Bristol car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Bristol
The best car rental companies in Bristol are Sixt, Europcar, Hertz. Prices start from £27/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 Bristol
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£28/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£28/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£29/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£28/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £260Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From£25/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£30/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From£26/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£31/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
West Country Car Hire
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £220Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£22/day
base rate
View West Country Car Hire deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-22 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Bristol
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | £27 | Vauxhall Corsa | 4 |
| Compact | £32 | Ford Focus | 5 |
| SUV | £46 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | £65 | Ford Galaxy | 7 |
| Luxury | £79 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Bristol
Airport — Bristol Airport (BRS)
BRS sits about 13km south of Bristol city center, roughly a 25-minute drive, with rental desks in the terminal building.
Downtown — Bristol city center and the Harbourside
Downtown desks near the Harbourside suit travelers who want a car to reach Bath, the Cotswolds, or destinations beyond the walkable center.
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) | £10–18/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | £5–9/day | Per extra driver |
| Clean Air Zone charge | £9/day | Older diesel or petrol vehicles entering central Bristol |
| High-season peak surcharge | 15–30% above base rate | Summer weekends |
| Refundable deposit | £250–400 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Bristol
- Bristol Airport (BRS) sits about 13km south of the city center, a roughly 25-minute drive, with rental desks in the terminal.
- The Clifton Suspension Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, spans the Avon Gorge and is a short drive or walk from central Bristol.
- Bristol runs a Clean Air Zone charging older, more polluting vehicles to enter the city center — check your rental car's emissions class first.
- A car makes it easy to reach Bath, about 20 minutes southeast, and the Cotswolds villages roughly 45 minutes northeast.
- Bristol prices are shown in GBP, the local currency.
- SS Great Britain, Brunel's historic steamship, is docked in the Harbourside and is one of Bristol's most-visited attractions.
- Central Bristol has narrow streets and limited parking near the Old City and Harbourside, so a compact car is easiest for maneuvering.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Bristol
Do you need a car in Bristol?
The city center and Harbourside are walkable, but a car is useful for reaching Bath, the Cotswolds, and destinations outside the core.
How far is Bristol Airport from the city center?
About 13km, roughly a 25-minute drive, with rental desks in the terminal.
Is there a low-emission zone in central Bristol?
Yes, Bristol's Clean Air Zone charges older diesel and petrol vehicles to enter the center — check your rental car's emissions class.
Can I drive to Bath from Bristol?
Yes, it is about a 20-minute drive southeast along the A4 or M4/A46.
What currency are prices shown in for Bristol?
Prices are shown in GBP, the local currency.
Is parking difficult in central Bristol?
Yes, the Old City and Harbourside have narrow streets and limited spaces — a compact car and a parking garage are recommended.
What is the cheapest car type in Bristol?
Economy cars like a Vauxhall Corsa start around 27 GBP/day. An SUV starts around 46 GBP/day.
Nearby trips
