Sunderland car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Useful Info
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Cheap car hire in Sunderland

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
M
Full-size car
Full-size
M
Luxury car
Luxury
M
People carrier car
People carrier
M
Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
Commercial car
Commercial
M
Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
M
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Economy

When to book a car hire in Sunderland

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Sunderland

  • Car hire in Sunderland is one of the most versatile and advantageous modes of transport with which to explore the city, and the most affordable means of roaming the enormous stretch of coastline along the North Sea. Hartlepool lies about 22 miles south on the A19 and Scarborough is a further 64 miles via the A171 on the outskirts of North York Moors National Park.
  • If you pick up a car hire in Sunderland at Newcastle Airport (NCL), you’re only 22 miles from the city centre, making this location the most convenient if you or a member of your party is arriving by plane. The airport’s Car Hire Centre is also conveniently situated just outside the Domestic Arrivals exit, so you should have little problem finding it.
  • The A1231 and A1018 create a ring road around the inner city and are both congestion hazards for inbound and outbound traffic during morning and evening rush hours. Within the city centre area, there are two major junctions north and south of the University of Sunderland City Campus. These should be of particular concern due to high levels of vehicular, cycle and pedestrian activity, which will present traffic complications from Monday to Friday.
  • Ordinary morning rush hour traffic (between 07:00 and 09:00) is most problematic on the ring road and the A1290/A1018 hub in the Monkwearmouth district across the River Wear. Avoid the area around the university during afternoon lunch hours from 13:00 to 15:00 and expect another period of congestion along all primary roads during the evening rush hours from 18:00 to 21:00. A690 traffic from the city centre through the Thornhill and Humbledon Hill sections may also pose problems, so keep a sat nav handy in case you need an alternative route.
  • In order to get a hire car in Sunderland, you have to be over 21 years of age. However, you should know that the vast majority of providers may impose young driver fees on persons below the age of 25 and senior fees on those over age 70. Making a booking before you arrive in the city increases the chances of you getting the vehicle you want for the trip and any extras you may need to make driving around the city more satisfying. Browse the areas where Sunderland car hire providers are located, then choose a convenient place to pick up your vehicle.
  • Choosing a convenient location for cheap car hire in Sunderland should depend on where you enter the city and the location of your accommodation. There are no provider offices in the city centre, but there’s a Hertz office not far from Sunderland City Hall, while Enterprise and Europcar have offices just across River Wear, near the A1018. You can also find a couple of local dealerships in Southwick (Free2Move), near Riverside Park (Hertz, Firefly) and in the vicinity of Sunderland Docks (Sunnycars, Keddy by Europcar and Europcar).
  • If you’ve never hired a vehicle before, there are a few things you should know. For instance, UK drivers must bring their valid driver’s licence, proof of address and proof of insurance. Foreign visitors will need to also show a passport with a return ticket, and we recommend all non-Europeans carry an International Driving Permit as well. All persons with advance bookings should have the confirmation details and produce the identical card used to secure the reservation. Many providers also permit the use of bank debit cards as a convenience to customers.
  • Book your car hire in Sunderland at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Compact hire cars in Sunderland are around 43% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Sunderland

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

    Choosing a small economy car or late model compact is easy to manage, fuel efficient and affordable. Still, neither may be a practical choice if you’re travelling with a party of five or more. Avoid that cramped feeling with a standard saloon or people carrier, which offer more space for more comfortable road adventures.

  • What’s the speed limit in Sunderland?

    The legal speed limit within the Sunderland city limits is 30mph, but there are areas where reduced speed limits apply. You should therefore pay attention to road signs when driving around residential neighbourhoods and school districts. Along the A690, A1018 and A1231, you can drive at speeds from 40mph-50mph along specific stretches, especially when you are well clear of the city and other heavily populated districts.

  • Where are the best places to park in Sunderland?

    Sunderland City Council allows for on-street parking along several of its streets, some of which include parking for disabled persons. These are of the pay and display variety and tariffs range from about £1.30 to £2 per hour until 15:00 from Monday to Friday, after which time parking is free throughout the city. The Council also maintains nearly a dozen car parks, mainly around the city centre and seafront, for recreational purposes. Tariffs at these car parks vary from £0.80 to £1.50 per hour or a flat rate of around £3.50 or £5 to park your Sunderland car hire for the day. Seafront parking rates are around £0.60 per hour and £3 to park all day. As with on-street parking, these are also on a pay and display basis.

  • How much is the price of fuel in Sunderland?

    The average price of fuel in Sunderland is €5.78 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between €69 and €92, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Sunderland?

    Economy (Class Economy Car or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Sunderland.

  • Which car hire agencies are at Newcastle airport (NCL)?

    Car hire companies onsite at Newcastle airport include Alamo, Budget and Sixt.

  • Which car hire companies will pick you up at Newcastle airport (NCL)?

    Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Newcastle airport to off-airport locations include GREEN MOTION, Alamo, Budget and Sixt.

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

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

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

    An Economy car hire in Sunderland costs €24 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Sunderland?

    An Intermediate car hire in Sunderland costs €64 per day, on average.

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

    A Mini car hire in Sunderland costs €28 per day, on average.

  • What low-emission zones are there in Sunderland?

    There are no dedicated Ultra-Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ) or congestion zones where vehicular traffic is generally prohibited in Sunderland, so you can pretty much use cheap car hire in Sunderland to get anywhere around the city.

  • What road trips are recommended from Sunderland?

    There’s nothing like an extended drive to appreciate the coastal region of the North Sea, and we think the trip to Edinburgh does exactly that. The A1 takes you all the way there, and you’ll have opportunities to make a brief detour to Newcastle or visit historic Bamburg Castle along the way. Several protected areas, including nature reserves, areas of natural beauty as well as beaches, add texture to the panorama as far as Berwick-upon-Tweed before you turn inland towards the Scottish capital.

Sunderland 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.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.0

Very Good

2 locations in Sunderland

Show locations

Locations in Sunderland

Newcastle Road

+44 191 563 4508

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

North Bridge Street

+44 191 567 9200

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

Europcar

7.0

Good

One location in Sunderland

Show locations

Locations in Sunderland

Pallion Way

+44 371 384 3455

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

6.9

Okay

2 locations in Sunderland

Show locations

Locations in Sunderland

Fleet Centre, Brook Street, Sheepfolds Industrial Estate

+44 371 384 3455

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00

Pallion Way

+44 371 384 3455

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Routes Car & Truck Rentals

3.7

Poor

One location in Sunderland

Show locations

Locations in Sunderland

Fleet Centre Brook Street,sheepfolds Industrial Estate,sunderland

+44 371 384 3455

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Free2Move

No score available yet

2 locations in Sunderland

Show locations

Locations in Sunderland

Alexandra Avenue

+44 191 357 4960

Monday09:00 - 12:00
Tuesday09:00 - 12:00
Wednesday09:00 - 12:00
Thursday09:00 - 12:00
Friday09:00 - 12:00

Ferryboat Lane

Monday09:00 - 12:00
Tuesday09:00 - 12:00
Wednesday09:00 - 12:00
Thursday09:00 - 12:00
Friday09:00 - 12:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday11:00 - 16:00

Filters

No reviews available

Firefly

No score available yet

One location in Sunderland

Show locations

Locations in Sunderland

Industrial Road 11

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in Sunderland

Locations in Sunderland

Pallion Way

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Car hire locations in or near Sunderland

Car hire insurance in Sunderland

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver

Some Sunderland 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 Sunderland.

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 Sunderland car hire.

Sunderland car hire information

Pick-up locationSunderland
Car types
Hire locations8
Airport locations0

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