Car hire in Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Compare car hire from trusted providers

Book car hire with confidence

Save big on car hire in Bournemouth

Find a cheap car hire deal

Search for Bournemouth car hire near you

Choose from 17 pick-up spots

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Bournemouth?

Our data shows that November is the cheapest month to rent a car in Bournemouth. It’s around R 571 per day in November, compared to the yearly average of R 726 per day.
Cheapest month avgNovember • R 571
Yearly avg priceR 726

Select your Bournemouth pick-up location

There are 17 car hire providers in Bournemouth. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Car hire pick-up spots in Bournemouth

Compare car hire prices at airports, train stations and in different neighbourhoods across Bournemouth. You might find a better price, or the perfect pick-up point nearby. Start your journey where it suits you.
Filter locations
These are estimated prices to help you choose from a large number of options. Each is an average based on the lowest car rental prices found for each destination over the last 15 days.

The most popular car rental companies in Bournemouth

What's the most popular car to hire in Bournemouth?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Vauxhall Corsa is the most popular car to hire in Bournemouth, with prices starting from R 766 per day. The Fiat 500 and similar models are also popular drives in Bournemouth.
Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall Corsa14% chose this
Fiat 500
Fiat 50010% chose this
Audi Q5
Audi Q59% chose this
Skoda Scala
Skoda Scala5% chose this
Most popular carVauxhall Corsa
Why?Small, practical, easy to park

Bournemouth's cheapest car hire providers

Enterprise has the cheapest car hire in Bournemouth right now, with prices from R 766 per day. You'll save an average of R 976 per day when you book with them.
Enterprisefrom R 766 per day
Switchfrom R 1 034 per day
Keddy By Europcarfrom R 1 417 per day
Europcarfrom R 2 774 per day
Cheapest providerEnterprise
Book with them to save aroundR 976 per day

Hiring a car in Bournemouth: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyKeddy By Europcar
Most popular carCompact, Commercial Van
Average daily priceR 890
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Bournemouth

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Bournemouth car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Bournemouth

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Bournemouth for around R 891 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the major providers, making it easy to compare prices and book.

  • Daily rental prices in Bournemouth start from just R 766.

  • Planning a longer trip and want to explore beyond the usual highlights? R 5,360 is the best rate for a weekly rental.

  • Snap up the best price on a Bournemouth car hire by booking in advance. You're more likely to get the best value with the most choice.

  • Browse the offers available with Keddy By Europcar, Europcar and Enterprise. They're some of the top providers in the city.

  • The coverage Keddy By Europcar or another supplier offers for your Bournemouth car hire can differ, so be sure to go over the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will charge extra for it.

  • Booking a one-way car hire can be the key to finding a deal. Simply click 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often have to move vehicles from one site to another, which means you can bag some excellent one-way prices on a car for rent in Bournemouth.

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car with a full tank, so you pay only for what you use. No hidden refueling charges at drop-off either.

  • Want to explore more without stressing about the number of miles you clock up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra costs.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll find the best value with this company. Prices average R 1,688 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around R 2,241, [this provider](this provider](https://www.skyscanner.co.za/car-hire/car-hire-with-provider/europcar/663)) is next in line.

  • The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly R 2,547 a day with this supplier.

  • If you're unsure which ride is right for you, consider something from the Compact rental category. It's the most commonly booked vehicle type in Bournemouth.

Flying to Bournemouth? Think about an airport pick-up

  • Start your Bournemouth trip sooner by picking up a car hire at Bournemouth Airport. The city centre is about 11 kilometres from this airport, which is a drive of around 15 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Bournemouth

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Bournemouth may be small in size, but they live up to big expectations. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're nimble, light on fuel, and perfect for city runs or weekend trips.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine space, comfort and fuel efficiency. Easy to manoeuvre around cities and with enough space for longer drives, they're a reliable fit for most trips.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and improved tech features, this Bournemouth car hire category includes full-size cars. With roomier rear seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: SUVs are ready whenever wanderlust hits. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for city streets and country backroads alike.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Bournemouth that fits a small crowd (and all their gear), a van is the practical pick. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're best suited for group excursions, moving or business use.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Adding excess insurance to your Bournemouth car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of theft or a collision. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so check how each one stacks up.

  • From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can totally transform your drive. Think about which features will make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Bournemouth.

Good to know

  • To rent a car in the United Kingdom, you generally have to be at least 21 years old. Some companies may allow younger drivers to rent vehicles for an extra fee, so always check the policies before finalizing your ride.

  • Bringing the kids with you? Car seat rules vary from one location to another, and the best setup may depend on their weight, height and age. Confirm whether you need to add one to your Bournemouth car hire booking.

  • Come prepared and keep pick-up quick and easy. You'll typically need your physical driver's licence (not a screenshot or digital version) plus another photo ID. Also bring along a credit card with room for the security hold. If extra documents are required, they'll be listed in your booking.

  • If you're unfamiliar with driving in the United Kingdom, don't forget that traffic here sticks to the left side of the road.

  • Stay within the local speed limits. Usually that's around 40kph in urban areas and 100kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.

  • A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08% applies in the United Kingdom. The safest choice for staying legal to drive is to not drink at all.

  • Aim to travel outside high-traffic periods for a faster run in general. 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

  • You'll be using the British pound (GBP) for everything you buy throughout your trip. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cash and cards to ensure you're covered in all situations.

Best hotels in Bournemouth for drivers

  • Pull in, unpack, and ease into your stay at Serenity Hotel. Offering parking as well as internet access and Wi-Fi, this hotel is around 2 kilometres from central Bournemouth.

  • The Grove Hotel makes travel simpler with parking and features like Wi-Fi and a bar. It's roughly 0.32 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Want more inspiration? Browse the selection of hotels in Bournemouth. You can refine your search with the filters — try 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' If you're driving electric, you can select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter too.

  • After you've found a car hire deal in Bournemouth and the right hotel, it's time to plan your first stops. Oceanarium, Alum Chine Beach and Fishermans Walk Beach are a classic introduction to the city.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Bournemouth

  • Around 97 kilometres northwest of central Bournemouth, Bristol should feature on your itinerary. Make your way to can't-miss sights like Banksey and Clifton Suspension Bridge.

  • Mercure Bristol Holland House and Future Inn Bristol are reliable accommodation options with parking in Bristol.

  • Or pick up your cheap car hire in Bournemouth and travel roughly 97 kilometres northeast to Reading. Featuring Reading Abbey Ruins and Forbury Gardens, its attractions make a strong case for visiting.

  • Reading has some comfortable accommodation options including Pentahotel Reading and Novotel Reading Centre. Both give you somewhere to leave your car during your stay.

  • Keep the momentum going and road-trip it to Cardiff, about 121 kilometres northwest of Bournemouth. First, visit Cardiff Castle, then spend some time at St. Fagans National Museum of History.

  • The only thing left to do now is hit the pillow. Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre by IHG and Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday have room for both you and your wheels while visiting Cardiff.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Bournemouth will set you back around R 891 per day or R 6,233 per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Bournemouth is a compact van or truck. The most popular is Compact, Commercial Van.

The cheapest car hire companies in Bournemouth are currently Keddy By Europcar and Europcar.

Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Bournemouth is currently May.

On average, around R 6,233. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Bournemouth is R 5,360.

Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Bournemouth for a whole month is R 24,506. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!

If you're looking for freedom to explore Bournemouth, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Bournemouth that have free cancellation

Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.

Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Bournemouth.

Most places – Bournemouth included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 

The cheapest price we found for an economy car is R 852 per day. The average price per day is around R 1,967.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Keddy By Europcar, Switch and Enterprise offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Europcar as the best overall in terms of experience.

Yes – van hire is available in Bournemouth.