UK Holiday Car Hire Searches Surge Ahead of May Bank Holidays
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 day ago
0mins
Should l Buy BKNG?
Source: Globenewswire
- Surge in Car Hire Searches: KAYAK reports a 10% year-on-year increase in UK car hire searches during March and early April, indicating a strong recovery in holiday travel demand, particularly with the upcoming May bank holidays.
- Popular Destination Insights: Romania leads with a 44% increase in car hire searches, followed by Norway at 29%, and both Austria and Germany at 23%, reflecting British travelers' keen interest in adventurous and scenic drives, further boosting the tourism market.
- Rental Price Trends: While daily rental rates in Germany rose by 5%, average car hire prices have generally decreased across other countries, with Romania seeing a significant drop of 35%, providing travelers with more attractive options and stimulating tourism spending.
- Recommended Scenic Routes: KAYAK estimates costs for five top driving routes, highlighting a three-day rental and fuel cost of approximately £244 for the Bucharest to Brașov route, enticing travelers to explore these picturesque journeys.
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Analyst Views on BKNG
Wall Street analysts forecast BKNG stock price to rise
25 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 185.690
Low
5407
Averages
6153
High
6850
Current: 185.690
Low
5407
Averages
6153
High
6850
About BKNG
Booking Holdings Inc. is a provider of travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. The Company offers its services through five primary consumer-facing brands: Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK, and OpenTable. Through its brands, consumers can book an array of accommodations (including hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hostels, and other alternative and traditional accommodation properties) and a flight to their destinations; make a car rental reservation or arrange for an airport taxi; make a dinner reservation; or book a vacation package, tour, activity, or cruise. Consumers can also use its meta-search services to easily compare travel reservation information, such as flight, hotel, and rental car reservations from hundreds of online travel platforms at once. Booking.com offers accommodation reservation services for approximately 4.0 million properties in over 220 countries and territories and in over 40 languages.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
KAYAK Empowers UK Travelers for Scenic Road Trips
- Car Hire Search Surge: KAYAK reports a 10% year-on-year increase in UK car hire searches from March to early April 2026, indicating strong demand for road trips among holidaymakers ahead of the May bank holiday.
- Popular Destination Insights: Romania leads with a 44% increase in car hire searches, while Norway, Austria, Germany, and France also see growth exceeding 20%, reflecting UK travelers' growing interest in adventurous and scenic driving routes.
- Rental Price Trends: While daily rental rates in Germany rose by 5%, average car hire prices have generally decreased across other countries, with Romania experiencing a significant drop of 35%, making travel more appealing and cost-effective for tourists.
- Recommended Scenic Routes: KAYAK suggests five picturesque driving routes, including Bucharest to Brașov in Romania, with estimated total rental and fuel costs around £244, assisting travelers in budgeting their trips effectively.
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KAYAK Launches Airfare Trends Dashboard for Travelers
- Airfare Trend Analysis: KAYAK's newly launched Airfare Trends Dashboard offers a comprehensive weekly view of flight price changes using 2026 search data, helping travelers understand how factors like seasonality and fuel costs impact fares, thus enabling more confident travel planning and booking.
- Domestic and International Price Dynamics: Despite a two-week decline in late March, domestic airfare in Canada remains above last year's levels, while international prices align with 2025 trends, indicating seasonal demand shifts.
- Destination Price Comparisons: The dashboard provides city-level airfare data for popular destinations, revealing that flight prices to locations like Halifax and Paris have decreased by up to 10%, offering travelers a basis for more informed travel decisions.
- Money-Saving Tips: KAYAK's updated Trip Calculator integrates the latest gas prices and airfare data to help compare the costs of flying versus driving, while also offering flexible date tools and price alerts to ensure users can secure the best deals.
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UK Holiday Car Hire Searches Surge Ahead of May Bank Holidays
- Surge in Car Hire Searches: KAYAK reports a 10% year-on-year increase in UK car hire searches during March and early April, indicating a strong recovery in holiday travel demand, particularly with the upcoming May bank holidays.
- Popular Destination Insights: Romania leads with a 44% increase in car hire searches, followed by Norway at 29%, and both Austria and Germany at 23%, reflecting British travelers' keen interest in adventurous and scenic drives, further boosting the tourism market.
- Rental Price Trends: While daily rental rates in Germany rose by 5%, average car hire prices have generally decreased across other countries, with Romania seeing a significant drop of 35%, providing travelers with more attractive options and stimulating tourism spending.
- Recommended Scenic Routes: KAYAK estimates costs for five top driving routes, highlighting a three-day rental and fuel cost of approximately £244 for the Bucharest to Brașov route, enticing travelers to explore these picturesque journeys.
See More
UK Holiday Car Hire Searches Surge Ahead of May Bank Holiday
- Search Growth: KAYAK reports a 10% year-on-year increase in UK car hire searches during March and early April, indicating a strong interest in spring travel as the May bank holiday approaches.
- Popular Destinations: Romania leads with a 44% increase in car hire searches, while Norway, Austria, Germany, and France also see over 20% growth, suggesting UK travelers are seeking adventurous scenic drives.
- Price Trends: While daily rental rates in Germany rose by 5%, average car hire prices have decreased across other countries, with Romania experiencing a significant 35% drop, making travel more budget-friendly for tourists.
- Recommended Routes: KAYAK estimates costs for five scenic driving routes, including Bucharest to Brasov, with a total estimated cost of £244, highlighting the best travel opportunities in May for these picturesque journeys.
See More
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- Cramer Bullish on Uber: Despite Uber's stock being down 28.5% from its September high, it has risen 3.5% in the last two days, indicating market confidence in its future growth and potentially attracting more investor interest.
- Vistra Stock Undervalued: Cramer highlighted that Vistra is trading at around 19 times earnings, calling it a “steal,” and although the stock is down 25% from its September high, it has gained 6% in just two days, reflecting market recognition of its value.
- Booking Holdings Potential: Cramer believes that many negatives for Booking Holdings are already priced in, with a current P/E ratio of 17, and anticipates a significant price increase once the war ends; the stock has risen 4.4% in two days, presenting a potential return opportunity for investors.
- Southwest Airlines Turnaround Story: Cramer describes Southwest Airlines as a “terrific turnaround story,” noting that while the stock is down 25% from its February high, it has increased by 4.3% in two days and could be a potential takeover target, indicating future growth potential.
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- Diverse Shopping Experiences: The survey indicates that Asian travelers seek varied shopping experiences, ranging from luxury malls to night markets and local artisan hubs, reflecting a blend of shopping and cultural exploration.
- Evolving Consumer Behavior: An increasing number of travelers are integrating shopping with leisure, planning trips around seasonal sales and specialty shopping districts, suggesting a strengthening culture of travel-led retail that drives demand for convenient accommodations and retail-focused activities.
- Platform Advantages: Agoda offers over 6 million accommodation options and more than 300,000 activities, enabling travelers to easily find lodging near shopping districts, thereby enhancing the convenience and appeal of their shopping experiences.
See More
KAYAK Empowers UK Travelers for Scenic Road Trips
- Car Hire Search Surge: KAYAK reports a 10% year-on-year increase in UK car hire searches from March to early April 2026, indicating strong demand for road trips among holidaymakers ahead of the May bank holiday.
- Popular Destination Insights: Romania leads with a 44% increase in car hire searches, while Norway, Austria, Germany, and France also see growth exceeding 20%, reflecting UK travelers' growing interest in adventurous and scenic driving routes.
- Rental Price Trends: While daily rental rates in Germany rose by 5%, average car hire prices have generally decreased across other countries, with Romania experiencing a significant drop of 35%, making travel more appealing and cost-effective for tourists.
- Recommended Scenic Routes: KAYAK suggests five picturesque driving routes, including Bucharest to Brașov in Romania, with estimated total rental and fuel costs around £244, assisting travelers in budgeting their trips effectively.
See More
KAYAK Launches Airfare Trends Dashboard for Travelers
- Airfare Trend Analysis: KAYAK's newly launched Airfare Trends Dashboard offers a comprehensive weekly view of flight price changes using 2026 search data, helping travelers understand how factors like seasonality and fuel costs impact fares, thus enabling more confident travel planning and booking.
- Domestic and International Price Dynamics: Despite a two-week decline in late March, domestic airfare in Canada remains above last year's levels, while international prices align with 2025 trends, indicating seasonal demand shifts.
- Destination Price Comparisons: The dashboard provides city-level airfare data for popular destinations, revealing that flight prices to locations like Halifax and Paris have decreased by up to 10%, offering travelers a basis for more informed travel decisions.
- Money-Saving Tips: KAYAK's updated Trip Calculator integrates the latest gas prices and airfare data to help compare the costs of flying versus driving, while also offering flexible date tools and price alerts to ensure users can secure the best deals.
See More
UK Holiday Car Hire Searches Surge Ahead of May Bank Holidays
- Surge in Car Hire Searches: KAYAK reports a 10% year-on-year increase in UK car hire searches during March and early April, indicating a strong recovery in holiday travel demand, particularly with the upcoming May bank holidays.
- Popular Destination Insights: Romania leads with a 44% increase in car hire searches, followed by Norway at 29%, and both Austria and Germany at 23%, reflecting British travelers' keen interest in adventurous and scenic drives, further boosting the tourism market.
- Rental Price Trends: While daily rental rates in Germany rose by 5%, average car hire prices have generally decreased across other countries, with Romania seeing a significant drop of 35%, providing travelers with more attractive options and stimulating tourism spending.
- Recommended Scenic Routes: KAYAK estimates costs for five top driving routes, highlighting a three-day rental and fuel cost of approximately £244 for the Bucharest to Brașov route, enticing travelers to explore these picturesque journeys.
See More
UK Holiday Car Hire Searches Surge Ahead of May Bank Holiday
- Search Growth: KAYAK reports a 10% year-on-year increase in UK car hire searches during March and early April, indicating a strong interest in spring travel as the May bank holiday approaches.
- Popular Destinations: Romania leads with a 44% increase in car hire searches, while Norway, Austria, Germany, and France also see over 20% growth, suggesting UK travelers are seeking adventurous scenic drives.
- Price Trends: While daily rental rates in Germany rose by 5%, average car hire prices have decreased across other countries, with Romania experiencing a significant 35% drop, making travel more budget-friendly for tourists.
- Recommended Routes: KAYAK estimates costs for five scenic driving routes, including Bucharest to Brasov, with a total estimated cost of £244, highlighting the best travel opportunities in May for these picturesque journeys.
See More
Market Update: Cramer Sees Upside in Uber and Vistra
- Cramer Bullish on Uber: Despite Uber's stock being down 28.5% from its September high, it has risen 3.5% in the last two days, indicating market confidence in its future growth and potentially attracting more investor interest.
- Vistra Stock Undervalued: Cramer highlighted that Vistra is trading at around 19 times earnings, calling it a “steal,” and although the stock is down 25% from its September high, it has gained 6% in just two days, reflecting market recognition of its value.
- Booking Holdings Potential: Cramer believes that many negatives for Booking Holdings are already priced in, with a current P/E ratio of 17, and anticipates a significant price increase once the war ends; the stock has risen 4.4% in two days, presenting a potential return opportunity for investors.
- Southwest Airlines Turnaround Story: Cramer describes Southwest Airlines as a “terrific turnaround story,” noting that while the stock is down 25% from its February high, it has increased by 4.3% in two days and could be a potential takeover target, indicating future growth potential.
See More
Agoda Reveals Top Asian Travelers Motivated by Shopping
- Shopping Motivation Survey: Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook Report reveals that nearly one in four travelers from Taiwan and South Korea (23%) cite shopping as their primary travel motivation, underscoring the significance of retail in travel planning.
- Diverse Shopping Experiences: The survey indicates that Asian travelers seek varied shopping experiences, ranging from luxury malls to night markets and local artisan hubs, reflecting a blend of shopping and cultural exploration.
- Evolving Consumer Behavior: An increasing number of travelers are integrating shopping with leisure, planning trips around seasonal sales and specialty shopping districts, suggesting a strengthening culture of travel-led retail that drives demand for convenient accommodations and retail-focused activities.
- Platform Advantages: Agoda offers over 6 million accommodation options and more than 300,000 activities, enabling travelers to easily find lodging near shopping districts, thereby enhancing the convenience and appeal of their shopping experiences.
See More
