Car Hire in the United Kingdom

From the Scottish Highlands to the Jurassic Coast, the UK packs an extraordinary variety of landscapes into a relatively compact landmass. A hire car unlocks rural villages, coastal drives and National Parks that simply aren't reachable by public transport.

Best airports for car hire in the UK

• London Heathrow (LHR) — the UK's largest hub. Strong competition means good pricing.
• Edinburgh (EDI) — gateway to the Scottish Highlands and the North Coast 500.
• Manchester (MAN) — Peak District, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales within easy reach.
• Glasgow (GLA) — Loch Lomond, Argyll, the Hebrides.
• Bristol (BRS) — Cotswolds, Bath, Cornwall, South Wales.

Driving in the UK: key rules

• Drive on the left. Speed limits: 70 mph motorway, 60 mph single carriageway, 30 mph urban (unless signed otherwise).
• Congestion Charge applies in central London on weekdays. ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) applies in Greater London — most modern hire cars comply.
• Many UK country roads are single-track with passing places — take your time and use passing places considerately.
• Fuel: unleaded petrol and diesel widely available. Electric charge points increasingly common.

Great UK road trips

The North Coast 500 (circular from Inverness, ~500 miles) is Scotland's iconic route. In England, the Jurassic Coast drive through Dorset and Devon offers stunning sea views. For Wales, the Cambrian Way through Snowdonia is a highlight.