Looking for car hire in the UK? Rhino Car Hire makes it easy to compare rental cars from leading suppliers at airports, cities and towns across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Whether you're collecting a car after a flight, planning a UK road trip or simply need a vehicle for a few days, compare live prices across a wide range of cars including economy models, family cars, automatics, SUVs and larger vehicles.
Enter your collection location and dates to compare available UK car hire deals and book online.
Why Book UK Car Hire with Rhino Car Hire?
Rhino Car Hire compares rental cars from a range of well-known car hire companies, helping you find a vehicle that suits your trip and budget.
With rental locations throughout the UK, you can collect a car from major airports, railway stations, city centres and other convenient locations.
When you search with Rhino Car Hire you can:
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Compare car hire prices from multiple rental companies
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Choose from a wide range of vehicle types
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Find automatic and manual rental cars
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Collect from major UK airports and cities
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Compare important rental terms before booking
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Book securely online before you travel
Prices and vehicle availability vary depending on your travel dates, collection location and rental company, so comparing your options can help you find the most suitable deal.
Compare UK Car Hire Companies
Rhino Car Hire searches deals from leading international and UK rental companies.
Depending on your chosen location, available suppliers may include familiar rental brands alongside regional operators.
Use the comparison results to consider not only the rental price, but also the vehicle offered, supplier rating, collection arrangements, fuel policy and rental terms.
Availability varies by location and date.
Car Hire at UK Airports
Hiring a car directly from the airport is one of the easiest ways to start your journey, particularly if you're travelling with luggage or visiting several destinations.
Rhino Car Hire compares rental cars at airports throughout the UK, including:
Many airports have both terminal-based rental desks and off-airport locations served by shuttle buses. Check the collection instructions shown with your chosen rental before travelling.
Car Hire in UK Cities
You don't need to be arriving by plane to hire a car. Rhino Car Hire also compares rental locations in cities and towns across the country.
Popular UK car hire destinations include:
England: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Southampton.
Scotland: Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Wales: Cardiff and Swansea.
Northern Ireland: Belfast.
City-centre car hire can be particularly useful if you're combining rail travel with a driving holiday or only need a car for part of your visit.
Why Hire a Car in the UK?
The UK has an extensive rail and public transport network, but many of its most interesting places are much easier to reach by car.
Hiring a car gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace and explore destinations away from the main railway routes.
A rental car can be particularly useful for:
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Exploring the Scottish Highlands
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Discovering the coast and countryside of Wales
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Visiting Cornwall and Devon
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Touring the Lake District
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Exploring the Cotswolds
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Visiting rural villages and attractions
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Travelling with children or larger amounts of luggage
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Staying in countryside accommodation
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Planning a multi-destination UK road trip
Instead of organising your trip around train or bus timetables, you can choose where to stop and how long to stay.
Explore the UK by Car
Britain's relatively compact size makes it well suited to touring by car. Within a single trip you can combine historic cities, countryside, national parks and hundreds of miles of coastline.
Scotland and the Highlands
Collect a rental car in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness and explore some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes.
Popular driving routes take in Loch Ness, Glencoe, Fort William, the Cairngorms and the Isle of Skye. A car is particularly useful in the Highlands, where public transport becomes much more limited outside the main towns.
Wales
Hiring a car is one of the easiest ways to explore Wales beyond its major cities.
From Cardiff you can head towards Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), the Pembrokeshire coast or travel north towards Eryri (Snowdonia) and the dramatic landscapes of North Wales.
South West England
Bristol, Exeter and other locations in South West England provide convenient starting points for exploring Devon and Cornwall.
Discover coastal towns, beaches, fishing villages and countryside that can be difficult to reach using public transport alone.
Northern England
Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle provide good bases for exploring Northern England.
Popular driving destinations include the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and Northumberland.
Driving a Hire Car in the UK
If you're visiting from overseas, driving in the UK may be slightly different from what you're used to.
Drive on the Left
Vehicles in the UK drive on the left-hand side of the road. The steering wheel is normally on the right-hand side of the vehicle.
Take particular care when leaving car parks, petrol stations and junctions until you become accustomed to driving on the left.
UK Speed Limits
Road signs show distances and speed limits in miles and miles per hour (mph) rather than kilometres.
Typical limits for cars include:
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Built-up areas – usually 30 mph, although many residential roads have lower limits
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Single carriageways – up to 60 mph
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Dual carriageways – up to 70 mph
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Motorways – up to 70 mph
Always follow the posted speed limit, as lower limits can apply.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts are common throughout the UK.
Traffic generally travels clockwise around a roundabout and you normally give way to traffic approaching from your right unless road markings or signs indicate otherwise.
Motorways
The UK motorway network connects most major cities.
Motorways are identified by an "M", such as the M1, M4, M5 and M6.
Most motorways are free to use, although some roads, bridges, tunnels and crossings charge tolls.
Congestion and Clean Air Zones
Several UK cities operate congestion, low-emission or clean-air charging schemes.
These can vary considerably between cities and may change over time. If you're planning to drive into a major city centre, check whether your route or rental vehicle is affected before travelling.
Parking
Parking restrictions are strictly enforced in many UK towns and cities.
Check signs carefully before leaving your vehicle. City-centre hotels may also have limited or chargeable parking, so it's worth checking before booking accommodation.
Driving in Rural Britain
Some of the UK's most scenic destinations involve very different roads from those found around major cities.
In rural Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Devon and other countryside areas you may encounter narrow roads and single-track lanes.
On single-track roads, use designated passing places to allow vehicles travelling in opposite directions to pass safely.
Allow extra journey time when travelling through rural areas; distances that look short on a map can take considerably longer than expected.
Choosing Your UK Rental Car
The best vehicle depends on where you're going and how you're travelling.
Economy Cars
A small economy car can be ideal for couples, city driving and shorter journeys. Smaller vehicles are also useful when driving on narrow rural roads.
Family Cars
For longer journeys or travelling with children and luggage, a larger hatchback or estate can provide additional space and comfort.
SUVs
SUVs can provide extra luggage capacity and a higher driving position, making them popular for longer road trips and countryside holidays.
Automatic Cars
Automatic rental cars are widely available in the UK, although manual vehicles remain common.
If you specifically require an automatic, select this when searching and consider booking early when travelling during busy periods.
Larger Vehicles
People carriers and larger vehicles are available for families and groups travelling together.
Check the luggage capacity carefully, particularly if you're travelling with several large suitcases.
One-Way Car Hire in the UK
A one-way rental can be useful if your journey finishes somewhere different from where it started.
For example, you might collect a car in London and return it in Edinburgh, or fly into Manchester and depart from another UK airport.
One-way rentals are available on many routes, although availability and additional charges depend on the rental company and locations selected.
Enter your preferred collection and return locations when searching to see available options and any applicable one-way fee.
When Should I Book UK Car Hire?
Car hire prices and availability change throughout the year.
Demand can be particularly high during:
Booking in advance generally gives you a wider choice of vehicles and can help you secure better rates, particularly during busy travel periods.
What Do I Need to Hire a Car in the UK?
Requirements vary between rental companies, so always check the terms of your chosen vehicle before booking.
You'll normally need a valid driving licence and additional identification. Rental companies may also have their own requirements regarding payment cards, deposits, driver age and how long you've held your licence.
If your driving licence was issued outside the UK, additional documentation may be required depending on the country of issue and rental supplier.
The exact requirements applicable to your booking are shown in the rental terms.
UK Car Hire FAQs
What is the minimum age to hire a car in the UK?
Minimum driver ages vary between rental companies and vehicle categories. Younger drivers may have a more limited choice of vehicles and an additional young-driver charge may apply. Check the conditions displayed for your chosen rental.
Can I hire a car in the UK with a foreign driving licence?
Many visitors can hire a car using a valid driving licence issued outside the UK. Requirements vary according to the country where your licence was issued and the rental company, so check the supplier's terms before travelling.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to hire a car in the UK?
This depends on where your driving licence was issued and the requirements of your chosen rental company. Check the documentation requirements shown in the rental conditions before collection.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in the UK?
Payment and deposit requirements vary by supplier. Some rental companies require a credit card in the main driver's name, while other payment arrangements may be available on selected rentals. Check the payment conditions before booking.
Can I hire an automatic car in the UK?
Yes. Automatic rental cars are available at many UK locations. Select an automatic vehicle in the search results if you don't want to drive a manual car.
Can I collect a hire car at a UK airport?
Yes. Rhino Car Hire compares rental cars at major airports throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol and Belfast.
Can I return my rental car to a different UK location?
One-way car hire is available on many routes. Enter a different return location when searching to see available vehicles and any one-way charges.
Can I take a UK hire car to Europe?
Some rental companies allow vehicles to be taken from the UK into European countries, but permission, additional insurance, documentation and fees may apply. Check the cross-border conditions for your chosen rental before booking.
Is insurance included with UK car hire?
The insurance and protection included varies between rental companies and rental packages. Check the terms shown with each vehicle so you understand the cover, excess and any optional protection before booking.
How can I find cheap car hire in the UK?
Compare several rental companies, search as early as possible and consider different vehicle categories or nearby collection locations. Prices vary according to demand, location, vehicle availability and travel dates.
Compare Car Hire in the UK
From airport collections and city breaks to countryside holidays and cross-country road trips, Rhino Car Hire helps you compare rental cars across the UK.
Search your dates and collection location to see current vehicle availability, compare rental companies and find a car that suits your journey.
Compare UK car hire prices and book your rental online today.
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*average daily rates based on 7 day rental, search for today's best prices.