GPS can be useful in a hire car, but it is not always worth paying for. The right choice depends on the journey: a short city break with good mobile data is very different from a rural route, a cross-border trip or a long drive with several stops.
On gocarhire.co.uk, compare the GPS option together with the total price, vehicle category, fuel policy, deposit and supplier conditions. A navigation device may look like a small extra, but daily charges can add up, and missing equipment at return can create additional costs.
This guide explains when GPS hire makes sense, when a phone is enough, what costs to check and what to verify before leaving the branch. For broader saving tips, read our guide to saving money on car hire.
At a glance: car hire with GPS
- GPS is useful on complex routes: it can help when mobile data, signal or roaming is uncertain.
- A phone may be enough: offline maps, a charger and a safe mount can replace a hired device for many trips.
- Costs vary by supplier: check daily charges, maximum caps and whether a fixed price is shown.
- Test it before leaving: language, maps, mount, cable and route calculation should all work.
- Return every accessory: missing cables, cases or mounts can lead to charges.
- Do not rely on the car photo: built-in navigation is not guaranteed unless the offer says so.
When GPS is worth adding
GPS is most useful when the route is unfamiliar, mobile data is limited or several drivers need the same navigation setup. It can also be helpful abroad, in rural areas, on multi-stop trips or when you do not want to depend on your own phone battery for several hours.
It is less useful when you already know the area, when you have reliable data and offline maps, or when the vehicle category is likely to include built-in navigation. The key is to decide before booking, not under pressure at the desk.
GPS costs shown by UK suppliers
The figures below are the GPS charges available in the UK optional data. Final availability and pricing can still vary by branch, dates, vehicle category and supplier conditions, so check the live offer before adding the option.
| Hire company | GPS cost shown | What to note |
|---|---|---|
| Alamo | £10 per day, max £100 | Useful cap to check for longer hires. |
| Avis | £10 per day, max £100 | Daily charge with maximum shown. |
| Budget | £10 per day, max £100 | Check whether the device is available at the branch. |
| Enterprise | £139 listed | Appears as a fixed listed figure in the available data. |
| Green Motion | £14 per day, max £196 | Higher daily and maximum figures shown. |
| Sixt | £16 per day | No maximum shown in the available data. |
Phone navigation vs hired GPS
A smartphone is often cheaper and more familiar. With offline maps, a charger and a secure mount, it can be enough for many UK journeys. The weak points are battery, mobile signal, roaming abroad, overheating and the temptation to handle the phone while driving.
A hired GPS can be more convenient for long or unfamiliar routes, but it is still an extra device that must work properly and be returned complete. If you choose phone navigation, prepare it before setting off. If you choose GPS, test the device before leaving the branch.
What to check at pick-up
Do not wait until you are on the motorway to discover that the GPS is missing, has the wrong language or cannot calculate your route. Test it in the car park. Confirm the cable, mount, case, map coverage, voice guidance and charging connection.
If the device does not work, ask for a replacement or for the charge to be removed in writing before leaving. Photograph the equipment if it is scratched, incomplete or already damaged, especially where accessories are listed separately.
Alternatives to paying for GPS
Download routes before travelling and reduce dependence on mobile signal.
Useful if supplied, but do not assume it is included unless stated.
A safer option if you use your phone, maps and charger.
Save addresses, hotel names and parking details offline.
GPS, deposits and return charges
Optional equipment can create charges if it is lost, damaged or returned incomplete. The device, cable, mount and case should be returned exactly as supplied. If the supplier blocks a security deposit, missing equipment may be one of the reasons for later deductions.
For this reason, check optional equipment at collection and return. If your booking includes several extras, such as GPS, child seats or an additional driver, compare the total cost carefully rather than focusing only on the daily car price.
GPS hire checklist
Before adding GPS
- compare daily charge and maximum cost;
- check whether your phone can use offline maps;
- confirm GPS availability at the branch;
- test device, language, charging and route calculation;
- record any missing cable, mount or case;
- return every accessory with the vehicle;
- remove saved destinations before return if possible.
When GPS becomes more than convenience
GPS is more valuable when navigation errors would be costly: tight airport returns, rural accommodation, mountain routes, city restrictions, ferry departures or multi-stop business trips. In these cases, reliable navigation can reduce stress and help you keep to the return schedule.
It can also help when the main driver does not want to rely on a phone for the whole journey. A phone used for music, calls, translation, hotel messages and navigation can drain quickly. A separate device may make sense if the route is long and the vehicle has limited charging points.
How to avoid GPS disputes at return
Treat the GPS like any other optional accessory. Check what was supplied, photograph the kit if necessary and return every item together: device, cable, mount, case and any adapter. If the supplier gives you a damaged cable or loose mount, ask for it to be noted.
Before returning the car, remove personal addresses from the device where possible. Then place the GPS and accessories exactly where the supplier expects them. This reduces the chance of a missing-equipment charge after return.
GPS for international or rural routes
GPS becomes more useful when the route includes rural accommodation, mountain roads, ferry terminals, business appointments or several countries. In these situations, losing signal or battery can affect the whole schedule, not just convenience.
If you plan to drive abroad, check map coverage before relying on a hired device. If you plan to use your phone, download offline maps for each country or region. The best solution is the one that still works when mobile signal is poor and the return time is approaching.
Check navigation before the first turn
Before leaving the branch, enter your first destination and make sure the device gives a sensible route. This simple test confirms that the GPS powers on, receives signal and uses a language you understand.
If you wait until you are already driving, it is harder to solve the problem safely. Pulling over, returning to the branch or switching to a phone while under time pressure can make the start of the hire more stressful than necessary.
Conclusion: pay for GPS only when it solves a real problem
GPS hire can be worth it for long, unfamiliar or international trips, but it is not automatically necessary. The best choice depends on your phone, data plan, route complexity, branch availability and the total optional cost.
Use gocarhire.co.uk to compare GPS costs and supplier conditions before adding it to the booking.
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Check optional costs, supplier conditions and alternatives before booking.
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