KAYAK’s insights & trends for United Kingdom car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in the United Kingdom with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in the United Kingdom?
You should book your rental car in the United Kingdom around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in the United Kingdom?
Rentals in the SUV category (Ford Explorer or similar) are the most popular option in the United Kingdom, costing $58/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $29/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in the United Kingdom?
The cheapest month to rent a car in the United Kingdom is January at an average cost of $35/day. August is the most expensive month to rent a car in the United Kingdom when prices are $59/day on average, which tends to be 26% above the yearly average rental price for the United Kingdom.
What rental car company in the United Kingdom has the most locations?
Avis operates 88 locations in the United Kingdom, more than any other rental company.
United Kingdom car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in the United Kingdom by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
$19 - $42
All Car Types
$55 - $93
How much does it cost to rent a small car in the United Kingdom?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in the United Kingdom?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in the United Kingdom?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in the United Kingdom?
How much does it cost to rent a van in the United Kingdom?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in the United Kingdom?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in the United Kingdom?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in the United Kingdom?
Small car rentals in the United Kingdom typically cost around $30 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $19 per day which is about 37% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 59% cheaper than the average rental in the United Kingdom, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in the United Kingdom typically cost around $62 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average $43 per day which is about 31% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 14% cheaper than the average rental in the United Kingdom, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in the United Kingdom typically cost around $82 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average $59 per day which is about 29% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 13% more expensive than the average rental in the United Kingdom, but offers more comfort for longer trips.
SUV rentals in the United Kingdom typically cost around $78 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $61 per day which is about 22% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 8% more expensive than the average rental in the United Kingdom, but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van rentals in the United Kingdom typically cost around $122 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $59 per day which is about 52% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 41% more expensive than the average rental in the United Kingdom, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in the United Kingdom typically cost around $56 per day. The best time to book is April, when prices average $35 per day which is about 38% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 23% cheaper than the average rental in the United Kingdom, a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in the United Kingdom typically cost around $87 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average $66 per day which is about 25% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 18% more expensive than the average rental in the United Kingdom, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in the United Kingdom typically cost around $128 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average $59 per day which is about 54% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 44% more expensive than the average rental in the United Kingdom, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
GREEN MOTION
Medium
$37/day
$28/day
Top tips for renting a car in the United Kingdom
Seat belts are to be worn by all vehicle occupants in the UK, and kids between 3 and 12 must use the appropriate child safety seat. All kids must sit in the back, and those under 3 must be secured in a safety seat.
As you get further from the larger cities, the roads get narrower in the United Kingdom. Rural coastal roads and some in-land roads can get very tight, with stone fences on either side. Be careful when driving on these roads because of the tight turns and oncoming traffic.
You can take United Kingdom rental cars across the border. Drivers can get off the mainland UK and drive within the Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe. All you need is to purchase extra insurance and inform your provider of your travel plans no less than 72 hours before.
If you’ll be driving through central London, note that there’s a congestion charge for anyone who drives or parks their car in this area on weekdays. The toll is applied from Monday to Friday between 7 am and 6 pm.
25% of our users found rental cars in United Kingdom for $28 or less
Small rental cars in United Kingdom are around 36% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in the United Kingdom
How much does it cost to rent a car in the United Kingdom?
On average a rental car in the United Kingdom costs $37 per day.
How can I find car rentals near me in the United Kingdom?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in the United Kingdom are London (39% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in the United Kingdom), Edinburgh (24%) and Glasgow (7%).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in the United Kingdom?
On average a rental car in the United Kingdom costs $262 per week ($37 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in the United Kingdom?
On average a rental car in the United Kingdom costs $1,124 per month ($37 per day).
What is driving like in the United Kingdom?
Before you get on the road in United Kingdom car rentals, here are some rules you should know. In the United Kingdom, you drive on the left and give priority to vehicles approaching from the right, and the same applies to roundabouts, which you will enter clockwise. Do not get behind the wheel while intoxicated; having a BAC higher than 0.08% is a criminal offense. You must yield to pedestrians, even when crossing in undesignated areas. Always yield to emergency vehicles with flashing lights and school buses with an extended stop sign. Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, and fog lights must be used when visibility drops below 330 feet.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in the United Kingdom?
You must be at least 20 to rent a car in the United Kingdom. Most car rental providers will have a daily surcharge for drivers younger than 25. These younger drivers will also not access some of the upper vehicle classes, including SUVs, luxury vehicles, and vans. Some car rental providers will require you to have held a license for at least 12 months before you are allowed to get a rental vehicle. You will also need a valid driver’s license and a credit card in your name to qualify for a rental car in the United Kingdom.
How are gas prices in the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom is one of the most developed nations in the world, and you won't have trouble accessing gas in the UK. They have numerous gas stations or petrol stations as they are called in the UK. You will be spoilt for choice in most cities, but as your drive further out, especially in the countryside, the number of petrol stations reduce. All petrol stations accept credit card payment, and the price of gas/petrol per liter is around 1.6 GBP (2 USD) and 6 GBP (7 USD) per gallon.
What are the speed limits in the United Kingdom?
Road signs in the United Kingdom are in the Imperial system, and it is important to note that 1 mile equals 1.6 kilometers. Most roads will have the speed limits posted, but for those that might not be so clear, stick to 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas. You can go up to 100 km/h (60 mph) on undivided highways and as fast as 110 km/h (70 mph) on divided highways. When driving around a school zone or areas flocked by pedestrians, like the tube stations, stick to 30 km/h (20 mph). On the winding country roads, stick to 80 km/h (50 mph).
Car rental directory
Sunnycars car rental locations in the United Kingdom
517 Locations
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in the United Kingdom
512 Locations
Free2Move car rental locations in the United Kingdom
458 Locations
keddy by Europcar car rental locations in the United Kingdom
343 Locations
Europcar car rental locations in the United Kingdom
249 Locations
Firefly car rental locations in the United Kingdom
202 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in the United Kingdom
148 Locations
Thrifty car rental locations in the United Kingdom
138 Locations
Sixt car rental locations in the United Kingdom
133 Locations
FLIZZR car rental locations in the United Kingdom
120 Locations
Routes Car & Truck Rentals car rental locations in the United Kingdom
115 Locations
Budget car rental locations in the United Kingdom
114 Locations
Car rental locations in the United Kingdom
Everything you need to know for your car rental in the United Kingdom
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car rentals listed or dates of travel. Some car rental providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the car rental providers' sites.
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