Search offers at 175+ UK airport, rail and city locations. Supplier availability, vehicle options, prices, and collection arrangements vary by location and trip.
1st UK Car Rentals is an independent British vehicle hire brokerage, established in December 2000. Director Jason Smithers has more than 30 years of experience in the vehicle rental industry. Instead of bouncing between supplier websites or decoding confusing counter terms, you can compare offers at more than 175 UK pickup locations, including major airports such as London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Manchester (MAN), and Edinburgh (EDI), as well as city rail stations and regional branches. Available suppliers and collection arrangements vary by location.
Compare rental offers from major UK suppliers—including Enterprise, Hertz, Europcar, Alamo, Avis, and Sixt—as well as regional operators. Before booking, check each offer for vehicle details, transmission, fuel policy, insurance excess, payment requirements, and other rental terms. Fees and accepted payment methods depend on the selected supplier and offer.
Compare offers from national suppliers and regional operators through one search.
Search offers at major airports, mainline railway stations—including London Waterloo, Euston, Manchester Piccadilly, and Edinburgh Waverley—and local branches. Available suppliers and collection arrangements vary by location.
Side-by-side supplier comparisons showing mandatory charges, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) rules, mileage allowances, and cancellation windows upfront.
Selecting a vehicle category that matches your passenger count, luggage volume, and UK route—whether tight historic city streets in Bath and York or single-track roads in the Scottish Highlands—makes driving safer and more economical.
| Vehicle Category | Indicative Rate* | Typical UK Models | Capacity | Best Suited For | Key UK Driving Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini / City | From £11 / day | Fiat 500, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10 | 4 People / 2 Small Bags | Short urban commutes, solo business trips, tight city parking | Low fuel consumption; agile in narrow multi-storey car parks |
| Economy | From £13 / day | Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio | 5 People / 2–3 Bags | Couples touring regional towns, weekend breaks | Easy to manoeuvre on country B-roads; lowest insurance groups |
| Compact | From £16 / day | VW Golf, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra | 5 People / 3 Bags | Small families, motorway journeys on the M1, M4, and M6 | Balanced motorway stability with compact urban dimensions |
| Compact Electric (EV) | From £19 / day | MG4 EV, Nissan Leaf, Peugeot e-208 | 5 People / 3 Bags | London ULEZ, Birmingham/Bristol Clean Air Zones, eco-travel | 100% exempt from £12.50/day London ULEZ; smooth automatic drive |
| Intermediate / Estate | From £25 / day | Skoda Octavia Estate, Peugeot 3008 | 5 People / 4 Large Bags | Family holidays to Cornwall, the Lake District, or Wales | Extended boot space for prams, golf clubs, and hard-shell suitcases |
| Standard / Executive | From £35 / day | BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class | 5 People / 4 Bags | Corporate travel, long-distance motorway cruising | Adaptive cruise control, superior cabin insulation, executive styling |
| SUV & Crossover | From £39 / day | Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage, VW Tiguan | 5 People / 5–6 Bags | Scottish Highlands (NC500), Peak District, winter rural driving | Elevated driving position for better visibility over hedgerows |
| 7-Seat MPV / Mini Van | From £49 / day | VW Touran, Citroen Grand C4, Ford Galaxy | 7 People / 4–6 Bags | Multi-generational family trips, group airport transfers | Replaces the cost and fuel expense of hiring two separate cars |
UK vehicle rental prices and availability can change with demand, depot stock, and booking lead time. The daily rates above are indicative guide prices based on off-peak 7-day rentals. Enter your exact pickup location, dates, and times in the search bar above to view current supplier quotes and full rental terms (including CDW excess, fuel policy, and free cancellation eligibility). Rates and availability may change until your booking is confirmed.
The cost of hiring a car or commercial van in Great Britain and Northern Ireland shifts across the calendar, driven by transatlantic summer arrivals, bank holiday weekends, and regional corporate travel.
Historically the cheapest period to rent a car in the UK (excluding Christmas week). With international leisure demand at its lowest, Economy and Compact vehicles at major airports regularly price between £11 and £25 per day, while town-centre depots average £22 to £35 per day.
Rates stabilise across both airport and city locations. Expect to pay £28 to £48 per day for a mid-sized family hatchback, crossover, or estate. (Note: Local commercial van demand spikes around late September as university terms start and residential moves peak).
High demand across London Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, and regional tourism gateways (such as Newquay, Inverness, and Bristol) pushes daily compact tariffs to £50 to £85+ per day. Automatic vehicles, 7-seat MPVs, and SUVs have smaller fleet allocations in the UK and routinely sell out weeks ahead.
Comparing quotes early gives you more time to review vehicle options, prices, and rental terms, especially for peak travel dates. Rates and availability depend on your location, dates, rental period, and vehicle choice, so compare the total price before booking.
Every rental company operating in the United Kingdom sets its own driver age limits, payment card rules, and security deposit holds. Use the reference matrix below to compare standard UK policies across our primary fleet partners:
| UK Fleet Supplier | Min. Age | Young Driver Surcharge | Debit Cards Accepted? | Typical Deposit Hold | Core UK Network Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise Rent-A-Car | 21 (Cars) / 25 (Vans) | ~£36 – £42 / day | Yes (Major UK & intl) | £200 – £500 | Largest town-centre, rail & industrial branch network |
| Hertz UK | 21 (Select) / 25 | ~£36 / day | Select locations; confirm with branch | £250 – £600 | Fast-track terminal desks at all major UK airports |
| Europcar UK | 22 (Economy) / 25+ | ~£35 / day | Debit may cover payment; credit card required for deposit | £300 – £750 | Extensive airport, mainline rail, and commercial van fleet |
| Alamo Rent A Car | 21 (Standard) / 25 | ~£36 / day | Yes (Standard debit) | £200 – £500 | High-value leisure packages & extra-driver deals |
| Avis / Budget UK | 21 (1 yr lic) / 23+ | ~£32 – £39 / day | Selected branches | £300 – £800 | Strong executive fleet at Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh |
| Sixt UK | 21 (1 yr licence) / 25+ | ~£30 – £40 / day | Yes (Class restrictions) | £300 – £1,500 | Premium German saloons, SUVs, and EV models |
| Regional Independents | 21 – 25 (Branch) | Varies by operator | Varies (Check quote) | £250 – £600 | Competitive local van and car hire in regional UK towns |
Whether you are landing on a long-haul flight or stepping off an intercity train, knowing how your pickup depot connects to the UK motorway network saves valuable travel time:
| UK Pickup Hub | Desk & Shuttle Logistics | Direct Motorway Access | Ideal Starting Point For |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow (LHR) | Terminal 5 has in-terminal desks; T2, T3 & T4 connect via free 6–10 min supplier shuttles to Northern/Bath Road depots (TW6). | M4 (J4) & M25 (J14/J15) | Windsor, Cotswolds, Bath, Stonehenge, and Wales via M4 corridor. |
| London Gatwick (LGW) | On-airport Car Rental Hubs clearly signposted inside both South and North Terminal lower forecourts (RH6 0NP). | M23 (J9) & M25 (J7) | Brighton, South Downs, Kent, Surrey, and South Coast road trips. |
| Manchester Airport (MAN) | Dedicated Car Rental Village (M90 1QX) reached via a free 5–10 min shuttle bus from Terminals 1, 2, and 3. | M56 (J5), M60, & M6 | Lake District (M6), Peak District, Liverpool, Chester, and North Wales. |
| Edinburgh Airport (EDI) | Purpose-built Car Rental Centre connected directly to the terminal via a short, covered walk across the parking plaza (EH12 9DN). | M8, M9, & M90 (Queensferry) | Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond, St Andrews, and North Coast 500 (NC500). |
| Birmingham Airport (BHX) | On-airport desks inside arrivals hall, plus free 2-min Air-Rail Link to Birmingham International Station (B26 3QJ). | M42 (J6), M6, & M40 | Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Castle, Cotswolds, and Midlands hubs. |
| Glasgow Airport (GLA) | Main supplier desks on ground floor of domestic arrivals (PA3 2ST) with adjacent multi-storey collection bays. | M8 (J28) | Loch Lomond & Trossachs, Oban, Fort William, and Isle of Skye. |
| Bristol Airport (BRS) | Integrated Car Rental Centre (BS48 3DY) reached via a brief 3–5 min walk or rapid shuttle from main terminal. | A38 & M5 (J18/J21) | Somerset, Bath, Devon, Cornwall coastal drives, and South Wales. |
| Newcastle Airport (NCL) | Rental desks inside domestic arrivals concourse (NE13 8BZ), with pickup bays directly outside terminal exit. | A1(M) & A69 | Northumberland Coast (Bamburgh/Alnwick), Hadrian's Wall, and Borders. |
Rental document requirements vary by supplier, pickup location, driver, and vehicle group. Use this checklist as a guide, then confirm the exact documents and payment requirements in your selected offer before travelling.
Bring a full, valid licence for the vehicle you are hiring. Minimum age and licence-holding periods vary by supplier and vehicle group.
Bring a full, valid licence accepted for your destination and vehicle. Check whether your country or licence requires an International Driving Permit or translation.
Some suppliers may ask UK licence holders for a DVLA check code. Codes are valid for 21 days; confirm whether your supplier requires one.
A DVLA check code is not applicable to overseas licences. Check the selected supplier’s requirements for an International Driving Permit or translation.
Bring photo identification if required by your supplier. Additional proof of address may be requested for some rentals.
Bring your passport. Your supplier may also request proof of onward travel or accommodation, especially at airport and rail locations.
Check the selected offer for accepted card types and deposit requirements. The card generally needs to be in the main driver's name.
Check the selected offer for accepted card types and deposit requirements. The card generally needs to be in the main driver's name.
Before setting off from your depot, familiarise yourself with the UK's automated camera-enforced road charges. Rental companies do not pay tolls or urban emission charges automatically; unpaid charges trigger supplier administration fees.
£18 / day in advance or on the day; £21 within 3 days (07:00–18:00 M–F; 12:00–18:00 Sat–Sun & Bank Holidays)
Applies when driving within the Congestion Charge zone during charging hours. Check the zone and pay through TfL.
£12.50 / day for non-compliant vehicles; operates 24/7 across all London boroughs. The M25 is not included.
Compliance depends on the vehicle. Check the rental car’s registration with TfL before travelling.
Rules and charges vary by zone, vehicle type, and emissions standard.
England’s Clean Air Zones and Scotland’s Low Emission Zones use separate schemes. Check the rental vehicle’s registration with the relevant official service before travelling.
£3.50 one-off payment for cars (06:00–22:00 daily; free overnight). Account rates may be lower.
Pay the Dart Charge by midnight the day after crossing. Check GOV.UK for current payment methods and rates.
70 mph national speed limit (60 mph for commercial vans on dual carriageways)
Free nationwide, except optional M6 Toll north of Birmingham. Watch overhead gantries on Smart Motorways for variable limits.
Choose a pickup hub that fits your route, then compare vehicle capacity and rental terms for the full journey. These starting points connect popular UK landscapes with the airport hubs listed above.
Plan stops around Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, or the North Coast 500. Compare an SUV or crossover if extra luggage space and a higher driving position suit your trip.
Explore car hire at Edinburgh AirportUse a hire car to connect places such as Windermere and Keswick, and check the vehicle size against your passengers, luggage, and planned roads.
Explore car hire at Manchester AirportA car gives you flexibility between coastal towns, beaches, and villages. Compare a compact category for narrower roads with an estate if you need extra boot space.
Explore car hire at Bristol AirportSee reviews hosted independently on Trustpilot.
View 1st UK Car Rentals on Trustpilot
Enter your pickup location and travel dates to compare available vehicles, prices, and rental terms.
Search available cars