Iceland Tops List of Most Expensive Countries to Rent a Vehicle

Iceland ranks as the most expensive country to rent a vehicle at an average of $1,383.24 per week, according to a study by Confused.com, a comparison website for insurance. This price includes renting a vehicle for a week and filling it with a tank of fuel.

Iceland was followed by New Zealand, costing $1,258.34 per week to rent a vehicle. Argentina, Jamaica, and Israel complete the top five most expensive locations, with the cost of car rental ranging from $762.71 up to $1,069.66 per week for rental and fuel expenses. 

In addition to Iceland, several other European countries made the top 10 most expensive places to rent a vehicle, including Switzerland, Austria, and Ireland, where costs average over $656.41 per week, according to the study. European countries dominated the overall top 20 most expensive countries for rental cars, with 10 European destinations listed. 

The U.S. ranked No. 16 for most expensive, where it costs $604.59 per week to rent a vehicle, less than half of the cost of renting a car in New Zealand or Iceland, according to the study.

Thailand took the title for the least expensive country to rent a vehicle. On average, it costs $164.77 to rent a vehicle for a week and fuel, says the study. Following closely behind Thailand is Azerbaijan, with average weekly rental costs of $208.62, and Lebanon with costs of $244.49 for the week period.

“Driving around your holiday destination of choice can be a great way to see a city on your own terms. With the right playlist, a good snack selection and a nice car to drive in, a road trip really can be the best way to travel,” said Alex Kindred, car insurance expert at Confused.com. “However, if you’re planning to hire a car abroad it’s important to do your research beforehand and be prepared.”