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Car Hire Basingstoke

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Car rental companies in Basingstoke

Below are the car rental companies in Basingstoke with the best ratings. Compare all ratings and prices of these rental companies in one search.

  • Enterprise

    8.6 (1921)
    No rates available
  • Budget

    8.5 (9604)
    No rates available
  • Keddy By Europcar

    8.4 (3331)
    No rates available
  • Hertz

    8.3 (6852)
    No rates available
  • FireFly Car Rental

    8.3 (3811)
    No rates available
  • Avis

    8 (5940)
    No rates available
  • Europcar

    8 (8061)
    No rates available
  • Dollar Rent a Car

    8.1 (4314)
    No rates available

Car rental companies in and around Basingstoke

Looking for a hire car in United Kingdom? Take a look at our Car rental United Kingdom directory.

Basingstoke

Available locations in Basingstoke

D2 Grafton way
Unit 4, Sherrington Way

Basingstoke Guide

Car Hire

In the past, Basingstoke was known as a dull town, but recently it has grown into an attractive base for travellers looking to explore central location and South East England. The town lies off of the M3 motorway between London and Southampton and is a major interchange between these cities and the southwest of England. By car, visitors can easily tour around the town - nicknamed the ‘Doughnut City’ because of its numerous roundabouts - as well visit nearby attractions in Hampshire and the rest of the region.

Who to Book With
Well-known international car hire firms, such as Avis, Thrifty and Europcar, along with local suppliers Easy Car and Practical Car & Van Rental, have offices right in the town centre. Organising car rental online before arrival is highly recommended to ensure you get the vehicle of your choice and the best rates possible.

Best time to go
It should be no surprise that the summer is the most favoured time to visit Basingstoke, as this is when the weather is at its best. It is also when rates are at their highest, however. Winter is the wettest time of the year and can get quite cold, with roads sometimes becoming quite slippery.

Need to Know Essentials
The following documents are required when picking up your vehicle:

- Both parts of a valid UK driving license
- Documentation to prove your identification
- The credit card used when making the reservation
- Proof of booking

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Basingstoke’s central area is encircled by a ring road, linking it to the M3 Motorway, the A33, the A339 and the A30 (London Road). The town itself is easy to navigate and does not usually have congestion problems outside of regular rush hours. There are adequate car parks throughout the town, both on and off street, with daily rates running between £4.20 and £5.20 on a pay-and-display system.

See our guide to the UK for more tips on driving here.

Transport

Car hire is a great way to whiz around the city, though many central bars, restaurants and hotels are within walking distance of one another. There is also a footpath along the Basingstoke Canal that stretched for two miles and a great local bus network that serves the town and its surrounding area. Still, for accessing attractions outside of Basingstoke, a car is by far the most popular means of transport.

Trains
Basingstoke has a railway station on the National Rail’s South Western Main Line, which runs from London Waterloo to Weymouth. The Basingstoke Railway station is also the starting point of the West of England Main Line, linking the town, as well as the rest of South East England, to Exeter. Local trains also run north from Basingstoke Railway station to Reading.

Taxis
Taxis are not a necessity in Basingstoke, but are a great option for getting to and from a nearby airport, such as Southampton Airport, London Heathrow or London Gatwick. Reputable companies such as A2B Taxis and Sam’s Taxi Service offer airport transfers on fixed rates.

Buses
The Basingstoke Bus Station is the start and end point for all buses that run through the town and to the outlying areas. Most buses are operated by Stagecoach Bus, although the purple and white buses that run between Basingstoke Leisure Park and Basing View are provided by the town council. There are also direct coach services linking Basingstoke to London and Southampton, operated by National Express.

Exploring

Basing House is the town’s main attraction, although there is also a wealth of things to see outside of the city, making Basingstoke a great destination for daytrips. The historical Winchester Cathedral, Farnborough Abbey, the south coast of England and the stunning South Downs National Park are all within a short drive from the town.

Recommended Drives

South Downs Way - This is a scenic long-distance footpath that runs through the South Downs National Park from Winchester to Eastbourne. Alternately, you can reach the park by car along route A272 from Winchester to Midhurst. This drive meanders through the picturesque countryside to the market town of Petersfield and to the lovely town of Midhurst.

Winchester Cathedral - Built in 1079, this cathedral is home to the world’s longest Gothic nave as well as the 12th century Winchester Bible. The cathedral was originally built on a raft in a marsh and stayed that way for 500 years. Today, it welcomes more than 300,000 visitors each year and still holds regular services.

Farnborough Abbey - This is the burial site of Napoleon III, his wife and his son, and also home to many Benedictine monks. The abbey, just a 30-minute drive from Basingstoke, features a farm, bookbindery and a publishing house.

Practical information

  • Currency
    British pound
  • Driving direction
    Left
  • City speed limit
    48 km/h
  • Freeway speed limit
    96 km/h
  • Language
    English
  • Popular car category
    Compact

What most people want to know

The following questions and answers are a selection of the most popular questions. If you do not find the answer to your question, have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us.

Is Carrentals.co.uk the cheapest?

Yes, we offer a guarantee of the lowest price - because we compare various retailers, we can always offer you the best price in town.

What do I need to do when picking up a car?

To pick up your car, you will need your voucher, passport, driver's license and a credit card. It is very important that your driver's license and credit card are in the same name as the main driver. Keep in mind that the local rental company will reserve a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit. This requires the PIN code for your credit card. If your driver's license is foreign (for example, in Chinese), you must bring a translation with you. Only your original passport and driver's license will be accepted - a copy is not sufficient.

Are there any additional costs?

In general, our rates are all-inclusive. Should there be any additional costs, our booking department will get in touch with you before issuing the invoice. Should you object, you can always cancel your reservation with no obligations attached (at least 48 hours in advance).

What kind of insurance is applicable to my car rental?

In general, Liability Insurance, Fire Insurance, All-Risks Insurance and Theft Insurance are included in the cost of your rental car.

What is a worry-free label?

Only rental companies with a high level of customer satisfaction are eligible to be included in our Worry-Free selection. This rate includes excess cover and unlimited kilometres. Your vehicle will be provided and must be returned with a full tank of fuel. With a vehicle from our Worry-Free selection, you can travel with peace of mind and no hidden costs.

How can I change or cancel my reservation?

You can cancel your reservation through "My Account". We recommend contacting us by phone if your changes to your booking or cancellation takes place at short notice (48 hours or less).

When will I get a confirmation of my booking?

Most reservations will receive confirmation within minutes after payment takes place. We recommend contacting our Booking Department for last minute reservations (pick-up within 48 hours).

Which car rental companies are compared by Carrentals.co.uk at this location?
  • Enterprise
  • Budget
  • Keddy By Europcar
  • Hertz
  • FireFly Car Rental
  • Avis
  • Europcar
  • Dollar Rent a Car