Reading car hire

Driver's age: 25-65

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Cheap car hire in Reading

Medium car
Medium
Luxury car
Luxury
Commercial car
Commercial
Pickup truck car
Pickup truck
Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Reading car hire

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

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

You should book your car hire in Reading around 45 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the most popular car to hire in Reading?

Hires in the Medium category (Peugeot 5008 or similar) are the most popular option in Reading, costing €85/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as €41/day.

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

The cheapest month to hire a car in Reading is January at an average cost of €22/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Reading when prices are €57/day on average, which tends to be 30% above the yearly average hire price for Reading.

Reading car hire price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right car hire in Reading by comparing prices across vehicle types.

Small cars

€21 - €42

All Car Types

€41 - €71

How much does it cost to hire a small car in Reading?

How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Reading?

How much does it cost to hire a large car in Reading?

How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Reading?

How much does it cost to hire a van in Reading?

How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Reading?

Small car hire in Reading typically costs around €30 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average €21 per day, which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 45% cheaper than the average car hire in Reading, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

Medium car hire in Reading typically costs around €53 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average €42 per day, which is about 21% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 2% cheaper than the average car hire in Reading, offering a good balance of space and value.

Large car hire in Reading typically costs around €75 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average €60 per day, which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 28% more expensive than the average car hire in Reading but offer more comfort for longer trips.

SUV hire in Reading typically costs around €60 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average €41 per day, which is about 32% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 10% more expensive than the average car hire in Reading but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.

Van hire in Reading typically costs around €86 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average €64 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 38% more expensive than the average car hire in Reading but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.

Luxury car hire in Reading typically costs around €84 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average €62 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 36% more expensive than the average car hire in Reading but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.

Good to know

Most popular car type

Medium

Reading car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travellers who hired a car in Reading 
GilesJul 2023
There appears to be a major vehicle shortage in Reading and only Enterprise were able to commit to providing, and then actually provide a vehicle of any kind.
Verified travelerJul 2023
Driving was fine, I travel to the UK often.
Verified travelerJul 2023
Expect to pay for additional driver.

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Reading

  • Visiting Berkshire and seeing its many tourist attractions is much easier if you book car hire in Reading. And there really are some superb places to visit. The quaintest of all is the Museum of English Rural Life in the city centre, but venture further out and you’ll find plenty of other gems. A mere 10 miles from town is the ancient English settlement of Silchester, built in the 1st century by the Romans. There’s also Caversham Court with its enchanting gardens on the north bank of the Thames where it flows through the outskirts of the city.
  • If you’re flying in, the nearest airport that services Reading is London Heathrow Airport (LHR), which is just over 22 miles away. All the car hire desks are situated in Heathrow’s Terminals 2 to 5, and you can then take a free shuttle to the actual parking area to collect your Reading hire car. To do this from Terminal 2 or 3, go to the central bus station. Terminals 4 and 5 have shuttle departure points just outside Arrivals. All the major brands are represented, including Avis, Europcar, SIXT and Hertz. You’ll then have about a 45-minute drive to Reading itself.
  • Be particularly careful when driving on the main Inner Distribution Road (IDR) through the city. There are numerous points on the road where it’s easy to become disorientated or where you need to be aware of concealed entrances. Pay special attention when coming from the Broad Street Mall car park on to the Castle Hill section of the IDR, as you can’t see the oncoming traffic until it’s virtually on top of you. Keep your wits about you on the A4074 too: although it’s a wide and generally safe road, it encourages speeding and sometimes reckless driving.
  • The worst times to drive in Reading are during the week between 08:00 and 09:00. The evening rush hour isn’t quite as bad, although getting caught up in either of them will most likely add up to 20min to your trip. Once again, it’s the main IDR that is the source of most of the gridlock, so if you avoid the road at those times, you’ll find that your driving experience in Reading is a lot more pleasant.
  • Small hire cars in Reading are around 44% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Reading

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

    When you’re booking car hire in Reading, you’d be well advised to get a vehicle that is just big enough for your needs, especially if you’re intending to spend a lot of time in the centre of town. Choose a smaller economy car or a compact model, or perhaps a small MPV if you can. If you want more luxury, a smaller saloon will do the trick. Once you’re away from the city centre and driving out to the rural areas around it, you can take advantage of something roomier, like a luxury saloon or a more sizeable 4x4.

  • What’s the speed limit in Reading?

    The speed limits can vary in Reading, with the usual speed limit set at 30mph. Other roads have had their speed limits reduced to 20mph. Make sure you check for signs when you’re driving on roads like Portman Road, where the speed limit has been reduced from 40mph to 30mph. Also keep an eye out for speed cameras near where Portman Road intersects with Chester Mews and Bridgewater Close.

  • Where are the best places to park in Reading?

    In Reading itself you can park in any number of Reading Borough Council car parks. These include ones at Broad Street Mall in the city centre, on Queen’s Road about a mile away from it, and on Recreation Road, from where it’s roughly a 15-minute bus ride into downtown Reading. Prices average out at around £1 per hour, with some of them offering the first 30min for free.

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

    Car hire companies onsite at Heathrow airport include U-Save, Dollar, FlexWays, Allegiance, Arnold Clark, SURPRICE CAR RENTAL and Final Rentals.

  • Which car hire agencies are at Gatwick airport (LGW)?

    Car hire companies onsite at Gatwick airport include U-Save, Dollar and Goldcar Rental SP.

  • 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 Dollar, National and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

  • Which car hire companies will pick you up at Gatwick airport (LGW)?

    Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Gatwick airport to off-airport locations include Dollar, National and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

  • Which car hire companies will pick you up at Stansted airport (STN)?

    Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Stansted airport to off-airport locations include Dollar, National and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

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

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

  • How much does a Medium car hire cost in Reading?

    A Medium car hire in Reading costs €89 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Small car hire cost in Reading?

    A Small car hire in Reading costs €49 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Luxury car hire cost in Reading?

    A Luxury car hire in Reading costs €132 per day, on average.

Reading 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.

Sixt

10.0

Wonderful

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Reading

Locations in Reading

Fronting Rose Kiln Lane

+44 20 7018 8246

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 14:00

Filters

No reviews available

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.3

Good

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.6

Value for money

7.3

3 locations in Reading

Locations in Reading

171 Basingstoke Rd

+44 118 975 8200

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday10:00 - 15:00

Cow Lane

+44 118 956 9466

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday

Qpark Car Park, Chatham Street

+44 118 956 0777

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

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2023

Intermediate

KAYAK
Doing better. You could have been honest and truthful about the charges. I really think I should warn others on social media to avoid your company.

1 out of 1

Hertz

6.4

Okay

Cleanliness

6.4

Comfort

6.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

6.4

One location in Reading

Locations in Reading

131 Wokingham Road

+44 118 324 0558

Monday08:30 - 17:30
Tuesday08:30 - 17:30
Wednesday08:30 - 17:30
Thursday08:30 - 17:30
Friday08:30 - 17:30
Saturday08:30 - 12:30

Filters

No reviews available

Europcar

2.0

Poor

Cleanliness

2.0

Comfort

2.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

2.0

Value for money

2.0

One location in Reading

Locations in Reading

6-8 Commercial Road

+44 371 384 9952

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

National

8.4

Very Good

One location in Reading

Locations in Reading

Cow Lane

+44 118 956 9466

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Budget

7.3

Good

One location in Reading

Locations in Reading

45 Caversham Road

+44 344 544 9736

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

6.8

Okay

One location in Reading

Locations in Reading

6-8 Commercial Rd

+44 371 384 9952

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday08:00 - 13:00

Filters

No reviews available

DRIVALIA

6.4

Okay

One location in Reading

Locations in Reading

200 Brook Dr

+44 800 075 8075

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

5.2

Fair

One location in Reading

Locations in Reading

131 Wokingham Road

+44 118 324 0558

Monday08:30 - 17:30
Tuesday08:30 - 17:30
Wednesday08:30 - 17:30
Thursday08:30 - 17:30
Friday08:30 - 17:30
Saturday08:30 - 12:30

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

5 locations in Reading

Locations in Reading

131 Wokingham Road

Opening times not available

6-8 Commercial Road

Opening times not available

Cow Lane

Opening times not available

Qpark Car Park, Chatman Street

Opening times not available

Regus-Green Park,200 Brook Dr

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Firefly

No score available yet

2 locations in Reading

Locations in Reading

131 Wokingham Road

+44 118 324 0558

Monday08:30 - 17:30
Tuesday08:30 - 17:30
Wednesday08:30 - 17:30
Thursday08:30 - 17:30
Friday08:30 - 17:30
Saturday08:30 - 12:30
Sunday10:00 - 16:00

25 Boulton Road

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Free2Move

No score available yet

2 locations in Reading

Locations in Reading

38 Portman Road

+44 118 939 4394

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 13:0013:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 13:0013:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 13:0013:00 - 15:00
Saturday08:00 - 12:00

Peppard Road

+44 118 972 1114

Monday13:00 - 16:0008:00 - 13:00
Tuesday13:00 - 16:0008:00 - 13:00
Wednesday08:00 - 13:0013:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 13:0013:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 13:0013:00 - 15:00
Saturday08:00 - 13:0013:00 - 15:00

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

No score available yet

2 locations in Reading

Locations in Reading

131 Wokingham Road

+44 118 324 0558

Monday08:30 - 17:30
Tuesday08:30 - 17:30
Wednesday08:30 - 17:30
Thursday08:30 - 17:30
Friday08:30 - 17:30
Saturday08:30 - 12:30

15 Trafford Rd

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

Filters

No reviews available

FLIZZR

No score available yet

One location in Reading

Locations in Reading

37B Caversham Rd

+44 844 499 3399

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

10 travellers who hired a car in Reading gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.2

Car hire locations in or near Reading

Car hire insurance in Reading

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver

Some Reading 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 Reading.

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 Reading car hire.

Reading car hire information

Pick-up locationReading
Car types
Hire locations23
Airport locations0