Manchester car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Manchester
The best car rental companies in Manchester are Sixt, Europcar, Hertz. Prices start from €28/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Manchester
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€31/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Europcar
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Manchester Car Rental
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
base rate
View Manchester Car Rental deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Manchester
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €28 | Vauxhall Corsa | 4 |
| Compact | €34 | Ford Focus | 5 |
| SUV | €50 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €72 | Ford Galaxy | 7 |
| Luxury | €92 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Manchester
Airport — Manchester Airport (MAN)
MAN sits about 15km south of Manchester city centre, a 20 to 30-minute drive, with rental desks in the dedicated Ground Transportation Centre.
Downtown — Manchester city centre
Downtown desks suit travelers who want a car to reach the Peak District or Lake District without needing to drive within the city's Clean Air Zone.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | MAN airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €12–20/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–10/day | Per extra driver |
| Clean Air Zone charge | €11/day | Older, non-compliant vehicles driven within Manchester's Clean Air Zone |
| One-way fee | €45–170 | Drop-off in Liverpool, Leeds, or London |
| Refundable deposit | €280–500 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Manchester
- Manchester Airport (MAN) sits about 15km south of the city centre, a 20 to 30-minute drive, with rental desks in the Ground Transportation Centre.
- Manchester is home to Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium, both easily reached by car from the city centre or airport.
- The Science and Industry Museum, tracing Manchester's industrial history, sits in the city centre near the old railway station.
- Manchester is a practical gateway to the Peak District, about an hour southeast, and the Lake District, about 1.5 hours north.
- Prices on this page are shown in EUR to make comparison across destinations easier.
- Manchester operates a Clean Air Zone — check whether your rental vehicle is compliant before driving within the city centre.
- The UK drives on the left, and most rental cars come with manual transmission unless an automatic is specifically requested.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Manchester
Do you need a car in Manchester?
The city centre is walkable and well served by trams, but a car is useful for day trips to the Peak District or Lake District.
How far is Manchester Airport from the city centre?
About 15km, a 20 to 30-minute drive, with rental desks in the Ground Transportation Centre.
What is Manchester's Clean Air Zone?
A zone charging older, non-compliant vehicles a daily fee to drive within the city centre — check your rental car's compliance before entering.
Which side of the road does the UK drive on?
The UK drives on the left, and rental cars have the steering wheel on the right.
What currency are prices shown in for Manchester?
Prices are shown in EUR to make comparison across destinations easier.
Can I drive from Manchester to the Lake District?
Yes, it's about 1.5 hours north of Manchester by car, making it a popular day trip.
What is the cheapest car type in Manchester?
Economy cars like a Vauxhall Corsa start around €28/day. An SUV starts around €50/day.
Nearby trips
