Dubai with its busy environment, luxurious lifestyle and skyscrapers has made it a premier destination for all travelers around the globe. No matter if you are visiting the city for work or entertainment, renting a car is one of the convenient ways to navigate Dubai and its surrounding. However, an important question that often arises is are car rentals cheaper at Dubai airport?
Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports that serves millions of passengers annually. The convenience and location of the airport makes it one of the ideal choices for car rentals. On the other hand, renting a car at Dubai International Airport might come with a premium price tag.
In this blog we’ll have a detailed analysis of cost linked with car rentals at airports. We’ll also share some significant tips that will help you to save more money on airports with car rental service.
Are Car Rentals Cheaper at Dubai Airport?
The rent a car Dubai service at the airport is more expensive as compared to renting from other locations. This heavy price is claimed due to multiple factors that drive up the cost of airport rental. Let’s have a detailed look at by this happens:
High Demand
Dubai international airport is one of the busiest airports with a constant flow of people. Many of the travelers need an immediate mode of transportation upon arrival which drives demand for car rental opportunities. Higher demands lead to higher prices and rental companies at the airport are aware that many people prefer the convenience of picking up a car as soon as they land. They adjust their price tag accordingly. On the other hand, off- airport locations experience low demand that allow the companies to offer more competitive rates
Airport Concession Fees
Dubai airport charges car rental companies concession fees for the privilege of operating in the airport area. The fee is normally in the form of percentage of the rental companies revenue that is generated at the airport.
For example; If a company generates AED 100000 revenue at Dubai International Airport. The airport will demand 10% to 20% of the total amount as a concession fee.
Therefore, the car rental companies near the airport pass these fees on to the customers that leads to higher rental cost. This additional expense significantly impacts the price of renting a vehicle directly from the airport.
Limited Competition
One of the significant reasons why car rental prices are higher at Dubai airport is the limited number of major car rental companies operating. It significantly leads to less competition. When few companies compete for the business, they have more control over pricing and companies can easily maintain higher prices without pressure. They can easily attract the customers. On the flip side, off-airport locations have more car rental companies. The competition is high which leads them to more competitive pricing.
Convenience
Keep in mind that the convenience of picking up a car immediately after applying cannot be ignored. Due to this reason many travelers justify paying heavy fees. Airport rental counters are located within the terminal that significantly eliminate the need of additional transportation for offside rentals. Therefore the convenience comes at cost and car rental companies in airports charge high prices for this added accessibility.
Additional Charges and Taxes
Along with the concession fee, airport rentals in Dubai also come with additional surcharges such as:
- Airport service fees that are imposed for using Dubai airport facilities.
- Extra cost for the flexibility of renting at a location like an airport.
- Tourism fees that are applied to services used by the tourists.
Essential Tips To Save More at Dubai Airport
As we have discussed that renting a car at Dubai International Airport is more expensive however there are some essential strategies that you can implied to reduce the overall cost:
Book in advance: booking your vehicle in advance will significantly help you compare last minute rentals. Planning your service in advance can also help you take advantage of discounts and early bird deals.
Join Loyalty Programs: Many car rental agencies in Dubai also offer loyalty programs with additional discounts and other perks. You can join these programs especially if you rent a car frequently.
Compared the car rental prices: Always use the comparison website to check the car rental price is across multiple companies. It’ll help you to get the most economical options according to your needs.
Consider small rental companies: Small and local car rental companies in Dubai have lower prices as compared to international chains. Therefore, researching them in advance can lead to substantial savings.
Avoid unnecessary add-ons: Keep in consideration that car rental agencies in Dubai also offer extra services including insurance, GPS navigation and child seats. Always evaluate whether you truly need the services or if you can arrange them at lower cost.
Option for airport shuttle service: Many off-airport rental companies in Dubai provide shuttle service to their location. It significantly combines the flexibility of airport pickups with cheap rates to off-site rentals.
Conclusion
Renting a car and Dubai airport is more expensive because of various factors including additional services and high demand. However, by planning in advance and using discount codes as well as comparing prices from various websites can help you get the more economical car rental solution in Dubai airport. No matter if you choose the convenience of airport rentals or savings for outside locations, in form choices are helpful to maximize your value in the travel plan.
