for the week.
- Tyres & windscreen protection: £54.
- Extra driver: £84.
- Sat nav rental: £83.
- Child car seat: £67.
On the example of a £156 weekly quote in Tenerife, you could pay up to £592 when all extras are added – more than triple the original price.
What You Can Do Instead
Instead of paying triple at the counter, consider these smart hacks:
- Bring your own GPS and child seat.
- Buy stand‑alone excess protection from a specialist insurer (e.g., at £33.15 for a week).
- Protect against theft, damage, and tyre woes for a flat rate.
Sir Ben Wooltorton, from iCarhireinsurance.com, says a little planning goes a long way: “You can spend less than £100 in Tenerife, but the extras can blow that up. Bringing in your own tech and hedging with a specialist policy saves you a lot of unexpected cash.”
Summary Table (Easter, Medium Compact)
| City | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | £256 | £530 | £284 | £312 | £287 | ↓8% |
| Nice | £271 | £470 | £519 | £494 | £381 | ↓23% |
| Tenerife | £155 | £345 | £257 | £247 | £156 | ↓37% |
| Larnaca | £146 | £362 | £227 | £165 | £221 | ↑34% |
| Milan | £304 | £571 | £580 | £339 | £369 | ↑9% |
Plan smart, keep extras under control, and enjoy a smooth ride this Easter.
