Car hire in Bristol, United Kingdom

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Choose from 55 pick-up spots

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Bristol?

Our data shows that October is the cheapest month to rent a car in Bristol. It’s around 31 € per day in October, compared to the yearly average of 65 € per day.
Cheapest month avgOctober • 31 €
Yearly avg price65 €

Select your Bristol pick-up location

There are 55 car hire providers in Bristol. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Car hire pick-up spots in Bristol

Compare car hire prices at airports, train stations and in different neighbourhoods across Bristol. You might find a better price, or the perfect pick-up point nearby. Start your journey where it suits you.
Filter locations
These are estimated prices to help you choose from a large number of options. Each is an average based on the lowest car rental prices found for each destination over the last 15 days.

Driving in Bristol: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
You’ll need your driving licence, passport and a credit card to rent a car in Bristol.
Most visitors can use their regular licence. You may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence isn’t in English. Rental companies usually ask for matching ID and a credit card for the deposit.
Navigating city driving
Bristol has busy central roads and several one-way systems.
Traffic slows near Cabot Circus and the Harbourside. Navigation apps can help you avoid bus lanes and guide you across the city’s bridges. Routes to the airport and motorways are well marked.
Tolls, emissions zones and charges
Bristol has a Clean Air Zone covering parts of the city centre.
Some vehicles must pay to enter, though most rental cars meet the standards. There are no local toll roads, but nearby bridges may charge depending on your route.
Parking your car in Bristol
Parking is easier in car parks than on busy streets.
The centre has limited street parking and controlled zones. Multi-storey car parks near Broadmead and the Harbourside are reliable. Hotels may offer parking, but spaces are often limited near the city centre.
Finding fuel or charging points
Fuel is easy to find, and EV charging stations in Bristol are widespread.
Petrol stations sit on major roads and near supermarkets. Charging points are common in public car parks. Apps like Zap-Map or PlugShare can help you find available chargers.
Local driving style and tips
Drivers are patient, but traffic builds during peak hours.
Expect slower movement near the centre. Cyclists are common, so take care when turning or overtaking. Keep a steady pace and follow bus lane signs closely.
Find Bristol car hire deals

The most popular car rental companies in Bristol

Drivalia
U-Save
Green Motion
Enterprise
Alamo
Europcar

What's the most popular car to hire in Bristol?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Fiat 500 is the most popular car to hire in Bristol, with prices starting from 12 € per day. The Vauxhall Corsa and similar models are also popular drives in Bristol.
Fiat 500
Fiat 5009% chose this
Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall Corsa8% chose this
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Golf6% chose this
Toyota Aygo
Toyota Aygo6% chose this
Most popular carFiat 500
Why?Small, practical, easy to park

Bristol's cheapest car hire providers

Drivalia has the cheapest car hire in Bristol right now, with prices from 12 € per day. You'll save an average of 7 € per day when you book with them.
Drivaliafrom 12 € per day
U-Savefrom 14 € per day
Green Motionfrom 16 € per day
Europcarfrom 26 € per day
Cheapest providerDrivalia
Book with them to save around7 € per day

Choose from the best car hire companies in Bristol

Hiring a car in Bristol: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyDrivalia
Most popular carCompact, Sport
Average daily price56 €
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Bristol

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Bristol car rental search.

Book now, cancel later

We clearly highlight car and van hire options in Bristol that have free cancellation. So you can bag the best deal with total flexibility to change your plans if you need to.

Rent a car in Bristol for a whole month

Want to hire a car for almost a month? Often, car rental companies in Bristol avoid costly admin in between pick-ups by hiring out cars for longer periods. So see if monthly car hire is cheaper than the three weeks you need it for by selecting 30 days.

Compare fuel policies

To save money on topping up the tank as you take off in Bristol, look out for deals with a 'full to full' fuel policy, as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

Skip the queues

We call out keyless pick-up when you search for cars with us. No keys to pick up, means no queues. Just turn up at your preferred Bristol car hire location, hop in and hit the road.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Bristol will set you back around 56 € per day or 297 € per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Bristol is a compact SUV. The most popular is Compact, Sport.

The cheapest car hire companies in Bristol are currently Drivalia and Green Motion.

Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Bristol is currently September.

On average, around 297 €. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Bristol is 82 €.

Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Bristol for a whole month is 996 €. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!

If you're looking for freedom to explore Bristol, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Bristol that have free cancellation

Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.

Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Bristol.

Most places – Bristol included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 

The cheapest price we found for an economy car is 14 € per day. The average price per day is around 26 €.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Drivalia, U-Save and Green Motion offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Europcar as the best overall in terms of experience.

Yes – van hire is available in Bristol.