How WizzAir and Ryanair affect demand for cars outside the airport

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) like WizzAir and Ryanair have changed travel in Europe: more short stays, more spontaneous weekends away and more point-to-point connections to places that were once off the tourist trail. This is directly reflected in where and how tourists rent cars. In this article, we explain why off-airport rentals (city centers, hotels, transport hubs) are becoming increasingly important, when it makes sense, and what trends will impact prices and availability in 2025/2026.

What does “off-airport car rental” mean?

Off-airport rental is any pick-up or drop-off of a vehicle outside the airport area – typically:

• downtown/city
• near the main station (train/bus)
• near a hotel, convention center or business zone
• at regional branches (e.g. near tourist locations)

Why is it a topic for LCCs (WizzAir, Ryanair)

The LCC model is based on high turnover, strong price sensitivity and short stays. This leads to three changes in tourist behavior:

• quick “city break” stays (1–3 nights) often without the need for a car immediately after arrival
• combining transport (flight + public transport + car for 1–2 days)
• shift of demand to the city: they only pick up a car when they are actually going “out of town” (e.g. Tatras, castles, thermal baths, vineyards)

How WizzAir and Ryanair are changing travel in Slovakia (specific data)

Slovakia is a typical example of a market where the growing number of routes and capacities can change the demand for mobility in a short time.

Bratislava Airport (BTS) - passenger growth and strengthening of LCC

Bratislava Airport has grown at a rapid pace after the pandemic. For context (total checked-in passengers):

• 2023: 1,813,660
• 2024: 1,948,008
• 2025: 2,438,215 (+490,207 y-o-y, approximately +25%)

Key moment for demand outside Bratislava airport:

• WizzAir opened its new base in Bratislava and increased the number of routes from 2 to 16 in 2025.
• Ryanair has long been one of the most important carriers at BTS (and in 2024 was the largest airline at the airport).

Košice (KSC) – growth of the east and more reasons to “rent a car in the city”

Košice and eastern Slovakia are increasingly interesting for tourists and business travelers.

• 2024: 739,010 passengers (a record in the airport's history)
• 2025: 827,798 passengers (the third record year in a row)

Why is this important for off-airport rentals:

• Visitors often come for 2–4 days and only deal with the car according to the program (city vs. trips)
• The growth of charters and regular lines increases seasonality (summer, holidays), which is reflected in car availability and prices
• Tourism in Slovakia (2025) - more guests = more "last mile"

According to the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, accommodation facilities reached approximately 5.4 million guests in the first ten months of 2025 (+6.6% year-on-year) - so tourism is approaching pre-2019 levels.

Why demand shifts from airport to city (mechanism in practice)

This is the crux of the matter: LCCs don’t just bring more people, they change the time, place and motivation for renting.

1) Price sensitivity of LCC passengers

A passenger who is looking for a flight ticket for €19–49 is typically sensitive to comparing additional services. Airport rentals are often more expensive due to:

• airport operating fees (concessions, rent, infrastructure)
• higher fixed costs and longer opening hours

Example from practice: in a NerdWallet (USA) analysis, airport rentals were on average ~18% more expensive than off-airport rentals. In Europe, the difference varies by country and airport, but the principle is the same: the airport is a premium location.

2) Short stay + car only for part of the trip

A city break often follows this scenario:

• day 1: arrival, check-in, city centre on foot/public transport
• day 2: trip out of town (car for 24–48 hours)
• day 3: return and departure

Result: it is worth renting a car only in the city centre and only for the days when it is actually used.

3) Airports are not always “where the experience begins”

Especially in the regions:

• tourists arrive in the evening and do not want to deal with the car right away
• they want to pick up the car at the hotel or in the city centre (comfort, easier navigation)
• in the case of business: companies prefer to have the vehicle delivered to the office or to a specific location

Solution Comparison: Airport vs. City vs. Delivery

Quick Decision Table

When is the airport still the best choice

• if you have small people/lots of luggage and want to get going immediately
• if you are arriving outside of business hours and need 24/7 pickup
• if your destination is out of town and you want to minimize transfers

When does renting in the city usually win

• if you are spending your first day downtown
• if you only need the car for sightseeing (1–2 days)
• if you want to compare the total price (including airport surcharges)

How LCCs are specifically increasing demand for regional charters

1) More point-to-point passengers

Ryanair and WizzAir are strong in direct routes between cities. This generates demand for charters mainly:

• in city centers (people live in the center)
• in regional branches (people go "to nature", not to the airport)

2) More combined itineraries

Typical itineraries for flights to Bratislava/Košice:

• Bratislava → Tatras/Orava/Liptov
• Košice → Slovak Paradise/Tokaj/Low Tatras
• Bratislava as a gateway to the region (wine, spas, castles)

A car is often the "second stage" of a trip - therefore the importance of branches outside the airport is growing.

3) Seasonality and peaks by flight days

LCC flight schedule peaks in practice spill over into:

• Friday–Sunday (weekend flights)
• holidays and school holidays
• summer season and charter waves

This increases pressure on:

• fleet availability outside the airport
• price of last-minute rentals
• logistics of car transfers between branches

Practical advice for tourists (to save money and avoid surprises)

Before booking

• Compare the total price (including fees, deposit, insurance)
• Check if winter equipment is included (depending on the season) and what the rules are for chains
• Check the cross-border rules (if you are planning Austria/Hungary/Czech Republic)

When choosing a pick-up location

• City break: consider picking up in the city center the next day
• Family + luggage: often the airport is worth it
• Events and business: consider delivery to the address

Tips for planning your time

• If you are arriving in the evening, it is often more convenient to pick up the car in the city in the morning
• If you are departing early in the morning, consider returning it to a location that suits your logistics (hotel/city center/airport)

2026 Trends That Will Matter for Prices and Availability

1) Capacity Growth and New Routes = Higher Peak Times

As carriers open new routes and increase capacity, short-term demand for cars grows faster than fleets (especially in peak periods).

2) Greater emphasis on “city” branches and hotel partnerships

In Europe, there is a trend towards strengthening city centers and transport hubs. An example from abroad: Sixt, when expanding in the UK, listed significantly more downtown branches than airport branches – reflecting the growth in demand outside the airport.

3) Dynamic pricing and early booking

With LCC demand, the following often applies:

• the closer to the date, the higher the price
• weekends and holidays sell out sooner

Recommendation: if you know the dates, book in advance and follow the cancellation policy.

Investment perspective (for mobility business): where is the opportunity

If we look at the market through the eyes of a fleet operator (car rental company), LCC expansion creates three specific opportunities:

1) Micro-locations outside the airport

• city centers, zones near large hotels
• transport hubs (station, bus terminal)
• “pick-up point” model (meeting at an agreed location)

2) Better fleet management between branches

• car transfers according to flight days
• segment exchange: small cars for city breaks vs. SUV/van for groups
• working with rental length (1–3 days vs. a week)

3) Product strategy for LCC client

• simple packages (insurance, equipment, transparent fees)
• digital processes (online check-in, fast pick-up)
• understandable rules (deposit, fuel, return)

FAQ – Most frequently asked questions (People Also Ask)

1) Is renting a car outside the airport always cheaper?

Not always, but it can often be more advantageous, especially if there are additional fees at the airport. Always compare the total price.

2) When is it worth renting a car right at the airport?

When you are leaving the city immediately after arrival, have a lot of luggage or need a car outside normal opening hours.

3) Why do LCCs increase the demand for rentals in the center?

LCCs support city breaks and short stays – tourists often do not need a car on the first day and rent it only for a trip outside the city.

4) How will the new lines affect the availability of cars?

More lines mean more peak hours on specific days. There may be fewer cars and higher prices on peak dates, especially with last-minute bookings.

5) Is it worth combining public transport + rental for 1–2 days?

Yes, it's a common model for city breaks. You save days when the car is parked and only pay for the period when you actually use it.

TL;DR – Summary

• WizzAir and Ryanair are changing demand: more short stays, more “car only for part of the journey”.
• The growth of passengers at BTS and KSC increases the pressure on car availability outside the airport.
• Renting in the city is especially worthwhile for city breaks and itineraries with trips outside the center.
• The airport makes sense when you leave immediately after arrival or need 24/7 logistics.
• Trends 2026: dynamic pricing, peak times by flight, strengthening downtown branches and hotel partnerships.

Keywords and entities

Main KW: WizzAir, Ryanair, regional rentals

Related KW and entities: low-cost carriers (LCC), off-airport car rental, downtown pick-up, Bratislava Airport (BTS), Košice Airport (KSC), city break, tourism in Slovakia, flight capacities, seasonality, airport surcharge, concession fee, last mile mobility, fleet, vehicle availability, dynamic pricing, online booking, vehicle delivery, insurance, deposit, cross-border.

Conclusion and CTA

Low-cost flights have brought more tourists, more short stays and greater price sensitivity – which is why off-airport car rental is becoming increasingly important. If you are traveling to Slovakia via WizzAir or Ryanair, it is worth considering whether you need a car immediately upon arrival or only for trips out of town.

Want to save money and be sure of availability? Compare airport vs. city, book in advance and choose the solution that fits your itinerary. Check out the range of vehicles and pick-up options with PAYLESS.