Exploring Antigua is always exciting, with its hidden beaches, colourful villages, and rolling green hills waiting for you. When you rent a car in Antigua, you can enjoy these places at your own pace. Renting is easy, but it can come with costs you did not plan for. Many travellers face hidden fees on car rentals in Antigua because they miss small details in the rental terms.Our guide explains the most common fees in car hire agreements. You will learn about fuel charges in car rentals, surcharges for young drivers, late return costs, and optional extras. You will also get clear tips to save money on car rentals in Antigua, so you can enjoy your journey without unexpected expenses.
Car rental agreements in Antigua often have conditions that increase the total cost of your booking. Knowing exactly what each fee means can help you manage your budget and avoid surprise costs.
Understanding how age affects costs is important when planning to rent a car in Antigua. Car rental companies set specific rules about who can drive and what they will pay. These rules exist for safety reasons and also for insurance coverage. The minimum age to rent a car in Antigua is 21 years old. You will pay an extra daily fee if you are between 21 and 24 years old. This fee is called the Young Driver Surcharge and usually ranges from $15 to $40 per day. This charge is added to your overall booking cost.
For some vehicle types, young drivers may face restrictions on what cars they can rent. Most companies do not have a maximum age limit, but some suppliers may set one. Always check your rental agreement in advance to avoid surprises. Knowing the age rules can help you avoid extra charges on car rentals in Antigua and plan your budget properly.
Adding another driver to your rental might sound convenient, but it often comes with a hidden fee. These fees apply no matter how little the extra driver plans to use the car. Rental companies set rules so every driver is fully responsible under the contract. All additional drivers must meet the rental requirements. This means they must show a valid licence, meet the age rule, and appear with the main renter at the rental counter.
They also need to sign the rental agreement before driving the car. An extra daily fee applies for each additional driver added. This charge is non-negotiable and must be paid during the rental. You should also know that an additional driver can only be added at the pick-up location, not online in advance. If you plan to share the driving, include it in your budget to avoid problems later. Keeping drivers to a minimum is one of the best tips to save money on car rentals in Antigua.
Insurance and protection options are one of the largest sources of hidden fees on car rentals in Antigua. Understanding these charges helps you avoid paying for cover you do not need. Many rental companies require you to buy Collision Damage Waiver – Theft Protection (CDW-TP). This is not real insurance, but a contractual waiver that limits your financial responsibility. Without it, you may be liable for the full value of the vehicle in case of damage or theft. Deductibles for CDW-TP can be up to $2,500, and for theft protection up to $3,500, depending on the car class.
Some companies offer the Enterprise Protection Package (EPP), which bundles CDW-TP with Third Party Liability, Deductible Protection, and Tyre and Windshield Protection. This gives broad coverage but comes at a higher cost. If you decline both CDW-TP and EPP, your credit card will face a hold for the estimated rental cost plus $1,000 USD. Basic insurance may cost $10 to $20 per day, depending on the coverage. To avoid extra payments, check if your credit card already provides collision and theft cover. Bring written proof if needed to avoid buying duplicate protection.
Fuel policies are one of the most common reasons for extra charges on car rental in Antigua. Rental companies use different rules, and if you do not follow them exactly, you will pay more. The most common option is Full to Full. You collect the car with a full tank and must return it the same way. If you fail to refill it, the rental company will charge inflated fuel prices plus an administration fee. This is usually the cheapest and most flexible choice for travellers.
Another option is Full to Empty. Here, you collect the car full and return it empty. But you will not get a refund for unused fuel. This can be costly if you do not drive much. A variation is Full to Empty with Partial Refund, where you get money back for unused fuel, but you still pay an admin fee.
Some companies also offer a We Refill option. You return the car with less fuel, and they refill it for you. However, this comes with a 40 percent surcharge above local fuel rates. Always check which policy applies before signing. Understanding fuel charges in car rentals ensures you avoid unfair costs.
One-way rentals are convenient, but they almost always bring extra charges. These costs are linked to moving cars between locations and can be expensive. All one-way rentals in Antigua must be booked in advance. They depend on availability, so you cannot always get them on short notice.
If approved, the company applies a one-way charge, which is payable at the time of rental. These fees cannot be prepaid online and are added to your bill when you collect the car. One-way fees vary depending on the distance between the pick-up and drop-off offices. To avoid surprises, confirm the total cost before booking. If you can return the car to the exact location, you will save money and avoid extra charges on car rental in Antigua.
Returning a car late is one of the easiest ways to incur extra fees on car rentals in Antigua. You will face extra hourly charges if you return your vehicle after the agreed time. In Antigua, this usually ranges from $10 to $20 per hour. If you are several hours late, the rental company may even charge you for an extra day. The best way to avoid this is to check your contract for the exact return time. Ensure you have enough time for traffic, especially in St. John’s during morning and evening rush hours.
Optional extras make your trip easier but also add to your costs. These include baby seats, GPS units, and mobile Wi-Fi devices. In Antigua, all such extras are treated as additional charges. They are not part of the base rental price and must be requested when booking or pick-up. The fees are charged daily and are non-refundable.
Other charges may include extra driver costs and admin fees linked to optional equipment. Remember that even small add-ons, when calculated per day, can increase your final bill. For travellers looking for tips to save money on car rentals in Antigua, the best approach is to bring your own child seat or use your phone’s maps instead of renting GPS devices.
Most car rentals in Antigua are used within the island, but cross-border fees apply in regional rentals. This helps you see how extra charges are applied in other countries, which is helpful if you plan wider Caribbean or Central American travel.
However, you must inform the rental office 48 hours in advance. A fee of $35 USD is charged for legal cross-border documents. Driving outside without these papers is not allowed. While this may not apply directly to Antigua, the rule shows how travel beyond borders always brings extra costs. If you plan to rent a car in Antigua and consider ferry trips or regional connections, always check if special permissions or fees apply.
Roadside assistance is one of the common extra costs when renting a car. These services sound optional, but many travellers need them during long drives. In Antigua, some companies offer Roadside Assistance Protection (RAP). If you pay for it at the start, you get 24/7 support for towing, flat tyres, lockouts, jumpstarts, and emergency fuel delivery of up to five gallons. However, it does not cover all problems. For example, if you damage a tyre through neglect, you must pay for it yourself. A common hidden fee is the cost of lost keys. RAP does not cover this. The replacement can cost around $50 USD if you lose your rental key.
Renting a car in Antigua allows you to see the island in your own way. However, costs can rise quickly without care because of extra fees. From age surcharges to insurance, fuel rules, and late returns, every part of the agreement can affect your budget. Remember to return the car on time, refuel before drop-off, and only pay for what you need. Rent a car in Antigua and Barbuda with Final Rentals to enjoy a smooth booking process, a wide choice of vehicles for every journey, no hidden fees, and convenient pick-up at V.C. Bird International Airport.
