Advice and tips when looking for a rental car in United Kingdom
Here we have put together some tips on what to consider when looking for a rental car in United Kingdom and regions/states such as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Do a quick inspection upon pickup
Inspect and examine the rental car when you pick it up. Check that all damages, scratches and dents are included in the condition report. Check how big the deductible is! What often differentiates between smaller, cheaper companies in United Kingdom and larger global companies is the amount of the deductible. Also read the conditions carefully when it comes to how the car is to be returned. Smaller local companies may have an administrative fee if the car is to be returned with an empty tank. Any fee is stated in our terms and conditions when you apply.
Are there several of you who will drive the car? Where are you going?
Extra driver? If more than one person is driving the car, this must be stated at the time of booking or at the company upon arrival. Remember that there may be restrictions on driving the car to other countries and taking the car from or to islands such as Isle of Wight, Anglesey, Sheppey, Lewis with Harris, Hayling Island, Skye, Bute and Islay.
Book as early as possible
Book as early as possible, it will usually be more expensive if you wait. In large cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Glasgow, Leicester, Edinburgh and Leeds, prices often rise the later you book. It can also be difficult to find cars at major airports such as London-Heathrow Airport, London-Stansted Airport, Gatwick Airport, London City Airport, Birmingham Airport, Liverpool Airport, Nottingham Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Bristol Airport and Glasgow Airport, if you wait too long.
Refuel the car before returning it
Different companies have different fuel conditions. If the car is to be refueled before return, do so to avoid extra fees from the rental car company. Some smaller companies have an administrative fee for refueling the car if it is to be left empty, which is stated in the conditions but not always in the total price. Look extra carefully at the refueling regulations! If the company has 'Pick up full, drop off empty' then there may be an administrative fee for refueling. Any fee is stated during the booking. It is often the cheaper companies that have 'Pick up full, drop off empty'.
Is free mileage / free miles included?
Check that free mileage is included in the rent. If free mileage is not included, check that the number of kilometers in the contract is sufficient. All major companies have unlimited mileage, but less expensive companies may have a maximum mileage per day.
Compare prices from several companies and book the rental car on the Internet
Searching and booking car rental on the Internet becomes cheaper and it is easier and takes less time. Compare many companies and sites to find the best price. Autoprio.com compares several companies at the same time in a single search via Cartrawler. We do not own any cars but only compare prices from different companies such as e.g. Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Thrifty, National, Enterprise, Alamo and Dollar, etc.
Review the contract & terms carefully
Review and read the rental conditions before booking the rental car. Autoprio.com offers rental cars from several different rental car companies and the conditions differ between the different companies. Smaller companies may have administrative fees to be paid on site that relate to refueling after return. Any fees are stated during the booking. Review and read the contract when you pick up your rental car. Autoprio.com offers cheap rental cars from several different rental car companies in United Kingdom and the contract differs between the different companies. If there is something you do not understand in the contract, ask someone from the company on site or contact us directly.
Frequently asked questions about car rental & renting a car in United Kingdom
Do I need an international driver’s licence in United Kingdom?
If your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet (i.e. Arabic, Greek, Russian or Chinese) you will need to bring an international driving licence and your domestic licence in United Kingdom. If you are renting abroad (outside your country of residence, or outside where your license was issued), an international drivers licence is usually required regardless of the alphabet. International driver’s licences must be accompanied by the original domestic licence of the driver.
What is the cheapest car rental company in United Kingdom?
In the past 14 days, the cheapest rental cars were found on Autoprio.com at IOM Rent a Car, Arnold Clark, Hertz Dream Collection, Goldcar, Athol Car Hire, Advantage, Easirent and Practical in cities like Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, Leicester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Nottingham, London, Glasgow and Leeds, etc and at airports like Liverpool Airport, Gatwick Airport, London-Stansted Airport, London-Heathrow Airport, Birmingham Airport and London City Airport, etc. In the larger cities you can find a rental car for £ 13 - 29 per day.
How much does it cost to rent a car in United Kingdom?
Renting a small car in United Kingdom costs from about £ 13 per day and up, depending on the season and supply (2024). Renting a normal-sized car costs from about £ 29 / day. Larger cars, luxury cars, vans and moving cars cost more. How much it costs to rent a car depends on the time of year, range of cars, country and what type of car you plan to rent. Sometimes you can find a cheaper rental car depending on the season. In the majority of cases the rental price includes tax, breakdown assistance, airport fee, third party liability protection, collision damage waiver and unlimited mileage. Please note that the costs included may vary depending on the car rental company and destination country. The car hire company may also choose to ask you for a deposit or excess at the rental desk. Make sure to check the rental conditions at the time of booking. The price for the rental car shown is per day and is based on a weekly all inclusive rental for 7 days. The offer can be changed or removed at short notice by the various rental companies.
Are there any cross-border charges if you want to leave United Kingdom?
The car rental agents like National, Sixt, Hertz, Thrifty, Budget, Avis and Europcar may choose to charge you for cross-border travel. Any fees will need to be paid at the rental desk in United Kingdom in local currency. We will state whether cross-border travel is allowed and in which countries at the time of booking under rental conditions at Autoprio.com.
Which costs are included in the rental price in United Kingdom?
In the majority of cases the rental price includes tax, breakdown assistance, airport fee, third party liability protection, collision damage waiver and unlimited mileage. Please note that the costs included may vary depending on the car rental company and destination. The car hire company may also choose to ask you for a deposit or excess at the rental desk in United Kingdom. Make sure to check the rental conditions at the time of booking at Autoprio.com.
How much does it cost to rent a cargo van in United Kingdom?
How much it costs to rent a van, moving truck or small truck in United Kingdom depends on the time of year and the range of models in different cities and airports. In United Kingdom you can find a smaller truck or van from about £ 58 / day, medium truck from about £ 75 / day, large van from about £ 87 / day.
What is the best rental car company in United Kingdom?
Based on ratings and reviews on autoprio.com, the best car rental companies in United Kingdom are National, Sixt, Hertz, Thrifty, Budget, Avis and Europcar. You can find these car hire companies in cities like Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, Leicester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Nottingham, London, Glasgow and Leeds.
What are the most popular car rental locations in United Kingdom?
Based on searches on autoprio.com, the most popular cities to rent a car in United Kingdom are Coventry, Bristol, Glasgow, Cardiff, Leicester, Sunderland, Nottingham, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham, London and Leeds. The most popular airports are Liverpool Airport, Gatwick Airport, London-Stansted Airport, London-Heathrow Airport, Birmingham Airport and London City Airport.
How can I find car rentals near me in United Kingdom?
Do a search for the city, island or airport closest to you in United Kingdom. A search for country or e.g. island in United Kingdom lists the largest airports like Gatwick Airport, Liverpool Airport, Birmingham Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Bristol Airport, London-Stansted Airport, London City Airport, London-Heathrow Airport, Nottingham Airport and Glasgow Airport. Then take a look at our map of cheap car hire companies to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in United Kingdom?
On average, a normal-sized rental car in United Kingdom costs approx. £ 812 per month (£ 29 per day). A smaller rental car costs approx. £ 364 per month. The best prices can be found in the largest cities such as Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, Leicester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Nottingham, London, Glasgow and Leeds. The price for the rental car shown is based on a monthly all inclusive rent for 28 days. The offer can be changed or at short notice completely removed by the various car rental companies. Larger cars, luxury cars, vans and moving cars cost more.
How much do you charge for excess in United Kingdom?
The excess amount depends on the car hire company and the rented vehicle and it will be refunded within 10-28 days after the rental if there has been no damage. Cartrawler offer damage refund insurance in association with Autoprio.com insurance partners, which will allow you to claim for reimbursement in the event that you have been charged for collision damage or theft. This damage refund insurance can be purchased at the time of booking.
Are there extra charges for drop-off at a different location in United Kingdom?
Yes, in most cases the car rental agents like Hertz, Budget, Avis, Europcar and Sixt will charge an extra fee if you wish to return the vehicle at a different location in United Kingdom. We will clearly state whether the one-way fee is included in the rental price or what additional cost may arise at the time of booking at Autoprio.com.
Can I book without a credit card in United Kingdom?
Yes. You can make a booking without a credit card with Autoprio.com in United Kingdom. Note that, even if you choose to pay by debit card, you will have to provide a valid credit card in the driver’s name at the time of pick-up since the rental agent requires a credit card from which to take the rental deposit. Credit cards accepted for pick-up are MasterCard, Visa, and in some cases American Express.
How much does it cost to rent a minibus in United Kingdom?
How much it costs to rent a 9-seater minibus in United Kingdom depends on the time of year, the supply of buses in different cities such as Leicester, London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow etc. In United Kingdom you can find a 9-seater minibus from about £ 49 / day. Do a search with Autoprio.com and easily see all current prices for minibuses right now. The price for the minibus shown is per day and is based on a weekly rental for 7 days. The offer can be changed or removed at short notice by the various rental companies.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in United Kingdom?
On average, a normal-sized rental car in United Kingdom costs approx. £ 203 per week (£ 29 per day). A smaller rental car costs approx. £ 91 per week. Best prices can be found in major cities such as Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, Leicester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Nottingham, London, Glasgow and Leeds. The price for the rental car shown is based on a weekly all inclusive rental for 7 days. The offer can be changed or removed at short notice by the various rental companies. Do a search with Autoprio.com and easily see all current prices for rental cars right now.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in United Kingdom?
Most car hire companies have a minimum age limit of 21 years for rentals. However, requirements may vary depending on the car rental company and destination country. Please note that there may be additional charges if the main driver is under 25 or over 75 years old to cover the extra insurance cost. Any additional fee will be mentioned at the time of booking under summary of charges before you confirm the reservation at Autoprio.com.
We compare rental car prices and car rental from several companies in all popular destinations in United Kingdom, and find the best prices on rental cars. Search for and book in cities and communities such as, London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Glasgow, Leicester, Edinburgh, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry. We list prices from companies that are safe and quality assured so that there will not be any problems when you arrive.
Easy, effortless and safe car rental where every cost is included, no hidden fees and free cancellations and amendments up to 24-48 hours before you are supposed to pick up the car. We have an easy and safe booking of rental cars online. At autoprio.com you can search for cars at and in the most popular cities, train stations, ferry terminals and airports in United Kingdom.
More about United Kingdom
United Kingdom (UK, U.K., Great Britain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Britain) has approximately 62,348,000 inhabitants and is located in Europe. Total surface/area 244,820 km² / 94,526 mi². United Kingdom is the 22th largest country when it comes to inhabitants and the 80th largest regarding the surface in the world. The 4th largest country when it comes to inhabitants and the 11th largest regarding the surface in Europe. The largest regions/states/counties are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from a total of four. Alternative names are United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, UK, Britain, Great Britain, U.K.. The capital is London where about 7,556,900 people live. Has neighboring countries such as Ireland. Is it included in the price to cross national borders? Usually not, the car rental company may charge a fee to cross national borders to Ireland. All additional costs are paid directly at the rental desk in the local currency, Pound (GBP). It is stated in the rental terms and during the booking whether it is allowed to cross national borders and to which countries. The five largest communities are London (c. 7556900 pop), Birmingham (c. 984300 pop), Liverpool (c. 864100 pop), Nottingham (c. 730000 pop), Sheffield (c. 685400 pop). Pound (GBP) is the currency used to make payments within the country. Different languages that are used are e.g. English, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic. Sites on internet often have the domain ending .uk. The five highest mountains are Ben Nevis (1344 m / 4,409 ft), Ben Macdui (1309 m / 4,295 ft), Braeriach (1296 m / 4,252 ft), Cairn Toul (1291 m / 4,236 ft) and Sgor an Lochain Uaine (1258 m / 4,127 ft). +44 is the country code when you want to make a phone call to the country. Suggestions on places, attractions, museums that could be worth a visit during your trip to United Kingdom. Weather and maps of the country, cities etc.
Tourist attractions och activities in United Kingdom
Take the opportunity to taste the local wine during your holiday. Borough Wines & Beers, Biddenden Vineyards, Bolney Wine Estate, Bookers Vineyard, Oxney Organic Estate, Frithsden Vineyard, Felstar Vineyard, Stanlake Park, Wickham Vineyard, Greyfriars Vinyard, Hidden Spring Vineyard, Mersea Island Vineyard, Rathfinny Wine Estate Cellar Door and Tasting Room and Dedham Vale Vineyard are examples of wine producers and vineyards. A day for wine tasting in United Kingdom? Tropical houses, tropicarium, zoo, animal parks, aquarium and terrarium are Edinburgh Zoo, Colchester Zoo, Tropiquaria, Newquay Zoo, Birdland Park and Gardens, Dudley Zoo, Borth Animalarium, Blue Reef Aquarium, Paignton Zoo, Isle of Wight Zoo, Molehill Wildlife Park, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm and Marwell Zoo. Do you travel with children and want to visit a Zoo? Water parks, amusement parks or theme parks you can go to are for example Legoland, Gulliver’s Land, Alton Towers, Holywell Bay Fun Park, Centerparcs, Box Hill Hiking Area, Camel Creek Adventure Park, Springfield Fun Park, Brean Sands and Waterworld. Do you travel with your children?
Cheap car rental with unlimited mileage in United Kingdom
There are many different models and sizes of cars to choose from. Fleet list in United Kingdom: Minivan, Intermediate elite, Mini cars (Mini), Medium SUV, Estate, SUV / Jeep (SUV), 5 seater minivan (5 seat minivan), Hybrid cars, Luxury cars (Luxury), Mini elite, Economy cars (Economy), Small-medium truck-lorry (Small-medium truck), Special cars (Special), Small SUV, 7 seater minivan (7 seat minivan), Standard cars (Standard), Economy elite, Moped, Fullsize cars (Fullsize), Compact cars (Compact), Convertible, Compact elite, Intermediate, Exotic cars (Exotic), Cargo van, 9 seater minivan / Minibus (9 seat minivan), Fullsize elite, Electric cars, Premium cars (Premium), Large truck-lorry (Large truck), Luxury elite. Big cities and popular destinations have more car types to choose from. If you want to rent a luxury car then search at the major airports and the most popular destinations in the major regions such as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland etc. It can also be harder to find and book special cars during peak season, if you do not search well in advance, before you need your rental car.
Cars you can rent in United Kingdom are e.g. Large truck-lorry, etc. 5 seater minivan: e.g. Citroen Berlingo, Renault Scenic, Citroen C3 Picasso, Kia Carnival, etc. Fullsize cars: e.g. Audi A5, BMW 3 Series Coupe, Mercedes C Class, BMW 3 Series, etc. Intermediate elite: e.g. BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, etc. Premium cars: e.g. Mercedes E280 CDI, Mercedes C Class, Mercedes CLA, Fullsize elite, Compact elite, Mini elite, Luxury elite, etc. Luxury cars: e.g. Porsche Panamera 4S, Audi A8, Lamborghini Huracan, Mercedes ML, BMW M3, etc. SUV / Jeep: e.g. Audi Q7, BMW X6, Land Rover Freelander, etc. Convertible: e.g. Mini Convertible, BMW 6 Series Convertible, Fiat 500 Convertible, Mercedes E Class Convertible, Citroen DS3 Cabriolet, etc. 7 seater minivan: e.g. Mercedes Viano, Renault Espace, Volkswagen Caddy, Ford Galaxy, Small SUV, etc. Standard cars: e.g. Volkswagen Passat, Audi A4, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, etc. Cargo van: e.g. Ford Transit SWB Van, Volkswagen Transporter, Peugeot Partner Cargo Van, Volkswagen Camper, Iveco Tipper, Exotic cars, Hybrid cars, Electric cars, Special cars, etc. Intermediate: e.g. Ford Mondeo, Audi A3, Toyota Avensis, etc. Estate: e.g. Opel Insignia Estate, Skoda Octavia Estate, Citroen C5 Estate, Peugeot 508 Estate, etc. 9 seater minivan / Minibus: e.g. Renault Trafic, Volkswagen Transporter, Ford Transit, Moped, etc. Minivan: e.g. Toyota Estima, Mercedes Viano, Mercedes Sprinter, Economy elite, etc. Compact cars: e.g. Mazda CX-5, BMW 1 Series, Mystery Car Compact or Larger, Hyundai i30, etc. Small-medium truck-lorry: e.g. Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab, etc. Mini cars: e.g. Fiat 500, Fiat 500 S Dualogic, Smart Fortwo, Medium SUV, etc. Economy cars: e.g. Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris Hybrid, Ford Fiesta, etc. However, in smaller cities and on islands like Ireland, Isle of Wight, Anglesey, Isle of Sheppey, Lewis with Harris, Hayling Island, Isle of Skye, Isle of Bute, Islay, Island of Raasay, Yell, Wyre, Worms Head, Wiay Island, Wiay Island, White Island, Whalsay, Whale Islet, Whale Island, Wether Holm, Wether Holm, Holm of West Sandwick, Westray, West Mouse, West Linga, West Burra Island, Isle of West Burrafirth, Wedder Holm, Wart Holm, Ward Holm, Walney Island, Wallasea Island, Vorran Island, The Vere, The Vere, Vementry Island, Vatersay Island, Vallay Island, Vaila Island, Uynarey Island, Uyea Island, Uyea, Urie Lingey and Unst etc, the range is smaller.
What to consider when looking for rental cars in United Kingdom?
Book the car in United Kingdom before your trip, it is almost always cheaper. Also, book as early as possible, it becomes more expensive the closer you get to your trip. If your car is supposed to be collected at an airport you should book before you leave, as in London Heathrow Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London City Airport, Birmingham West Midlands International Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Speke Airport, Nottingham City Airport and Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport. When you are looking for a rental car in United Kingdom, autoprio.com compares, for example, these companies: Hertz, Keddy By Europcar, National, Green Motion, Dollar, Sixt, Firefly, Avis, Budget, Athol Car Hire, IOM Rent a Car, Alamo, Arnold Clark, Practical, Thrifty, InterRent, Goldcar, Easirent, Hertz Dream Collection, Advantage, Enterprise, Flizzr, Europcar.
Traffic regulations and car driving
As in all countries on earth the number of traffic rules in United Kingdom can be endless, but it does not impose any problems renting and driving a car. In larger cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Glasgow, Leicester, Edinburgh, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, it is sometimes difficult to drive a car. At rush hour, there can be a lot of traffic and it can be difficult to find parking. Learn the most important traffic and parking regulations to ensure a safe trip and that you abide the law.
Destinations in United Kingdom
Compare car rental and find cheap hire cars in regions such as: Hire Cars England, Rental Cars Scotland, Car Rental Wales and Northern Ireland. We can offer car hire where every cost is included, no hidden fees and free cancellations/amendments up to 24-48 hours before you are supposed to pick up the car in United Kingdom. Find the best hire cars and the cheapest car rental in towns such as: Cheap Car Hire London, Rent a Car Birmingham, Rent a Car Cheap Liverpool, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bristol, Glasgow, Leicester, Edinburgh, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, Sunderland, Birkenhead, Islington, Reading, Hull and Preston. We have an easy and safe booking system of rental cars online in United Kingdom. Compare car hire and van rental in airports such as: Car Hire London-Heathrow Airport, Cheap Rental Cars London-Stansted Airport, Rental Cars Gatwick Airport, London City Airport, Birmingham Airport, Liverpool Airport, Nottingham Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Bristol Airport, Glasgow Airport, Prestwick Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, Cardiff Airport, Manchester Airport, Coventry Airport, London Southend Airport, Belfast Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport and Plymouth City Airport.
Car rental companies we compare in United Kingdom
To find the best price for a car, autoprio.com compares, among others, the following companies; Avis, Budget, InterRent, Thrifty, Arnold Clark, Easirent, Hertz, Advantage, Green Motion, Flizzr, National, Dollar, Sixt, Goldcar, IOM Rent a Car, Alamo, Athol Car Hire, Enterprise, Practical, Firefly, Keddy By Europcar, Hertz Dream Collection and Europcar in United Kingdom.
Car Hire & Rent a Car United Kingdom Customer Reviews & Feedback
