Although we may be biased, I wholeheartedly believe that the United Kingdom is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe.
And over our lives we have spent countless months and years exploring much of what this beautiful region has to offer.
Including most of Scotland and Northern Ireland; and more gradually England and Wales.
From bustling cities, breathtaking natural landscapes, and variety of wildlife, this incredible country has a lot to offer.
We explored in our own campervan, and of course there are plenty of fantastic motorhome rentals in the UK too!
However, renting a car here is of course another fantastic way to get around. So below you will find our top car rental recommendations for the UK!
Based on personal experience renting cars around the world, and complemented by online testimonials as well.
Let’s get straight into it…
If you’re planning to hire a car in the United Kingdom then we recommend checking out Discover Cars. They’re an online comparison site that will compare prices from car rental companies all over the country.
Discover Cars prides itself on having no hidden fees and they’re located in over 145 countries, covering 10,000+ locations. So no matter where you are, there’s a good chance you’ll get to benefit from the insane prices that this website offers.
All you need to do is simply input your dates and preferred location, and you’ll be offered a wealth of options. This means you can easily compare car rental deals and providers side by side!
Some other great reasons to book with Discover Cars include:
Enterprise has over 400 branches in the UK so you’ve got plenty of options. They offer one of the world’s largest and most diverse hire fleets too.
Better yet, Enterprise offers unlimited mileage on UK rentals so you don’t have to worry about going over the mileage limit. If that wasn’t enough to convince you, 24/7 roadside assistance and a damage waiver are included in your rental.
This easily makes them one of the best car rentals in the UK!
At Enterprise, you’ve got the option of both manual and automatic transmission vehicles, along with electric vehicles.
There are plenty of makes and models to choose from including Toyota Aygo, Nissan Juke, Ford Kuga, and Mazda MX30. Their fleet seats up to 7 people (depending on which vehicle you go for) so there’s something for everyone.
Hertz is one of the world’s most popular rental companies. With a flexible cancellation policy, an extensive vehicle fleet, and a best-rate guarantee, it’s not hard to see why!
Better yet, this rental company has a fantastic loyalty program - Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. It’s free to join and you can save up to 10% off your rental, a great deal considering this company is already very affordable.
Honestly, Hertz is one of the best car rental companies in the UK (and in Ireland) so make sure you check them out!
As Hertz has such a huge fleet, you’re guaranteed to find something to your liking! Whether you’re after an electric vehicle, a cheap get-around, or a luxury sports car, there are lots of options.
The vehicles are categorized too so it’s never been easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Europcar is one of the most popular rental companies in Europe, which undoubtedly makes them one of the best UK car rental companies.
Boasting no hidden fees, 24/7 roadside assistance with every rental, and 24/7 service at the majority of airports, this company has so much to offer.
They also included unlimited mileage in some of their rentals, as well as third-party liability insurance and VAT.
Not only that, but Europcar offers some very affordable packages, making them perfect for budget travelers.
If you're planning more trips throughout Europe, then this company is also one of the best options for car rentals in France!
Europcar offers a wide variety of vehicles as they have a large rental fleet. Popular makes include a Fiat 500, Volkswagen Golf, MG 4, and a Tesla Model 3.
These seat between 5-7 people so you’ll have plenty of options, no matter whether you’re traveling as a couple or a family.
Alamo is a great budget-friendly option as they offer some of the cheapest car rentals in the UK.
This company is known for its all-inclusive rates, modern fleet, and no hidden fees.
A damage Waiver and extended Protection (with zero excess) are both included in the rental cost. Not only that, but the rental deals at Alamo are extremely affordable.
If you’re looking for London car rentals, then Alamo is an excellent choice as they have 10 car rental locations in the city.
Like many rental providers, rental cars are split up into vehicle categories with Alamo. Some of these include economy, compact, standard, and premium.
Vehicles include a Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa, Nissan Juke, and Volvo XC40, so there really is something for every kind of renter.
Drivalia has over 20 branches throughout the UK and is one of the country’s leading car hire companies. Offering all-inclusive rental packages and excellent service, it’s no wonder this provider is so popular.
Another great thing about Drivalia is their Key ‘n Driver Service. With this service, you’ll have 100% contactless car hire. All you need to do is book online and then pick up your keys from a pick-up box.
What more could you ask for?
Many of the vehicles at Drivalia are low or zero-emission so this company plays a part in protecting the environment.
There are also electric vehicles available and free unlimited charging is included in the rental. Better yet, there are both manual and automatic transmission cars on offer.
Located across 170 countries and boasting over 5,500 car hire locations, Avis is the perfect choice for United Kingdom car rentals.
The great thing about Avis is that they offer some awesome long-term rental deals. This company also has a very flexible cancellation policy, which is always a huge bonus.
Lastly, they have a great loyalty program and a free pre-registration service, which can save you tons of time!
Honestly, Avis has so much to offer so make sure you check them out, especially if you're after a long-term rental car in the UK.
With Avis, you’ll have an extensive range of vehicles to choose from. Better yet, many of them include unlimited mileage, so you won’t have to worry about incurring extra charges.
There are both automatic and manual transmission vehicles available, and some cars seat up to 8 people so are perfect for families.
If you’re flying into the UK, many people will land at Heathrow Airport (London) or other popular airports.
As such, Arnold Clark is a great option if you’re looking to pick up an airport car rental!
With over 60 years of experience, Arnold Clark is Europe’s largest independent car dealer group.
Each rental includes VAT, insurance, and roadside assistance, and if you hire a car for 4+ days, you’ll have unlimited mileage too. However, if you’re under 25, you will pay a young driver’s surcharge fee with this company.
There are both manual and automatic transmission vehicles available with Arnold Clark. One of the smallest vehicles on offer is the Vauxhall Corsa, while large hire cars such as the Skoda Octavia are also an option.
No matter what you’re looking for, Arnold Clark has something to suit everyone!
Sixt is another excellent option if you’re looking for the best car rentals in the UK! This renowned rental company is located in over 100 countries, so they certainly know their stuff.
With each rental, you’ll have third-party insurance included so you’ll have peace of mind. Not only that, but Sixt offers one-way and long-term rentals, so there’s a hire option for everyone.
If you’re looking for luxury car rentals, then Sixt also has plenty to offer! For future reference, they're also a fantastic option for car rentals in Italy and Portugal.
Whether you’re traveling as a couple or a family, you’re sure to find a vehicle with Sixt. From a small VW Polo to a 9-seater Ford Tourneo Minibus, you won’t be short of opinions.
Better yet, Sixt offers luxury car hire although you’ll likely need to be older than 21 to rent one of these!
National Car Rental boasts 1,500 branches worldwide and is known for its first-class service, great rates, and the Emerald Club loyalty program.
This company has an extensive fleet and you’ll find pick-up locations up and down the country. Better yet, they offer priority service at some airport locations.
Even if you’re heading to the UK for business purposes, you’ll want to check this company out as they offer a business rental program, where you can secure free hire days.
National has both automatic and manual transmission vehicles available, as well as electric vehicles. They’re separated into categories so you can easily decide what’s for you!
Popular cars include the Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Aygo, Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka, and a Ford Kuga. However, there are plenty of others too.
Keddy is a car rental service that’s run by Europcar. This company strives to offer its customers fair prices and simplified car hire, which is why they’re such a great option.
First of all, they have tons of offices all across the UK, so it doesn’t matter whether you’re heading to England, Scotland, or Wales.
Not only that, but Keddy offers one-way rentals and their prices are often very affordable!
What’s great about Keddy is that there are a variety of vehicles to choose from. Whether you’re after a small vehicle such as a Kia Picanto or a large Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer, there’s something for everyone.
Other vehicles include a Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Focus, Nissan Qashqai, and a Vauxhall Crossland X. Both automatic and manual transmission are available.
The cost of renting a car in the UK will all depend on which company you choose, the size of the vehicle, when you’re traveling, and various other factors.
Typically, expect to pay between £35-£55 per day for a small car and between £60-£80 per day for a large vehicle. For the best deals, check out Discover Cars as this website has a lot to offer.
To rent a car in the United Kingdom you need to be at least 21 years of age and generally, will have had to have a license for at least a year.
Some rental companies will only hire to you if you’re 25 though so just keep that in mind. Although others will hire to you at 21, you’ll likely pay a young driver surcharge fee.
Renting a car in the UK is really easy. First of all, there are so many fantastic providers out there, and you can easily compare them by using a comparison site such as Discover Cars.
All you need is your passport, a full valid driving license, and typically a major debit or credit card. If your license isn’t in English, you’ll also need an International Driving Permit.
If you’re staying in the capital then you won’t need to hire a car, as you’ll have no problems getting around London. However, if you’re looking to road trip from the capital, then we’d certainly recommend picking up a vehicle.
Public transport in the UK is expensive and sometimes unreliable. There are also lots of destinations that buses and trains won’t reach, so you’ll be missing out on some true hidden gems.
If you’re planning to hire a car in the UK then there are endless road trip opportunities for you!
First of all, the capital city of London is a popular starting point, as according to UK travel statistics it’s the country’s most popular city when it comes to international travelers. You’ll also find plenty of places to stay in London if you’re in need of a rest before starting your adventure!
However, there’s also an international airport in Wales, five in Scotland, and you’ll find others located across England. As such, there’s no shortage of starting points for your road trip!
Popular cities in the UK include Bath, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, and Cardiff. You’ve also got some epic natural wonders including the Jurassic Coast, the Lake District, and the iconic Loch Ness up in Scotland.
For the best experience, allow at least two weeks in the United Kingdom as there’s a lot to see!
If you’re planning a trip to the UK, here are some other guides you may find helpful:
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