Rental prices during school holidays: what the data says

School holidays are synonymous with travel for families – and a time when demand skyrockets for the car rental market. The result? Fewer available vehicles, higher prices and a bigger gap between “those who book early” and “those who book a car at the last minute”. In the article you will find an overview of holiday dates (SK), data on seasonal demand (SK/EU), specific figures from European comparison sites and practical strategies on how to get a car at a reasonable price even during peak times.

What exactly does the “school holidays” mean for rental demand

It’s not just summer. From the point of view of car rentals, the most risky are:

• Christmas and New Year's Eve (family visits, mountains, ski destinations)
• Spring holidays (week-long "mini-peak" depending on the region)
• Easter holidays (long weekend + school holidays)
• Summer holidays (longest and most expensive season)
• Autumn holidays (short but noticeable increase in demand for city breaks)

School holiday dates (Slovakia) - school year 2025/2026

(Official dates are published annually in documents of the Ministry of the Interior and Science of the Slovak Republic.)

• Autumn holidays: October 30 - 31, 2025
• Christmas holidays: December 22, 2025 - January 7, 2026
• Spring holidays (by region):

Bratislavský, Nitriansky, Trnavský region: February 16-20, 2026

Banskobystrický, Žilina, Trenčín region: February 23-27, 2026

Košice, Prešov region: March 2-6, 2026

Easter holidays: April 2-7, 2026

Summer holidays: July 1-August 31, 2026

Why is it important that spring holidays are "shifted" between regions?

• demand will be spread out over time (it's not one big shock),
• but local peaks still occur - especially in regions with intensive skiing or wellness travel.

Seasonality data: when Europe travels, prices and availability increase

The demand for rental cars is closely linked to tourism. As overnight stays, air arrivals and the number of trips increase, so does the pressure on fleets.

EU: highest demand in July and especially in August

• Eurostat regularly shows that the most overnight stays in the EU tend to be in August, followed closely by July.
• From a “family holiday” perspective, it is crucial that July and August account for a significant proportion of annual overnight stays.

What does this mean in practice?

• more tourists = more car bookings,
• peaks also occur in destinations outside the sea (mountains, lakes, road trips),
• short-term availability outages (especially automatics, station wagons, 7-9 seater cars) are common during the holidays.

Slovakia: August is traditionally the peak season

Slovak tourism statistics confirm that August tends to be the strongest month. According to the statistical office, August 2025 was also a record month for the number of guests accommodated. In translation: when hotels, campsites and guesthouses are full, the pressure on cars also increases - especially in tourist regions.

What the data says about rental prices during the holidays

Prices usually reflect three things at once:

1. Seasonal demand (holidays, holidays, weather)
2. Fleet capacity (how many cars are actually available)
3. Dynamic pricing (price changes according to occupancy and competition)

Europe: summer tends to be the most expensive (and the differences are significant)

Public comparison sites show that:

• July is one of the most expensive months and the average daily rate in Europe is significantly higher in summer than in the “off-season”.
• Analyses typically show a difference of tens of percent between the cheaper months (winter/spring) and the peak season (July/August).

A specific number that you can imagine (EU):

• CarTrawler lists the average price of a 5-day rental in July in Europe (reservations made in the period January-June) and also compares the year-on-year development.

Example from Slovakia: Bratislava (indicative market benchmarks)

Comparison portals often list the "average price per day" in specific cities and at the same time the lowest offers found in recent days.

• Bratislava (benchmark): the average is usually around several tens of euros per day, with the lowest offers being significantly lower when booking early, off-peak or under specific conditions.

Note on the data: these benchmarks are indicative, as prices change daily depending on the date, length of rental, car category, pick-up location and availability.

Why are families more “price-vulnerable” during the holidays

Families more often need:

• a larger car (station wagon/SUV),
• more luggage space,
• a child seat (or 2–3 seats),
• an automatic, a 7–9 seater vehicle (if traveling with relatives).

And these are the categories that tend to sell out first during peak times.

How Dynamic Pricing Works (and Why Prices Change Day to Day)

Dynamic pricing is a common approach: the price adjusts to fleet occupancy, competition, and demand events (holidays, major events, new airlines). It’s important to understand that this is not a “trick,” but a way to allocate limited capacity.

The most common triggers for price increases during the holidays

• Short booking window (last 3–7 days),
• Airport pickup (higher demand and location fees),
• Short rentals (1–3 days) during peak times – cars are sold preferentially for longer rentals,
• Popular times (Friday afternoon, Saturday morning),
• Family-friendly categories (station wagon, SUV, 7–9 seater).

Practical strategies: how to save during school holidays

1) Book early – but with the possibility of changing

• If you know the dates of the holidays in advance, book in advance and check the change/cancellation conditions.
• During peak periods (summer, Christmas, spring break), the main advantage of booking early is often not only the price, but especially the availability of the category.

2) Play with the length of the rental

• The difference between 4 and 7 days can be surprisingly small.
• During peak periods, short rentals can be more expensive because the fleet is “scarce” and car rental companies prefer longer reservations.

3) Change the pickup location (if it makes sense)

• Airport = convenience, but often also a higher price.
• The city center or city branch can be cheaper – especially if you fly in and can get there by public transport.

4) Optimize the car category according to real needs

• Instead of a large SUV, a station wagon is often enough (lower consumption, large trunk).
• If you need 2 seats, consider whether they will fit without compromising safety.

5) Consider child seats and accessories in advance

• Rental seats are comfortable, but they can be expensive - and there may be a limit on them during peak times.
• If you travel often, consider your own seat (especially for air-transportable models) - it is an investment in recurring savings.

6) Pay attention to insurance and deductible

• During the holidays, there is more traffic and the risk of damage in parking lots.
• Compare: (a) basic coverage, (b) reduced deductible, (c) external additional insurance.

Comparison of solutions for families: rental vs. own car vs. alternatives

Quick overview (when does it make the most sense)

• Car rental: ideal for airport trips, holidays abroad, or when your own car is not suitable (size, reliability, winter equipment).
• Own car: convenient for short distances, if you have low operating costs and do not have to deal with amortization "for the long haul".
• Train/plane + car on site: often the best compromise - saves time and at the same time gives mobility in the destination.

Investment perspective (family budget): where the most money is "lost"

The most expensive mistakes during the holidays:

• booking late and at the wrong time,
• wrong category (too small car → surcharges/upgrade),
• extras solved on site (seats, insurance packages),
• not comparing the pick-up location.

Model example:

If during the holidays the difference between the cheaper and more expensive period is e.g. €20 per day, for 7 days it is €140. This is often more than the cost of (a) one extra night of accommodation, (b) an attraction for the children, or (c) better insurance for the entire rental.

Trends that will affect prices (2026+)

1) More pressure on “sun destinations” and road trips

The strong appetite for travel in Europe means that demand is growing outside of traditional destinations – people are looking for less crowded places and are often best reached by car.

2) Market stabilization, but peaks remain peaks

The market is gradually stabilizing after the pandemic fluctuations. However, school holidays will continue to be a period when capacity is quickly used up.

3) More electrification and “digital” experiences

Some markets are growing in hybrid/EV offerings, while there is an increasing emphasis on contactless processes, online changes and flexible payments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) When are rental prices highest during the holidays?

Most often in the summer (July/August) and during Christmas. Local peaks also occur during spring break depending on the region.

2) Is it worth booking a car months in advance?

During the holidays, yes - especially due to the availability of family categories. Ideally with the possibility of change/cancellation.

3) Are cars always more expensive at the airport?

Often yes, but not always. The airport offers convenience and accessibility, but may have higher demand and local fees.

4) What makes renting for families the most expensive?

Late booking, limited availability of large cars, accessories (seats) and inappropriately chosen pick-up time/place.

5) How best to save without compromising on safety?

Book early, compare locations, choose the right category (station wagon vs SUV), and have insurance and seats sorted out in advance.

Summary / TL;DR

During school holidays, demand increases and availability decreases – especially for family car categories.

In the EU, the peak tourist season is in July and especially in August; Slovakia traditionally has the strongest August.

Summer is one of the most expensive rental periods; holiday peaks increase the difference between early and late booking.

The biggest savings come from the combination: early booking + suitable location + right category + extras in advance.

For families, it is crucial to plan seats, space and insurance – during peak times, “small mistakes” turn into big extras.

Keywords and entities (used in the article)

Main KW: school holidays, prices, demand, rental prices, car rental

Related KW and entities: seasonality, dynamic pricing, fleet availability, spring break, summer break, Christmas break, Easter break, Eurostat, Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava Airport (BTS), CarTrawler Market Monitor, KAYAK, Payless

Conclusion

School holidays can be very easy to "overpay" - but they can also be managed sensibly if you know when and what determines the price. If you are planning a family trip in spring, summer or during Christmas, choose the right car category, book early and minimize additional costs with add-ons arranged in advance.

Do you want a car for your holidays without stress? Check out the PAYLESS offer and choose a vehicle according to the size of your family and route - by booking in advance you have the best chance of getting the ideal car at a fair price.