How to Save on Car Rentals: 6 Life Hacks from Apex Managers
The daily rate shown on the website is just a starting point. Two clients can rent the same BMW X5 for the same week and end up paying amounts that differ by hundreds of dollars. Our managers have gathered seven proven ways to save money without compromising on comfort.
1. Round Up the Rental Duration to the Next Rate Tier
Our rates are tiered: 1–3 days, 4–9 days, 10–25 days, and 26+ days. Sometimes 10 days cost less than 9. For example, a Volkswagen T-Cross for 9 days at $28 per day totals $252, while for 10 days at $24 per day it’s $240. You get an extra day and pay less. Check this in the calculator on the car’s page before confirming.
2. Choose the Class Based on Your Needs, Not Your Mood
If you’re traveling around the city with two people, a Volkswagen T-Cross at $28 will do the same job as a Range Rover Velar at $135. The difference over a week is more than $700. A crossover makes sense for trips to the Carpathians, off-road, or when carrying a lot of luggage. We’ve detailed car classes in a separate article.
3. Pick Up the Car at the Office If It’s Convenient
Delivery within Kyiv is free; to another city it costs $0.5 per km from Kyiv (minimum $50), so for a trip from another city it is cheaper to pick the car up in Kyiv. If you live in Poznyaky, Osokorky, or Kharkivskyi district, you can reach our office at 188 Kharkivske Highway in 15 minutes and keep that money. However, if you arrive at night with luggage, $25 for delivery is cheaper than a taxi and saves you an hour.
4. Plan Your Mileage
The rate includes 300 km per day. For a week-long trip, that’s 2100 km — more than enough for the Kyiv — Lviv — Bukovel — Kyiv route. But if you plan to explore all of Western Ukraine, add the unlimited mileage option in advance: it costs much less than paying for extra kilometers after returning the car.
5. Don’t Overpay for Unnecessary Extras
- Navigator: if you have a smartphone with Google Maps or Waze, you don’t need a separate device.
- Unlimited mileage: only take it for long trips; 300 km per day is plenty in the city.
- Child seat: available free of charge upon request, just mention it when booking.
6. Book Early and Cancel for Free
The most popular cars for weekends, holidays, and summer season get booked a week in advance. Book early, and if your plans change, cancel for free at least 24 hours before. You lose nothing but secure the car you want at the current price.
Conclusion
The right rental duration and a sensible class choice — these two tips together save you 20–30% without any loss of comfort. The rest depends on your route. If you’re unsure what to choose, call +38 096 886 9999: a manager will calculate options and suggest the most cost-effective one.
