Ibiza ranks third in Europe for summer car rental costs

A new Cheapcarrental.com survey finds Ibiza is among Europe’s priciest places to rent a car this summer, with the island’s average weekly price for the cheapest available vehicle far above many other popular destinations. The findings highlight wide price gaps across Europe and could affect holiday budgets for travelers heading to Spain’s Balearic Islands.

Why it matters: - Ibiza’s high rental prices add another cost pressure for summer travelers heading to one of Europe’s most popular holiday islands. - The survey shows that car rental prices can vary sharply by destination, with some beach and city breaks costing hundreds of euros more than others. - Budget-conscious travelers may need to compare airport pickup options before booking trips in peak season.

What happened: - Cheapcarrental.com surveyed car rental prices across 60 European destinations for August 2026. - The analysis used each destination’s main airport as the pickup and drop-off point. - Ibiza ranked third most expensive, with an average weekly rate of €597 for the cheapest available rental car. - Tromsø in northern Norway ranked first at €821 per week.

The details: - Cagliari ranked second at €634 per week. - Ireland West ranked fourth at €532 per week. - Oslo ranked fifth at €516 per week. - Reykjavik ranked sixth at €515 per week. - Menorca ranked seventh at €504 per week. - Bordeaux ranked eighth at €455 per week. - Edinburgh ranked ninth at €441 per week. - Cardiff ranked tenth at €439 per week. - Mallorca was notably cheaper than the other Balearic islands at €235 per week. - Alicante, Malaga and Tenerife were among the least expensive destinations, with rental cars available for below €150 per week. - The published prices reflect average weekly rates for the most affordable rental car available between August 1 and August 31, 2026. - More information is available in the full survey results.

Between the lines: - The Balearic Islands are not uniform on price, with Ibiza and Menorca far costlier than Mallorca. - Northern and island destinations dominate the top of the list, suggesting tight supply or higher seasonal demand can push up prices. - The spread between the most expensive destination and lower-cost Spanish leisure spots is wide enough to materially change trip budgets.

What's next: - Travelers booking late-summer trips will likely continue to face the highest prices in destinations with limited fleet availability. - Holidaymakers heading to Ibiza and Menorca may need to book earlier or consider alternatives to control costs. - More pricing shifts are likely as August travel demand peaks across Europe.