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Swapfiets vs renting a bike: which one is cheaper?

Renting a bike works for short trips. But if you cycle regularly, a bike subscription is usually cheaper and more reliable. With Swapfiets you get your own bike, unlimited repairs, and a fixed monthly price. Here’s how it compares to renting.

Spoiler alert 👀 From 2 days per month, Swapfiets becomes the cheaper option.

Why choose Swapfiets over Renting a Bike?

Rent a bike.

Pay £10.00 per 24 hours
No repairs or service included
Not your own bike. Availability varies

Subscribe to Swapfiets

From £0.53 per day (£15.90 p/m)
Repairs included
Your own bike, always ready

Rent a bike.

Pay £10.00 per 24 hours
No repairs or service included
Not your own bike. Availability varies

Swapfiets

From £0.53 per day (£15.90 p/m)
Repairs included
Your own bike, always ready

Rent a bike.

Pay £10.00 per 24 hours
No repairs or service included
Not your own bike. Availability varies

Subscribe to Swapfiets

From £0.53 per day (£15.90 p/m)
Repairs included
Your own bike, always ready

280.000+ Swapfiets members

4.3

based on 419 reviews

Cost comparison: renting a bike vs Swapfiets

If you use a bike more than 2 days per month, renting a bike quickly becomes more expensive than a subscription.

Days per month	Swapfiets (£15.90 p/m)	Bike rental (£10/day)
1 day	£15.90	£10.00
2 days	£15.90	£20.00
3 days	£15.90	£30.00
4 days	£15.90	£40.00
5 days	£15.90	£50.00
10 days	£15.90	£100.00

Prices are based on a Swapfiets Original with a 12-month subscription and an average bike rental price of £10 per day.

Renting a bike: good for short-term use

Renting a bike in London or other cities is ideal for temporary use. Think of a weekend trip, a day out, or occasional rides.

No subscription required
Instant access to a bike

Flexible per day
No cancellation period

Downside: if you ride regularly, renting quickly becomes expensive.

Cost comparison: renting a bike vs Swapfiets

If you use a bike more than 2 days per month, renting a bike quickly becomes more expensive than a subscription.

Days per month	Swapfiets (£15.90 p/m)	Bike rental (£10/day)
1 day	£15.90	£10.00
2 days	£15.90	£20.00
3 days	£15.90	£30.00
4 days	£15.90	£40.00
5 days	£15.90	£50.00
10 days	£15.90	£100.00

Prices are based on a Swapfiets Original with a 12-month subscription and an average bike rental price of £10 per day.

Renting a bike: good for short-term use

Renting a bike in London or other cities is ideal for temporary use. Think of a weekend trip, a day out, or occasional rides.

No subscription required
Instant access to a bike

Flexible per day
No cancellation period

Downside: if you ride regularly, renting quickly becomes expensive.

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What is Swapfiets?

Swapfiets is the world’s first ‘bicycle as a service’ company. Founded 2014 in the Netherlands, the scale-up quickly developed being one of the leading micro mobility providers in Europe with 270.000 members in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain, Austria and UK.

The concept of Swapfiets is quite simple: For a monthly subscription fee, Swapfiets members receive a fully functional bicycle or e-mobility solution for their own use. If needed, a repair service is available within 48 hours to repair or directly swap the two-wheeler at no additional cost.

What does it cost to rent a bike per day?

On average, renting a bike costs between £10 and £15 per day. Prices vary by city and provider. For e-bikes, prices are higher and typically range from £30 to £40 per day.

When is Swapfiets cheaper?

Swapfiets is usually cheaper if you ride regularly.

For a standard bike: from around 3–4 days per month
For an e-bike: from around 2 days per month

What are the costs or renting an electric bike?

Renting an electric bike typically costs between £25 and £40 per day, depending on the city.

In larger cities like London prices are often on the higher end.

What happens when I'm done with my membership?

To cancel your membership simply follow the instructions and steps in the Swapfiets app. All of our memberships include a one-month notice period. If you’re on a loyal membership, you can cancel after 6 months. Once you bring back the bike we'll give it a quick tune-up and send it on its way to serve another member.

Stay updated

Sign up for our emails to receive the latest updates on services, products and discounts. You’ll also get a £15 voucher for your Swapfiets subscription.

Stay updated

Sign up for our emails to receive the latest updates on services, products and discounts. You’ll also get a £15 voucher for your Swapfiets subscription.

Stay updated

Sign up for our emails to receive the latest updates on services, products and discounts. You’ll also get a £15 voucher for your Swapfiets subscription.

Urban guides

Swapfiets vs renting a bike: which one is cheaper?

Swapfiets vs renting a bike: which one is cheaper?

Swapfiets vs renting a bike: which one is cheaper?

Swapfiets vs renting a bike: which one is cheaper?

Why choose Swapfiets over Renting a Bike?

Why choose Swapfiets over Renting a Bike?

Why choose Swapfiets over Renting a Bike?

Rent a bike.

Subscribe to Swapfiets

Rent a bike.

Swapfiets

Rent a bike.

Subscribe to Swapfiets

Cost comparison: renting a bike vs Swapfiets

Renting a bike: good for short-term use

Cost comparison: renting a bike vs Swapfiets

Renting a bike: good for short-term use

Become a member

Become a member

Our great Dutch-quality bikes

Our great Dutch-quality bikes

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Premium e-Bike

Original

Deluxe 7

Power 1

Power 7

Power Plus

Premium e-Bike

Bike sharing vs bike subscription: FAQs

Bike sharing vs bike subscription: FAQs

What is Swapfiets?

What does it cost to rent a bike per day?

When is Swapfiets cheaper?

What are the costs or renting an electric bike?

What happens when I'm done with my membership?

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