Birmingham car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Birmingham
The best car rental companies in Birmingham are Sixt, Europcar, Hertz. Prices start from €28/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Birmingham
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Midlands Car Hire
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€23/day
base rate
View Midlands 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 Birmingham
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €28 | Vauxhall Corsa | 4 |
| Compact | €34 | Ford Focus | 5 |
| SUV | €49 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €72 | Ford Galaxy | 7 |
| Luxury | €88 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Birmingham
Airport — Birmingham Airport (BHX)
BHX sits about 13km east of Birmingham city center, roughly a 20-minute drive, with rental desks a short walk from the terminal.
Downtown — Birmingham city center
Downtown desks near the Bullring suit travelers who want a car to reach the Jewellery Quarter, Cadbury World, or day trips into the Cotswolds.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | BHX airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | £10–18/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | £5–9/day | Per extra driver |
| Clean Air Zone charge | £8–10/day | Older diesel and petrol vehicles entering the city center CAZ |
| High-season peak surcharge | 15–30% above base rate | Summer and major events at the NEC or Arena Birmingham |
| Refundable deposit | £250–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Birmingham
- Birmingham Airport (BHX) sits about 13km east of the city center, a roughly 20-minute drive, with rental desks a short walk from the terminal.
- The Bullring and Grand Central shopping districts are walkable from the city center, so a car is more useful for sights further out.
- Cadbury World in Bournville is about a 20-minute drive south of the center, a popular day trip that benefits from having a car.
- Birmingham operates a Clean Air Zone covering the city center — check your rental car's emissions class before driving in.
- Birmingham prices are shown in EUR for consistency across the site, even though the local currency is pounds sterling (GBP).
- The Jewellery Quarter is easy to reach on foot or by tram from downtown, so parking at the edge of the center and walking in works well.
- Birmingham sits at the hub of the M6 and M42 motorways, making it a practical base for reaching Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds by car.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Birmingham
Do you need a car in Birmingham?
The city center and Bullring are walkable, but a car is useful for Cadbury World, the NEC, and day trips to the Cotswolds or Stratford-upon-Avon.
How far is Birmingham Airport from the city center?
About 13km, roughly a 20-minute drive, with rental desks a short walk from the terminal.
Is there a low-emission zone in central Birmingham?
Yes, the city center has a Clean Air Zone — check your rental vehicle's emissions class before driving in.
Can I drive to the Cotswolds from Birmingham?
Yes, via the M42 and M40, reaching the northern Cotswolds in about an hour.
What currency are prices shown in for Birmingham?
Prices are shown in EUR for consistency across the site, though the local currency is pounds sterling (GBP).
Is parking easy near the NEC and Arena Birmingham on event days?
No, major events bring heavy traffic and paid parking demand — book parking in advance or arrive early.
What is the cheapest car type in Birmingham?
Economy cars like a Vauxhall Corsa start around €28/day. An SUV starts around €49/day.
Nearby trips
