Cheap car hire UK deals start from just £11 a day, with every major supplier compared in a single search. Whether you are landing at Heathrow, Manchester or Edinburgh, or picking up in a city centre, car hire UK gives you the freedom to reach the corners of Britain that trains and coaches never will. From the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast, car hire UK opens up the country the moment you collect the keys.
Getcarhire.com compares car hire UK prices from Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Sixt, Budget, Alamo, National and Arnold Clark. Every price includes insurance and all taxes, with no hidden fees added at the desk. For detailed airport collection information at the country’s busiest hub, see our dedicated car hire Heathrow page. The GOV.UK driving guide carries the official rules for visiting drivers.
Car Hire UK: Across Every Major Airport
Most visitors collect their car hire UK vehicle at an airport. Every major UK airport has the full range of suppliers on site, and prices are often lower at regional airports than in central city locations. Here is what each main gateway opens up.
London Heathrow and Gatwick
The two largest London airports are the busiest car hire UK pick-up points in the country. Heathrow sits directly on the M25 with fast links West to Bath and the Cotswolds, while Gatwick opens onto the South Coast and the M23. Heathrow rates start from around £13 a day. For full terminal and collection detail, see our car hire Heathrow guide.
Manchester and Birmingham
Manchester is the gateway to the North of England, with the Lake District, the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales all within easy reach. Birmingham sits at the heart of the motorway network, making it the natural base for exploring the Midlands, the Cotswolds and Wales. Both airports offer cheaper car hire UK rates than the London hubs.
Edinburgh and Bristol
Edinburgh is the starting point for car hire Scotland, putting the Highlands, Loch Ness and the North Coast 500 within driving distance. Bristol is the gateway to the Southwest, with Bath, the Cotswolds, Devon and Cornwall all close by. For anyone planning a scenic route, these two airports place you perfectly for some of the finest driving in Britain.
The UK’s Greatest Road Trips
A car hire UK booking turns Britain into one long road trip. These five routes are the finest in the country, each one impossible to experience properly any other way.
1. The North Coast 500, Scotland
This 500-mile loop starts and ends in Inverness and traces the wild northern coast of Scotland. Expect single-track roads, sea lochs, empty beaches and the Torridon mountains. Loch Ness, the road to Applecross and the far-flung village of John O’Groats are all on the route. Allow at least five days and book accommodation ahead, as the NC500 has become one of the most celebrated drives in the world.
2. The Lake District, England
The Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packs England’s highest peaks and most beautiful water into a compact corner of Cumbria. Drive the passes of Honister and Hardknott, stop at Windermere and Derwentwater, and follow the literary trail of Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. The narrow mountain roads reward a small, nimble hire car.
3. The Cotswolds, England
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the South of England, the Cotswolds are a patchwork of honey-stone villages, rolling hills and country lanes. Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Water and Castle Combe are among the prettiest, with Blenheim Palace and the Roman Baths nearby. The Cotswolds sit within easy reach of Heathrow, Birmingham and Bristol, making them an ideal first drive.
4. The Coastal Way, Wales
This route runs the length of the Welsh west coast, from the Llyn Peninsula in the North to the Gower in the South. Cardigan Bay, the mountains of Snowdonia, Harlech Castle and St David’s, Britain’s smallest city, all line the way. The Welsh coast road is one of the most spectacular and least crowded drives in the country.
5. The Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
Running from Belfast to Londonderry along the North Antrim coast, this route takes in the Giant’s Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Dark Hedges. Dunluce Castle clings to the cliffs and the Titanic Belfast tells the city’s most famous story. It is a short route by UK standards but among the most dramatic, easily driven from a Belfast pick-up.
Cheap Car Hire UK: Seasonal Pricing Guide
Prices for car hire in the UK vary by season and by location. Winter is the cheapest time for car hire UK, summer the most expensive, and regional airports consistently undercut the London hubs. Booking four to six weeks ahead secures the best rate in any season.
| Season | Period | Daily Rate | Booking Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | January to February | From £11/day | Cheapest months. Book anytime. |
| Off Peak | Mar to Apr, Oct to Nov | £15 to £25/day | Good availability. Book 2 weeks ahead. |
| Shoulder | May to June, September | £25 to £40/day | Best balance of price and weather. Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead. |
| Peak Summer | July to August | £40 to £70/day | Highest rates. Book 6+ weeks ahead. |
| Christmas and New Year | 20 Dec to 5 Jan | £35 to £60/day | Premium rates. Mid-week pick-up is cheaper. |
Prices shown are for compact vehicles booked online in advance. Central London rates start higher, from around £23/day. Regional airports and smaller towns are typically cheapest of all.
Driving in the UK: Essential Rules
Driving on the Left
The UK drives on the left, with the driver seated on the right of the car. Roundabouts are taken clockwise, giving way to traffic from the right. UK roads are well maintained and clearly signposted, so adjusting to car hire UK driving takes less time than most visitors expect. Take the first few miles steadily and the rest comes naturally.
Speed Limits
UK speed limits are posted in miles per hour. Limits vary by road type and signage always takes precedence, so follow the signs and adjust to conditions. Speed cameras are common and fines are enforced against the hire car driver through the rental company.
| Road Type | Limit |
|---|---|
| Motorway / Dual Carriageway | 70 mph |
| Single Carriageway | 60 mph |
| Built-up / Urban Areas | 30 mph |
| Residential / School Zones | 20 mph |
Documents You Need
To collect a car hire UK booking you need a full driving licence held for at least 12 months, a passport or national ID, proof of address, and a credit card in the lead driver’s name. UK, EU and EEA licences are accepted without extra paperwork. You must be at least 23 years old, and drivers under 25 may pay a young driver surcharge. An International Driving Permit may be needed if your licence is not in English.
Alcohol Limits
The drink-drive limit differs within the UK. In England and Wales it is 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, or 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood. In Scotland the limit is lower, at 22 microgrammes of breath alcohol or 50 milligrammes of blood alcohol. The only safe approach is not to drink at all before driving, as penalties are severe.
Seat Belts, Phones and Tyres
Seat belts are compulsory for all occupants, front and rear. Children must use an appropriate car seat until they reach 135 centimetres tall or their 12th birthday, whichever comes first. Handheld mobile phone use while driving is illegal. The minimum legal tyre tread depth in the UK is 1.6 millimetres, and your hire car must carry the tools to change a wheel.
London Congestion Charge and ULEZ
Driving into central London carries a Congestion Charge of £15 per day, applying 07:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 12:00 to 18:00 at weekends. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) now covers all London boroughs, though most modern hire cars meet the standard and pay nothing. Both charges are the driver’s responsibility. For most car hire UK trips the advice is simple: head out to the countryside, where the real value lies, rather than into the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car Hire UK
What is the minimum age for car hire in the UK?
The minimum age is generally 23, though some suppliers accept drivers from 21 for smaller cars. You must have held a full licence for at least 12 months. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver surcharge and may be restricted to economy and compact categories. Premium and prestige vehicles often carry a higher minimum age.
Can I hire a car straight after passing my test?
Usually no. Most suppliers require a full licence held for at least 12 months, and some premium operators ask for two to three years. Passing your test does not by itself qualify you, as the held-licence period is what matters. Always check the supplier’s terms before booking to avoid being turned away at the desk.
What is the cheapest way to get car hire in the UK?
Book online in advance rather than at the desk, where walk-up rates run far higher. January and February are the cheapest months, and regional airports undercut central city pick-ups. A compact car booked four to six weeks ahead for a mid-week collection delivers the lowest cheap car hire UK price. Comparing every supplier in one search, as Getcarhire.com does, ensures you see the best available rate.
Is manual or automatic more common for car hire in UK?
Manual transmission is the default and the cheapest option across the UK. Automatics are available from every major supplier but in smaller numbers, so they cost more and should be booked well ahead, particularly in peak season. If you can only drive an automatic, reserve early to guarantee availability.
Can I do a one-way car hire in the UK?
Yes. One-way car hire UK rentals between major locations such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow are widely available. A one-way fee usually applies and is shown clearly when you book. Given the high cost of UK rail and airport transfers, one-way hire often works out the cheaper option for point-to-point trips.
What documents do I need for car hire in the UK?
You need a full driving licence held at least 12 months, a passport or national ID, proof of address, and a credit card in the lead driver’s name. UK, EU and EEA licences need no extra paperwork. Non-EU drivers should check whether an International Driving Permit is required. Every car hire UK price on Getcarhire.com includes insurance and all taxes with no hidden desk charges.
Ready to find the best cheap car hire UK deals for your trip? Getcarhire.com compares every major supplier across all UK airports and city locations in a single search, with insurance and taxes included and no hidden fees. Book your car hire UK today, lock in your rate with free cancellation on most vehicles, and set off to discover Britain at your own pace, from the Highlands to the Cornish coast.
