How to find a cheap car hire deal in Southampton
Travel at your own pace with a cheap rental car in Southampton. With prices averaging $305 a day, you're on the road to better value. From economy models to full-size family cars, we'll help you find your kind of ride at your kind of price.
Daily rental prices in Southampton start from just $63.
Planning a longer trip and want to go further than the usual stops? $437 is the best rate for a weekly rental.
If you want to time it just right, book around two weeks ahead to score yourself the best price on a Southampton car hire.
Grab your wheels from Alamo, Enterprise or Budget. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.
Check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Southampton car hire policy, whether you book with Alamo or another supplier. Some companies treat it as an optional extra instead of bundling it in.
Booking one-way could land you a cheaper deal on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Simply select 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in Southampton.
Save money on fuel by picking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up your ride with a full tank and refill it before drop-off, so you only pay for what you use.
Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up additional fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you explore further.
Best value car hire options right now
Taking first place for value is this company, with prices averaging $175 a day.
Offering daily rates of around $142, [this provider](this provider) is next in line.
The third option also helps keep costs down. Expect to pay roughly $152 a day for one of their rentals.
The Compact rental category is a dependable choice if you're not sure what kind of ride you need. It's also the most commonly booked car type in Southampton.
Flying to Southampton? Think about an airport pick-up
Take the hassle out of arrival day by booking a car hire at Southampton Airport. If you're flying to Southampton through this airport, simply pick up your wheels after landing and go. The drive to the city centre is about 10 kilometres and takes around 15 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Southampton
Small: Whether you're darting along city streets or simply planning a quick trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect good fuel efficiency and easy handling.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, space and comfort. Easy to manoeuvre in cities and with enough space for longer drives, they make sense for just about any journey.
Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and improved tech features, this Southampton car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and take everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a better view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating trickier terrain or zipping along smooth highways, many come with all-wheel drive to help you take on any road.
Van: Choose this category of vehicle when you want a car for rent in Southampton that can handle the heavy stuff. Typically featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's supplies, suitcases or groups of people.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your Southampton car hire lets you drive with confidence. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of an accident or theft. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so always compare your options.
Upgrade your ride with nifty extras like mobile Wi-Fi or a reverse camera. They can make your journey easier and more relaxed when you rent a car in Southampton.
Good to know
The minimum age to rent a car in the United Kingdom is typically 21 years old. However some providers set their own rules, so always go over your rental company's policy to see what applies to you.
Add a car seat to your Southampton car rental reservation if you're travelling with small kids. Regulations change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest way to travel.
You'll be asked for a few things when collecting your rental car: a current driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough balance for the deposit. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. The full set of requirements will be laid out in your booking.
For first-time drivers in the United Kingdom, be aware that traffic here keeps to the left side of the road.
Keep within local speed limits of about 40kph in built-up areas and around 100kph on highways. Check the road signs, as limits may vary.
In the United Kingdom, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you think you'll be drinking, get someone else to do the driving or arrange a ride-share or taxi instead.
Around 5pm is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid busy hours generally for a smoother drive.
You'll be using the British pound (GBP) on your trip here. In addition to your debit and credit cards, consider having some cash handy for minor purchases.
Best hotels in Southampton for drivers
Spend less time looking for a parking spot and more time enjoying the comfort of Riverside House. Around 8 kilometres from central Southampton, it comes with accessible parking, Wi-Fi and a lounge.
Room2 Southampton Hometel makes travel simpler with accessible parking and features such as air conditioning and luggage storage. It's roughly 0.48 kilometres from the city centre.
Explore the full lineup of hotels in Southampton and choose the stay that suits your travel style. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to your needs — like 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.
After you've found a car hire deal in Southampton and the right hotel, it's time to plan where to go first. Site of Jane Austen's House, Mayflower Theatre and Kennet & Avon Canal are a memorable introduction to what the city has to offer.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Southampton
Around 64 kilometres northeast of central Southampton, Reading deserves a place on your itinerary. Steer straight toward must-see sights like Reading Abbey Ruins and Forbury Gardens.
You'll be well taken care of at Pentahotel Reading and Novotel Reading Centre, two reliable accommodation options with parking in Reading.
Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in Southampton and drive around 72 kilometres north to Swindon. Featuring Lydiard Park and Steam Museum Of The Great Western Railways, its highlights live up to the buzz.
Kick back after a day of exploring Swindon at Leonardo Hotel Swindon or Delta Hotels by Marriott Swindon. These hotels have arrangements for guests with cars.
Up for a bigger adventure? Birmingham is a popular road trip destination that's around 177 kilometres north of Southampton. Plan to make a few pit stops at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre.
Book a room at Holiday Inn Express Birmingham - Snow Hill by IHG or Novotel Birmingham Centre. They make it a breeze to experience everything Birmingham has to offer. They come with room for your wheels too.
