How to choose a car for your vacation

If your next trip is already taking shape, it is worth knowing how much easier travel across Europe becomes once you factor in a rental car, since so many of the best places on this continent sit within easy reach of each other.

Renting the right vehicle means you get to see everything on the list and make the most of the trip, rather than working around the limits of public transport. Choice keeps growing too, so there is usually a class of car that fits almost any plan.

What Kind of Car Do You Need

For everything to run smoothly, the car itself needs to match the trip. Where you are headed and how many people are travelling with you both shape which class actually makes sense.

A car that is perfect for a solo city break can feel cramped and impractical for a family heading into the mountains, so it is worth thinking this through before you book rather than after you arrive.

The good news is that the choice usually comes down to a handful of clear categories, each suited to a fairly obvious kind of trip.

The sections below break each one down, so you can match the car to the holiday rather than the other way around.

Small and Economical Cars

Smaller cars manoeuvre easily through busy streets and make finding a parking space noticeably less stressful, which matters most in older city centres with narrow lanes and limited spots.

Prices tend to be lower simply because the car itself is smaller, and fuel economy is usually better too, particularly with a two-door model, which often costs less to rent in the first place.

Look for something that is compact on the outside but still large enough for one proper suitcase, and our economy class rental cars are built with exactly this kind of trip in mind.

This class works best for city breaks, short hops between nearby towns, or anyone travelling light rather than covering long distances with a full boot of luggage.

Medium-Sized Cars

Medium-sized cars are consistently the most popular choice, and competition between rental companies usually keeps them well priced. They comfortably fit two or three larger suitcases, which a smaller car simply cannot manage.

This class is less suited to the very largest, most congested cities, but works well for a medium-sized city and the towns around it, and it is a natural fit for two couples travelling together.

Our compact class rental cars suit slightly tighter budgets and narrower streets, while our standard class rental cars add a bit more space for luggage and legroom without moving up to a full sized SUV.

SUVs for More Remote Destinations

If your accommodation is a country villa or somewhere genuinely off the beaten track, transport needs a bit more thought, since even the most beautiful settings can be cut off from the nearest town.

An SUV lets you explore the surroundings properly, without worrying about getting stuck on a sandy track near an empty beach or a rough unpaved road further inland.

Most models comfortably seat up to five without anyone feeling cramped, and the extra boot space makes it easy to bring more luggage or set off on an impromptu day trip further afield. Our SUV rental options cover exactly this kind of holiday.

Minivans for Bigger Groups

Minivans suit long journeys best, particularly the kind of trip that crosses a large stretch of the country in one go rather than staying in a single area.

Travelling with the whole family, including children and the extra luggage that comes with them, is where this class genuinely earns its keep, and our minivan rental options are built with exactly this kind of trip in mind.

For a longer family holiday by the coast, our notes on planning a family holiday by the sea cover a few more practical details worth thinking through in advance.

The extra seats and boot space mean nobody has to choose between bringing the beach gear and having room to actually sit comfortably.

Watch for Current Offers and Promotions

Before you book, it is worth checking whatever offer a rental company is currently running, since companies often adjust their conditions to steer demand toward a particular class of vehicle.

Taking advantage of this can stretch your travel budget noticeably further, especially if the class on offer happens to suit your trip anyway. Our current rental prices page is the easiest place to see what is available right now.

It is also worth reading our ten tips when renting a car for a few more ways to get the most out of your booking, whatever class you end up choosing.

You can compare all of the options and book a rental car in Bulgaria directly, and our frequently asked questions about car rental page covers anything else before you confirm.