Car Hire Peterborough

Car Hire

Forming part of England's East Anglia region, Peterborough is a small but historic cathedral city found immediately west of the Fens, one of the country's most fertile areas. Peterborough is a worthwhile tourist destination, if only for its awe-inspiring cathedral in the city centre. This Gothic building, one of the most striking in England, features three huge arches on its façade. Other places worth visiting can be found in the areas surrounding Peterborough, so hiring a car is recommended.

Who to Book With
Car hire agencies, including international rental brands such as Thrifty, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz, can be found within the town centre or nearby. Local companies are also present, and getting the best is as easy as going online and comparing prices. It is much cheaper to book prior to arrival than to hire cars on the spot.

Best Time to Go
The general region of East Anglia experiences relatively warmer summers with lots of sun, but winters that are colder and frostier than elsewhere in England. Summer is a good time to visit due to the high number of sunny days and average temperature highs of around 22°C.

Need to Know Essentials
Those who opted to hire cars must present the following when retrieving the hired vehicle:

- A driving licence (UK or International)
- ID to confirm identity
- A credit card
- Confirmation of the car hire booking

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
The A1(M) is the highway to take when coming to Peterborough from London. Those coming from Cambridge, located southwest of Peterborough, should take the A14 before joining the A1(M) to get to the city. The city centre is pedestrianized, so it is best to find yourself a hotel that offers parking and explore the main attractions in the city on foot. Peterborough is relatively small and has a network of ring roads, making driving to and from areas around town is fairly easy.

Our guide to UK driving contains more information on this topic.

Transport

Trains
Trains are aplenty here, as Peterborough is a major stop along a few railway lines in the UK. It is serviced by East Coast trains, which connects Peterborough to London and Cambridge in the south, and York and Edinburgh in the north. East Midlands Trains also run to and from Norwich. A one-way ticket from London costs around £22.

Taxis
Taxis, which run services to and from destinations within Peterborough, present good value to visitors as the town is not so big. There are a lot of companies offering cab services in Peterborough, including Peterborough Cars, Eagle Cars and Adam Taxis, among many others.

Buses
Stagecoach has a subsidiary in Peterborough that runs buses throughout the city and the areas surrounding it. Stagecoach Citi services has a total of eight lines that cover a number of different destinations, such as the Ortons, Werrington, Yaxley, Bretton, Queensgate and many others. Stagecoach Express also has services that connect Peterborough to Milton Keynes and Cambridge.

Exploring

Many attractions within Peterborough are easy to explore on foot. This is especially true for those arriving by train, as the main station is located very close to the city centre. Peterborough Cathedral is naturally the first stop for tourists to the city. Within a short driving distance of Peterborough are many cities, towns and sites worth exploring too. Peterborough is conveniently located close to England's historic and religious heartland, the Fens. The Fens is also a fertile region and the site of a nature reserve.

Recommended Drives

Ely - Located within the Holy Land of England, the Fens, is a cathedral city with a very old church dating back to 673. The structure that stands here now was completed in 1328. Its impressive octagonal tower and lantern are quite unique in England.

Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve - This is a wetland, considered one of the most important in Europe. This nature reserve, located southeast of Peterborough close to Ely, is a paradise for bird watchers, with species such as the barn owl, the grey heron and the kingfisher all residing here.

King's Lynn - Located in the Fens, is a worthwhile destination thanks to its impressive architectural structures, including the South Gate, the Custom House, St Margaret's Church and many others.