How to find a cheap car hire deal in Caen
Searching for a cheap rental car in Caen? You're exactly where you need to be. With prices averaging 112 € a day, we compare all the best deals so you can choose fast, spend less, and drive away happy.
Daily rental prices in Caen start from just 32 €.
For longer trips, grab a weekly rental from 177 € and pack more sights into your itinerary.
Timing makes all the difference when it comes to finding the best price on a Caen car hire. Try booking around three weeks before you go.
Alamo, Enterprise and Europcar are among the most trusted providers in the city. Use them as a starting point to compare offers.
Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Caen car hire policy, whether you book with Alamo or another supplier. Some may leave it out of the standard package and offer it as an extra.
Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to land a bargain if the provider needs to move vehicles between sites. Find the best available rates by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'
Avoid any unexpected fees by choosing a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, and pay only for what you use.
Go wherever the road takes you by picking a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, it means you can go as far as you want without paying more.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll find the best deal with this company. Prices average 46 € a day.
In second position is this provider, offering daily rates of around 101 €.
The third option also helps keep your travel costs low. Expect to pay roughly 90 € a day for one of their rentals.
Want a car that makes sense for everyday trips? The Economy rental category ranks as the top pick for travellers visiting Caen.
Flying to Caen? Think about an airport pick-up
Keep arrival day hassle-free by booking a car hire at Carpiquet Airport. If you're flying to Caen through this hub, simply pick up your wheels after landing and get moving. The drive to the city centre is about 8 kilometres and takes around 15 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Caen
Small: Whether you're weaving through city traffic or just planning a quick trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect good fuel efficiency and easy handling.
Medium: A dependable choice when you want something that's easy to drive but doesn't skimp on features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra space compared to smaller options.
Large: Offering greater driving comfort and improved tech features, this Caen car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV is ready to roll. It's your perfect road trip buddy, ready for highways, country roads, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also come with extra space and advanced safety features.
Van: With options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Caen handles big loads and group travel with ease. They're roomy, reliable, and ready to take on any task.
Insurance and optional extras
Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but is something to think about. If you're in an accident, no matter how minor, it can help you avoid paying an expensive excess fee. Different Caen car hire providers have varying insurance policies and coverage levels, so check the details before booking.
From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can totally transform your drive. Think about which features will make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Caen.
Good to know
The minimum age to rent a car in France is generally 21 years old. However individual providers may do things differently, so always go over your rental company's terms to see what applies to you.
Add a car seat to your Caen car hire booking if you're travelling with small kids. Rules can change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their size and age is always the safest choice.
Make sure you have the necessary documents when collecting your car. As a general rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough balance for the excess (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and additional photo ID. Your booking will confirm exactly what's required.
Spend a moment familiarising yourself with your rental. Adjust your seat and mirrors, find the lights and wipers, and get a feel for its handling before you drive away. And remember to stick to the right side of the road in France.
Local speed limits are often about 45kph through urban areas and around 125kph on highways. Road signs will show if a different limit applies.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in France is 0.05%. Because alcohol doesn't affect all people equally, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink anything at all.
One of the busiest times for traffic in this destination is around 8am. Make driving smoother by avoiding rush hours in general.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) for everything you buy on your trip. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cards and cash so you're covered for every situation.
French is the language most often spoken across the country.
Best hotels in Caen for drivers
Spend less time looking for a parking spot and more time relaxing at The Originals City, Hôtel Caen Mémorial. Around 3 kilometres from central Caen, it comes with accessible parking, a bar and a 24-hour front desk.
Ibis Budget Caen Hérouville gets things right with parking and features like room service and express check-in. It's roughly 5 kilometres from the city centre.
Need more places to choose from? Browse the full list of hotels in Caen. You can refine your search with the filters — try 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' If you're driving electric, you can use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter.
It's time to start sightseeing now you've locked in a car hire deal in Caen and your hotel. From Abbaye aux Dames to Musee des Beaux-Arts de Caen and Caen Memorial museum, you're spoiled for choice on things to do here.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Caen
Alençon has to be on your itinerary if you're eager to visit Castle des Ducs d'Alencon and Parc des promenades. This city is about 88 kilometres south of central Caen.
You'll be well taken care of at Hotel Campanile Nature - Alençon and B&B Hotel Alencon Nord, two reliable accommodation options with parking in Alençon.
Add Lisieux to your travel plans. Grab your cheap car hire in Caen and drive roughly 40 kilometres east to explore major highlights such as Cathedral of Lisieux and Sanctuaire de Lisieux.
The Originals City Hôtel Cathédrale Lisieux and Ibis Budget Lisieux are comfortable places to stay in Lisieux if you've got more than a quick stop in mind. Book one of these and take the hassle out of finding a spot for your ride.
Looking to cover more ground? Lille is a top road trip destination that's about 290 kilometres northeast of Caen. Consider making a few pit stops at Palais des Beaux Arts and Grand'Place.
Next up: catching some z's. B&B Hotel Lille Lillenium Eurasanté and B&B Hotel Lille Centre Grand Palais have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Lille.
