Car Rental in Inverness
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Inverness Airport
Mini
Fiat 500
or similar
$17.05
per day
Inverness Airport
Economy
Vauxhall Corsa
or similar
$21.99
per day
Inverness Airport
Compact
Vauxhall Astra
or similar
$22.82
per day
Inverness Airport
Intermediate SUV
Nissan Qashqai
or similar
$28.11
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Inverness Airport
Standard
Skoda Octavia
or similar
$37.91
per day
Inverness Airport
Full-size
BMW 3 series
or similar
$47.41
per day
Inverness Airport
Compact Elite
Mercedes Benz A Class
or similar
$52.61
per day
Downtown
Intermediate Elite
BMW 3 Series
or similar
$75.79
per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 6:45 PM on 12/10/24. 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
$38 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%
Average gas price
$1.81 per liter or $6.85 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.78 per liter or $6.75 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.98 per liter or $7.48 per gallon
Why rent a car in Inverness?
Inverness is a great place to visit. The city is small and cozy but has surprisingly many things to explore, from interesting architecture to pubs and restaurants. Inverness is also a great base for seeing the rest of the Scottish Highlands. Whether you’re interested in Loch Ness, the United Kingdom’s highest mountains, or an impressive, rugged coastline, all of these places can be easily reached if you have your own ride.
One-Way Car Rentals in Inverness
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Inverness and drop off in another city include:
- From Inverness to Edinburgh - 71 offers from $49.39 per day
- From Inverness to Glasgow - 155 offers from $46.26 per day
- From Inverness to Aberdeen - 71 offers from $48.52 per day
- From Inverness to Derby - 10 offers from $49.39 per day
Top ways to enter Inverness
- Inverness Airport: Known as Port-adhair Inbhir Nis in the local Scottish Gaelic language, Inverness Airport is served by 4 different airlines and hosts direct flights to Dublin, Belfast, Amsterdam, London and several other destinations in the United Kingdom. The airport is conveniently located only 13km (8 miles) northeast of the city center.
- Aberdeen Airport: Serving the largest city of Northern Scotland, Aberdeen Airport saw 2.9 million travelers in 2019. Aberdeen is about 166km (103 miles) east of Inverness, a distance that can be traveled by car in about two and a half hours.
- Dundee Airport: Serving the city of the same name, you can fly from London City Airport to Dundee Airport. Then, Inverness is 215 km (134 mi) north, a distance that can be traveled in less than three hours.
- Edinburgh Airport: Serving the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh Airport is the busiest in Scotland and the sixth-busiest in the United Kingdom. Located 251km (156 miles) south of Inverness, it can be reached in about three hours.
- Glasgow Airport. Serving the most populous city in Scotland (more on visiting it below), Glasgow Airport handles over seven million travelers annually and is popular with legacy carriers and low-cost carriers alike. Inverness being just a three-hour drive north is the way to get to the Highlands for many travelers flying to Glasgow.
- By rail: If you’re arriving in Inverness by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Inverness Railway Station.
City facts
- Located near the coast of the North Sea, Inverness has an oceanic climate. The air temperature is around 15°C (59°F) in July and August, the warmest months, and 4°C (39°F) from December to February, the coldest months. Inverness is one of the driest cities in the United Kingdom but experiences some snowy days every year.
- While most of the inhabitants of Inverness are native speakers of English, there is a large community of speakers of Scottish Gaelic. A member of the Celtic linguistic group, it is only distantly related to English and is the native language of the Scottish Highlands. Inverness is known as Inbhir Nis in Scottish Gaelic.
Top sights and activities
- Inverness Castle. Although not famous for its defensive capabilities (it was invaded, looted, and destroyed multiple times throughout history), Inverness Castle is one of the nicest buildings in the city. Located on an impressive cliff overlooking the River Ness, it offers great panoramic views from its North Tower and having seen no invasions since 1846, it’s safe to say you can relax and enjoy.
- Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. Covering the human habitation of Inverness since ancient times, this museum has exhibits on everything from the mysterious Pictish stones (the Celtic tribe that once inhabited the area) to medieval weapons and stunning paintings of the Highlands. Check out the museum’s official website before visiting - with plenty of rotating exhibits, there’s always something new going on.
- Inverness Botanic Gardens. Located in the Bught Park near the riverbank, the beautiful gardens have many local protected plant species as well as a collection of exotic plants inside its glasshouse. If you’re in a rush and cannot visit one of the national parks nearby, this is the best place in Inverness to spend some time outdoors.
- Cathedral Church of St. Andrew. Also known simply as Inverness Cathedral, this prime example of Neo-Gothic Architecture is the city’s most important church. Although not especially old - its construction dates back to the mid-17th century - it is worth visiting for its beautiful riverside location and awe-inspiring interior.
- Ness Islands. Located on the River Ness, this is a lovely place to go for a walk and one of the best free things to do in Inverness. The first bridges to the islands were constructed in 1828 and were replaced by two suspension bridges in 1853-1854. There are a number of tree species on the islands and beautiful scenic views. It’s also possible to spot some wildlife living on the island, like otters, deer, and even bats.
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 along 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 Scotland, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for both experienced and novice drivers. In the rest of the UK, the legal alcohol limit is 0.08% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, a suspended license, or even imprisonment.
- The population density of the Highlands is quite low, so the roads are not crowded and the driving is very enjoyable. However, many Scottish farmers keep sheep who occasionally wander on the roads and are one of the main reasons for road accidents in the region, so watch out for them.
- It’s not a bad idea to get familiar with the Highway Code, an official guide book of driving rules and tips in England, Scotland, and Wales, issued by the UK Government. The guide book can be downloaded online for free on its official website.
- Proof of insurance and the documentation of the car need to be in it whenever you’re driving.
- When driving, 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 M6 Toll is a 43km (27 mile) 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 2023, the price is £8.20 for using the toll road from 5am to 11pm, £7.00 for using the toll road at night from 11pm to 5am. Find out more on the M6 Toll official website.
Find out more about toll roads in the United Kingdom on the European toll road website.
Ideas for day trips
- Culloden. Culloden is a small village near Inverness, and its name means “back of a small pond” in Gaelic. Famous since ancient times as the location of clootie wells, a network of sacred springs, Culloden is also the location of Clava cairn, a mysterious burial complex, the site of the Battle of Culloden, and a place mentioned in Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth. Even if you’re not big on history, Culloden is the perfect place for a nice day outdoors. Located just a 15-minute drive east of Inverness, it’s easy to reach, too.
- Loch Ness. Although you might not be lucky enough to meet its most famous inhabitant, the Loch Ness Monster, this lake is still a stunning place to visit. There are many wonderful attractions on Loch Ness, such as the impressive Urquhart Castle, old lighthouses, rugged beaches, and deep blue waters, naturally. Dores, the closest village on the lake’s northwestern coast, is just 15km (9 miles) south of Inverness and can be reached in about 20 minutes. Be sure to continue along the entire route around Loch Ness as it is considered to be one of the most picturesque places in Europe.
- Cairngorms National Park. With 1.8 million visitors every year, you might think the Cairngorms is a crowded place. However, its 4,500 square kilometers of mountain plateaus, huge rocks, and vast wetlands provide enough space and freedom for everyone. A semi-tundra moorland, the park is home to unique species like the rock ptarmigan, red grouse, otter, reindeer, and wild cat. Boat of Garten, one of the nearest settlements to the national park, is about 47km (29 miles) southeast of Inverness and can be reached in less than 50 minutes.
- Nairn. Although most people wouldn’t mention northern Scotland and beach resorts in the same breath, the coastal town of Nairn is exactly that. Surprisingly lovely in the summertime, it doesn’t have just some of the area’s best coastline, but also historical gems like Fort George and the remains of Rait Castle. The drive from Inverness takes only about 30 minutes.
- Glasgow. Although not quite as historical or picturesque as its rival, Edinburgh, Glasgow can be a very fun city destination (not that you have to choose – the two metropolises are only about an hour’s drive from each other, so it’s perfectly possible to visit both on the same trip). True to its working-class roots, Glasgow has nonetheless reinvented itself as a cultural destination and boasts some of the most interesting art and entertainment scenes across the United Kingdom.
Most popular cars
The most popular rental car types in Inverness are economy, compact, and intermediate, while the most popular rental cars are the Vauxhall Corsa, the Vauxhall Astra, and the Ford Focus.
Further destinations
- Ben Nevis. Part of the impressive Nevis Range, Ben Nevis is the highest summit in the British Isles. Surrounded by formidable cliffs, its clouded peak can only be accessed by experienced climbers, but even just hiking the lower paths will feel awesome. The summit of Aonach Mòr, Ben Nevis’s neighboring mountain, can be accessed by cable car. The nearest town, Fort William, is also worth a visit, thanks to both the spectacular nature of its surroundings and landmarks like the West Highland Museum. Fort William is about 106km (66 miles) southwest of Inverness and can be reached in less than two hours.
- Aberdeen. Located on the coast of the North Sea, Aberdeen is often called the Oil Capital of Europe but has plenty to offer even if you’re not interested in the extractive industries. Its unique granite architecture is unrivaled in the United Kingdom, Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the story of the city’s proud seafaring past and present, and the Union Terrace Gardens, Winter Gardens, and the Aberdeen beach offer a great day outdoors (or even great surfing, if you’re visiting in summertime). Located 167km (104 miles) east of Inverness, it takes less than three hours to reach it by car.
- Edinburgh. Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is perhaps the most picturesque city in the United Kingdom. Visit Edinburgh Castle, the historic Royal Mile, Calton Hill, the Royal Botanical Garden, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Go to a folk concert in the Old Town, hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat, or visit the National Gallery of Scotland. Edinburgh is about 251km (156 miles) south of Inverness and can be reached in approximately three hours.
Car rental prices in Inverness
- Station wagons - from $37 per day
- Large cars - from $26 per day
- Medium cars - from $19 per day
- Vans - from $55 per day
- Premium cars - from $47 per day
- Small cars - from $17 per day
- SUVs - from $21 per day
Money-saving and other tips
These are the things you can do to land a cheap rental car in the Scottish Highlands:
- 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 rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Inverness is the cheapest in February when renting a car is about 45% cheaper than the yearly average. Come visit the Highlands in wintertime!
Fact checked by
Lauren Yakiwchuk
Lauren Yakiwchuk is an award-winning travel blogger and content creator at Justin Plus Lauren and Ontario Hiking. She writes about outdoor adventures, exploring cities and small towns, and sustainable travel. Lauren is an expert on vegan travel and is one of the very first vegan travel bloggers.
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Top 20 locations near Inverness
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Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Inverness?
Car rental prices in Inverness 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 Inverness
The cheapest month to rent a car in Inverness is November (when prices average $27.77 per day). This is 45% cheaper than the yearly average and 65% cheaper than renting in May (when prices average $78.99).
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.
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 Inverness?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in April, the average renter keeps their car for 7 days, and in January, they keep their car for 5 days.
Average number of rental days in Inverness
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Inverness?
Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Inverness is May, and the least popular is November.
Monthly searches in Inverness by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Car rental locations | 3 |
| Airport locations | 1 |
| Popular suppliers | Arnold Clark, Keddy, Alamo, Enterprise, SIXT |
| Popular car categories | Small cars, SUVs, Medium cars, Vans |
| Lowest price | $17 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Keddy |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Clark | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Arnold Clark | Kia Ceed | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Keddy | Fiat 500 | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Keddy | Citroen C3 Aircross | 5 | 1 | SUVs |
| Keddy | Vauxhall Astra | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Keddy | Vauxhall Corsa | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Arnold Clark | Renault Kadjar | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Alamo | Nissan Juke | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Keddy | Nissan Qashqai | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Arnold Clark | Renault Kadjar | 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.
FG
Australia
Ford Fiesta
9/30/24
Scotland highland is a spectacular place scenery wise.
AC
United States of America (USA)
Kia Ceed
9/18/24
We drove the North Coast 500 and the car was great.
VM
India
Ford Fiesta
5/28/24
We booked the car to drive around the Scottish Highlands. The trip was amazing with beautiful landscapes everywhere. We were able to explore all the important sightseeing places with the car. We loved the car drive and would recommend it to everyone.
Thankyou
SH
Australia
Ford Fiesta
5/9/24
Great day out
SM
United Kingdom
Kia Picanto
3/20/24 
RP
Australia
Ford Fiesta
10/26/23
Spectacular views and experience 
JF
South Korea
Vauxhall Insignia
8/20/23
Landscape photography project - hence need of car. All went well.
PP
Israel
Ford Focus
7/19/23
Beautiful isles of Orkney 
JP
United States of America (USA)
Ford Fiesta
5/31/23
Highlights included a cruise on Loch Ness, hiking on the Isle of Skye, exploring ancient ruins on the Island of Islay, driving next to Loch Lomand, touring castles - especially the amazing ruins of Dunnottar Castle, and driving through Aberdeenshire.
HP
India
Vauxhall Crossland
5/26/23
We drove from
Inverness to Isle of Skye to Fort William to Edinburgh to Bamburgh to Berwick Upon Tweed to Edinburgh. It was so good to have my own car to drive around Scotland and North England. I would advise other travellers to avail facilities of picking up from one place and dropping at a second place for covering places as varied as Scotland. It was an amazing trip.
RC
Canada
Kia Ceed
10/31/22
Great service and efficient.
MM
Finland
Kia Ceed
10/17/22
Some really fine Links Golf Courses visited
EB
United States of America (USA)
Ford Fiesta
10/15/22
The outer Hebrides, Isle of Sky and Mull were high spots. Callinish stones on Lewis were magical.
LB
United States of America (USA)
Peugeot 3008
9/20/22
drove all over Scotland for three days.
RR
Australia
Vauxhall Astra
9/19/22
Rent from Arnold Clark. When we return for a 3 month stay we will rent from them again.
MW
Barbados
Peugeot 3008
8/30/22
My trip was mainly personal, but we did visit Loch Ness and Cawdor castle
WI
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Tiida
10/19/21
Customer service are very kind and helpful
WZ
United Kingdom
Vauxhall Crossland
9/10/20
Go to Isle of Skye!
IR
Netherlands
Nissan Tiida
8/2/19
The absolute north of Scotland is fabulous. The Orkneys were just amazing but we like Scotland Mainland a lot as well. We were very happy to drive an automatic, sos I didn't have to worry about using the gear, since the roads in the north are very small, and often just one lane wide. That means stopping a lot at the passing places! But these small roads (even the main ones) are in such an beautiful area, that that doesn't matter at all. It gives you just a little bit more time to enjoy the scenery as a driver as well!
RT
United Kingdom
Vauxhall Corsa
6/4/19
easy access to Skye and the North of Scotland
JS
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
4/27/19
Explore the Black Isle, Colloden battlefield and the area around Loch Ness. For a true Highlands experience head to Applecross.
Eat at the River House in Inverness
DR
United Kingdom
Hyundai Tucson
9/2/18
Excellent scenery. Lovely coastine in Moray.
EM
Germany
Toyota Yaris 5d
8/26/18
local Highland Games is always a great experience for travellers.
DR
United Kingdom
Renault Kadjar
8/21/18
Highly recommend travel combination to explore Highlands, Caledonian Sleeper then Car Rental in Inverness
DS
India
VAUXHALL CORSA
6/26/18
Inverness, Lockness and isle of the Sky are a must see on any itinerary while in UK. The lovely Cruz n the beauty of the drive around is simply out of the world
Car Rental Statistics
Highest-rated company
Arnold Clark
9.5 / 10
Lowest-rated company
Routes Car Rental
7.5 / 10
Total number of reviews
35
Total rental companies
11
Average daily price
$37.96
Lowest daily price
$17.05
Total cars available
214
Top 11 suppliers in Inverness in 2024
Arnold Clark
2 locations
$33 - $78
Avis
1 location
$23 - $149
Enterprise
2 locations
$22 - $106
Keddy
2 locations
$17 - $36
Europcar
1 location
$21 - $82
SIXT
1 location
$26 - $76
Alamo
1 location
$22 - $123
Budget
1 location
$21 - $149
Hertz
1 location
$24 - $44
Dollar
1 location
$24 - $38
Routes Car Rental
1 location
$24 - $38
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2023
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Trustpilot - Top 10 Car Rental Agencies
SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
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