Travel: Your guide to renting a car in the UK

Whether you’re travelling in the United Kingdom for business or pleasure, renting a car is definitely the best way to go. In contrast to Australia, driving distances are short, meaning that fuel costs are kept to minimum. But, at the same time, not all of the UK is served well by public transport (by any means), so relying on trains and buses can prove time-consuming and difficult.

What’s more, if you’re hoping to add a dash (or two!) of leisure to your trip, a car allows you to work out your own itinerary and travel at your own pace, whether you want to visit gorgeous villages, stunning heritage sites or remote beaches. Before you decide on a car hire deal however, there’s a few things to think about.

What type of vehicle should you hire?

It’s important to go for something comfortable and reliable, but you don’t need to go crazy (and spend beyond your budget) with a four-wheel-drive. Unlike Australia, the UK doesn’t have many dirt roads, so a straight-forward sedan will do the trick. Of course, if you’re travelling with others, or an abundance of luggage, you’ll need to make sure you have enough space.

Where’s the best place to hire a car?

The most convenient option is to book a car from the airport. This might not necessarily mean Heathrow. If you’re flying in from Australia, but doing most of your business in Scotland, for example, your best bet is to save yourself a long drive by catching a high-speed train to Glasgow or Edinburgh, and organising your car hire from there. It’s easy to compare car rental rates at Edinburgh Airport with DriveNow – or a similar service. Remember, too, that it’s usually no problem to hire a car in one area and return it in another.

How much does UK car hire cost?

The costs of UK car hire vary significantly, depending on length of hire period, anticipated kilometres, city versus country use and so on. The longer you rent a car for, the better a rate you can expect. For vehicles hired for a minimum of a week, prices start at around £40 per day. But for just a day or two, you’ll be charged much more. In comparison with public transport however, car hire often proves rather affordable. UK trains are notoriously expensive and, because transport links can be weak, it’s often necessary to catch taxis, especially when you’re on a business trip.

What about insurance?

Needless to say, insurance is a must. Most car hire companies include insurance in their rental. But it’s important to be aware that excess minimums can be exorbitant. Some companies offer to reduce this if you are willing to increase your daily fee. Of course, whether or not you agree to this will depend on your assessment of how risky your driving plans are and how much money you would have access to in the unfortunate (and unlikely) case of an accident. Whatever you decide, do make sure that you’re 100% clear on the fine print before signing on the dotted line.