Why young customers choose short-term rentals instead of owning their own car

Why Young Professionals Prefer to Lease a Car Rather than Own One

Young customers (especially young professionals in cities) are increasingly treating their cars as a service, not as an asset. Instead of fixed costs, commitments, and worries about servicing, they choose short-term rentals – when they really need a car: for work trips, weekend trips, visiting family, moving, or special events.

In this article, we will explain what exactly short-term rentals are, why young people choose them, how they differ from carsharing and operational leasing, and we will also add specific data from Slovakia and the EU. At the end, you will find practical tips, FAQs, and image recommendations for the blog.

What is a short-term rental and who does it make sense for

A short-term car rental is typically a rental for days to weeks (in practice, often 1–29 days). It is a solution for “immediate need” – when it is not worth it to own a car or you do not have one at the moment.

Typical situations for young professionals:

• temporary work project (out-of-town meetings, clients, events)
• weekend travel (mountains, wellness, city break)
• family visits and holidays (larger suitcase, more people)
• moving / renovation (short-term rental of a van or larger car)
• test before buying (automatic, SUV, EV – “try it and then decide”)

Short-term rental vs. carsharing vs. leasing (quick comparison)

Why renting wins:

• exactly copies the rhythm of life
• does not create a long-term commitment

5) Digital experience: "I want to do it online"

The key for young people is:

• fast online booking
• transparent conditions
• clear add-ons (insurance, second driver)

Short-term rental is now an "e-commerce" product - as natural as buying a plane ticket or booking a hotel.

6) Sustainability and the sharing economy (without moralizing)

Many young people perceive the car as a source of emissions and at the same time as an "unused asset" (the car is idle most of the time).

Data (EU - Ipsos): a higher proportion of young people are considering a future without owning a car. In practice, this often means a mix of public transport + shared services + rental as needed.

7) Try new technologies without risk

• automatic transmission
• safety assistants
• SUV or multi-seater car
• possibly EV/hybrid

Rental works like a real-life “test drive.” This way, young people can see what suits them without committing to a purchase.

How much does it cost to “own a car”: what European figures say

When comparing, it is necessary to distinguish:

• Ownership (purchase + operation)
• Long-term leasing (monthly commitment)
• Short-term rental (pay only for use)

A benchmark from Europe (TCO / leasing)

European comparisons of total costs (TCO) show that “car as a service” (leasing) in many countries is in the hundreds of euros per month - and this is with a high annual mileage.

Specifically (Slovakia): in the European cost index, the average monthly cost of leasing a passenger car (including items such as depreciation, service, tires, fuel/energy, taxes and insurance) is around €908 per month.

How to read it for a young customer:

• if you only use the car occasionally, it makes sense not to want a fixed monthly commitment
• short-term rental is “pay-per-use”: the expense only arises when the car brings value

Practical advice: how to rent a car wisely (especially if you are a young driver)

1) Check the age requirements and any fees

Some car rental companies have a minimum age (often 25 years old) and may allow for a fee exemption for younger drivers.

• Check the minimum age for a specific category.
• Find out if there is an exemption and how much it costs.

2) Expect a deposit and the fact that you need a physical card

It is common for the deposit to be blocked on the payment card when you pick up the vehicle. Check in advance:

• Deposit amount by car class
• What cards are accepted
• Is a physical card required (some branches do not accept mobile wallets)

3) Insurance: figure out what is included and what is not

In practice, it varies:

• Basic coverage included
• Additional coverage (reduced deductible, glass, tires)

Tip: if you drive mainly in the city, it is often worth covering risks such as glass and wheel damage.

4) Fuel and mileage: small print, big difference

• Full/full policy vs. refueling with a fee
• kilometer limit (if any) and price for exceeding

5) Most common scenarios where young people save the most

• weekend rental instead of long-term commitment
• larger car only for a specific purpose (trip, family, moving)
• one rental – multiple purposes (business + weekend in one rental)

Trends for 2026: What will happen in the market (and why it is good for young people)

More “mobility packages” instead of a single product

Expect to see the following interconnected:

• Short-term rentals
• Monthly rentals / flexible products
• Add-ons (insurance, accessories, child seats)
• Specialties (vans, multi-seater cars)

EVs and hybrids: try without fear

Electrification will continue, but not everyone wants to buy an EV right away. Leasing is ideal for “trying for a week”.

Changing preferences: “access” wins over “ownership”

Foreign surveys show a growing interest among young people in flexible subscription models. Although this is not the same as short-term rental, the common denominator is clear: I want a car when I need it – without commitment.

Investment perspective: what this trend means for brands and fleets

For car rental companies and fleet players, the growth in demand from young customers is a signal of:

• higher value of digital UX (online booking, transparency)
• emphasis on accessibility of urban categories (B/C segment, vending machines)
• need for “multi-purpose” cars (compact SUVs, station wagons, multi-seaters)
• increasing importance of extras (insurance, co-driver, child seats)

At the same time, young customers are sensitive to price and value. The winner is the one who can clearly explain:

• what is included in the price
• what is extra
• and why it makes sense

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) Is short-term rental worth it if I only drive on weekends?

Yes – especially if your car would otherwise sit idle for 5 days a week. Renting allows you to pay only when you really need the car.

2) Is short-term rental suitable for urban mobility?

Yes, but more as a supplement. In the city, it is often worth combining public transport and micromobility, and renting a car for specific trips that would otherwise be complicated.

3) Can I rent a car as a young driver?

In most cases, yes, but it depends on the age requirements and any exemption fees. Always check this when booking.

4) What is the most common rental mistake?

Underestimating the details: fuel policy, deposit, excess and additional fees. It only takes 2 minutes to check the conditions and you can save tens of euros.

5) When is it better to choose carsharing over short-term rental?

When you need a car for a short city trip (minutes to hours) and don't want to deal with pick-up/return at a branch.

TL;DR (summary)

• Young professionals prefer a car as a service: they only pay for use, not for ownership.
• Housing costs in the EU are rising and putting pressure on budgets - fixed expenses for a car are less attractive.
• In cities, the combination of public transport + rental on demand wins.
• The Slovak car fleet is relatively old - renting gives access to more modern cars without worries.
• Transparency is key: age conditions, deposit, insurance, fuel and mileage.

Conclusion

Short-term rental is a logical answer for young customers to today's reality: high fixed costs, city life, flexible work and the need for comfort without commitment. If you want a car for a specific date - a business trip, a weekend or a vacation - renting gives you the freedom to decide according to the current situation.

Do you want to rent a car easily and online? View available PAYLESS vehicles, select a date and reserve a car for exactly the days you need.