Financing models
How Much Does It Cost to Rent an Aerial Work Platform? 2026
Renting an aerial work platform in Europe costs from around €70 per day for a compact scissor lift to over €250 per day for a large spider or truck-mounted platform. Here's how type and working height drive the price.
Renting an aerial work platform (AWP or MEWP) in Europe costs from around €70 per day for a compact scissor lift to over €250–300 per day for a large tracked spider or truck-mounted platform. The price follows three things: machine type, working height and rental duration. Transport and insurance are almost always extra. Below are the rate bands by type and what to check before signing a quote.
Indicative aerial work platform rental rates by type
| Type | Typical working height | Indicative day rate |
|---|---|---|
| Compact scissor lift | 8–12 m | €70–110 |
| Articulated / telescopic boom | 12–20 m | €120–200 |
| Tracked spider | 15–30 m | €200–300 |
| Truck-mounted (cherry picker) | 14–28 m | From €200, usually with operator |
These figures are for machine-only hire, without transport or operator. As with other equipment, the weekly rate is typically around four to five times the daily rate and the monthly rate around three to four weeks — the longer the rental, the lower the effective cost per day.
What drives the price
- Type and height. More outreach and greater height means a more complex machine and a higher rate. Scissor lifts sit at the affordable end; large spider cranes and truck-mounted platforms at the top.
- Duration. Longer rentals cost less per day because fixed delivery and handling costs are spread across more billable days.
- Transport. Delivery to site is separate and scales with distance. On a one-day hire it can cost as much as the machine itself.
- Operator. Truck-mounted platforms and complex elevated work are often hired wet — with a certified operator included — which adds a significant line to the quote.
What's included and what isn't
The rental rate covers the machine and its routine maintenance, including mandatory periodic inspections. It normally does not include transport, damage waiver or insurance, fuel and operator. A low day rate with these excluded can end up more expensive than a higher all-in rate. Always compare on a like-for-like, fully itemised basis.
Renting vs a longer-term option
If you use an aerial work platform for only a few jobs a year, renting keeps cost aligned to the work and removes the obligation of periodic safety inspections and storage. If the machine is central to your operation and used continuously, comparing operating lease and finance lease options may reduce the effective cost per day while keeping the asset off your balance sheet. To model where the break-even sits for a specific machine, use the rent vs lease vs buy calculator. If you are still choosing between machine types, the aerial work platform types guide walks through selection criteria in detail.
In short
An aerial work platform costs roughly €70 per day for a compact scissor lift to over €250 for a large spider or truck-mounted platform, plus transport and accessories. Price follows type, height and duration. Confirm operator certification requirements, compare fully itemised quotes and let intensity of use decide between short-term hire, an operating lease or a purchase.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to rent an aerial work platform per day?
- It depends on type and working height. A compact scissor lift (up to 10–12 m) typically starts at around €70–110 per day. A mid-range articulated or telescopic boom (12–20 m) sits around €120–200, while a large spider or truck-mounted platform often exceeds €200–300 per day. Transport and insurance are almost always charged separately.
- What is the price difference between scissor lift, boom and spider?
- Scissor lifts are the most affordable because they are simple and widely available. Articulated and telescopic booms cost more for their outreach and height capability. Tracked spider cranes and truck-mounted platforms are the most expensive: spider cranes for their ability to work in confined spaces and on difficult terrain, truck-mounted for the vehicle itself and the operator who typically comes with it.
- Do you need a licence to operate an aerial work platform?
- In most European countries, operating a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) professionally requires a valid IPAF licence or equivalent national certification. The rental rate covers the machine, not operator training. If you do not have certified personnel on site, consider hiring the platform with an operator (a wet hire).
- Is it better to rent or buy an aerial work platform?
- For occasional use, renting is almost always more cost-effective — it avoids mandatory periodic inspections, maintenance and storage. For continuous use where the platform is central to your operation, a long-term lease or purchase may reduce the effective cost per day. Compare options using the rent vs lease vs buy calculator.
Sources & further reading
About the author
Equiply Editorial TeamEquipment Finance Editorial Team
The Equiply editorial team covers industrial and maritime equipment access — rental, leasing and financing — for procurement and finance leaders across Europe.
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