Quick answer: Cheap car hire Rennes Airport starts from around £20 per day for a small car in the quiet season, and booking cheap car hire Rennes Airport early secures both the price and your pick of automatics. Rennes sits at the centre of Brittany, just 15 minutes from the city and within an hour of Saint-Malo, Dinan, the Emerald Coast and Mont Saint-Michel. The rental desks are inside the terminal near baggage reclaim, with the cars in the marked lot just outside. Drive on the right, choose a small car for the coastal lanes, and book an automatic early if you want one.
Rennes is the capital of Brittany and, thanks to its central position, one of the smartest gateways for a touring holiday in the region. Cheap car hire Rennes Airport puts you within an easy hour’s drive of the walled corsair port of Saint-Malo, the medieval town of Dinan, the wild headlands of the Emerald Coast and, just over the border in Normandy, the island abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. Few airports pack so much within such a short drive, which is what makes Rennes such a rewarding base.
This page covers what car hire in Rennes actually costs, where to collect your car at the airport, what a Rennes gateway unlocks, and the driving rules worth knowing before you set off. Whether you are here for the historic city itself or using it as a launch pad for the North Brittany coast, the aim is to help you book with confidence and drive away with no surprises.
How Much Does Cheap Car Hire Rennes Airport Cost?
Cheap car hire Rennes Airport starts from around £20 per day for a small car in the quiet season, typically January and February. Prices climb through spring and peak in July and August, so booking three or more weeks ahead is the reliable way to secure both a lower rate and a wider choice of car.
A small hatchback such as a Renault Clio or Citroën C3 is the practical pick for Brittany’s narrow coastal lanes and compact old-town car parks, and it is also the cheapest category. If you want an automatic, book it as early as you can: automatics are a smaller share of the fleet across France and are the first cars to sell out once summer demand builds. The table below shows how cheap car hire Rennes Airport moves through the seasons.
| Season | Small car, per day (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January & February (low) | from £20 | Cheapest months, best availability |
| March to May | £24 to £30 | Prices rising, book 3+ weeks ahead |
| June to August (peak) | £32 to £45+ | Book early, automatics sell out first |
| September to December | £22 to £28 | Good value shoulder season |
Where to Collect Your Hire Car at Rennes Airport
Rennes Airport, officially Rennes Saint-Jacques, is a compact and easy airport to navigate. The car rental desks sit inside the terminal, near the arrivals hall and baggage reclaim, so there is no shuttle bus to worry about. Major suppliers including Europcar, Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, Budget, Sixt and Dollar operate here, with your car parked in the clearly marked rental lot directly in front of the terminal.
After collecting your luggage, present your voucher, driving licence and a credit card in the lead driver’s name at your supplier’s desk, and you will be in your car within minutes. The airport sits about 4 miles Southwest of the city, a straightforward 15-minute drive into the centre of Rennes, which makes cheap car hire Rennes Airport one of the quickest airport pickups in the region.
What a Rennes Gateway Unlocks
Rennes is the touring driver’s ideal centre of gravity. To the North, the walled port of Saint-Malo is under an hour away, its ramparts looking out over the tidal islands of the Emerald Coast. A little further along the coast lie Dinard’s Belle Epoque villas and the dramatic headland of Cap Fréhel. Inland, the beautifully preserved medieval town of Dinan rewards an unhurried afternoon of cobbled streets and half-timbered houses.
Cross briefly into Normandy and you reach Mont Saint-Michel, the island abbey rising from its bay, one of the most photographed sights in France and an easy 75-minute drive from the airport. With Rennes itself offering the Parlement de Bretagne and a lively old quarter, cheap car hire Rennes Airport genuinely opens up the whole of Northern Brittany and its Norman border in a way no other gateway quite matches.
Ready to drive it? Our guide to the Emerald Coast scenic drive maps the full loop from Cancale through Saint-Malo and Dinard to the cliffs of Cap Fréhel and the medieval streets of Dinan, with verified drive times, parking notes and a downloadable route guide.
Further West, the Pink Granite Coast scenic drive follows the Corniche Bretonne past the rose-pink boulders of Ploumanac’h and Trégastel to the wild Côte des Ajoncs, one of the most extraordinary coastlines in Brittany and an easy add-on to a Rennes trip.
Driving From Rennes Airport: Rules and Roads
France drives on the right, and Rennes is one of the gentlest places in the region to get used to it, with modern ring roads and dual carriageways radiating out toward the coast. Best of all, the main routes North to Saint-Malo and the Emerald Coast are toll-free, as are most of Brittany’s major roads, so a touring holiday based here rarely troubles a toll booth. Speed limits follow the standard French rules: 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h on two-way rural roads, 110 km/h on dual carriageways and 130 km/h on motorways, lower in the wet.
Carry your driving licence, passport and rental paperwork at all times, and remember France’s drink-drive limit is a strict 0.05%, lower than the UK, so the safest approach on a driving day is not to drink at all. For the official rules of the road, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office keeps an up to date summary on its France travel advice pages. Watch for priorité à droite at smaller junctions, take the first roundabout gently, and you will feel at home within a couple of miles.
What You Need to Hire a Car at Rennes Airport
Bring a full, valid driving licence, your passport and a credit card in the lead driver’s name for the deposit. Most suppliers require drivers to be at least 21, with a young driver surcharge often applying under 25, so check your chosen supplier’s terms at the time of booking. If your licence is not in French or English, carry an International Driving Permit alongside it. And book your automatic early if you want one: it is the single most useful piece of advice on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cheap Car Hire Rennes Airport
How much does it cost to hire a car at Rennes Airport?
Cheap car hire Rennes Airport starts from around £20 per day for a small car in the quiet season, rising through spring and peaking in July and August. Booking three or more weeks ahead typically secures a lower rate and a better choice of car.
Where are the rental desks at Rennes Airport?
Inside the terminal, near the arrivals hall and baggage reclaim, with the cars parked in the marked rental lot directly outside. There is no shuttle bus, making collection quick and simple.
How far is Rennes Airport from the city?
About 4 miles Southwest of central Rennes, a straightforward drive of around 15 minutes.
Can I drive to Mont Saint-Michel from Rennes Airport?
Yes, easily. Mont Saint-Michel is around a 75-minute, 48-mile drive from Rennes Airport, making it a comfortable day trip alongside Saint-Malo and Dinan.
Should I book an automatic at Rennes Airport?
If you prefer one, yes, and book it early. Automatics are a smaller share of the hire fleet across France and are the first to sell out once summer bookings begin.
Compare Cheap Car Hire Rennes Airport
Ready to book? Use the search above to compare cheap car hire Rennes Airport across all the major suppliers. Choose a small car for the coastal lanes, book cheap car hire Rennes Airport early for the best low-season price and your pick of automatics, and central Brittany’s finest is yours to explore at your own pace.
Rennes is one of four gateways into car hire in Brittany, alongside Nantes, Dinard and Brest. If you are weighing up which airport suits your trip, our Brittany hub compares all four side by side.