Holiday money

A new study has found that the cost of a week’s car hire can vary by hundreds of pounds

Drivers hiring a car abroad could be paying far more than they need to if they don’t do their due diligence before booking. A new study has found that the cost of a week’s car hire can vary by hundreds of pounds depending on which rental company customers choose.

The biggest difference was uncovered in Dubrovnik, where a medium compact car – such as a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus – cost as little as £261 with one provider but £871 with another. That is a £610 difference, meaning the most expensive deal was 234% more than the cheapest.

The research, by iCarhireinsurance.com, compared prices from Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt for the period from July 25 to August 1, 2026. It looked at seven popular holiday destinations, including Dubrovnik in Croatia, Faro in Portugal, Milan, Nice, Crete, Barcelona and Dalaman in Turkey.

How much could you save by shopping around?

Destination – Cheapest – Most expensive – Difference

Dubrovnik – £261 – £871 – £610

Faro – £390 – £796 – £406

Milan – £373 – £547 – £174

Dalaman – £337 – £487 – £150

Nice – £301 – £401 – £100

Crete – £344 – £423 – £79

Barcelona – £257 – £315 – £58

Faro had the second biggest gap, with prices ranging from £390 to £796 – a difference of £406. In Milan, the difference was £174, with prices ranging from £373 to £547, while in Dalaman there was a £150 gap between £337 and £487.

Even in Nice, where the difference was smaller, holidaymakers could save £100 by choosing the cheapest deal rather than the most expensive. Across all seven destinations, the average cheapest price was £323, compared with an average highest price of £549 – a difference of £226, or around 70%.

But the rental price is not the only cost holidaymakers need to watch. The study found that common extras could add another £391 to the bill if customers bought them all.

An additional driver cost £68 on average for a week, while a sat nav added an average of £76. A week’s super damage waiver excess protection cost an average of £196, while separate tyre and windscreen excess cover added another £51.

The excess is the amount a driver could be liable to pay if a hire car is damaged or stolen. In the study, the average excess was more than £1,600.

Holidaymakers are therefore being urged to look beyond the initial headline price when comparing car hire deals and check exactly what is included. Ben Wooltorton, of iCarhireinsurance.com, said: “It can be easy to assume that car hire prices will be broadly similar, but our research shows just how much they can vary between rental companies.

“Taking a few minutes to compare prices before booking could save a significant amount. It’s also important to look beyond the headline rental price. Extras can quickly add to the cost, and one easy saving is buying a standalone excess reimbursement policy in advance from a specialist provider.”

A standalone excess reimbursement policy from iCarhireinsurance.com costs from £33.15 for an eight-day European trip, according to the company, while an annual European policy starts from £41.99 for eligible customers.

The research was based on quotes for a medium compact car, such as a VW Golf or Ford Focus, from six major rental companies across the seven destinations.

Families should be aware of some important rules before they travel

Heathrow has issued a summer travel update telling families they can now benefit from a major change to Britain’s airport border controls.

The airport said: “Get ready for easier arrivals for families. Children aged 8 and 9 will now be able to use the eGates. They will need to have an eligible passport and be travelling with an adult”. The change could prove a welcome boost for parents returning to Britain from their summer holidays – potentially cutting the time they spend queuing at passport control.

Children aged eight and nine can use UK eGates, bringing them into line with older children who are already eligible to use the automated border gates.

But there is an important catch. The youngsters must have an eligible passport, be travelling with an adult and, under the Government’s rules, be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall.

The change came into force on July 8, just as the summer holiday travel season was getting into full swing. And the Government estimates that up to 1.5 million more children could become eligible to use eGates over the next year.

For parents facing the prospect of tired youngsters after a long flight, the prospect of avoiding a lengthy passport-control queue could be particularly welcome. Heathrow has urged passengers travelling with younger children to check airport signage or speak to staff if they are unsure which lane they should use.

What parents need to know

The expanded eGate access applies to eight and nine-year-olds who meet the requirements.

They must:

• Be aged eight or nine
• Be at least 120cm tall
• Have an eligible passport
• Be travelling with an adult

The Government says the change covers more than 290 eGates across the UK and at so-called juxtaposed ports, where British border checks are carried out in Europe. Millions of passengers already use eGates each year.

The Government says using one typically takes only a few minutes – and increasing the number of people who can use them should also help reduce queues for passengers who still need to go through staffed passport control.

Major change for families

The move was announced by the Home Office in May as part of a wider programme to transform the UK’s border system. Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp said: “Travel with young children can be stressful for parents.”

He said expanding eGate access would allow more families to have a “swifter and smoother journey home” while keeping Britain’s borders secure.

Border Force Director General Phil Douglas said eGates were an “essential part” of keeping the border secure.

He said the expansion would deliver safe and smooth journeys while freeing officers to concentrate on intercepting people who pose a threat to the UK.

Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, welcomed the change, saying it would give more families the opportunity to use the technology and could reduce waiting times.

Part of wider border overhaul

The change comes alongside the Government’s wider push to modernise Britain’s borders. The Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme has also been introduced for eligible travellers, with almost 25 million ETAs issued, according to Government figures.

The longer-term ambition is for a more “contactless” border, with facial comparison technology being used to verify travellers’ identities.

Money Saving Expert – MSE – is founded by Martin Lewis

Money Saving Expert (MSE) has urged people to visit Boots before boarding the plane. While talking about easyJet specifically – although it may work for any airline – MSE urge people to “avoid sky-high food prices” and “pack a mile-high picnic instead.” They explain on their easyJet tips blog: “Mid-air picnics are perfectly within the rules. It’s only liquids over 100ml that are banned for security reasons.”

Because of this, MSE, founded by Martin Lewis, writes: “When we checked, an Easyjet meal deal (sandwich, soft drink and snack) cost £9.75. Even at inflated airport prices, a Boots meal deal is around £5.” MSE’s blog was updated on July 27, 2026, easyJet’s prices are subject to change.

Finding that a meal deal at Boots or other supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Tesco, or Morrisons could be cheaper than what you get on board the plane, it notes that “bringing your own food may mean you win on taste as well as price” – and it doesn’t have to be boring, either.

You can make it part of the holiday by tailoring it to your destination. Think chorizo and olives for Spain, cold pizza for Italy, sausages and sauerkraut for Germany. The list is endless.

Save your pennies by planning ahead, says MSE as part of its pre-holiday tips list. Picking up snacks in advance can work out far cheaper than paying airline prices, or even the cost of food and drink in the shops after security.

30 days

In further helpful advice, the MSE team have said that easyJet passengers can check in earlier than most. And it could help people secure a better seat.

It explains: “Unlike other airlines, Easyjet lets you check in and allocates you a seat 30 days before you fly, free. You’ll have to pay if you want a specific seat, but the earlier you check in, the more likely it is that you get allocated a better seat.

“If you don’t want to take the risk and would prefer to reserve a seat when you book, Easyjet charges “from 99p” for a basic seat on a short flight. We’ve seen it cost up to £39.99 to stretch out in the front row on a longer trip (for a list of costs, see Easyjet’s fees and charges).”

Whether you’re paying for a seat or using the free check-in 30 days before, passengers are urged not to leave it to the last minute. By then, many seats may already be taken, increasing the chances you’ll end up separated from your family, partner or friends.

MSE concludes: “The best bet is to check in online (and secure your seats) as early as possible.”

For a full list of easyJet tips and tricks, visit the MSE blog here.

Turning up at the hotel check-in desk straight away might be harming your chances of getting a more premium holiday experience

Checking into your holiday at the earliest possible opportunity might seem like the savvy move at first, but it could be ruining your chances of getting a luxury hotel room free-of-charge. According to industry analysis from travel experts, checking-in during a specific 90-minute window could be the ultimate strategy.

Graziano Gagliardi at Private Italy Tour claims that turning up at the front desk between 4.30pm and 6pm gives reception staff a much clearer picture of the premium suites that remain available. Arriving too early, say 2pm for instance, means housekeeping is likely still preparing and cleaning rooms, which leaves workers unable to confirm what higher-tier options are unoccupied for the night.

Gagliardi said: “If standard check-in begins at 2pm or 3pm, arriving immediately may not give you the best chance of an upgrade. Housekeeping may still be preparing rooms, while reception staff may not yet know which guests are arriving, cancelling or requesting changes.

“By around 4.30pm, the hotel usually has a much clearer picture of its room availability. If a larger room, a better view or a higher category is likely to remain empty, staff may have more flexibility to offer it.”

Turning up extremely late can also backfire, he claims, particularly at smaller boutique properties that operate limited front desk hours. He said: “Turning up at 10pm without warning is not a clever upgrade trick. If you expect to arrive late, always notify the hotel in advance.”

Holidaymakers booking shorter stays of one or two nights stand a significantly higher chance of being bumped up to a better class of room. Terms outlined by major hotel chains like Hilton confirm that complimentary upgrades strictly depend on space being continuously available for the entire duration of a guest’s stay.

A similar policy is enforced by Marriott, which explicitly states that room improvements are determined upon physical arrival at the front desk. Experts warn that travellers should remain realistic, as an upgrade often means securing a quieter location, higher floor, or better balcony view rather than the top luxury suite.

To maximise your chances, Private Italy Tour recommends using a specific phrase to politely ask front desk staff without sounding overly demanding or entitled. The travel guru suggests asking: “I understand it depends entirely on availability, but if there are any complimentary upgrades available this evening, I would be very grateful to be considered.”

Joining a hotel’s free membership scheme prior to travel can also boost your odds, as many major operators prioritize enrolled guests for empty premium spaces. However, guidelines published by Hilton Honors clarify that simply signing up does not guarantee a better room without holding eligible membership status or rates.

Guests celebrating genuine milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons are advised to notify the hotel a few days before their arrival date. Mentioning a real special occasion often encourages reception teams to offer a complimentary perk or a room improvement.

Finally, the experts strongly warn holidaymakers against manufacturing fake complaints or inventing faults with their original room just to pressure staff into moving them. Dishonesty is far more likely to harm your chances than help them, meaning a polite, well-timed request during that crucial 90-minute window remains your absolute best bet.