Car Rental in the United Kingdom
✓ No Hidden Costs ✓ 24/7 Support ✓ Free Cancellation
500+ Trusted Providers:
Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 07:02 on 2021-10-21. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
GBP
Country code
44
Traffic direction
Left-hand
Speed limit out of town
97 km/h
60 mi/h
Speed limit within town
48 km/h
30 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Why rent a car in the United Kingdom?
United Kingdom is a great country for renting a car. Its unique and distinct cities and regions can be explored for weeks, as can its green nature and northern mountains. Despite this diversity, the driving distances are generally short and the road network is in great shape.
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 € 33.46 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.
- England: The largest of the four “home countries”, England is home not only to London, but to other famous cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Bristol, as well as historic and distinct regions.
- Scotland: Wild and remote Scottish Highlands will take your breath away, but do make time to also discover beautiful Edinburgh.
- Wales: Its towns are picturesque and cozy, but the real attraction of Wales is the mountainous Snowdonia region in the north.
- 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 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
The United Kingdom only has a land border with the Republic of Ireland via Northern Ireland. As of June 2021, 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, as well as many other western countries, can enter both countries 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 the 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 Irelandafterwards)
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 of 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, 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 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 Isle of Anglesey.
Car Rental Prices
- Station wagons - from $91 per day
- Large cars - from $58 per day
- Medium cars - from $45 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $120 per day
- Premium cars - from $106 per day
- Small cars - from $33 per day
- SUVs - from $73 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in 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.
Top 20 Most Popular Cities in the United Kingdom
-
Car Rental in Edinburgh from $19.68 per day
-
Car Rental in Manchester from $20.75 per day
-
Car Rental in Glasgow from $18.61 per day
-
Car Rental in Belfast from $15.55 per day
-
Car Rental in Birmingham from $29.29 per day
-
Car Rental in Luton from $42.86 per day
-
Car Rental in Inverness from $47.49 per day
-
Car Rental in Liverpool from $14.68 per day
-
Car Rental in Leeds from $23.78 per day
-
Car Rental in Newcastle from $24.31 per day
-
Car Rental in Southampton from $27.85 per day
-
Car Rental in Cardiff from $29.26 per day
-
Car Rental in Aberdeen from $17.53 per day
-
Car Rental in Bolton from $43.34 per day
-
Car Rental in East Midlands from $25.11 per day
-
Car Rental in Bournemouth from $27.18 per day
-
Car Rental in Leicester from $18.62 per day
-
Car Rental in Brighton from $22.16 per day
Top 19 Most Popular Locations in the United Kingdom
-
Car Rental at London Heathrow Airport from $17.36 per day
-
Car Rental at London Gatwick Airport from $18.31 per day
-
Car Rental at London Stansted Airport from $18.77 per day
-
Car Rental at London St Pancras Train Station from $31.94 per day
-
Car Rental at London Euston Train Station from $31.94 per day
-
Car Rental at London City Airport from $20.32 per day
-
Car Rental at London Marylebone Train Station from $31.94 per day
-
Car Rental at London Paddington Train Station from $31.94 per day
-
Car Rental at London Stratford Train Station from $31.50 per day
-
Car Rental at Edinburgh Airport from $13.15 per day
-
Car Rental at Manchester Airport from $20.75 per day
-
Car Rental at Glasgow Airport from $18.61 per day
-
Car Rental at Birmingham Airport from $19.68 per day
-
Car Rental at Luton Airport from $19.68 per day
-
Car Rental at Waterloo Train Station from $24.47 per day
-
Car Rental at London Kings Cross Train Station from $31.94 per day
-
Car Rental at Belfast International Airport from $12.83 per day
-
Car Rental at Edinburgh Waverley Train Station from $19.68 per day
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in the United Kingdom?
The cost of renting a car in the United Kingdom depends on the time of year. This graph compares price changes from month to month in order to find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in the United Kingdom
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in the United Kingdom is February — prices start from $39.57 for an Economy class vehicle. This is 28% cheaper than the yearly average and 50% cheaper than renting a car in the month of December (when prices start at $79.14 for a Compact class). This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. The exact price for your trip will depend on the length of your rental and the number of days until your rental period begins. Just enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers.
What’s the average rental length in the United Kingdom?
The average length differs from month to month. The longest rental periods are in October — an average of 16 days. The shortest are in February — an average of 4 days.
Average Rental Length in the United Kingdom
What’s the most popular time for renting a car in the United Kingdom?
Discover Cars users search for cars in a lot of locations daily. We gathered this information in order to analyze car rental popularity in the United Kingdom. The most popular month is March, while the least popular is January.
Popularity of Car Rental in the United Kingdom by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easirent | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Easirent | Ford Focus | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Easirent | Fiat 500 | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Easirent | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| GreenMotion | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| GreenMotion | Citroen C3 | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Surprice | VW Golf | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| GreenMotion | Citroen C3 Aircross | 5 | 3 | Small cars |
| SIXT | Toyota Aygo | 2 | 1 | Small cars |
| GreenMotion | Kia Ceed | 5 | 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. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
SP
United Kingdom
Vauxhall Crossland
August 26, 2021
It is difficult to imagine a more efficient, convenient or friendly service. Excellent in all respects.
KO
Ireland
Kia Ceed
August 26, 2021
Visited Hampshire…lovely cultural areas and welcoming people
MS
United Kingdom
Toyota Yaris
August 23, 2021
Visiting family but enjoyed every place we visited
NM
United Kingdom
Toyota Yaris
May 26, 2021
Great price, pick up to and from airport. Great, friendly service
SC
United Kingdom
Ford Focus
May 18, 2021
Travelling from Edinburgh to Stoke to see a friend after lockdown, so didn't see any sites.
MD
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
April 8, 2021
Good, easy, convenience, competitive price.
TA
Norway
Fiat 500
October 22, 2020
Driving in Scotland is an adventure. From Highways to stiff Hills and curvy Mountain Roads. Great scenery! From "Stone" towns to old Castles and great untouched wild nature. Something that everyone should have on their "Bucket List".
NM
United Kingdom
Volvo XC60
October 1, 2020
I was travelling to Hastings
LA
United Kingdom
Vauxhall Corsa
September 15, 2020
A car is a must for travelling outside of the city and seeing all that Scotland has to offer!
MH
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
September 9, 2020
For edinburgh a car is not needed - only if you go out from the city. Then it is a necessity to stop and see and explore
JS
United Kingdom
Ford Focus
September 2, 2020
Most places you can use local transport in London but if you want to get away from Central London then would recommend car.
EM
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
August 29, 2020
All easy and perf
AC
United Kingdom
Mercedes Benz Vito
August 17, 2020
When renting a car through these people I would look to park your vehicle as far away from other cars as possible due to the high level of deposit taken.
We parked outside Edinburgh and used the tram system, which is very efficient
MJ
Poland
Ford Focus
August 7, 2020
You should consider that this rental company is located about 5 miles from the airport. There is a free shuttle bus but the transfer takes about 15 mins + wait time.
AH
Ireland
Vauxhall Corsa
August 6, 2020
Whether you go through the on line process or go in off the street. The staff are helpful and friendly. Very reasonable prices and very nice cars
PD
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
August 3, 2020
Parking is an issue i wasn't aware of, to be honest at least on this trip we could have done without the car although i still give you your independence.
SW
United Kingdom
VW Golf
June 22, 2020
London greatest city of all!
TR
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
June 21, 2020
If you're going to book a car from London, do it from the outskirts of the city. DON'T book from a city center location because the congestion charge is now basically 24/7.
LR
Isle of Man
Ford Fiesta
March 14, 2020
Leave plenty of time at start and end of car hire.
BA
Ireland
Ford Fiesta
March 9, 2020
I used the car to drive through the highlands so I didn't really go anywhere around Edinburgh.
Top 15 Suppliers in the United Kingdom in 2021
Interrent
+4401214608147
Birmingham Airport, Bickenhill, Birmingham B26 3RT
Working hours
Mon:07:00-22:00
Tue:07:00-22:00
Wed:07:00-22:00
Thu:07:00-22:00
Fri:07:00-22:00
Sat:07:00-19:00
Sun:07:00-19:00
Enterprise
01388737477
6 WEST AUCKLAND ROAD,
Alamo
+4402085637400
200 King St, Hammersmith, London W6 0RA
National
02085637400
ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR, 200 KING STREET
SIXT
+442070188246
534-538 High Road
Keddy
+4403713845992
24-26 ALBANY ROAD
Avis
03445446106
37 St James Street
Working hours
Mon:08:00-16:00
Tue:08:00-16:00
Wed:08:00-16:00
Thu:08:00-16:00
Fri:08:00-16:00
Alamo
01332812828
Enterprise Rent A Car
Working hours
Mon:08:00-23:59
Tue:08:00-23:59
Wed:08:00-23:59
Thu:08:00-23:59
Fri:08:00-23:59
Sat:09:00-22:00
Sun:09:00-22:00
Europcar
+4408713849978
Station Road
Interrent
+4401332710721
InterRent Rental Desk Arrivals
GreenMotion
+4402071860000
Green Motion Central London Edgware Road, Hilton London Metropole, 225 Edgware Road
Working hours
Mon:08:00-19:00
Tue:08:00-19:00
Wed:08:00-19:00
Thu:08:00-19:00
Fri:08:00-19:00
Sat:08:00-13:00
Easirent
+442036576051
Rcp Car Park 40 Bernard St Bloomsbury
Working hours
Mon:07:00-19:00
Tue:07:00-19:00
Wed:07:00-19:00
Thu:07:00-19:00
Fri:07:00-19:00
Sat:08:00-14:00
Sun:08:00-14:00
Goldcar
+34965233425 / +442038980140
Airport Way, Marston Green, Birmingham B26 3QT
Ace Rent a car
+4401212962980
Ground International Station, Station Link Rd, Birmingham B37 7UQ
Working hours
Mon:07:00-20:00
Tue:07:00-20:00
Wed:07:00-20:00
Thu:07:00-20:00
Fri:07:00-21:00
Sat:08:00-19:00
Sun:09:00-21:00
Surprice
+443300949033 / +447944418666
Sovereign Court, Unit 6, Jetsave LTD, 633 Sipson Rd, London, West Drayton UB7 0JE
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:59
Tue:06:00-23:59
Wed:06:00-23:59
Thu:06:00-23:59
Fri:06:00-23:59
Sat:06:00-23:59
Sun:06:00-23:59