Car hire in Exeter, United Kingdom

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There are 23 car hire providers in Exeter. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Exeter

Hiring a car in Exeter: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyAlamo
Most popular carCompact, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceR 2,309
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Exeter

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 Exeter car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Exeter

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Exeter for an average of R 2,309 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching trusted rental companies, helping you find and book the best deal fast.

  • R 894 is the cheapest daily price listed for a rental in Exeter.

  • Planning to stay longer? Book a weekly rental from R 2,445 and say yes to more adventures.

  • Here's your inside scoop on when to book. Around two weeks in advance gives you better odds at securing the best price on a Exeter car hire.

  • Browse the offers available with Alamo, Hertz and Europcar. They rank among the city's most trusted providers.

  • Whether you go with Alamo or another supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your Exeter car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as a paid add-on.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to score a bargain if the provider needs to shift vehicles between branches. Discover the best available rates by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'

  • 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.

  • Explore without limits by picking a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you drive as far as you need without paying more.

Best value car hire options right now

  • Coming out on top for value is this company, with average prices of R 2,431 a day.

  • Next up is [this provider](this provider](https://www.skyscanner.co.za/car-hire/car-hire-with-provider/switch/4461)), offering daily rates of around R 1,591.

  • The third option also performs well on price. Ride away in one of their rentals for roughly R 2,019 a day.

  • The Compact rental category is a reliable option if you're not sure which wheels are right for you. It's also the vehicle type that's booked more than any other in Exeter.

Flying to Exeter? Think about an airport pick-up

  • Start your Exeter trip sooner by picking up a car hire at Exeter Airport. The city centre is about 11 kilometres away from this airport, which is a drive of around 20 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Exeter

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Exeter gives you the freedom to explore for less. These agile, fuel-efficient cars are excellent for short trips and city driving.

  • Medium: A solid choice when you want something that's easy to drive but with a few more features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a little extra leg space compared to smaller options.

  • Large: You've got the bags, the kids, the snacks, the lot. Large vehicles have got the space to handle it all effortlessly. Ideal for longer drives, this Exeter car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and better visibility of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're winding through tough terrain or zipping along smooth highways, many offer all-wheel drive to keep you steady on any road.

  • Van: Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Exeter makes short work of heavy loads and large groups. They're tough, versatile, and built to take on any task.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your Exeter car hire is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, you'll be glad to have it if something goes wrong. Keep in mind that insurance policies vary between providers, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.

  • Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Exeter by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to be your trusty co-pilot, or reverse cameras that take the pain out of parking.

Good to know

  • The minimum age to rent a vehicle 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 make sure you meet the requirements.

  • Add a car seat to your Exeter car hire booking if you're planning to travel with the kids. Regulations change from place to place, but using a child seat suited to their size, weight and age is always the safest approach.

  • Come prepared to keep the pick-up process smooth. You'll generally need your physical driver's licence (no digital copies) plus another photo ID. Also bring along a credit card with room for the security hold. If extra requirements apply, your booking will list them.

  • If you've never driven in the United Kingdom, remember that traffic here sticks to the left side of the road.

  • Local speed limits can vary, but it's typically around 40kph in built-up areas and 100kph or so on highways. Always check the posted signs.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in the United Kingdom is 0.08%. Since alcohol's effects vary from person to person, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink at all.

  • Around 5pm is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid busy hours generally for a smoother drive.

  • The British pound (GBP) is the currency you'll be using for general expenses and activities. Pay with a card where you can, and keep a little cash when electronic payments aren't available.

Best hotels in Exeter for drivers

  • Spend less time hunting for a parking spot and more time relaxing at The Salutation Inn. About 6 kilometres from central Exeter, it comes with parking, a restaurant and a golf course.

  • Red Lion also works well for a trip built around driving. It features parking, along with a teahouse and a restaurant. Base yourself here and you'll be roughly 8 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse the selection of hotels in Exeter for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find what works for you. You can even select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to include places with charging facilities.

  • After you've locked in a car hire deal in Exeter and your hotel, all that's left to do is decide where to head to first. Start your trip with popular attractions such as Exeter Cathedral, Exeter Guildhall and National Trust - Killerton.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Exeter

  • Around 88 kilometres north of central Exeter, Cardiff deserves a spot on your itinerary. Head straight for can't-miss sights like Cardiff Castle and St. Fagans National Museum of History.

  • Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre by IHG and Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday are recommended accommodation options with parking in Cardiff.

  • Alternatively, collect your cheap car hire in Exeter and then take off to Plymouth. Roughly 56 kilometres southwest of Exeter, Plymouth Sound and National Marine Aquarium are big attractions that are worth going out of your way for.

  • Leonardo Hotel Plymouth and Future Inn Plymouth are comfy places to stay in Plymouth if you're hanging around for a while. Book one of these and take the hassle out of finding a spot for your ride.

  • Looking to cover more ground? Bristol is a top road trip destination that's about 105 kilometres northeast of Exeter. Plan to make a few pit stops at Banksey and Clifton Suspension Bridge.

  • The only thing left on your to-do list now is sleep. Mercure Bristol Holland House and Future Inn Bristol have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Bristol.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Exeter will set you back around R 2,309 per day or R 8,280 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Exeter is a full-size van or truck. The most popular is Compact, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Exeter are currently Enterprise and Switch.
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 Exeter is currently June.
On average, around R 8,280. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Exeter is R 2,445.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Exeter for a whole month is R 38,582. 

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 Exeter, 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 Exeter 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 Exeter.
Most places – Exeter 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 1,043 per day. The average price per day is around R 2,031.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Alamo, Enterprise and Europcar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Enterprise as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Exeter.