Booked a car for 15 days? A few extra days could cost you less
Fifteen days is a typical rental period, whether you need a car for a holiday, an extended business trip or a temporary solution while waiting for your next car. Before confirming your booking, however, it is worth checking one more thing: how much would it cost to extend your rental by a few days and switch to a monthly rate?
It may sound counterintuitive, but because our daily rental rate decreases with the length of the rental, keeping a car for a few extra days can actually lower the average daily cost. In some cases, the total price can also be lower than you might expect.
Why the daily rental rate decreases over time
Every vehicle handover and return involves an inspection, preparation and other tasks between rentals. These all come with costs that are spread across just a few days during a short rental. The longer you keep the car, the more days there are to spread these fixed costs across, which is why the average daily rate decreases.
Our short-term pricing therefore follows a tiered structure, with lower daily rates for longer rentals. From day 19 onwards, our short-term pricing no longer applies and is replaced by a more affordable monthly rate.
A real-world example using actual prices
Let's take the Škoda Scala (81 kW, TSI petrol engine, standard equipment) and the lowest mileage package to make both options comparable.
Our short-term rates decrease as the rental period gets longer: one day costs CZK 2,150, two days cost CZK 1,350 per day, 3–5 days cost CZK 1,025 per day, 6–10 days cost CZK 975 per day, and 11–18 days cost CZK 925 per day. All prices are based on a limit of 200 km per day and exclude VAT.
The short-term pricing does not continue beyond this point. From day 19, the monthly rate applies. Under the “19 days to one month” option, the total price is CZK 10,000 with a mileage allowance of 1,250 km per month.
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15 days under the 11–18 day rate: 15 × CZK 925 = CZK 13,875.
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19 days under the monthly rate (“19 days to one month”): CZK 10,000 in total, even though you get the car for four extra days.
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The difference: You pay CZK 3,875 less for keeping the car for four additional days than you would for a 15-day rental under the short-term rate.
This is not just a small saving of a few hundred crowns. For a Škoda Scala on the lowest mileage package, the difference is almost CZK 4,000 in favour of the longer rental under the monthly rate.
In other words, if you are planning to rent a car for 15 days, it is worth checking before booking whether keeping it for a few extra days and switching to the monthly rate would make more financial sense. You will also have more flexibility if your plans change, without having to arrange an extension or find another vehicle at short notice.
The same principle applies to higher mileage packages
The same logic applies to higher mileage allowances, although the prices are higher. Under the monthly rate, the “19 days to one month” option costs CZK 12,000 with a limit of 2,000 km per month and CZK 15,000 with a limit of 3,000 km per month.
The longer the rental commitment — 2–3 months, 4–5 months, or 6 months and more — the lower the monthly rate becomes. With the lowest mileage package, for example, the price gradually decreases from CZK 10,000 for 19 days to one month to CZK 9,250 per month for rentals of six months or longer.
If you need a higher mileage allowance than those listed in our pricing table, simply contact us. We will be happy to prepare a tailored offer.
When is this worth considering?
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You are not sure whether you will need the car for a few extra days. This is common with flexible holidays, longer business trips or when you are waiting for your own car to become available.
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Your planned rental period is around 15–18 days. This is where the difference between staying on the short-term rate and switching to the monthly rate can be particularly noticeable.
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You need a car for a specific period, but it falls just below the point where the monthly rate becomes more economical. In this case, it is worth asking us to compare the exact prices for your dates.
For shorter trips lasting just a few days, this calculation generally does not make a difference, as a standard short-term car rental remains the more suitable option.
Key takeaways
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At Taggart, our short-term daily rates decrease as the rental period gets longer. However, short-term pricing ends after day 18, and the more affordable monthly rate applies from day 19.
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For a Škoda Scala on the lowest mileage package, a 19-day rental under the monthly rate costs approximately CZK 3,875 less than a 15-day rental under the short-term rate, even though you get the car for four extra days.
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The same principle applies to higher mileage allowances and longer rental commitments of 2–3, 4–5, or 6 months and more, as the monthly rate gradually decreases.
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Prices are correct as of the article's publication date and may change. For the latest price for your chosen dates and vehicle model, use our calculator or contact us directly.
No need to do the maths yourself
Exact prices vary depending on the vehicle model and the current price list. The quickest way to get an accurate figure is to check our full price list or use our calculator. Simply enter your dates to see both the daily rate and the total rental cost.
If you are deciding between a short-term and a monthly rate, just send us your planned rental dates and we will be happy to calculate both options side by side.
Why rent a car from Taggart in Prague?
Whether you choose a short-term or monthly rate, your rental always includes comprehensive insurance valid in the Czech Republic and throughout the EU, along with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. The price you see when booking is the price you pay.
Our fleet is regularly renewed, with an average vehicle age of just 11 months. And if your plans change during the rental, we can also adjust your rental rate along the way.
Over the years, Taggart has received more than 3,000 positive Google reviews and has maintained one of the highest ratings among car rental companies on Firmy.cz, a business directory operated by Seznam.cz.
Before confirming a 15-day booking
It is worth comparing both options before you book: our short-term car rental and monthly car rental. Choose whichever works out cheaper for your specific dates.
A few extra days do not necessarily mean spending more. As you can see, quite often, the opposite is true.