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Car Hire Penzance

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Car rental companies in Penzance

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

  • Europcar

    8.5 (8795)
    No rates available
  • Keddy By Europcar

    8.3 (3873)
    No rates available
  • Enterprise

    8.2 (2108)
    No rates available
  • Alamo

    8.8 (9370)
    No rates available
  • Hertz

    7.6 (7514)
    No rates available

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Car rental companies in and around Penzance

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

Penzance

Available locations in Penzance

Penzance Station

Penzance Guide

Car Hire

Thanks to Gilbert and Sullivan, pirates are the first thing most people associate with the Cornwall community of Penzance. However, by the time the duo had penned their famous opera in 1879, Penzance had already made its own claim to fame as a peaceful seaside resort. No major Cornwall town lies farther west than Penzance, 275 miles southwest of London and situated far enough south for palm trees to grow around its tranquil church. As many of the town's bus lines close down after the summer tourism season, private vehicles are the easiest way to explore Penzance and its surrounding seaside communities.

Who to Book With
Two Europcar branches stand next to each other in Penzance town centre, while an Enterprise franchise is located on the town's outskirts. Penzance also contains a few independent dealerships, such as Tucker Car Hire. Many of these companies accept online bookings, which are the cheapest option, especially when made in advance. Some visitors also choose to obtain vehicles at Newquay Airport, the nearest to Penzance, then drive the 41 miles into town.

Best Time to go
As Great Britain's southwesternmost region, Cornwall enjoys one of the country's mildest and sunniest climates. However, summer remains the busiest tourism season in Penzance and the rest of Cornwall, even though temperatures aren't always as warm as in the rest of southern England. Although public transport may not be as widely available in Penzance after the summer ends, spring and autumn visitors will enjoy good bargains on hotel rooms and private vehicle rentals. Snow and frost are rarely seen in winter.

Need to Know Essentials
Presentation of the following documents is mandatory for claiming private rental vehicles:

- An International Driving Permit or valid driving license for the United Kingdom
- A secondary form of photo identification, such as a passport
- The same credit card the vehicle was reserved with
- Confirmation of the initial reservation

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
A new duel carriageway near Newquay should reduce the five to six hours it currently takes to drive the 275 miles between London to Penzance along the M5, M4 and the A30. Summer traffic jams are the biggest obstacle motorists will encounter while driving around this picturesque part of Cornwall. The nearest large city, Plymouth, lies 75 miles east of Penzance.

Further general driving details can be found in our guide to the United Kingdom.

Transport

Although much of Penzance is walkable, buses and cars offer the best ways to access the entire town and surrounding region, unless you have a car. None of the United Kingdom's mainland rail station lies farther south than Penzance's, while the closest airport is 41 miles away near Newquay. Ferry journeys from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly take about two hours and 40 minutes. Local bus services are reduced on Sundays and after the summer tourism season.

Trains
Penzance's rail station, the southernmost in mainland Britain, stands near the harbour on Market Jew Street. The Cornish Rail Line's western terminus is found here, and First Great Western is the region's main rail provider. Arriving to Penzance by train takes roughly two hours from Plymouth, four hours from Bristol and less than five and a half hours from London.

Taxis
One of the town's leading taxi providers, Penzance Taxi Company, not only offers reasonable fares for journeys around the town, but also gives two-hour guided tours of the surrounding West Penwith area. Daytime journeys between Penzance and Newquay Airport cost around £89.50.

Buses
Many of the routes on Penzance's First Bus Cornwall service are not available after summer or on Sundays. FirstDay passes allowing passengers unlimited travel across the region for a day cost around £3.55 each, while FirstWeek passes cost about £13. Megabus and National Express tickets for the eight to nine-hour bus journey to London Victoria can be had for as little as £1 during special promotions. CrossCountry buses are also available for journeys across Great Britain.

Exploring

Penzance is just one of several scenic Cornwall communities worth exploring, and many of the region's other worthwhile attractions are just short drives away. The neighbouring Mount's Bay villages of Mousehole and Newlyn are no more than four miles outside of Penzance. Although Sennen Beach, nine miles away, can be crowded in summer, it is still a recommended daytrip getaway.

Recommended Drives

Penzance - This may be Great Britain's southernmost major town, but the smaller town of Newlyn lies even further south, four miles from Penzance. Newlyn may be most famous for its tidal observatory, its late 19th century artists’ colony and the stream of intimate inns along its fishing harbour.

Mousehole - None other than Dylan Thomas once referred to Mousehole, 2.5 miles south of Penzance, as England's loveliest village. As part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Mousehole enjoys the same status as a national park. Yellow lichen grows on the many historic houses, while the sheltered Mount's Bay beach is a safe family swimming spot. Due to Mousehole's extremely narrow roads, motorists should park their vehicles before walking into the village.

Sennen Beach - Located 9 miles from Penzance, is often known as Whitesands Bay. This mile-long beach boasts a shallow valley and a stream at its centre, while sheltered sand dunes provide a peaceful sunbathing atmosphere. Land's End, mainland Great Britain's westernmost point, lies just around the corner from this beloved beach.

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?
  • Europcar
  • Keddy By Europcar
  • Enterprise
  • Alamo
  • Hertz