Bournemouth car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

KAYAK searches hundreds of sites at once for car hire deals in Bournemouth

Here is why travellers choose KAYAK

Save up to 40%Compare multiple travel sites with one search

Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees.

Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.

Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.

Car Rental Deals
Useful Info
Car Rental Deals

Cheap car hire in Bournemouth

Discover the best prices and deals for your travel.
Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
* These are the best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours and may change
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Compact

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Bournemouth car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Bournemouth with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in Bournemouth?

You should book your car hire in Bournemouth around 63 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best car hire company in Bournemouth?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Bournemouth are Europcar (7.3), keddy by Europcar (6.0, 1 review), and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.0).
Europcar
Europcar
Rated 7.3/10
keddy by Europcar
keddy by Europcar
Rated 6.0/10
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Rated 8.0/10
Avis
Avis
Rated 7.4/10

What is the most popular car to hire in Bournemouth?

Economy cars (Opel Corsa or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to hire in Bournemouth. Economy cars in Bournemouth cost €45/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as €29/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Bournemouth?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Bournemouth is November at an average cost of €31/day. April is the most expensive month to hire a car in Bournemouth when prices are €49/day on average, which tends to be 4% above the yearly average hire price for Bournemouth.

Which car hire company in Bournemouth has the most locations?

Europcar and keddy by Europcar operate 3 locations each in Bournemouth, more than any other car hire company.

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Bournemouth

  • Car hire in Bournemouth offers you the big advantage of not having to rely on public transport or a taxi service to get around whether you’re on holiday or in the city on business. It’s more efficient and offers far more flexibility. When you’re in Bournemouth you can use this to your benefit to drive out to all the local Dorset attractions, like Bournemouth Beach for a start. There’s also The Village, more formally known as Westbourne, a shorter drive from the town centre. For Bronze Age history, drive a little further out to Hengistbury Visitor Centre.
  • The nearest airport servicing Bournemouth is Southampton Airport. You can book car hire in Bournemouth from any number of top international and UK companies through KAYAK, and simply collect your vehicle right there at the airport. You’ll find all their offices inside the main airport terminal, and the parking areas where you’ll collect your vehicle are within easy walking distance from there.
  • The roads in Bournemouth are quite free-flowing, so you’ll have to exercise quite a bit of caution on them if you’re not accustomed to this kind of traffic. Pay special attention when you’re on the A338, which is the main route that runs through southern England. Also keep an eye out for groups of cyclists on the smaller roads. During the school terms you’ll find a lot of school-crossing patrols, so drive cautiously in areas where the schools are situated. There are also other traffic-calming measures in place, so essentially this is a town where a lot of emphasis is placed on sedate driving.
  • The main rush hours to avoid are slightly different to many other cities in the UK, in that they are a bit earlier. The worst time of the year for rush-hour congestion is during April, tailing off into May and June. Fridays are the busiest days in general, with rush hour peaking between 15:00 and 16:00. So remember when you’re planning your schedule that you can save up to 2h of travel time by avoiding these hours.
  • Mini hire cars in Bournemouth are around 60% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Bournemouth

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Bournemouth?

    Being a coastal resort town, you’ll find a range of different vehicles to be appropriate. If you’re just there for the sea and the sunshine, you won’t need much more than a compact car or an economy model to ferry yourself to and from the beaches and resort activity areas. If you’re intending to travel along the coast a bit more, then a sedan, an MPV or a 4x4 will do you well. You can also do it in more style with a sports car or a convertible model and enjoy the sea air with the top down. Have a look at the Bournemouth car hire options you have when booking through KAYAK.

  • What’s the speed limit in Bournemouth?

    Speed limits in Bournemouth, like many other UK cities and towns, vary according to the specific zone in which you’re driving, although there are no 20mph zones. The overall speed limit is 30mph in residential areas. Also be aware that the Dorset police road safety plan that applies to Bournemouth takes a "no excuse" approach to infringements.

  • Where are the best places to park in Bournemouth?

    Bournemouth Borough Council operates car parks located throughout the city, so you can pretty much have your pick no matter where you’re headed for. In the city centre you’ll find Berry Court Car Park and Richmond Gardens Car Park, for instance. Specific areas require parking permits, and you have various options here, such as evening and weekend permits. You can pay for parking using the city’s PayByPhone service for extra convenience. Prices are seasonal, ranging from £1.70 per hour in winter to £2.70 per hour in summer.

  • Which car hire agencies are at Heathrow airport (LHR)?

    Car hire companies onsite at Heathrow airport include GREEN MOTION, Budget, U-Save, Hertz, Avis and keddy by Europcar.

  • Which car hire companies will pick you up at Heathrow airport (LHR)?

    Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Heathrow airport to off-airport locations include GREEN MOTION, Budget, Sixt, Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Avis and National.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Bournemouth?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Compact car hire cost in Bournemouth?

    A Compact car hire in Bournemouth costs €36 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Economy car hire cost in Bournemouth?

    An Economy car hire in Bournemouth costs €33 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Mini car hire cost in Bournemouth?

    A Mini car hire in Bournemouth costs €16 per day, on average.

Bournemouth car rental reviews and directory

 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Europcar

7.3

Good

Cleanliness

7.3

Comfort

7.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.3

Value for money

7.3

3 locations in Bournemouth

Show locations

Locations in Bournemouth

Meet&greet - Car Rental Building

+44 371 384 3478

Opening times not available

Unit 2 520 Wallisdown Road

+44 371 384 5976

Opening times not available

Upper Station Approach

+44 371 384 3478

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

Cleanliness

6.0

Comfort

6.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

6.0

3 locations in Bournemouth

Show locations

Locations in Bournemouth

520, Wallisdown Road

Opening times not available

Car Rental Building- Bournemouth Airport

8713843402

Opening times not available

Upper Station Approach- Holdenhurst Road

+44 371 384 3478

Opening times not available

Filters

Reviews

6.0 Okay

Steve, Nov 2024

Compact SUV

KAYAK
It would have been better if I had got the car I booked online , very disappointed with the car given . Given a seat cupra instead of the vauxhall grandland I ordered & wife not comfortable getting in & out a very low vehicle. Will not use them again.

1 out of 1

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.0

Very Good

2 locations in Bournemouth

Show locations

Locations in Bournemouth

1374 Christchurch Rd

+44 1202 499700

Opening times not available

185-191 Charminster Road

+44 1202 747711

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

No reviews available

Avis

7.4

Good

One location in Bournemouth

Show locations

Locations in Bournemouth

33-39 Southcote Rd

+44 344 544 6040

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Hertz

6.9

Okay

One location in Bournemouth

Show locations

Locations in Bournemouth

Bournemouth Rail Stn

+44 843 309 3008

Monday08:30 - 17:30
Tuesday08:30 - 17:30
Wednesday08:30 - 17:30
Thursday08:30 - 17:30
Friday08:30 - 17:30
Saturday08:30 - 17:30
Sunday08:30 - 17:30

Filters

No reviews available

Easirent

4.9

Mediocre

One location in Bournemouth

Show locations

Locations in Bournemouth

Bournemouth Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

FLIZZR

7.4

Good

2 locations in Bournemouth

Locations in Bournemouth

1104 Christchurch Rd

+44 844 499 3399

Opening times not available

Bournemouth Airport International BOH

+44 844 499 3399

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Firefly

No score available yet

2 locations in Bournemouth

Locations in Bournemouth

Bournemouth Rail Stn

+44 843 309 3008

Opening times not available

Christchurch

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

INTERRENT

No score available yet

One location in Bournemouth

Locations in Bournemouth

Car Rental Office

+44 371 384 3402

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in Bournemouth

Locations in Bournemouth

Unit 2 520 Wallisdown Road

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

No score available yet

One location in Bournemouth

Locations in Bournemouth

Hinton Rd

+44 1202 291231

Monday08:30 - 17:30
Tuesday08:30 - 17:30
Wednesday08:30 - 17:30
Thursday08:30 - 17:30
Friday08:30 - 17:30

Filters

No reviews available

4 travellers who hired a car in Bournemouth gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.9

Car hire locations in or near Bournemouth

Travelling to a place near Bournemouth?

Hire a car at Bournemouth if you plan to visit one of these locations
Newmarket
Lewes
Chipping Norton
Amersham
Arundel
Lymington
Lyndhurst
Rye
Woodbridge
Bray
Newport
Farnham
Ely
Marlow
Beaconsfield
Burford
Hook
Littlehampton
Westcliff-on-Sea
Romsey

Car hire insurance in Bournemouth

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver

Some Bournemouth car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend always be aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Bournemouth.

Deductible

Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a no-deductible option to your Bournemouth car hire.

Bournemouth car hire information

Pick-up locationBournemouth
Car types
Hire locations20
Airport locations7

Not what you’re looking for? Find thousands of other hotels, flights, car hires and package deals with KAYAK.