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Car Hire Southampton

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  • 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
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Popular rental locations in Southampton

The following rental locations are the most popular for renting a car in Southampton

Car rental offers in Southampton

Whether you're looking for a small rental car or a station wagon for the entire family, we will always have a suitable vehicle for the lowest price. Below are some examples from our selection in Southampton.

Car type
Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
Station wagon
Passenger van
SUV
Electric

Car rental companies in Southampton

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

  • Alamo

    9 (8619)
    From £ 24 / day
  • Enterprise

    8.8 (1921)
    From £ 24 / day
  • FireFly Car Rental

    8.4 (3811)
    No rates available
  • Hertz

    8.3 (6852)
    No rates available
  • Keddy By Europcar

    8.3 (3331)
    From £ 22 / day
  • Budget

    8.3 (9604)
    From £ 23 / day
  • National Car Rental

    8.2 (402)
    From £ 26 / day
  • Europcar

    8.2 (8061)
    From £ 23 / day
  • Avis

    7.8 (5940)
    From £ 23 / day
  • Sixt

    7.4 (3316)
    No rates available
  • Flizzr

    7.2 (305)
    No rates available
  • Easirent

    6.4 (516)
    No rates available
  • Dollar Rent a Car

    8.1 (4314)
    No rates available
  • Drivalia

    7 (535)
    No rates available

When is the best time to book a rental car in Southampton?

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a mini class car?

At this destination (Southampton), November is the most affordable time to rent a mini class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting mini class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a economy class car?

At this destination (Southampton), January is the most affordable time to rent a economy class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting economy class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a compact class car?

At this destination (Southampton), November is the most affordable time to rent a compact class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting compact class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent an intermediate class car?

At this destination (Southampton), November is the most affordable time to rent a intermediate class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting intermediate class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a standard class car?

At this destination (Southampton), November is the most affordable time to rent a standard class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting standard class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a full-size car?

At this destination (Southampton), November is the most affordable time to rent a full-size class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting full-size class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a luxury car?

At this destination (Southampton), November is the most affordable time to rent a luxury class car with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting luxury class cars, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a station wagon?

At this destination (Southampton), October is the most affordable time to rent a station wagon with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting a station wagon, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a SUV?

At this destination (Southampton), November is the most affordable time to rent an SUV with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting an SUV, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a MPV?

At this destination (Southampton), November is the most affordable time to rent an mpv with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting an mpv with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Southampton - When is the most affordable time to rent a minivan?

At this destination (Southampton), January is the most affordable time to rent a minibus with an average daily rate of . The rest of the year, the average rate is per day. September is the peak month for renting a minibus, with an average rate of per day. To secure a good selection and favorable rates, it is recommended to make your rental car reservation well ahead of time. Last-minute bookings may result in limited options and higher prices.

Car rental companies in and around Southampton

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

Southampton

Available locations in Southampton

Southampton Rd
W Quay Rd

Popular destinations

Rent an affordable car from us in the following districts

Southampton Guide

Car Hire

The historic UK port city of Southampton sits in the fork of the Test and Itchen river confluence. Iconic landmarks in town include the 700-year-old God's House Tower, WestQuay Shopping Centre and the Tudor House. Southampton is at the heart of the shoreline of southern England and is a comfortable base from which to take car rental daytrips to the New Forest, historic Chichester and the heritage seaside towns of Brighton and Bournemouth. It is also possible to take a Red Funnel car ferry across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and then drive through the pastoral vistas of one of the UK’s favoured holiday hotspots.

Who to Book With
Global vehicle hire companies with offices in Southampton include Hertz, National, Thrifty, Alamo and Enterprise. Local companies such as AVRental also offer a range of vehicles for hire. Booking online saves a lot of legwork and can also offer savings on both local and global suppliers listed daily rates.

Best Time to go
Southampton is definitely a summer destination and looks its best when the sun is shining. In July and August, there is always a massive influx of tourists. Rates for hotels, bed and breakfasts and car hire are at their highest during these two months.

Need to Know Essentials
Before hire companies release their vehicles, they ask renters to produce these articles:

- An international driving permit or a current UK driving license
- Some form of identification such as a passport or household bill
- The credit card the hirer used for the booking
- The confirmation voucher with the reservation number

See our FAQ's guide for more information.

Driving
Southampton’s streets can get congested at peak holiday times and when annual events such as September’s boat show are on. There are 1,600 on-street parking places in the city and around 40 car parks in and around the centre. In the environs of the Quays, parking costs around £1.20 an hour. On the north side of the city, the M27 bypass links to coastal destinations while the M3 motorway is the route for Winchester and London.

Our motorist’s guide for the UK has more information about the country’s road network and relevant laws.

Transport

The region around the Quays and the old medieval walled precinct is most easily explored on foot, as the principal draws are fairly close together. Buses or taxis are the transport options for reaching the outer suburbs of Southampton. For convenience and the freedom to stop at will, car hire is the best choice for any destination beyond the city limits.

Trains
Southampton Central, to the north of the centre, is the city’s main railway station. It has intercity services from London Waterloo, Winchester, Bournemouth and Portsmouth. The station is also a hub for South West Trains’ suburban services. There are spaces for 200 cars at the station car park with daily rates starting at £6. The station also has a taxi rank and is a stop on local bus routes.

Taxis
Both Hackney carriages and private-hire cars provide taxi services in town. Hackney carriages are white in Southampton, and drivers wait at designated ranks or can pick up passengers on the street. Private-hire taxis have to be pre-booked. Radio Taxis has the biggest fleet of cars in the city and accepts telephone, online and even text bookings.

Buses
Six different bus companies serve Southampton. There is no real bus station in the city centre which makes it quite difficult for non-locals to find specific bus stops. Services call at various locations in the centre on their way out to the suburbs or nearby towns such as Salisbury. The council website has a map of bus routes and their departure points.

Ferries
Although Southampton is home to one of the UK’s oldest ports, it no longer runs ferry services to mainland Europe. Both high-speed catamarans and car ferries for the Isle of Wight sail from the Town Quay. Red Funnel is the chief ferry operator. There are also passenger-only ferry services from the quay that cross to Hythe.

Exploring

Southampton’s central location, adjacent to the eastern edge of the New Forest and in close proximity to some of the country’s oldest cities and heritage attractions, makes it an ideal base for sightseeing in this unique corner of the world. Public transport does not cover draws such as the Beaulieu Motor Museum and Paultons Theme Park, so car hire is really the only means of getting to them.

Recommended Drives

Beaulieu - This is an abbey established by Cistercian Monks in the early years of the 13th century. The historic buildings, lovely gardens and Britain’s finest car museum draw countless visitors every year. As well as vintage Rolls Royces, the museum houses Ron Weasley's Ford Anglia and cars that have starred in James Bond films.

Winchester - Epitomising an ancient English city, with a street system designed by Alfred the Great and lots of amazing architecture. The Great Hall of Winchester Castle and its 13th century replica of the Round Table, the ruins of Wolvesey Castle, an 11th century cathedral that is the final resting place of England’s greatest kings, and a profusion of speciality shops keep the tourists coming back year after year.

Arundel Castle - This is a palatial 11th century structure set in verdant grounds. During the eight months it is open every year, visitors can marvel at the ancient motte and the lavish staterooms packed with priceless paintings, portraits and artefacts, such as a carved rococo triptych.

Hayling Island - This offers tourists a three-mile stretch of Blue Flag beach and picturesque ports. It is a popular destination for sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts. The island is linked to the mainland at Langstone by a single-carriageway bridge and ferries from Portsmouth Harbour.

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?
  • Alamo
  • Enterprise
  • FireFly Car Rental
  • Hertz
  • Keddy By Europcar
  • Budget
  • National Car Rental
  • Europcar
  • Avis
  • Sixt
  • Flizzr
  • Easirent
  • Dollar Rent a Car
  • Drivalia