Car Hire in Bristol

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Bristol, United Kingdom
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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Hire Rates

Bristol Airport
Mini
Kia Picanto or comparable
Kia Picanto
  • 4
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
GreenMotion
£ 19.76 / per day
Bristol Airport
Economy
Vauxhall Corsa or comparable
Vauxhall Corsa
  • 4
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Dollar
£ 25.11 / per day
Bristol Airport
Compact
Ford Focus or comparable
Ford Focus
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Keddy
£ 27.77 / per day
Bristol Airport
Intermediate SUV
Kia XCeed or comparable
Kia XCeed
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Europcar
£ 33.59 / per day

Most Popular Car Hire Deals

Bristol Airport
Premium
Mercedes Benz C Class or comparable
Mercedes Benz C Class
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
National
£ 34.74 / per day
Bristol Airport
Standard
MG HS or comparable
MG HS
  • 5
  • 3
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Avis
£ 55.95 / per day
City Centre
Full-size
Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupé or comparable
Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupé
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
£ 65.01 / per day
Bristol Airport
Compact Elite
Mercedes Benz A Class or comparable
Mercedes Benz A Class
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
Enterprise
£ 89.98 / per day
These prices are approximate and depend on the dates of the booking, hire length and type of car. This information was last updated at 06:17 on 2024-04-21.

Travel Information

Languages
English
Currency
GBP
Drive on
Left-hand side
Dialing code
+44
Average car hire price
£ 44 per day
Average car hire length
6 days
Speed limit within city centre
48 km/h or 30 mph
Speed limit out of city centre
96 - 112 km/h or 60 - 70 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Score
8.7 / 10
Average gasoline price
£ 1.54 per litre or £ 5.83 / 1 gallon
Lowest gasoline price
£ 1.42 per litre or £ 5.38 / 1 gallon
Highest gasoline price
£ 1.90 per litre or £ 7.19 / 1 gallon

Why hire a car in Bristol?

Bristol is a great place to explore by car. There’s plenty of diverse history to explore, but the city is also home to some of the most interesting contemporary art and culture in the UK. Take it all in, then drive to nearby nature areas or go on to explore neighboring Wales.

One-way Car Hire in Bristol

The most popular one-way car hire options for pick up in Bristol and drop off in another city include:

  • From Bristol to London - 252 offers from £ 37.00 per day
  • From Bristol to Exeter - 23 offers from £ 37.89 per day
  • From Bristol to Southampton - 68 offers from £ 37.00 per day

Top ways to enter Bristol

  • Bristol Airport: Serving nearly 9 million travelers every year, Bristol Airport is the ninth-busiest in the United Kingdom. There are daily flights to and from destinations in Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and many other countries. Also known as Lulsgate Airport, it is located 14km (8.7 miles) southwest of Bristol city center. 
  • Cardiff Airport: Although much smaller than Bristol Airport, it is still the busiest in Wales with daily flights by eight different airlines, including some low-cost carriers. The airport is just a 1 hour and 15-minute ride west of Bristol.
  • Birmingham Airport: Formerly known as Elmdon, this airport serves Britain’s second city. Served by 30 different airlines, it is a large base for a number of low-cost carriers. Birmingham Airport is around a 90-minute drive north of Bristol.
  • London Heathrow Airport: The busiest not just in the United Kingdom, but also in Europe, and among the five busiest in the world, London Heathrow hosts countless daily flights to all parts of the world. It is located west of London’s city center, so if you’re driving from the airport to Bristol, you do not have to go through or around the capital and the distance can be done by car in less than 2 hours. 

City facts

  • Bristol is one of the warmest and sunniest cities in the United Kingdom. It has an oceanic climate with pleasant summers and cool, yet rather mild, winters. The average temperature is 21.5°C  (70.7°F) in July, the warmest month, and 5°C  (41°F) in December and January. The precipitation is spread out rather evenly, with summers being only slightly drier than winters.
  • An important city of art since medieval times, Bristol has continued honoring this heritage in the present day. Many pioneering musicians, filmmakers, and writers hail from here, as does the world-famous street artist Banksy whose works can be seen in many places in Bristol.

Top destinations and activities

  • Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. Located inside an impressive Baroque building, Bristol’s main museum is a fun place to visit. From exhibitions on natural history that cover the area’s plants and wildlife from the times when the sea dinosaurs lived near Bristol to Egyptian Sarcophagi, sections on British industrialization, and artworks by famous British painters, this fascinating museum truly has something for everyone.
  • Bristol Blue Glass. A workshop that has been making Bristol’s famous blue glassware for nearly 300 years, Bristol Blue Glass is one of the iconic places in the city. Although you need to book a tour in advance, it’s well worth it as you get to see some of the most beautiful examples, learn about how the glass making technology works, and see working furnaces.
  • Brandon Hill & The Cabot Tower. A fun place to spend a day outdoors and meet some locals, Brandon Hill has an advantage over Bristol’s many other parks thanks to the great panoramic views of the city that are seen from the top on one of its hills. If you’re still craving for more, climb the spiral staircase of the Cabot Tower that stands on the same hill.
  • Clifton. A suburb of Bristol, Cliffton is one of the most interesting areas in the city. Clifton is home to the impressive Avon Gorge which can be marveled at from the suspension bridge that crosses it or the observation point in the nearby Clifton Observatory (an interesting place to visit in its own right). Clifton is also the location of The Downs, a large public area, and the Bristol Zoo Gardens.

Traffic and parking

  • The United Kingdom drives on the left-hand side of the road.
  • On-street parking is usually heavily restricted. Never park on a white, double yellow or double red line (stopping on motorways and next to red lines is illegal).
  • You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving unless you use a hands-free system.
  • Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 112 km/h (70 mph) on motorways, 112 km/h (70 mph) on dual carriageways, 96 km/h (60 mph) on single carriageways and 48km/h (30 mph) in residential areas and areas with street lighting.
  • In England and Wales, the legal alcohol limit is 0.08% for both experienced and novice drivers. Do keep in mind, however, that in Scotland the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, a suspended license, or even imprisonment.
  • The insurance documentation and registration of the car need to be in it whenever you’re driving.
  • If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
  • The emergency numbers are 999 and 112.

Toll roads

Currently, there is only a single toll road in the United Kingdom, the M6 toll. You also have to pay a toll for using a number of bridges and tunnels, as well as for entering the central areas of London and Durham (a city in North East England).

As an alternative to the M6 around Birmingham, the M6toll is a 43km (27 miles) long portion of the road, also known as the Birmingham North Relief Road (BNRR), that relieves congestion on the M6 itself. There are toll gates where you can pay by either cash or credit card. As of March 2019, the price is £6.40 for using the toll road from Monday to Friday (from 6a.m. to 11p.m.), £5.30 for using the toll road on Saturday or Sunday (from 6a.m. to 11p.m.), and £4.10 for using the toll road at night time on any day (from 11p.m. to 6a.m.). Find out more on the M6 Toll official website.  

Ideas for day trips

  • Bath. Famous for its Regency Terraces; many Roman sites and ruins; and excellent spa facilities that give the city its name, Bath is an interesting place to visit. Inhabited by humans since before the Iron Age, Bath is one of the very few places in Europe where the whole city has a UNESCO World Heritage status. Bath is the city that probably gets the most tourists per inhabitant in Britain. Just 19km (12 miles) southeast of Bristol, Bath can be reached in 30 to 40 minutes depending on the traffic.
  • Weston-super-Mare. A popular holiday destination since the Victorian era, Weston remains one of the most popular beach resorts of England. It’s lovely to spend a day on its long sandy beaches, but the place has other attractions, too, like the impressive Winter Gardens Pavilion, The Playhouse show venue, and the Tropicana outdoor swimming pool. Weston-super-Mare is just 25 miles (40km) southwest of Bristol, a distance that can be traveled in 45 minutes.
  • Cardiff. The capital city of neighboring Wales and sometimes considered a friendly rival of Bristol, Cardiff is just an hour’s drive east. It is famous for Cardiff Castle, one of the most impressive castles in Britain: Llandaff Cathedral that dates back to the 12th century; and many great museums. Cardiff can also serve as a great base for exploring the rest of Wales.
  • Brecon Beacons National Park. A large nature area in neighboring Wales, Brecon Beacons are centered around the Black Mountains and a number of other small mountain ranges that are collectively known as Brecon Beacons. Home to very few settlements, the beautiful area has the status of an International Dark Sky Reserve and is a perfect place for stargazing after a long day of hiking. Located 115 km (71 mi) northwest of Bristol, Brecon Beacons take about 90 minutes to reach.

Most popular cars

The most hired car types in Bristol are compact and intermediate, with standard vehicles taking third place. The most popular cars are the VW Golf, the Ford Focus and the Ford Transit. 

Further destinations

  • London. With more attractions than it’s possible to name, the capital of the United Kingdom is quite simply the one place in the UK that you simply must visit. It’s different neighborhoods and areas like Soho, Covent Garden, and Notting Hill are more famous than most cities, but the greatest thing about London is that it’s ever-changing and always finds new ways to surprise you. From Bristol, it’s just 19 km (118 miles) east, a distance that can be traveled in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Cotswolds. A natural region near Bristol, the Cotswolds has been designated one of the few Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England. It’s rolling bedrock hills and grasslands create a unique landscape with picturesque small stone-house villages here and there. The area is less than an hour’s drive north of Bristol.
  • Cornwall. One of the most distinct British regions, Cornwall is characterized by a long coastline, cozy towns and villages, natural beauty, and Celtic heritage. Here you’ll find the ancient-looking Dartmoor National Park. According to the legend, Cornwall was the home of King Arthur. Truro, the region’s capital, is about a three-hour drive southeast.
  • Birmingham. Although Britain’s second city is mainly known for its technological and trading prowess, Birmingham also has plenty of things for a visitor to see and do. The city’s highlights include the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Lapworth Museum of Geology, the Coffin Works industrial heritage museum, and Jaguar Castle Assembly Plant. Located 140 km (87 mi) north of Bristol, Birmingham takes only about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach.

Car Hire Prices in Bristol

  • Large cars - starting at £ 22 per day
  • Medium cars - starting at £ 21 per day
  • People Carriers - starting at £ 71 per day
  • Premium cars - starting at £ 35 per day
  • Small cars - starting at £ 20 per day
  • SUVs - starting at £ 22 per day

Money-saving tips

These are the tips and tricks that can land you a cheap car for hire in Bristol:

  • Compare the rates of different car hire companies
  • Book your car well in advance
  • Plan your route before you go
  • Know your fuel and mileage requirements
  • Visit during the month when the prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Bristol is the cheapest in February when hiring a car is about 50% cheaper than the yearly average. It can be fun to explore South West England in the winter!
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Map of Car Hire Destinations

In which month is car hire in Bristol the most affordable?

According to our data, prices for hiring a car in Bristol fluctuate depending on the time of year. This graph displays the average hire prices in each month in order to help you find the best bargain.
Average price for hiring a car per day in Bristol
£ 18.19
January
£ 28.80
February
£ 26.46
March
£ 35.53
April
£ 53.16
May
£ 49.18
June
£ 51.18
July
£ 41.70
August
£ 30.91
September
£ 27.36
October
£ 21.43
November
£ 30.99
December
The best month to hire a car in Bristol is January (when the average price is £ 18.19 per day). This is 47% less than the yearly average and 66% less than hiring in May (when the average price is £ 53.16).

This information can help you determine the low season. But note that these prices are only averages. The cost of your hire is determined by the type of car you select, the length of time you hire it for and how much in advance you book. Simply type in your dates in the form at the top of the page in order to find out the exact prices.

What is the usual period for which people keep their hire cars, on average, in Bristol?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in January, the average renter keeps their car for 7 days, and in September, they keep their car for 5 days.
Average number of hire days in Bristol
7
January
6
February
6
March
6
April
7
May
6
June
7
July
7
August
5
September
6
October
6
November
6
December

What is the most favoured month for hiring a car in Bristol?

Given the number of searches made by our customers, the most popular month for car hire in Bristol is July, and the least popular is March.
Popularity of Car Hire in Bristol by Monthly Searches
114%
January
89%
February
65%
March
67%
April
85%
May
100%
June
142%
July
135%
August
85%
September
122%
October
65%
November
130%
December

Car Hire Information

Car hire locations 6
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Drivalia, Keddy, Alamo, GreenMotion, Europcar
Popular car categories Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, People Carriers
Lowest price £ 20 per day
Cheapest supplier GreenMotion

Most Popular Car Hire Models

Hire Agency Model Doors Luggage Type
Drivalia Fiat 500 3 1 Small cars
Drivalia Volkswagen Polo 5 1 Small cars
Keddy Kia Picanto 3 1 Small cars
Drivalia Renault Captur 5 2 Medium cars
Keddy Ford Focus 5 2 Medium cars
Keddy Vauxhall Crossland 5 2 SUVs
Keddy Fiat 500 3 1 Small cars
Alamo Ford Focus 4 2 Medium cars
Alamo Toyota Aygo 3 1 Small cars
Ace Rent a car Peugeot 308 4 2 Medium cars

Our Customers' Reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.

United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
27 January 2022
I live locally so I hired the car from Easirent as transport until my replacement car was delivered
× Full Size Image

Car Hire Statistics

Highest rated company
Alamo
8.8 / 10
)
Lowest rated company
Easirent
6.9 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
11
Total rental companies
14
Average daily price
£ 43.99
Lowest daily price
£ 19.76
Total cars available
344

Top 14 Suppliers in Bristol in 2024

Alamo
Alamo
Very good 8.8 / 29 reviews
1 location
£ 73 - £ 257
Enterprise
Enterprise
Very good 8.5 / 9 reviews
2 locations
£ 67 - £ 198
Keddy
Keddy
Very good 8.2 / 33 reviews
4 locations
£ 28 - £ 71
Drivalia
Drivalia
Very good 8.1 / 37 reviews
1 location
£ 52 - £ 198
SIXT
SIXT
Very good 8 / 13 reviews
3 locations
£ 29 - £ 156
Hertz
Hertz
Very good 8 / 3 reviews
3 locations
£ 23 - £ 74
Avis
Avis
Good 7.9 / 5 reviews
1 location
£ 56 - £ 95
National
National
Good 7.9 / 4 reviews
1 location
£ 35 - £ 254
Europcar
Europcar
Good 7.8 / 11 reviews
3 locations
£ 33 - £ 77
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Good 7.6 / 38 reviews
2 locations
£ 20 - £ 864
Dollar
Dollar
Good 7.6
1 location
£ 23 - £ 47
Budget
Budget
Good 7.5 / 1 review
1 location
£ 56 - £ 95
Routes Car Rental
Routes Car Rental
Good 7.2
1 location
Easirent
Easirent
Satisfactory 6.9 / 73 reviews
1 location
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