Car hire in Newquay lets you explore this bustling coastal town and all its surrounding areas with ease. Pack up for a day at Fistral Beach, where you can try your hand at surfing, or head to the Blue Reef Aquarium for a day out with the family. Alternatively, you can venture further afield and discover the stunning Cornwall coast, quaint villages and national parks nearby. The sights of Carnewas at Bedruthen Steps are only a 20-25min drive away and the villages of Porth and Saint Newlyn East are only 10-15min by car.
Newquay is only a 15min drive from the local airport (Cornwall Airport Newquay), where car hire firms such as Hertz and Europcar are on hand to get you on the road in no time. They’re located in the main terminal building and desks are open Monday to Friday between 8:00–16:00 and 8:00–13:00 on Saturday. Take the right-hand door as you come out of arrivals and you’ll see them 30 yards or so in front of you. A meet and greet service can usually be arranged when booking if your flight lands outside of these hours.
The roads in the centre of Newquay can be especially narrow and may require extra care and attention when driving on them. The country and coastal roads surrounding the town are long and winding with slow-moving farm vehicles regularly driving along them. It’s advisable to watch your speed and be careful when overtaking here. There are also many steep hills that can be treacherous in wet or icy weather, so you will have to adjust accordingly in such conditions.
In the summer, tourists can clog up the roads in and around Newquay, so it may be better to travel at quieter times like early in the morning to avoid delays. This goes particularly for the A392, the A3075 and Trevemper Road heading into Newquay. When it is hot outside, roads tend to be less busy as the majority of people are at the beach. During rainy periods, traffic may increase as people look for other things to do. Like anywhere, you may experience some rush hour traffic in Newquay, which tends to peak between 8:00 and 9:00 and 17:00 and 18:00.
25% of our users found rental cars in Newquay for $78 or less
Book your rental car in Newquay at least 2 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Mini rental cars in Newquay are around 28% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Newquay
Some car rental companies in Newquay which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Europcar, Hertz and Enterprise
On average a rental car in Newquay costs $110 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in Newquay found in the last 2 weeks is $44.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Hertz ($41/day) and Europcar ($56/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Hertz Newquay Intl Airport TR8 4RQ (1 miles from city center).
Yes, automatic cars are available in most car renting companies in Newquay. As cars with manual transmission are more common in many countries, you might have to pay an additional charge for renting an automatic car.
The average gas price in Newquay is $8.47 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $102 and $135, depending on the car size.
Mini (Toyota Aygo or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Newquay.
Car rental companies onsite at Cornwall Newquay airport include Europcar, Hertz and Budget.
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Cornwall Newquay airport to off-airport locations include Europcar, Hertz, and Budget.
A Mini car rental in Newquay costs $70 per day, on average.
A Economy car rental in Newquay costs $77 per day, on average.
A Compact car rental in Newquay costs $83 per day, on average.
In Newquay, cars are most frequently rented at Hertz Newquay Intl Airport (1 miles from city center).
On average a rental car in Newquay costs $767 per week ($110 per day).
On average a rental car in Newquay costs $3,289 per month ($110 per day).
Most car rental providers in Newquay offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Newquay, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
A compact economy vehicle is an ideal hire car in Newquay for one or two people making their way to and from the beach. A larger saloon or 4x4 is better suited when there are more people in your party or you’re travelling with surfboards. In the summer months, you may want to pick out a stylish convertible and travel the coastal roads in style.
In the centre of town, you can expect speed limits of 20-30mph. On surrounding roads like the A392 and A3075, the limit is 60mph, although, you should watch out for average speed checks and restrictions due to road works etc. Always remember to adjust your speed in wet weather conditions and during busy periods.
There are plenty of car parks in the centre of Newquay. The Manor, Mountwise and St. Georges Road are all great locations for around £3.10 for up to 2h, and they’re a short walk from the beach. On-street parking is difficult to find in the height of the tourist season, but in winter you should have no problem. Just be mindful of taking up a designated resident’s spot.
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Newquay so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 9 car rental agencies in Newquay.