Car Rental in the United Kingdom

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700+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

London Airport Gatwick
Mini
Kia Picanto or similar
Kia Picanto
  • 4
  • 1
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
U-Save
$14.15 per day
London Heathrow Airport
Economy
Ford Fiesta or similar
Ford Fiesta
  • 5
  • 1
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Surprice
$16.13 per day
Downtown
Compact
Renault Captur or similar
Renault Captur
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Drivalia
$17.97 per day
Inverness Airport
Intermediate SUV
Nissan Qashqai or similar
Nissan Qashqai
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Keddy
$22.08 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

London Heathrow Airport
Standard SUV
Peugeot 3008 or similar
Peugeot 3008
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
GreenMotion
$25.39 per day
London Heathrow Airport
Compact Elite
Mercedes Benz A Class or similar
Mercedes Benz A Class
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Enterprise
$32.29 per day
Belfast City Airport
Intermediate Elite Crossover
Volkswagen T-Roc or similar
Volkswagen T-Roc
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Hertz
$33.85 per day
London Airport Gatwick
Premium
Mercedes C Class or similar
Mercedes C Class
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Alamo
$41.25 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 7:48 PM on 12/6/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information

Languages
English
Currency
GBP
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+44
Average car rental price
$25 per day
Average car rental length
6 days
Speed limit within town
48 km/h or 30 mph
Speed limit out of town
96 - 112 km/h or 60 - 70 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Rating
9.1 / 10
Average gas price
$1.86 per liter or $7.04 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.75 per liter or $6.64 per gallon
Highest gas price
$2.03 per liter or $7.68 per gallon

Why rent a car in the United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a great country for renting a ca. It comprises the countries of Wales, Scotland, and England on the mainland. Visitors can cross borders by road between these three countries with no border formalities. The UK has unique and distinct countries, cities, and regions that can be explored for weeks,  whether you choose to explore the UK’s cities, countryside, beaches, or mountains. Despite this incredible diversity within the UK, driving distances are generally short, and the road network is in great shape, all be it busy!

United Kingdom

One-way Car Rentals in the United Kingdom

Here are the most popular one-way rental options for pickup in the United Kingdom and drop off in another country:

  • From United Kingdom to Ireland - 194 offers from $35.35 per day

Top ways to enter United Kingdom

  • London Heathrow Airport: One of the busiest in the world, Heathrow Airport handled over 80 million travelers in 2019. It hosts flights by tens of airlines, offering connections with destinations all over the world. Although the largest, Heathrow is by no means the only airport serving the capital region - others include Gatwick Airport, Luton Airport, Stansted Airport, London City Airport, and Southend Airport, all of which also offer rental cars to arriving travelers.
  • Manchester Airport: With nearly 30 million travelers served annually, Manchester Airport is the largest in the northern part of England and the busiest in the UK outside London. Other notable airports in Central and North England include Birmingham Airport, East Midlands Airport, Leeds-Bradford Airport, and Liverpool Airport.
  • Edinburgh Airport: Serving the capital of Scotland, it is its largest airport, although by no means the only one - other international Scottish Airports include Glasgow Airport, Prestwick Airport, Aberdeen Airport, and Inverness Airport.
  • Belfast Airports: Two small, but well-connected international airports serve Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, namely, the Belfast International Airport and the Belfast George Best City Airport.

Top cities and places to visit

  • London: One of the most important cities in Europe and, indeed, the world, London is home to countless landmarks and cultures. Driving in London can be hard for foreigners an,d there are restrictions on where and when you can take a car. If you’re only visiting London and not exploring more of the UK, it may be easier for you to use the very good public transport within the city.
  • England: The largest of the four countries that make up the UK, England is home not only to London, its capital city, but to other famous cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Bristol, as well as historic and distinct regions. You can tour The Lake District, Dartmoor, the beautiful south coast beaches or historical cities like York and Bath.
  • Scotland: The wild and remote Scottish Highlands will take your breath away, but do make time to also discover beautiful Edinburgh where, you can visit the Queen’s yacht, Britannia.
  • Wales: Welsh towns and cities can be picturesque and cozy or modern and vibrant like the Welsh capital, Cardiff. Two of the major attractions in Wales are the mountainous regions of Snowdonia, where you will find the highest mountain in Wales, and the Brecon Beacons, where a driving holiday will bring you stunning views and landscapes.
  • Northern Ireland: Its countryside boasts unmatched hospitality, while the capital Belfast is quickly becoming one of Europe’s most interesting city destinations.

Most popular rental car

The most popular rental car in the United Kingdom is the Ford Fiesta, followed by the Fiat 500 and the VW Polo.

Driver's license requirements

  • The United Kingdom only recognizes foreign driver’s licenses that are printed in a Latin script and if you are visiting as a tourist on a trip that’s shorter than 12 months. If you’re staying in the country for a longer period or are residing there permanently, you need to obtain a local license instead.
  • If your driver’s license is printed in another alphabet than Latin (e.g., Cyrillic or Arabic), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) too.
  • Similarly, if your driver’s license doesn’t show your photograph, you might be required to have an IDP.
  • Even if you have an IDP, you also need to keep your original license on you as you will be required to provide both.
  • You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
  • You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
  • Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 22 and 25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
  • There may be additional requirements depending on the car supplier and category, so make sure to check the rental conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

Drivers can enter mainland Europe by car ferry or on some trains which travel via the tunnel under the British Channel to France.

The United Kingdom only has a land border with the Republic of Ireland via Northern Ireland. As of February 2023, both countries are part of the Common Travel Area, and border control is not enforced. Citizens of the member states of the European Economic Area and Switzerland, as well as many other western countries, can enter both countries as tourists without a visa.

Citizens of some other countries may be permitted to visit the United Kingdom but might need a separate visa to visit the Republic of Ireland or vice versa. We advise you to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out whether you need a visa to visit either the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom.

Citizens of China and India are an exception and can use their short-term British visa to also visit the Republic of Ireland.

Some car rental providers allow you to take a rental car between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (it’s common to travel between Belfast and Dublin with a rental car). You can find those providers that allow one-way rentals by entering your car pick-up and drop-off locations on our search. Alternatively, check the rental conditions to see which suppliers allow crossing the border (but returning to Northern Ireland afterwards)

Similarly, some companies permit rental car trips between continental Europe and the United Kingdom via the Eurotunnel (e.g., from Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam to London). Keep in mind, though, that the United Kingdom is no longer a part of the European Union and has never been a part of the Schengen Agreement. This can be especially relevant for foreign visitors to the European Union as, depending on their citizenship, many of them will need a separate visa to visit the United Kingdom. Be sure to get in touch with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance to learn more about the entry requirements for your nationality.

Most popular types of rental car

The most popular rental car type in the United Kingdom is a mini. Travelers also tend to pick compact and economy cars a lot. 

Top driving routes

  • Cornwall. Being remote is not always a bad thing, and in the case of the southwestern Duchy of Cornwall, it's probably one of the main contributing factors to the region’s uniqueness. The Cornish tongue can still be heard in the region’s villages and pubs, and the same is true for Arthurian stories, pirate tales, and Celtic legends. Other attractions include splendid coastline, quaint fishing villages, the futuristic Eden Project, and even arguably the best surfing in the United Kingdom. Last but not least, Cornwall is not as far as it might seem - it only takes about five hours to reach it from London, four from Southampton, and three from Bristol and Cardiff.
  • North Wales. Another sparsely populated region with amazing scenery, the border of North Wales is just west of metropolises like Liverpool and Manchester. The region’s resort towns and beaches like Colwyn Bay and Llandudno have been acknowledged since at least the Victorian times and remain deservedly popular destinations, but the really curious travelers will go even further west to discover natural wonders like the Snowdonia National Park and the Isle of Anglesey.

Car rental prices

  • Station wagons - from $19 per day
  • Large cars - from $20 per day
  • Medium cars - from $15 per day
  • Vans - from $44 per day
  • Premium cars - from $37 per day
  • Small cars - from $14 per day
  • SUVs - from $20 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Below, you'll find reviews about traveling in the United Kingdom from customers who booked their rental car through us. Here's a summary of some of the most frequent things they mentioned:

  1. Explore Rural Areas
    • Rural England offers peace and unique landscapes.
    • Example from review: "We travelled in rural England, Essex and Herefordshire, and enjoyed the peace."
  2. Discover Northern Ireland
    • Northern Ireland provides incredible experiences.
    • Example from review: "My trip to Northern Ireland was incredible."
  3. Enjoy the Diversity of Wales
    • Wales, known for its beautiful landscapes, particularly Snowdonia, is a must-visit.
    • Example from review: "Wales is beautiful, especially Snowdonia!"
  4. Poor Public Transport: 
    • Some areas, like Northern Ireland, have less satisfactory public transport services.
    • Example from review: "Public transport in NI is poor."

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in the United Kingdom:

  • Compare rates of different rental car providers
  • Book your rental car well in advance
  • Plan your route before you go
  • Know your fuel and mileage requirements
  • Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting United Kingdom is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 31% cheaper than the yearly average.
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.
Fact checked by
Alyson Long
This article was fact-checked and edited by Alyson Long, a British citizen hailing from South Wales who has been an international travel blogger and author for over a decade. Her family travelled full-time for 7 years to around 60 countries to gain expertise. She is the owner of the World Travel Family and World Travel Chef websites, both of which aim to help people, particularly families, travel with ease around the world.

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in the United Kingdom?

The cost of renting a car in the United Kingdom varies by season. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Average rental costs per day in the United Kingdom
$32.73
January
$57.63
February
$60.85
March
$58.43
April
$83.97
May
$87.15
June
$92.35
July
$72.72
August
$70.39
September
$95.35
October
$92.69
November
$50.25
December
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in the United Kingdom is January — when rental costs average $32.73 per day. This is 54% cheaper than the yearly average and 66% cheaper than renting a car in October (when prices average $95.35 per day).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the average rental length in the United Kingdom?

How long renters typically keep their vehicle sometimes varies depending on the time of year. Travelers tend to keep their rental cars longer in December — an average of 7 days. They tend to keep them for a shorter time in October — an average of 3 days.
Average number of rental days in the United Kingdom
5
January
4
February
4
March
4
April
5
May
5
June
6
July
6
August
5
September
3
October
3
November
7
December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in the United Kingdom?

Based on how many customers search for a car in the United Kingdom, the most popular month is October, while the least popular is February.
Monthly searches in the United Kingdom by pick-up date relative to the average
71%
January
71%
February
86%
March
78%
April
99%
May
98%
June
117%
July
124%
August
104%
September
149%
October
128%
November
73%
December

Car rental information

Car rental locations 382
Airport locations 35
Popular suppliers Drivalia, Keddy, Arnold Clark, Alamo, GreenMotion
Popular car categories Small cars, SUVs, Medium cars, Vans
Lowest price $14 per day
Cheapest supplier U-Save

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Drivalia Volkswagen Polo 5 1 Small cars
Drivalia Fiat 500 3 1 Small cars
Drivalia Renault Captur 5 2 Medium cars
Arnold Clark Ford Fiesta 5 2 Small cars
Keddy Vauxhall Astra 5 2 Medium cars
Arnold Clark Kia Ceed 5 2 Medium cars
Keddy Citroen C3 Aircross 5 1 SUVs
Keddy Fiat 500 3 1 Small cars
Alamo Nissan Juke 5 2 SUVs
Alamo Nissan Qashqai 5 3 SUVs

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the 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.

Austria
Renault Captur
10/30/24
Chester, Snowdonia, Peak District & Holyhead are great destinations for nature lovers & people who want to see small historic cities
Switzerland
Fiat 500
10/28/24
Driving around the Cotswolds.
United Kingdom
Volkswagen Polo
10/20/24
Very neat and decent experience, the agents were very informative in explaining the details and the instructions provided on email was super simple. Overall I am looking forward to rent cars with Drivalia and Discover Cars
Czech Republic
Fiat 500
10/1/24
Visited everything I planned + added a few more spots.
New Zealand
Peugeot 3008
9/28/24
Cornwall - we stayed in Newquay and drove to Beud, Boscastle, st Ives visiting all the beaches which were stunning so clear and beautiful. Porth beach was our favourite!
Canada
Vauxhall Crossland
9/15/24
We had a great experience with the car. It's smooth to drive, and the fuel consumption is average. Before renting, double-check with your credit card about the insurance, though. If you’re from Canada (or the US), your credit card should cover rentals for a certain amount.
New Zealand
Volkswagen Polo
9/12/24
Coming from NZ I am familiar with impressive scenery and seafood. I thought north and western Scotland had these things almost on steroids, it is amazing and I say this on a day when I didn't have too many drams of the good stuff!
Singapore
Nissan Qashqai
9/12/24
Good and stable car to drive. We had a great drive up to Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Bradford, Liverpool and Manchester.
United States of America (USA)
Vauxhall Crossland
9/10/24
London is not my favorite city that I have been to but the English countryside more than makes up for the chaos that is London. There are small villages and towns everywhere and they truly make a trip to England worth the hassle of going through London. I would recommend visiting the small historic towns all over England you truly get a better experience when you do.
Cyprus
Nissan Juke
8/14/24
Loved Rye and Battle
United States of America (USA)
Peugeot 308
8/13/24
Visiting my family
Australia
Fiat 500
8/1/24
Photo 1 by Robert J. about renting a Fiat 500 in the United Kingdom (8/1/24) Photo 2 by Robert J. about renting a Fiat 500 in the United Kingdom (8/1/24)
United States of America (USA)
Ford Focus
7/30/24
We traveled all over Scotland: from Edinburgh to Fraserburgh to Inverness to Glasgow and back to Edinburgh. We enjoyed so many city sites and countryside views!! Just amazing!
Photo 1 by Linda C. about renting a Ford Focus in the United Kingdom (7/30/24) Photo 2 by Linda C. about renting a Ford Focus in the United Kingdom (7/30/24)
United States of America (USA)
Peugeot 3008
7/29/24
Driving on the right side was difficult.We would suggest that all left side drivers get an automatic car(whilst booking patrons should be advised as such).
Malaysia
Jeep Avenger
7/27/24
I'm able to go for my son graduation
United States of America (USA)
Vauxhall Crossland
7/26/24
We traveled all over Scotland and loved the scenery and very friendly people.
Netherlands
Vauxhall Corsa
7/23/24
Kent is an amazing beautiful area to visit though the driving on it's narrow country roads is challenging.
Luxembourg
Volkswagen Polo
7/15/24
We traveled through most of west of Scotland. Beautiful scenic views that we could easily access by car. An unforgettable trip!
United States of America (USA)
Seat Alhambra
7/14/24
Trip to Saint Andrews was absolutely amazing
United Kingdom
Kia Stonic
7/10/24
Family birthday and music festival
United Kingdom
Volkswagen Polo
7/9/24
Was in Stirling for William Wallace box cup , had two boys with us and staff in hire centre were so helpful .
Australia
Peugeot 208
6/29/24
We travelled in rural England, Essex and Herefordshire, the country views were fabulous.
Photo by Ronald B. about renting a Peugeot 208 in the United Kingdom (6/29/24)
United Kingdom
Nissan Qashqai
6/25/24
Photo 1 by Richard W. about renting a Nissan Qashqai in the United Kingdom (6/25/24) Photo 2 by Richard W. about renting a Nissan Qashqai in the United Kingdom (6/25/24)
Netherlands
Toyota Aygo
6/17/24
We went to the nature and city, great for the weekend
United States of America (USA)
Ford Focus
6/3/24
Toured Scotland without a tour guide. Having our own transportation allowed us to explore the country on our time.
Australia
Nissan Qashqai
5/31/24
Great times with family all over England after 20 years
Australia
Renault Captur
5/22/24
driving thru Scottish Highlands
Ireland
Vauxhall Corsa
5/19/24
Culross. Piclochry. Perth.
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
5/16/24
My trip to Northern Ireland was incredible. The Giants Causeway is stunning. All of it is so picturesque and we were blessed with beautiful weather.
United Kingdom
Ford Kuga
5/14/24
Family visit lovely .
Canada
Peugeot 3008
5/13/24
here for a family wedding. had a drink and food at a wonderful pub in Barnet called 'The Duke of York' which has a nice beer garden and lovely quiet surroundings.
Netherlands
Ford Focus
5/7/24
Wales is beautiful, especially Snowdonia!
Portugal
Peugeot 3008
4/9/24
We were four people travelling allover the country, along great roads, but also in very bad shape paths, under all weather conditions, so I choose to make an assurance extension. But this car was always amazing, comfortable and reliable. Great experience.
United States of America (USA)
Ford Focus
3/24/24
We loved seeing Scotland. We did a large loop to catch some outdoor attractions as well as some of the cities.
New Zealand
Volkswagen Polo
3/23/24
South Wales and Aberystwyth particularly beautiful
Ireland
Renault Captur
3/22/24
Everything went really smoothly & offered great value
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
3/10/24
Care for mother
Ireland
Kia Picanto
3/10/24
being with my family, listening to biblical encouragement.
Hong Kong
Mercedes Benz A Class
3/3/24
Nice car and good service
France
Toyota Aygo
2/28/24
Visiting friends and family I had not seen for a very long time.
Portugal
Fiat 500
2/14/24
Visiting family and friends.
Hong Kong
Ford Fiesta
2/13/24
this trip to visit many friends, so happy to meet some friends and nice chat. And visit their local town and famous places
Spain
Fiat 500
2/9/24
Travelled around Yorkshire visiting family and friends. Weather wasn't the best but the little Fiat 500 was great.
Italy
Toyota Aygo
2/6/24
First time driving in UK, glad to have such a small car like the Fiat 500 even if the shift is quite high. Needed it to drive to a wedding and the trip was nice, easy and comfortable.
Australia
Fiat 500
2/6/24
Family friends adventures
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
1/22/24
Work ((
India
Kia Picanto
1/17/24
Renting the car helped us personalise our trip as we wanted, adding and modifying the journey on the go. It was a wonderful trip, whether parking the car and enjoying the stars at Loch Ness or driving through the snow-clad Cairngorms mountain range. Although there was snow at places on the road, the vehicle went smoothly without a problem. I felt safe and confident driving the car; our trip went perfectly well.
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
1/2/24
Visiting family
New Zealand
Ford Focus
12/17/23
The UK was amazing. We saw a lot of cool stuff and meet some great folks
United States of America (USA)
Volkswagen Passat
12/13/23
We had a great trip! American travelers (such as us) who are so "car-centric" in our thinking should bear in mind that unless you are doing a "roadtrip tour" of England, Scotland, Wales, you will likely not need a car rental: most cities are designed for pedestrians and bicycles (with reliable mass transit options).

Car Rental Statistics

Highest-rated company
Arnold Clark
9.2 / 10
)
Lowest-rated company
Surprice
6.1 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
334
Total rental companies
20
Average daily price
$25.39
Lowest daily price
$14.15
Total cars available
12089

Top 20 suppliers in the United Kingdom in 2024

Arnold Clark
Arnold Clark
Exceptional 9.2 / 1,521 reviews
42 locations
$22 - $177
Enterprise
Enterprise
Very good 8.8 / 757 reviews
248 locations
$21 - $479
Alamo
Alamo
Very good 8.6 / 1,229 reviews
36 locations
$20 - $317
Budget
Budget
Very good 8.3 / 129 reviews
39 locations
$20 - $383
Europcar
Europcar
Very good 8.3 / 429 reviews
112 locations
$22 - $282
Hertz
Hertz
Very good 8.3 / 365 reviews
53 locations
$18 - $766
Avis
Avis
Very good 8.3 / 250 reviews
48 locations
$19 - $424
National
National
Very good 8.2 / 188 reviews
39 locations
$25 - $551
Keddy
Keddy
Very good 8.2 / 989 reviews
103 locations
$17 - $336
SIXT
SIXT
Very good 8 / 503 reviews
54 locations
$25 - $169
Thrifty
Thrifty
Average 7.7 / 0 reviews
40 locations
$25 - $169
Dollar
Dollar
Average 7.6 / 16 reviews
52 locations
$24 - $50
EZ Drive Car Rentals
EZ Drive Car Rentals
Average 7.6 / 1 review
9 locations
$46 - $170
Goldcar
Goldcar
Average 7.5 / 1 review
1 location
$46 - $170
Drivalia
Drivalia
Average 7.4 / 2,203 reviews
36 locations
$16 - $715
Routes Car Rental
Routes Car Rental
Average 7.1 / 152 reviews
115 locations
$54 - $251
U-Save
U-Save
Average 7 / 29 reviews
2 locations
$14 - $78
Ace Rent a car
Ace Rent a car
Average 7 / 487 reviews
1 location
$25 - $151
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Below average 6.7 / 1,569 reviews
35 locations
$17 - $14,696
Surprice
Surprice
Below average 6.1 / 350 reviews
2 locations
$16 - $272
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