Tips for finding the best rent a car Lahore:
Finding a good rent a car lahore in the holidays gives you the flexibility to travel in your way. Whether you’d like to visit a luxury shopping mall, taking a walk in a park or walk away from tourist areas, having a rental car will make life a lot easier.
You won’t have to decipher the complex bus and train schedules. You won’t be limited to those places that can be visited on foot. And you won’t have to pay for the taxi ride to return to civilization.
The problem is that, sometimes renting a car in Lahore may not be as easy as you expected. Making the reservation and making sure you have the right coverage, without overpaying, can be complicated. Don’t worry. Our tips will help you save on every car you rent.
Check prices in several offices until you find the cheapest rental option
Most car rental companies in Lahore have multiple offices in the same destination, and prices can vary dramatically from one to the other. For example, if you are in Lahore and plan to travel to Islamabad this summer, you will save 30 per cent if you book at the airport instead of at the terminal or in the city centre. You’re more likely to find a cheap rental car if you use a wider search (for example, if you select Lahore, instead of Lahore Airport, from the drop-down menu).
Picking the car in the city could be cheaper, as you would save you airport fees. However, you may find cheaper offers at the airport, as due to the increased presence of rental companies, prices are more competitive.
What is the best time to book your rental car?
Although waiting at the last minute (24-48 hours earlier) is usually more expensive and less options to choose from (compared to booking more in advance), we know that most travelers usually make their reservation in the previous four weeks. In fact, 57.40 per cent of Pakistani travellers book their rental car less than four weeks before traveling, while 12 per cent do so on the same day as a trip or the day before. For the most watered, the good news is that there are still great offers in some popular destinations for this summer:
Sometimes, getting a good rental car offer in lahore is as simple as adjusting the pick-up time. Prices can be higher in rush hour (for example, after landing a big flight). Try to hold back an hour. If the price drops markedly, it may be worth having a coffee at the airport to make time, and so you’ll avoid the crowd.
Don’t pay the fuel in advance
The prepaid fuel is one of the hidden costs of rental cars in Lahore. These are the options in which you pick up the car with the full tank and deliver it empty. The charge for a full tank of fuel will often be far higher than it would cost to fill the tank at a local gas station, and it is also unlikely you can deliver the car with the tank completely empty.
To avoid these kinds of charges, choose cars with a full-full policy. You’d pick up the car with the full tank and deliver it in the same conditions. Look for the nearest gas station to the airport before embarking on the return journey and book enough time to fill the tank. If you don’t, you’ll have to pay the rental company’s fuel prices, and you may even be penalized with an extra charge.
Request a category improvement
Once at the pickup point, don’t hesitate to put your best smile and apply for a higher-class vehicle for the same price. This is more common than you think. Knowing how to drive automatic cars will be of great help in this case, as many premium vehicles have this type of transmission. With a smile, a nice tone and a positive attitude, maybe you can get it.
If you are offered a category upgrade in exchange for a surcharge, do not hesitate to haggle. In this case, you will need to know how much the highest-ranking vehicle would have cost you if you had personally booked it. That way, you’ll know if you’re getting a good offer or if, on the contrary, they’re just trying to sell you out – a more expensive option.
Some car rental companies in Lahore usually reward their most loyal customers. If you visit a certain holiday spot frequently, get used to booking with the same rental company and mention that you are a regular customer at the time of the car. Who knows?
Finally, avoid these traps
There are some traps in which it is very easy to fall if you are not a regular car rental user:
- Watch out for cancellation fees. Unforeseen delays and last-minute plan changes may end up with an expense if the car rental company has strict cancellation fees.
- Read the rental conditions before booking. Read the small print to avoid surprise expenses that end up turning a bargain into a prohibitive rent.
- Take photos of the interior and outside of the rental vehicle before leaving. As impatient as you are about to start your vacation, having evidence that the vehicle was in certain damage at the time of picking it up will save you many headaches when delivering it.
- Make sure you record all the damage on the form. If you look at any damage, make sure it’s registered. This could save you a lot of headaches by coming home.
