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CS UK Car Hire
Find the best deals in the UK
With a massive choice from the biggest brands, Enjoy the best way to find the best prices for car hire in the United Kingdom.
- Huge choice of cars to suit every budget
- Save up to 70% compared to buying on the day
- 10 years experience in car hire
Compare car hire in the United Kingdom
- Within the United Kingdom there is a network of roads stretching to about 262,300 miles total, and this network consists of motorways, A or B roads, as well as more minor roads.
- The speed national speed limit for a single carriageway is 60 miles per hour (97 km per hour), whereas dual carriageways and motorways have a limit of 70 miles per hour (113 km per hour). For more built-up areas, the standard speed limit is 30 miles per hour (48 km per hour), but all of these limits are variable depending on the type of vehicle being driven. Any changes to the speed limit on a particular road are indicated by round road signs with a red border, so it is important to be aware of relevant signage.
- There are plenty of scenic routes to be taken around the UK, and any tourist is spoilt for choice when considering the abundance of beautiful and panoramic sights in the countryside. Examples include the 3-hour 140-mile road trip from Glasgow to Fort William, giving you the opportunity to take in the breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands and Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Britain, or for some gorgeous literary history, driving through the North Yorkshire Moors can take you to Whitby Abbey, the site that inspired Dracula, Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale.
- To make the most of driving around the United Kingdom and see all the sights on your wishlist, make sure you add a Sat-Nav to your booking so that you don’t get lost on the long and widing roads.
Guide to the UK
The United Kingdom uses the GMT time zone, with Daylight Saving Time applying in the winter months before returning to the standard time of GMT. With a population of 67.6 million and four different countries within the UK, there is plenty to see and do no matter where you go. The UK is steeped in a rich history, with each country offering its own diverse and enriching culture. Whether it be by visiting various English Heritage sites adorned with the iconic blue plaques, the striking National History Museum in St Fagans Castle, Cardiff, Wales, or any number of similar sites, your visit is sure to be a remarkable one.
Much of the food of the UK is indebted globally to other countries and cultures that have proved majorly influential, but there remains a deep love for the hearty and comforting meals. England offers the warming roast dinner or a tasty fish and chips, Scotland boasts the traditional haggis and a dish of Collops for Burns Night on January 25th, Wales enjoys the classic Welsh Rarebit, and there’s no better place for a great stew than Northern Ireland.
London is one of the most popular tourist spots there is, and for good reason. Whether you are there for a family holiday, to enjoy the local history, or experience the iconic theatre of the West End, there is something for everyone. Why not take a hop on hop off bus tour to get a broad sense of this eclectic and exciting city, or head to Madame Tussauds and have your picture taken with the brilliant wax figures all of your favourite celebrities.
If you fancy a break by the sea, there are plenty of places to choose from. Head to Brighton, England to take a wander down the Lanes, full of a diverse selection of independent shops and boutiques, a stroll along the beach front, and play some fantastic games on the famous Brighton Pier. Head to Swansea, Wales for the beautiful bay, colourful seaside villages and refreshing coastal walks. Or book a stay in a Northern Ireland cottage before visiting the dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches that are dotted along the coast.
Places to visit in UK
London is famous for being a tourist hotspot, offering a variety of activities and sites to visit that will satisfy all ages. However, the UK also offers a great many other locations that would make the perfect holiday destination. Bristol is a colourful and vibrant city located in the South West of England, with plenty of restaurants for the most avid foodie, its own hop on hop off open top bus tour, a walking tour to see artwork by the likes of Banksy and others, and the brilliant Smoke & Mirrors theatre pub offering comedy and magic for a great night out.
For some of the best that Northern Ireland has to offer, head to Belfast, the capital city. History buffs will love visiting the Titanic Belfast and Crumlin Road Gaol, and any Game of Thrones fans will be well served by the sightseeing tour that takes you to a number of locations used in the globally popular television show. Other great tours that offer unique insights into this wonderful city include the Traditional Music Trail, the Hidden Tours, and the Theatrical History Tour.
If you’re seeking a lively and rewarding trip, you would be on the right track by heading to Glasgow in Scotland. Glasgow is the place for an exciting city break with impressive architecture, stimulating museums and compelling art galleries, many of which are free. Some of this bustling city’s hidden gems include Ashton Lane, the charming cobbled street you might have missed in the West End, ready to offer you a great selection of bars and restaurants for a lovely evening out. Don’t miss out on having a wander around Glasgow University for some gorgeous architecture and the opportunity to take photos, or, for the art and history buffs, check out the Hunterian Museum on campus.
With so much to offer in these four diverse and exciting countries, the hardest part of your trip will be deciding where to go first!
UK Transport, airports and driving
There are numerous airports serving every country and most areas in the United Kingdom, ready for you to visit every inch of this great destination. Scotland’s capital city is served by the Edinburgh airport, London, England has Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, City and Luton, head to Belfast International airport in Northern Ireland or Cardiff Airport in Wales. Alternatively, if you’d like to visit multiple countries in the UK during your stay, you can also take the ferry over to Northern Ireland.
No matter where you go or how you get there, hiring a car with Enjoy Travel is the best way to ensure you have a chance to see all the brilliant things this destination has to offer.
Train stations
The United Kingdon has an extensive train netowrk covering all corners of the country. London has a number of major train stations and an advanced underground network also known as the tube which is the most popular method of travel around central London and the inner boroughs due to the heavy traffic on the roads. Millions of people use the underground network every day.
Here you can find a page about the most popular UK train stations.
Some rules of the road
- Remember to drive on the left side of the road, with the outside right lane used to overtake on motorways
- Speed cameras can be found on any kind of road
- When driving in London, there is a congestion charge to be paid
- It is illegal to call or text while driving
- Any child under the age of 12 or shorter than 4 foot 5 inches must use a child seat
This information is a good starting point, but it is important to also undertake your own research as to the rules of the road that are most applicable to your visit, as speed limits and toll or congestion charges can differ depending on your destination.
Useful links & resources
Getting to and from the United Kingdom by plane
Car hire in UK airports
Booking your hire car in advance allows you a greater choice when choosing your vehicle, and allows you to save money with our 5% online discount. Costs vary according to your choice and the time of year for your booking, with the popular times of spring and summer being more expensive. Depending on your requirements, car hire can be as little as £8 a day. Typical car hire companies at UK airports include Alamo, Enterprise, Sixt, Thrifty, Easirent and Europcar.
Car hire in UK train stations
Enjoy Travel offers car hire in or close to all of the main train stations in the United Kingdom from London to Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol and more. In the country's biggest stations you'll normally find a car hire operator in the terminal which you can compare with other nearby car hire companies. Click here to find out more about our train station car hire offering.
Some popular types of car hire
Car Hire Reviews
| Name | Review | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Rafael Ferrier |
We headed on a road trip around the UK this summer, visiting Wales, Scotland and South-West England. We wanted a vehicle that we could rely on and that would fit four of us, and the SUV we selected was the perfect option. |
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Blyth Cormier |
I hired a BMW from Heathrow Airport in the UK, and was impressed by how fast and hassle-free both the vehicle and the booking process was. It allowed me to travel around Eastern England last autumn pretty efficiently and quickly. |
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Fionn Murphy |
The UK is one of my favourite places to travel, and I hired a small Fiat 500 for a trip around Northern Ireland in November. I loved the ease of use, the compactness and comfort the vehicle offered, as well as the efficiency and smoothness of the drive. |
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Emma Walsh |
I tend to hire larger cars for road trips around the UK, and just recently I travelled around the south coast of England with a few friends in a Mercedes Benz E-Class. I loved the smooth driving experience, how stylish the vehicle was and the amount of space there was inside the car. |
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Aiofe O’Connor |
My favourite part of my UK summer road-trip around the Scottish Highlands was the comfort of the vehicle we chose. We adored the hilly landscapes and winding roads, and the convertible we hired gave us the perfect unobstructed view of our surroundings. |
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Lukas Hansen |
My family and I travelled around the UK in a 7-seater minivan last Christmas, and we loved how easy it was to drive and how much space there was in the vehicle, which gave us ample storage and legroom. |
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Saara Korhonen |
I hired a VW Polo from Gatwick Airport for a business trip in the UK, and was impressed with the cleanliness and secure feel the vehicle gave me, as well as the affordable price. |
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Grace Smith |
The UK always delivers on scenic views and dramatic landscapes, which are perfect for exploring in a Mini Convertible, which is exactly what I hired this summer while driving around Cornwall. I certainly wasn’t disappointed with the vehicle’s space, efficiency and ease of driving. |
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Billy Adamson |
We loved the BMW 5-Series that we hired for an impromptu camping trip in the UK’s Lake District this June. The vehicle was so comfortable and spacious that we considered sleeping in it instead of in our tent! |
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Maura Sullivan |
I decided to embark on a short but busy road-trip around the UK this month. I visited Wales and England, and hired a Mercedes for the trip from Stansted Airport. It was one of the best experiences, and the vehicle I chose was comfortable and efficient. |
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Fergus Brown |
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to the UK’s stunning countryside, and knew I wanted to hire a car to get me around instead of relying on public transport. The Kia Sportage I hired was perfect for countryside driving and for navigating the winding and rocky roads some places had. |
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Imogen McCormick |
We went on a weekend away in the UK last autumn, and wanted to hire a car for convenience. We chose a VW Golf, and it met all of our expectations and requirements perfectly. |
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Thomas Sutton |
Hiring a vehicle in the UK last summer was easy, efficient and hassle-free from the second I clicked book to the second I dropped off my vehicle at the end of the rental period. |
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Natalie Harcourt |
Renting a car in the UK during my last trip to London in February was almost effortless. I hired a Peugeot, and it was perfect for what I needed it for, and got me around efficiently and smoothly. |
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Hana Jung |
I visited the UK last summer and hired a Volvo for a trip around Glasgow and Edinburgh. The booking process was incredibly straightforward, the vehicle was clean, safe and efficient, and the driving experience was amazing. |
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Hammad Aziz |
We loved the stress-free car hire experience we had in the UK last month. We hired a Citroen from Gatwick Airport, and almost didn’t want to return it at the end of the rental period because of how much we loved the vehicle. |