Southampton car rentals
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Cheap car rentals in Southampton
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Southampton
- Southampton is a bustling port city with a host of coastal attractions nearby, so it’s a good idea to hire a car if you want the freedom to visit them all. We make car hire in Southampton easy and convenient, so you can use it to your advantage to reach outlying places like the New Forest or even to catch a ferry to the Isle of Wight. Additionally, a 14-mile drive out of town will see you at the Beaulieu & National Motor Museum, where you’ll find exhibits of famous movie cars.
- If you’re flying into Southampton Airport, you’ll find that it has a dedicated car hire section. Most of the main companies offer Southampton car hire at the airport, including Sixt, Alamo, Europcar, Hertz and National. Enterprise is to your right just after you leave the baggage carousel, while the others are in the car park opposite the terminal across Spitfire Loop, just a few minutes’ walk away.
- It’s relatively uncomplicated driving in Southampton as long as you’re not right in the city centre or in the docklands area. It’s one of the busiest sea-facing harbours in the UK, so you’ll probably find it easier to walk in these areas. The city is also known for its large green spaces and tranquil suburbs, like Ocean Village or the quaint Basset neighbourhood in the northern area of the city. Just be on the lookout for cyclists and people out walking.
- Congestion usually isn’t too bad in Southampton, although it has rush hours just like other cities in the UK. Weekends are generally best for uncongested exploring. Try to avoid routes like Canute Road, Havlock Road and the Western Esplanade between the hours of 05:00 and 09:00. The same applies during the evening rush hour, which lasts from roughly 16:00 to 19:00 on those busier roads.
- Book your rental car in Southampton at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Intermediate rental cars in Southampton are around 22% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Southampton
What type of car is recommended for driving in Southampton?
For driving around in the busier areas of town it’s perhaps best to get an economy or a compact car. You can step that up to a roomier saloon if you prefer, or take advantage of the coastal scenery in a convertible or sports model. If you want to get more off the beaten track or are travelling as a family, you could go for a spacious 4x4 or an MPV. This will allow you to explore everything that the Southampton area has to offer. You can also find car hire in Southampton offering minibuses for larger groups.
What’s the speed limit in Southampton?
You’d be well advised to drive with caution in Southampton and pay close attention to speed limits. The local community takes them seriously, especially on busy roads like Maybray Way in the Bitterne neighbourhood, which is well known for its speed cameras. The speed limit is 30mph virtually across the board, until you reach the outlying areas, where on some roads like Bassett Green Road it is raised to 40mph.
Where are the best places to park in Southampton?
The centre of Southampton is zoned as a City Centre Pay and Display Zone that operates every day of the week, even on bank holidays. This divides the city into parking areas where times are limited. The inner zones only allow a maximum of 2h, while others allow up to 10h of parking time. You can expect to pay roughly £4 to £5 for 2h, and many have adopted cashless instant transactions using mobile apps for your convenience.
How much is gas price in Southampton?
The average gas price in Southampton is 24.83 ﷼ per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between 298 ﷼ and 397 ﷼, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Southampton?
Intermediate (Nissan Qashqai or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Southampton.
Which car rental companies are at Heathrow airport (LHR)?
Car rental companies onsite at Heathrow airport include DRIVALIA, GREEN MOTION, SURPRICE CAR RENTAL, Sixt and Europcar.
Which car rental companies are at Stansted airport (STN)?
Car rental companies onsite at Stansted airport include Alamo, DRIVALIA and GREEN MOTION.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Heathrow airport (LHR)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Heathrow airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, GREEN MOTION, Sixt, and Europcar.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Gatwick airport (LGW)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Gatwick airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, GREEN MOTION, Sixt, and Europcar.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Stansted airport (STN)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Stansted airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, GREEN MOTION, Sixt, and Europcar.
How can I find car rentals near me in Southampton?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Southampton?
An Intermediate car rental in Southampton costs 245 ﷼ per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car rental cost in Southampton?
An Economy car rental in Southampton costs 239 ﷼ per day, on average.
How much does a Luxury car rental cost in Southampton?
A Luxury car rental in Southampton costs 550 ﷼ per day, on average.
Southampton car rental reviews and directory All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car rental booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8.4
Very good
Read 3 reviewsCleanliness
9.6
Comfort
8.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.4
Value for money
8.0
4 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
108 Bitterne Road West
+44 23 8023 2244
High Street
+44 23 8077 7555
Southampton Intl Airport
+44 23 8065 3700
Western Esplanade
+44 23 8017 8240
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Aug 2024
Passenger van
10.0 Wonderful
Patrick, Apr 2023
Economy
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jul 2022
National
7.9
Good
Cleanliness
9.3
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
8.6
3 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Enterprise Rent A Car
+44 23 8077 7555
Enterprise Rent A Car
+44 23 8065 3700
Western Esplanade
+44 23 8024 8190
Filters
No reviews available
Sixt
7.6
Good
Read 3 reviewsCleanliness
8.4
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.4
Value for money
6.8
2 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Mitchell Way
+44 20 7018 8246
Wide Lane
+44 20 7018 8246
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Nov 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jun 2022
2.0 Poor
Daryl, May 2023
Economy
Budget
7.5
Good
Read 1 reviewCleanliness
7.5
Comfort
7.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.5
Value for money
7.5
2 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Southampton International Airp
+44 344 544 4085
Southampton Road
+44 344 544 4602
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jan 2023
Economy
Avis
6.6
Okay
Read 2 reviewsCleanliness
6.6
Comfort
6.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.6
Value for money
6.0
One location in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Southampton Airport
+44 344 544 6026
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Aug 2022
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jan 2022
Europcar
6.4
Okay
Read 5 reviewsCleanliness
6.0
Comfort
6.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.2
Value for money
6.4
2 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Car Rental Building
+44 371 384 3418
Unit J
+44 371 384 5983
Filters
Reviews
8.0 Very good
David Adrian, May 2024
Compact SUV
8.0 Very good
Anonymous, Apr 2024
Compact
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Apr 2024
Standard SUV
8.0 Very good
Anonymous, Oct 2023
Compact
6.0 Okay
Anonymous, Oct 2022
4 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Southampton Int'l Airport
+44 843 309 3069
West Quay Ind Estate
+44 843 309 3070
West Quay Road
+44 843 309 3070
West Quay Road
+44 843 309 3070
Filters
Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Jun 2022
2 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
W Quay Road
+44 843 309 3070
Filters
No reviews available
3 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Car Rental Building
8713843418
Herbert Walker Avenue
+44 371 384 5983
Unit J, West Quay Road
+44 371 384 5983
Filters
No reviews available
3 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Enterprise Rent A Car
+44 23 8077 7555
Enterprise Rent A Car
+44 23 8065 3700
Western Esplanade
+44 23 8024 8190
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Unit G Woodside Trade Centre Parham Drive
+44 23 8001 6158
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Southampton Airport
+44 238 001 6158
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
204 Millbrook Rd E
+44 844 499 3399
Car Rental Building Southampton Int.airport, Wide Lane
+44 207 018 8246
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Britannia Road
+44 23 8033 1144
Portsmouth Road
+44 23 8044 9232
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Car Rental Centre
+44 371 384 3418
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Car Rental Building Southampton Int.airport, Wide Lane
+44 148 987 8229
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Southampton airport
080 0170 1331
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Floating Bridge Rd
+44 23 8063 8437
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Southampton
Locations in Southampton
Toyota Snows Southampton
+44 1494 769810
Filters
No reviews available
Car rental locations in or near Southampton
Good to know
Most popular car type | Intermediate |
|---|
When to book a rental car in Southampton
Everything you need to know for your car rental in Southampton
Car rental at airports serving Southampton
Southampton car rental information
| Pick-up location | Southampton |
|---|---|
| Car types | |
| Rental locations | 42 |
| Airport locations | 18 |