Europe's best-value holiday spots of 2026, revealed

Finding a budget-friendly getaway doesn’t have to be complicated - and neither should keeping transport costs down. Using recent data from the car hire comparison platform CarJet, we’ve pinpointed destinations with the lowest car hire prices and standout value for your summer holiday.

Low-cost travel locations

The simplest route to a budget holiday is choosing a destination where daily costs - meals, activities, and getting around - stay low. Central resorts and hotels often come with premium price tags. Instead, opt for beautiful, less touristy corners of Europe where you can set your own pace and avoid mark-ups.

Here are four top European spots for wallet-friendly car hire, so you can build an affordable road trip with total freedom.

Malta

Malta delivers year-round sun, clear waters, fascinating history, and vibrant nightlife at a surprisingly low price. A hire car unlocks the island’s best-kept secrets - secluded coves, photogenic cliffs, and snorkelling spots far from the crowds.

Public transport can be slow and doesn’t always reach hidden beaches, so driving gives you flexibility and will save you time. With competitively priced rentals, you can cover the whole island, chase sunsets, and shape each day around your plans - not a timetable.

Rzeszow

Set in southeastern Poland, Rzeszow is ideal for a quiet city break or longer, great-value escape. Summer brings open-air concerts and family-friendly festivals; winter offers snowy charm, twinkling lights, and distinctive Christmas markets. The surrounding Subcarpathian region is rich with castles and heritage sites best reached by car.

Compared with better-known European cities, Rzeszow remains an affordable gem - uncrowded, authentic, and perfect for stretching your budget.

Faro

Faro, gateway to Portugal’s Algarve, is the launchpad for a spectacular coastal drive - golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and scenic viewpoints at every turn. Beyond the shoreline, the walled old town offers culture and value for money.

Public transport works for city hops, but a hire car unlocks hidden coves, quieter villages, and sunrise viewpoints. Consider booking an SUV for extra comfort and space on winding coastal roads - it can transform a good trip into a great one.

Crete

Greece’s largest island packs in beaches, gorges, ancient sites, mountain villages, and superb local food - often at lower prices than hotspots like Santorini or Mykonos. Distances are large, so a hire car is the best way to see more in less time.

Drive on your schedule to standout spots such as Elafonisi Beach, known for pink-tinted sand and turquoise waters, or venture inland to traditional tavernas and scenic plateaus beyond bus routes.

Why having your own car wins over public transport

If you’re travelling as a couple, family or group, sharing a hire car often beats the combined cost of individual bus or train tickets - especially for airport transfers and day trips. A car also gives you convenience: shop at supermarkets, picnic at viewpoints, and detour to villages and beaches that rarely appear on public timetables.

Start early, arrive before the crowds, and stack more experiences into each day without waiting for connections.

CarJet secures the lowest car hire prices

Booking with CarJet keeps planning simple and costs low. A major European car hire comparison site, CarJet searches hundreds of local and international providers to compare real-time prices and stock. You get transparent rates with no hidden fees, clear fuel and deposit policies, and support if you need it - via the online Customer Service Area, the Virtual Assistant, or by calling +34 964 83 09 95.

For the best deal, book early: locking in your car in advance typically secures the lowest rates and widest choice of vehicles.

Book now at carjet.com