Car Rental in Bristol

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Bristol, United Kingdom
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500+ Trusted Suppliers:

Cheapest Car Rental Rates

Bristol Airport Car Rental
Mini
Fiat 500 or similar
Fiat 500
  • 4
  • 2
  • 3
  • A/C
  • Man.
Drivalia
$27.07 per day
Bristol Airport Car Rental
Economy
Vauxhall Corsa or similar
Vauxhall Corsa
  • 4
  • 1
  • 3
  • A/C
  • Man.
Hertz
$44.28 per day
Bristol Airport Car Rental
Compact
Ford Focus or similar
Ford Focus
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Keddy
$50.86 per day
Bristol Airport Car Rental
Standard
Skoda Octavia or similar
Skoda Octavia
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
GreenMotion
$69.96 per day

Most Popular Car Rental Deals

Bristol Airport Car Rental
Intermediate SUV
MG ZS or similar
MG ZS
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Europcar
$76.28 / per day
Bristol Airport Car Rental
Compact Elite
Mercedes Benz A Class or similar
Mercedes Benz A Class
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Enterprise
$92.92 / per day
Downtown Car Rental
Full-size
BMW 3 series Aut. or similar
BMW 3 series Aut.
  • 5
  • 2
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
$144.95 / per day
Bristol Airport Car Rental
Premium
Mercedes C Class or similar
Mercedes C Class
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Alamo
$150.16 / per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 11:56 on 2023-06-03. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information

Language
English
Currency
GBP
Drive on
Left-hand side
Country code
+44
Average car rental price
$82.06 / per day
Average car rental length
6 days
Speed limit within town
48 km/h
30 mph
Speed limit out of town
96 - 112 km/h
60 - 70 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Rating
9.0
Average gasoline price
$1.96 per liter
Highest gasoline price
$2.32 per liter
Lowest gasoline price
$1.81 per liter

Why rent 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 your rental to nearby nature areas or go on to explore neighboring Wales.

One-Way Car Rentals in Bristol

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

  • From Bristol to London - 252 offers from $46.10 per day
  • From Bristol to Exeter - 23 offers from $47.21 per day
  • From Bristol to Southampton - 68 offers from $46.10 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.
  • Street art. As mentioned above, Bristol is one of the counterculture capitals of Britain – it has been the birthplace of famous punk, dub, and trip-hop musical acts, many of whom have combined rhymes and beats with serious political musings. In a similar vein, the city also boasts a wealth of socially conscious street art that’s constantly recreated by not just Banksy but plenty of others. Check the city’s street art website to look up the most interesting spots or simply learn more.

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. Known since ancient times for the healing properties of its many hot springs, the prosaically named city of Bath is one of the main destinations for a day trip in the area. The recreated Roman Baths are one of its main attractions, though there are plenty of other museums, heritage buildings, and gardens to check out during your visit. The drive from Bristol takes only about 20 minutes.
  • 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 popular rental car types in Bristol are compact and intermediate, with standard vehicles taking third place. The most popular rental 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 Rental Prices in Bristol

  • Station wagons - from $127 per day
  • Large cars - from $70 per day
  • Medium cars - from $33 per day
  • Vans - from $158 per day
  • Premium cars - from $150 per day
  • Small cars - from $27 per day
  • SUVs - from $53 per day

Money-saving tips

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

  • Compare the 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 during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Bristol is the cheapest in February when renting 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.

What travel writers say

Bristol is a vibrant and bustling city in the South West of England. It’s also a must-visit on your trip to the UK. Visitors tend to make for London, often skipping all the other incredible large cities in the country, but Bristol is not a city to be missed. This city boasts a fascinating maritime history, wicked street art culture, drool-worthy food & drink scene and so much more.
EL
Emily Luxton
Hi, I’m Emily! I’m a full-time UK travel blogger focusing on solo female travel, fun, and adventure!
For a great view of Bristol, head up to Brandon Hill Park and Cabot Tower. The park itself is beautiful, and you can climb the tower for free. Once up there, you’ll see a panoramic view of the city, from Clifton to the water and beyond.
V
Victoria
Hello! I'm Victoria. And I love discovering creative and beautiful places around the world.
Bristol Cathedral. Bristol has a beautiful cathedral well worth a wander around. It’s free to enter, though it is a working church so the usual opening times sometimes change or it may be temporarily closed to the public. Be sure to follow the signs to the cloisters, where there’s access to a lovely garden where locals like to have a quiet moment.
J&T
Jennifer & Tim
We’re Jennifer and Tim and we’re professional travel writers who love adventure and wine, so we often try to combine the two.

Top 20 Cities near Bristol

  1. Cardiff Car Rentals from $29.90 per day
    43.8 km / 27.2 miles away
  2. Taunton Car Rentals from $41.24 per day
    48.9 km / 30.4 miles away
  3. Swindon Car Rentals from $138.03 per day
    69.2 km / 43.0 miles away
  4. Cheltenham Car Rentals from $41.24 per day
    72.6 km / 45.1 miles away
  5. Exeter Car Rentals from $41.46 per day
    87.2 km / 54.2 miles away
  6. Poole Car Rentals from $155.07 per day
    88.0 km / 54.7 miles away
  7. Swansea Car Rentals from $127.38 per day
    89.5 km / 55.6 miles away
  8. Bournemouth Car Rentals from $42.00 per day
    90.5 km / 56.2 miles away
  9. Worcester Car Rentals from $88.54 per day
    95.5 km / 59.3 miles away
  10. Southampton Car Rentals from $43.55 per day
    106.1 km / 65.9 miles away
  11. Basingstoke Car Rentals from $41.77 per day
    112.9 km / 70.2 miles away
  12. Reading Car Rentals from $41.77 per day
    122.6 km / 76.2 miles away
  13. Portsmouth Car Rentals from $104.16 per day
    132.0 km / 82.0 miles away
  14. Birmingham Car Rentals from $24.42 per day
    136.2 km / 84.6 miles away
  15. Wolverhampton Car Rentals from $46.46 per day
    138.9 km / 86.3 miles away
  16. Coventry Car Rentals from $32.04 per day
    139.7 km / 86.8 miles away
  17. Slough Car Rentals from $160.43 per day
    145.4 km / 90.3 miles away
  18. Plymouth Car Rentals from $41.46 per day
    151.4 km / 94.1 miles away
  19. Milton Keynes Car Rentals from $34.53 per day
    152.3 km / 94.6 miles away
  20. Tamworth Car Rentals from $88.54 per day
    153.0 km / 95.1 miles away

Top 20 Locations near Bristol

  1. Bristol Airport Car Rentals from $27.07 per day
  2. 11.8 km / 7.3 miles away
  3. Cardiff Airport Car Rentals from $29.90 per day
    43.8 km / 27.2 miles away
  4. Exeter Airport Car Rentals from $69.39 per day
    87.2 km / 54.2 miles away
  5. 90.5 km / 56.2 miles away
  6. 106.1 km / 65.9 miles away
  7. 136.2 km / 84.6 miles away
  8. 156.5 km / 97.2 miles away
  9. Downtown Car Rentals from $41.77 per day
    168.5 km / 104.7 miles away
  10. Luton Airport Car Rentals from $21.36 per day
    170.8 km / 106.1 miles away
  11. 172.2 km / 107.0 miles away
  12. London Fulham Car Rentals from $40.62 per day
    174.4 km / 108.4 miles away
  13. 176.4 km / 109.6 miles away
  14. 176.8 km / 109.9 miles away
  15. 177.4 km / 110.2 miles away
  16. 177.5 km / 110.3 miles away
  17. 180.0 km / 111.8 miles away
  18. 180.4 km / 112.1 miles away
  19. 180.5 km / 112.2 miles away
  20. 186.8 km / 116.1 miles away

Map of Car Rental Locations

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Bristol?

Car rental prices in Bristol vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Bristol
$46.67
January
$33.07
February
$38.06
March
$53.24
April
$66.15
May
$93.81
June
$81.85
July
$71.44
August
$75.36
September
$43.93
October
$39.69
November
$48.15
December
The cheapest month to rent a car in Bristol is February (when prices average $33.07 per day). This is 43% cheaper than the yearly average and 65% cheaper than renting in June (when prices average $93.81).

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 usual rental length in Bristol?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in July, the average renter keeps their car for 8 days, and in June, they keep their car for 5 days.
Average rental length in Bristol
6
January
6
February
6
March
7
April
7
May
5
June
8
July
7
August
6
September
6
October
5
November
6
December

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

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Bristol is August, and the least popular is November.
Monthly searches in Bristol by pick-up date relative to the average
46%
January
78%
February
100%
March
134%
April
131%
May
115%
June
112%
July
166%
August
115%
September
83%
October
39%
November
81%
December

Car Rental Information

Car rental locations 6
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Easirent, Keddy, Ace Rent a car, Alamo, Drivalia
Popular car categories Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, Vans
Lowest price $27 per day
Cheapest supplier Drivalia

Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers

Rental Supplier Model Doors Luggage Type
Keddy Fiat 500 3 1 Small cars
Easirent Fiat 500 3 2 Small cars
Easirent Ford Fiesta 5 2 Small cars
Keddy Ford Focus 5 2 Medium cars
Drivalia Ford Fiesta 5 1 Small cars
Easirent Ford Focus 5 2 Medium cars
Drivalia Fiat 500 3 1 Small cars
Ace Rent a car Peugeot 208 4 1 Small cars
Alamo Toyota Aygo 3 1 Small cars
Ace Rent a car Ford Fiesta 4 3 Small 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.

Poland
Fiat 500
November 19, 2022
We visited three great cities in three days.
Czech Republic
Ford Tourneo
September 27, 2018
STAY BY PERFECT SERVICE!
Ireland
Ford Fiesta
September 4, 2018
If you are not in a hurry to get to places the roads are well marked and pleasant to drive but very windy. You need to keep an eye out for speed limit changes as they happen regularly as you're travelling through the country side.
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
August 31, 2018
Would avoid Weston super mare unless you are staying there. Heavy traffic and quite difficult to get out of
Ireland
VAUXHALL CORSA
August 12, 2018
Do not depend on the GPS systems in the cars , you will end up on narrow lanes , where two cars could not pass
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
June 28, 2018
Cornwall was amazing!
United Kingdom
Volvo XC60 R Design
June 11, 2018
My home city... Bristol is a fantastic place to live and visit as a tourist.

Car Rental Statistics

Highest rated company
Alamo
9.3 / 10
Lowest rated company
Easirent
7.8 / 10
Total number of reviews
11
Total rental companies
13
Average daily price
$82.06
Lowest daily price
$27.07
Total cars available
279

Top 13 Suppliers in Bristol in 2023

Alamo
Alamo
Exceptional 9.3 / 18 reviews
1 location
$57 - $280
Enterprise
Enterprise
Excellent 8.9 / 6 reviews
2 locations
$57 - $280
SIXT
SIXT
Excellent 8.8 / 11 reviews
3 locations
$77 - $255
Keddy
Keddy
Excellent 8.7 / 11 reviews
3 locations
$41 - $150
Hertz
Hertz
Excellent 8.6 / 1 reviews
3 locations
$41 - $130
Europcar
Europcar
Excellent 8.5 / 10 reviews
3 locations
$50 - $177
Ace Rent a car
Ace Rent a car
Excellent 8.4 / 39 reviews
1 location
$69 - $153
National
National
Excellent 8.4 / 1 reviews
1 location
$62 - $302
Firefly
Firefly
Excellent 8.4
1 location
Drivalia
Drivalia
Excellent 8.3 / 2 reviews
1 location
$27 - $293
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Excellent 8.2 / 33 reviews
2 locations
$55 - $198
Interrent
Interrent
Excellent 8.2
1 location
Easirent
Easirent
Very good 7.8 / 72 reviews
1 location
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