Skyscanner home

Find the best car rental deals

Save big on car hire when you compare with Skyscanner

Find a cheap car hire deal

82% of our car hire deals have unlimited mileage

Book with confidence

Find car hire near you in 46,139 cities worldwide

Choose your pick-up spot

Hire a car with confidence

A few simple tips can help you feel confident about hiring a car. We work with more than 1,000 providers worldwide, so we know our stuff when it comes to car hire. Here's what's helpful to know when you compare car hire deals.

Driver age rules

Most drivers must be 21–25 to hire a car.

If you're wondering how old you have to be to rent a car, the exact car hire age limit depends on the provider and destination. Drivers under 25 might need to pay a young driver fee, and some larger or premium cars can have higher age restrictions.

Documents you need

Bring your driving licence and a credit card.

You'll need both at pick-up for the deposit. Most companies ask for a credit card, although some accept debit cards with conditions. In certain countries, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP), so it's worth checking before you travel.

Deposit and payment

A deposit is held on your card.

This isn't a charge, but an amount set aside while you have the car. You'll get it back after you return the vehicle with no damage, although it can take a few days to appear in your account.

Car hire insurance and excess

Insurance is included, but there's an excess.

Most car hire includes a collision damage waiver (CDW), which covers damage or theft. If something happens to the car, you need to pay a set amount known as the excess. You can add car hire excess insurance to cover that cost.

Fuel and mileage

Full-to-full is usually the best value.

You collect the car with a full tank and return it full, so you only pay for what you use. Some companies let you pay for fuel upfront or bring the car back empty, which can cost more. Rentals can include unlimited mileage, others limit the distance and charge for extra miles.

Optional extras

The price typically covers the car and one driver.

Child seats, additional drivers and sat navs are typically added separately and charged per day. Costs vary by location and can add up on longer hires. If you'll need any of these, check the total price before you book.

Car hire fast facts

Everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Highest rated providerEPTA

Find your ride with us: car hire FAQs

Car hire
Pretty much anywhere. We search car rental options in over 171,184 locations across 236 countries, including major airports, cities and popular holiday destinations. Whether you're picking up at the airport, exploring a new city or heading off on a road trip, you can compare car hire across Europe, the USA, Australia and beyond — all in one place.
It depends on the location. Picking up your car from the city can sometimes be cheaper, but airport car hire is more convenient when you've just landed. It's worth weighing up the price difference against the time and cost of travelling into the city.
Although it might be smoother and faster to hire a car with a credit card, these days most major providers like Sixt, Avis, Budget and Hertz let you hire a car with a debit card. You'll just need enough money on the card to cover a security deposit, though the amount can vary depending on the company and location.
You'll need a valid driving licence when you pick up the car. Car hire companies will also ask for a credit or debit card in the main driver's name for the deposit. If you're renting a car abroad, you might need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
The price you see advertised is the price we get from the car hire company. The final price you pay may change if you add optional extras like a child seat or an additional driver. We recommend double-checking the price and reading the company's policies before you book.
Yes. Many popular car hire providers, like Hertz and Europcar, offer one-way car hire, which means you pick up your car in one location and drop it off somewhere else. When searching on Skyscanner, simply select Return car to a different location and enter your drop-off location. You might need to pay an additional one-way fee depending on the provider and where you drop the car off.

Tip: If you're planning a road trip, one-way car hire means you don't have to drive back to where you started.
Of course! Whether you need a van to move furniture across Hamilton, or a passenger van for a group trip of up to 12 people, we've got you. You can search and compare van hire prices and filter by seats or luggage space to find the one you need. Not every car hire provider offers vans, but you can usually get them from larger rental companies and in most city locations.
Yes — most car hire companies offer same-day rental, especially in airports and larger cities. Just search for car hire near you and set the pick-up time for today's date to find what's available.
Of course! Most car hire companies offer longer rentals, including monthly bookings. Just set your pick-up and return dates for the month you need and search to compare deals. And here's an insider tip: it can work out cheaper to rent a car for a full month. Some car hire companies try to save costs and avoid short bookings, so they can offer discounts or even free days between two longer bookings.
You can hire an electric car from most major car hire providers, though availability can vary depending on the location and time of year. Use the filters when searching on Skyscanner to find electric vehicle (EV) car hire in Hamilton. If you're planning to book an electric car, it's a good idea to book early, as availability can sometimes be limited.

Ready to plan a trip?

Start planning your road trip