• Customer ratings 8.9 / 10
  • Over 1 million successful rentals

Car Hire Ipswich

Save time and money. We compare the offers of car rental companies in Ipswich on your behalf.

Enter city or airport code
- days
Why book with us?
  • Free cancellation Up to 48 hours prior to the scheduled pick up time
  • Best price guarantee Have you found a better price? Let us know and we will make you a better offer.
  • Already 500,000+ bookings More than half a million people preceded you 24000+ pick-up locations Locations around the world
  • 24000+ pick-up locations Locations around the world
We compare all of the well known car hire firms - and many others!

Compare Car Hire

Carrentals.co.uk offers simple and straightforward car hire comparison services. We don't add a penny to your quotes!

Car rental companies in Ipswich

Below are the car rental companies in Ipswich 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
  • Europcar

    7.9 (8061)
    No rates available
  • Alamo

    9.1 (8619)
    No rates available
  • Dollar Rent a Car

    8.1 (4314)
    No rates available
  • FireFly Car Rental

    8.3 (3811)
    No rates available

Car rental companies in and around Ipswich

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

Ipswich

Available locations in Ipswich

549 A Wherstead Road
Europa Way

Ipswich Guide

Car Hire

Forming part of the southern Suffolk county town, Ipswich is a metropolitan area situated on the estuary of the Orwell River. It was one of most thriving cities in the region, being a centre of commerce and trade, and with the river provided easy access to the open seas and the east coast of Britain. Much has changed since then, however. Modern development has crept up, but the quaint timber-framed houses still stand, making for an interesting urban landscape. Car rental gives you the chance to also explore the scenic areas of Suffolk, East Anglia.

Who to Book With
Both local and international car hire companies can be found in Ipswich, making it easy to get around at your own pace by self-drive. Avis, Alamo, Europcar, Thrifty and National have offices here. Rental companies are found along Sproughton Road as well as within the Whitehouse Industrial Estate along Goddard Road. Both locations are found northwest of the city centre.

Best Time to Go
As with much of East Anglia, where climate is largely maritime, rainfall occurs yea- round, with little variation throughout the months of the year. It gets relatively warm in the summer, with temperatures occasionally rising above 25°C within June to August. Conditions normally remain fairly pleasant in the winter, however, making it a good time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds.

Need to Know Essentials
You will have to bring the following at the time of car hire collection:

- Proof of identity (ID) with photo
- Print-out of booking
- Credit card used when car rental was booked
- National driving licence/International Driving Permit

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Ipswich is easy to reach by car as it is located on the intersection of two English motorways—the A12 and the A14. At peak times, however, roads can be congested, so travellers are advised to plan ahead. Parking is available but can be very limited. Driving your own car will be serve you well when making daytrips out of the city to the many nearby scenic attractions.

This UK driving guide is a good source of information on motoring in the country.

Transport

It is easy to get around Ipswich, with frequent buses running around city and to suburban destinations. Taxis can easily be hired from the many ranks scattered around the city. Trains into Ipswich terminate at Ipswich Railway Station, close to the city centre. To explore the attractions outside town, hiring a car is ideal.

Trains
Frequent trains run from London Liverpool Street Station, with a one-way ticket costing around £27 and the ride taking about an hour. Connections are also available from Norwich, only 45 minutes away, with the ride costing around £11. Ipswich Railway Station is conveniently located near the city centre, along Ranelagh and Burrell Roads on the western bank of the Orwell River.

Taxis
Cabs and minivans are available, with most found waiting at taxi ranks around town. There is a stand near the Ipswich Railway Station, one near Crown Street and one at the Old Cattle Market Bus Station. Fares are relatively cheap when compared to those in most English cities, beginning at around £4. One of the largest cab companies in town is Hawk Express Cabs, which accept online and phone bookings.

Buses
The main operators of buses in the city are Ipswich Buses and First Eastern Counties. The buses begin their routes from Tower Ramparts Bus Station, covering destinations within Ipswich as well as those in the surrounding suburbs. The starting fare is around £1.80, and services are frequent, with intervals ranging from 20 to 30 minutes during the day to 30 to 60 minutes at night.

Exploring

Ipswich boasts a very attractive location at the estuary of the Orwell River. The area offers easy access to the East Anglia countryside, making for excellent excursions and daytrips. Small and quiet cities and villages along the river or the coast, as well as rustic English countryside, are just a short drive away from Ipswich.

Recommended Drives

Woodbridge - This is a daytrip that is well worth the effort. Located along the River Deben, Woodbridge is less than 10 miles from Ipswich town centre. This nice market town was once a bustling trading port, as well as a centre for ship building and rope making in Tudor England.

Flatford - This is East Anglia’s more attractive rustic side. This area, found south of Ipswich, is home to quiet villages, small wooden bridges and slow-flowing brooks. The town is the subject of the famous painting by John Constable, The Hay Wain. Access from Ipswich is via East Bergholt.

Suffolk Leisure Park - Located close to Ipswich, is a family-friendly area where a tonne of activities can be enjoyed. It is located south of the city centre in the Bourne Hill area, accessed via Wherstead Road. Toboggan slides, dry skiing and golf are just some of the things to do here.

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
    Economy

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
  • Europcar
  • Alamo
  • Dollar Rent a Car
  • FireFly Car Rental