How to find a cheap car hire deal in Manchester
Grab a cheap rental car in Manchester and start your adventure for around $117 a day. From short drives to open-road adventures, we'll help you find the right rental for your plans.
Daily rental prices in Manchester start from just $41.
For longer trips, grab a weekly rental from $286 and pack more sights into your itinerary.
If you want to time it just right, book about four weeks ahead to score yourself the best price on a Manchester car hire.
Green Motion, Surprice and Drivalia are among the most trusted providers in the city. Use them as a starting point to compare offers.
Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Manchester car hire policy, whether with Green Motion or a different supplier. Some companies treat it as an optional extra instead of bundling it in.
Booking one-way could score you a discount on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Just click 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in Manchester.
Save money on fuel by picking a vehicle that offers a 'Fair fuel policy.' You collect the car with a full tank and drop it off full, so you only pay for what you use.
Want to explore without stressing about how many miles you rack up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra charges.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll find the best deal with this company. Prices average $148 a day.
Not far behind, [this provider](this provider) offers daily rates of around $137.
The third option won't cost a fortune either. You'll pay roughly $132 a day with this supplier.
After a car that's a safe bet for most journeys? The Compact rental category is the go-to choice for travellers visiting Manchester.
Flying to Manchester? Think about an airport pick-up
Kick off your Manchester trip quicker by booking a car hire at Manchester Airport. The city centre is about 14 kilometres from this airport, which is a drive of around 25 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Manchester
Small: These cheap rental cars in Manchester may be small in size, but they live up to big expectations. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're nimble, great on mileage, and perfect for city runs or weekend trips.
Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the Goldilocks of rentals! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of fuel efficiency and interior space and are great for couples and small families.
Large: Long drives are effortless in this Manchester car hire category. Also known as full-size, they have the engine size to match the journey. The extra space and comfort make them an excellent option for groups of friends and families.
SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and better visibility of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're carving through winding trails or cruising down long stretches of highway, many come with all-wheel drive to keep you steady on any road.
Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Manchester that can handle a small crowd (and all their stuff), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're best suited for group excursions, moving or business needs.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers your out-of-pocket costs if your Manchester car hire is damaged or stolen. While not compulsory, it's a smart add-on if you'd rather play it safe. Just remember that insurance policies vary between providers, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.
From GPS units to reverse cameras, the right extras can totally transform your drive. Think about which features will make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Manchester.
Good to know
You generally have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in the United Kingdom. Being younger doesn't always disqualify you — just expect some extra fees or restrictions. Check the suppliers' terms and conditions before you book.
Travel plans include the kids? Child car seat laws vary from one location to another, and the correct setup may depend on their height, weight and age. Find out if you need to add one to your Manchester car hire reservation.
You'll likely be asked for these three things when collecting your rental car: an official driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough balance for the deposit. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. Any extra must-haves will be shown in your booking.
Get familiar with your rental. Check your seat and mirrors, find the lights and blinkers, and get used to its handling before you set off. And remember to stay on the left side of the road in the United Kingdom.
Make sure you stay within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 40kph in built-up areas and 100kph or so on highways, unless signs say otherwise.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in the United Kingdom is 0.08%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the surest choice is to avoid drinks so you remain legal to drive.
Aim to travel outside heavy traffic periods for a faster run. 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.
You'll be using the British pound (GBP) here. As well as your bank cards, consider having some cash handy for smaller purchases.
Best hotels in Manchester for drivers
Spend less time circling for a parking space and more time settling into the comfort of The Brewery Apartments. About 10 kilometres from central Manchester, it comes with parking, a kitchen and a laundry.
Hyatt House Manchester - Aparthotel gets things right with parking and features such as a lobby bar and room service. It's roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.
Explore the full lineup of hotels in Manchester and pick the stay that suits your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to what you need — like 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.
After you've locked in a car hire deal in Manchester and the right hotel, all that's left is deciding where to head to first. Kick things off with major attractions such as Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour, The Homes of Football and Museum of Science and Industry.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Manchester
Preston has to be on your itinerary if you'd like to visit Brockholes and Avenham and Miller Parks. This city is around 48 kilometres northwest of central Manchester.
Reliable accommodation options with parking in Preston include Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel and Trivelles Park Hotel.
Or collect your cheap car hire in Manchester and travel around 48 kilometres northeast to Bradford. Featuring Bradford Cathedral and Cartwright Hall, its highlights live up to the hype.
Bradford has some great places to stay such as Holiday Inn Express Bradford City Centre by IHG and Leonardo Hotel Bradford. Both give you somewhere to leave your car while you're here.
Extend your journey and road-trip it to Bristol, roughly 225 kilometres south of Manchester. First, swing past Banksey, then head to Clifton Suspension Bridge.
The only thing left to do now is hit the pillow. Mercure Bristol Holland House and Future Inn Bristol have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Bristol.
