Bath car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Bath
The best car rental companies in Bath are Sixt, Hertz, Enterprise. Prices start from €26/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 11%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Bath
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €280Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €280Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €260Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €270Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €230Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €290Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Bath Car Hire
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €180Min age 21Free cancellationDowntown
From€21/day
base rate
View Bath Car Hire deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Bath
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €26 | Vauxhall Corsa | 4 |
| Compact | €32 | VW Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €48 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €68 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €95 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Bath
Airport — Bristol Airport (BRS)
Bristol Airport (BRS) sits about 22km southwest of central Bath, roughly a 30-minute drive via the A4, with most rental desks located in the terminal building. The UK drives on the left, and rentals are typically manual transmission unless automatic is requested.
Downtown — Bath city center (near Bath Spa railway station)
Downtown desks near Bath Spa station suit travelers arriving by train from London who want a car mainly for day trips into the Cotswolds or Somerset countryside.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~11% of base rate | BRS airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €12–20/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €7–10/day | Per extra driver |
| Congestion / Clean Air Zone charge | €10–14/day | Driving into central Bath's Clean Air Zone |
| One-way drop fee | €40–90 | Returning to a different UK city |
| Refundable deposit | €200–330 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Bath
- Bristol Airport (BRS) is about 22km southwest of central Bath, roughly a 30-minute drive via the A4, with rental desks in the terminal.
- Bath operates a Clean Air Zone covering the city center, and most rental cars meeting Euro 6 standards can enter without an extra charge, though older diesel vehicles may incur a daily fee.
- The Georgian city center and Roman Baths are fully walkable, so a car is mainly useful for day trips into the Cotswolds or the Somerset countryside.
- The Cotswolds villages like Castle Combe and Lacock are about a 30-45 minute drive north, best explored by car since bus service is infrequent.
- Prices on this page are shown in EUR for cross-market comparison, though the local currency is the British Pound (GBP).
- The UK drives on the left-hand side of the road, and most rental fleets default to manual transmission unless an automatic is specifically requested.
- Bath's historic center has limited and metered parking, so many visitors park at a Park & Ride site on the outskirts and take a short bus into town.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Bath
Do you need a car in Bath?
The Georgian city center and Roman Baths are walkable, but a car helps for reaching the Cotswolds, Stonehenge, or the Somerset countryside.
How far is Bristol Airport from Bath?
About 22km, roughly a 30-minute drive via the A4, with rental desks in the terminal building.
Does Bath have a Clean Air Zone charge for rental cars?
Yes, but most modern rental cars meeting Euro 6 emissions standards enter the zone free of charge; older diesel vehicles may pay a daily fee.
Can I drive from Bath to the Cotswolds?
Yes, villages like Castle Combe and Lacock are about 30-45 minutes north by car, an easy half-day trip.
What currency are prices shown in for Bath?
Prices are shown in EUR for cross-market comparison, though the local currency is the British Pound (GBP).
Which side of the road does the UK drive on?
The UK drives on the left, and most rental cars are manual transmission unless you request automatic in advance.
What is the cheapest car type in Bath?
Economy cars like a Vauxhall Corsa start around €26/day. An SUV starts around €48/day.
Nearby trips
