Car Rental in Liverpool

Why rent a car in Liverpool?

Liverpool offers a vibrant exploration experience by car. It perfectly balances its cozy atmosphere with the grandeur of a major city, exhibiting landmarks throughout that represent both its historic charm and modern allure. Notable points of interest include the quaint old neighborhoods, striking architecture, state-of-the-art museums, and the deeply entrenched Beatles' legacy. Furthermore, Liverpool's advantageous location makes it a launchpad for extending your adventures to the rest of England, and even further afield to Wales and Scotland.

Top ways to enter Liverpool

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Although not the largest airport in the United Kingdom (or even the region) by any means, Liverpool Airport still handled more than 3.4 million travelers in 2022. Served by nine different airlines, most of which are low-cost companies, the airport hosts flights to and from destinations across the U.K and internationally. Located about 12km (7.5 miles) south of the city center, the airport can be reached in 20 to 30 minutes depending on the traffic.
• Manchester Airport:  The busiest airport in the United Kingdom outside London, Manchester Airport hosts flights to and from countless destinations. Located just 56km (35 miles) east of Liverpool, the airport can be reached in about 50 minutes. Flying to Manchester is a great alternative if your home airport doesn’t have a direct connection to Liverpool.
• Leeds Bradford Airport: Serving a number of cities in Yorkshire, Leeds-Bradford handles over 3 million travelers every year. The airport is served by 9 different airlines and is a focus city for Jet2.com as well as Ryanair. Located 120km (75 miles) northeast of Liverpool, the airport can be reached in just under two hours.
• East Midlands Airport: Another regional airport popular with a number of low-cost airlines, East Midlands hosts flights to many beach resort destinations in Southern Europe and North Africa but also to and from cities like Berlin, Amsterdam, Budapest, and Warsaw. The airport is located 166km (103 miles) southeast of Liverpool and it takes about two hours to travel by car between the two.
• By train: If arriving in Liverpool by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at Liverpool Central Station, Liverpool James Street Station, and Liverpool Lime Street Station.
• By ferry: If arriving in Liverpool by ferry, you can pick up your rental car at Liverpool Port. There are frequent ferries to destinations like Dublin, Belfast and the Isle of Man. 

City facts

• Like the rest of Britain, Liverpool has a temperate maritime climate with mild summers, cool winters, and little temperature changes between seasons. The average temperature is 17°C  (62°F) in July and August, the warmest months, and 5°C  (41°F) in January and February. Liverpool experiences at least some snowfall every year. October and November are the months with the most precipitation while July is the driest.
• Liverpool is home to the oldest Chinatown in Europe. Located just south of the city center, it dates back to the early and mid-19th century when many immigrants arrived in Liverpool from China by sea, first as silk merchants and later as workers. The neighborhood retains its unique character in its architecture, cuisine, and even its street signs which are written in both English and Chinese. The dialects of Mandarin, Cantonese, and Wu can be frequently heard in the area. The connection with China was strengthened even further in 2000 when Liverpool became sister cities with Shanghai.
• Liverpool is a very important center for football (or soccer). Liverpool FC, the city’s most successful team, are the current champions of Europe. They play their home games at Anfield, one of Europe’s great old stadiums. It is often said that “you’ll never walk alone”, the club’s anthem sung by the team’s fans during every home much, is the city’s most famous song that’s not written by The Beatles. The main rivals of Liverpool FC are Everton FC whose home ground is Goodison Park. Mainly supported by the city’s working class population, Everton is often said to be even more popular in the city than Liverpool FC. The game between the two is called the Merseyside Derby and is often said to be the most famous match-up in England. Even if you don’t manage to visit on the day of the derby, going to see either of the teams play against any opponent is a true Liverpool experience.

Top sights and activities

• Royal Liver Building. Built over 100 years ago, this building remains an iconic structure of the city. Nearly 100 meters (325 ft) tall, the building is topped by a pair of clock towers that are now illuminated every night.
• Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City. Made up of six areas in the city center, Maritime Mercantile City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that celebrates Liverpool’s seafaring and trading history and present. The most famous area is Pier Head where the Royal Liver Building and other landmarks such as the Cunard Building and the Museum of Liverpool are located. But you could also check out the Albert Dock made up of picturesque harbour buildings and the Stanley Dock Conservation Area that is famous for the Stanley Dock Tobacco Warehouse, one of the largest brick buildings in the world. 
• St. George’s Hall. Located opposite Lime Street Station, this neoclassical building is another important symbol of Liverpool. Built in the mid-19th century as a venue for concerts and festivals, it is famous for St. George’s organ which is still in use to this day. 
• Museum of Liverpool. Celebrating all things Liverpool, this modern museum has been open since 2011 and is located in one of the most interesting buildings in the city. The museum is divided into four sections – The Great Port, Global City, People's Republic, and Wondrous Place. The museum can be found in the aforementioned Pier Head area where many of the city’s most interesting landmarks are. Visit its official website to learn more.
• The Beatles Story. Also to be found in Pier Head is The Beatles Story, a museum telling the story of arguably the most famous band of all time. Visitors can learn about the band’s Liverpudlian roots, see various memorabilia that includes several original guitars that the band members played, and even partake in The Beatles-themed karaoke. The museum has been recognized as among the best in all of Britain. Visit its website to learn more.
• Football. Liverpool is home to two of England’s most iconic football (or soccer) teams, Liverpool FC and Everton FC, and even if you don’t care for the sport, catching a match can be an exciting spectacle. The former plays in Anfield Stadium and is currently among the top teams on the planet, while the latter has more of a working-class following, but its home, Goodison Park, can be just as, if not more, atmospheric on a match day.

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 112km/h (70 mph) on motorways, 112km/h (70 mph) on dual carriageways, 96km/h (60 mph) on single carriageways and 48km/h (30 mph) in residential areas and areas with street lightning.
• 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.
• Proof of insurance and the documentation of the car needs 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.

Ideas for day trips

• Manchester. For a long time, Liverpool’s neighbor and rival was one of the most important (and famous) industrial centers in the world. While the city hasn’t forgotten its working class roots, nowadays it's also an important center for the arts, sciences, and innovation. The city’s main attractions are its distinct areas such as the Village, Manchester Chinatown, and the Curry Mile. Located just 54km (34 miles) east of Liverpool, Manchester can be reached in about one hour depending on the traffic.
• Chester. A picturesque and historic destination, Chester has some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the British Isles. This is no wonder since the city was founded by the Roman Emperor Vespasian in the 1st century A.D. Some of its landmarks are its impressive city walls, amphitheater, Minerva’s Shrine, and more recent structures such as the 11th-century Church of Saint Michael and the 16th-century Falcon Inn.  Located just 22 mi (35km) south of Liverpool, Chester can be reached in about 45 minutes.
• North Wales. This is a sparsely populated region where Welsh, a Celtic language, can be heard just as often as English. Rightfully famous for its natural beauty that is best observed in places like Snowdonia National Park and Llŷn peninsula, it should also be visited for the quiet and picturesque towns and villages. Bangor, the largest (and according to some, only) city in North Wales is about 116km (72 miles) west of Liverpool and can be reached in less than two hours.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Liverpool is the Ford Fiesta, although many travelers also pick the Toyota IQ and the Fiat 500. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and compact.

Further destinations

• Leeds. The largest city in Yorkshire, Leeds doesn’t get as many visitors as Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol, but that’s a shame - the city is not only a business and industrial hub, but also a quickly developing center of culture full of great museums, theaters, and eclectic architecture. Many of the best restaurants in the UK can also be found here. About 117km (73 miles) northeast of Liverpool, Leeds can be reached by car in 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• London. From Big Ben to Buckingham Palace and from Piccadilly Circus to Tower Bridge, there are more world-famous attractions in the capital of the U.K .than it is possible to mention. But the city should also be visited for its distinct areas - seeing Westminster, Soho, and East End on the same day will feel like traveling between different worlds. Located 355km (220 miles) southeast of Liverpool, London is about a five-hour drive away, but the long trip is definitely worth it.
• Scotland. Whether you decide to take a long walk through picturesque Edinburgh, visit a proper pub in fun and loud Glasgow, or travel to Aberdeen for the northernmost surfing in Europe, Scotland will find ways to surprise and excite. That’s even before mentioning the Scottish Highlands, the northern region made up of majestic summits and deep mountain lakes. Edinburgh, the capital city, is about 355km (220 miles) north of Liverpool and can be reached in four to five hours.

Car rental prices in Liverpool

• Vans - from $39 per day
• Small cars - from $15 per day
• Large cars - from $22 per day
• SUVs - from $20 per day
• Premium cars - from $51 per day
• Station wagons - from $23 per day
• Medium cars - from $17 per day

Money-saving and other tips

here are things you can do to land a great rental car in Liverpool. Some of these are:

• 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 the city is the cheapest in January when renting a car is a whole 49% cheaper than the yearly average. Start your year with a vacation in Liverpool!