Car Rentals in Birmingham, GBR

Reasons to book a car hire in and around Birmingham

Renting a car in Birmingham offers the freedom and flexibility to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace. With a rental vehicle, you can easily manage your luggage while visiting various attractions, such as Broad Street, which is ideal for city experiences, and the Black Country Living Museum, perfect for those interested in cultural experiences. Families will appreciate the convenience of having a car to visit Coombe Abbey Country Park, an urban park that caters to outdoor and family activities.

A rental car also allows you to venture to nearby destinations like Coventry, where you can explore the historic Coventry Cathedral and Warwick Castle. The Birmingham City Centre is within easy reach, featuring highlights like Brindleyplace and Victoria Square. Additionally, Solihull offers attractions such as the National Motorcycle Museum and Blythe Valley Park. With a rental car, you can create flexible travel plans that suit your needs, whether you are travelling for business, entertainment, or family outings, ensuring a more enjoyable and convenient experience in and around Birmingham.

Most popular car hires in Birmingham

• Compact: This car type is perfect for accommodating 5 travellers with up to 3 medium suitcases. The compact design makes it ideal for solo travellers, couples, or families exploring Birmingham. Its smaller size is advantageous for navigating the city’s streets and finding parking easily, allowing for a stress-free experience while managing your luggage.
• Midsize SUV: Suitable for 5 travellers and capable of holding up to 3 large suitcases, the midsize SUV is an excellent choice for families, couples, or small groups. This vehicle offers more space and comfort, making it ideal for those planning longer trips around Birmingham. Its versatility allows for easy movement through urban areas while providing ample room for passengers and their belongings.
• Economy: The economy car option accommodates 5 travellers with up to 2 medium suitcases, making it a practical choice for solo adventurers, couples, or families. This type of vehicle is designed to be budget-friendly while providing the freedom to explore Birmingham and its surroundings. Its efficient fuel consumption further enhances its appeal for those looking to travel economically.

Top rated car suppliers in Birmingham

• Alamo Rent A Car: With one rental location in Birmingham, Alamo is well-regarded for its friendly service, making it a popular choice for travellers. Most customers favour the Compact SUV and Midsize SUV models, offering a comfortable and versatile driving experience as you explore the city and its surroundings at your leisure.
• Greenmotion: Also featuring a single rental location in Birmingham, Greenmotion is known for its excellent value for money. The most booked vehicles are Compact and Economy cars, ideal for navigating the bustling city streets or making trips to nearby attractions without breaking the bank.
• Budget: With one conveniently located rental outlet in Birmingham, Budget provides great value for those seeking affordable car hire options. Popular choices include the Compact SUV and Economy models, allowing you to tailor your journey to your specific needs while enjoying the flexibility of having your own vehicle.

Where to stay in Birmingham

• Coventry: Coventry offers a blend of family-friendly activities and cultural experiences. It is home to attractions like the Coombe Abbey Country Park, perfect for outdoor holidays, and the historic Coventry Cathedral, ideal for culture enthusiasts. Visitors can also explore the impressive Warwick Castle, which adds a touch of romance to any stay. The city features various dining options, including sweet treats and local distilleries, making it a delightful stop during your travels.
• Birmingham City Centre: The vibrant Birmingham City Centre is a hub for family outings and business events. Visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment options, including theatres and arena facilities, alongside a bustling shopping scene. Key highlights include Brindleyplace and Broad Street, both suitable for city exploration, as well as the picturesque Victoria Square, which is rich in culture. The area is also filled with eateries offering sweet delights and local breweries to unwind after a day of exploration.
• Solihull: Solihull is an engaging city, appealing to families and business travellers alike. With its array of arena entertainment facilities and shopping centres, it caters to diverse interests. Notable attractions include the National Motorcycle Museum, a cultural gem for families, and Blythe Valley Park, a lovely urban park suitable for outdoor activities. Solihull's food scene features local distilleries and sweet treat options, ensuring a fulfilling experience during your stay.

10 tips to save on your car hire in and around Birmingham

1. Use filters to find the right car: Refine your search by selecting vehicle type and specific features. Whether you require an SUV for additional space, a convertible for summer drives, or an economy car for budget-friendliness, utilise the filters on Expedia to discover the ideal option for your journey.
2. Book in advance to help lower costs: Rental prices vary according to demand, so it’s advisable to secure your car well ahead of your trip. By booking in advance, you are likely to obtain lower rates and better availability, particularly during peak seasons.
3. Consider a smaller car for savings: Compact vehicles are typically less expensive to rent and easier to manoeuvre in busy locations. Mid-size rentals offer a good compromise between cost, comfort, and fuel efficiency.
4. Age guidelines: Drivers under 30 may encounter higher deposits or daily surcharges, and certain types of vehicles—such as SUVs or premium models—may be unavailable. This could also apply to renters over 70. Always verify the age requirements before making a reservation.
5. Check fuel policies: Some rental agreements stipulate a full-to-full fuel policy, which means you must return the car with a full tank to avoid additional charges. This is generally the most advantageous option. Others may provide full-to-empty or prepaid fuel options, which are acceptable as well; just ensure you return the vehicle empty in that case.
6. Save on city and airport pickups: You may often incur a surcharge for collecting your rental car at airports, but the convenience might justify the extra cost.
7. Know your payment options: Many car hire companies exclusively accept credit cards for payment.
8. Understand your insurance coverage: Car hire insurance can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and provides peace of mind should something unforeseen occur during your trip. Adding car hire insurance when booking with Expedia is straightforward.
9. Consider unlimited mileage: If you plan on taking long road trips, seek out rentals that offer unlimited mileage to prevent incurring extra charges.
10. Bring your driver's license and ID: A valid driver's license is essential for renting a car.

Best time to rent a car in and around Birmingham

The best value time to rent a car in and around Birmingham is January and February, when prices are slightly low and demand is also relatively low. Following these months, March and April present average prices and demand, making them decent choices as well. However, things change in August, which tends to be the most expensive month with high demand as summer holidays peak. July also sees elevated prices and demand, positioning it as a busy time for rentals.

Calendar Month	Temperature	Precipitation	Cloudiness	Demand	Pricing
January	39.0°F (3.9°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Average	Slightly Low
February	40.1°F (4.5°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly Low	Slightly Low
March	43.0°F (6.1°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly High	Average
April	46.9°F (8.3°C)	No Rain (Dry)	Mostly Cloudy	Average	Average
May	52.3°F (11.3°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly High	Average
June	58.1°F (14.5°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Average	Slightly High
July	61.5°F (16.4°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly High	Slightly High
August	60.8°F (16.0°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Average	Slightly High
September	57.2°F (14.0°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Average	Average
October	51.6°F (10.9°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly Low	Average
November	45.0°F (7.2°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Slightly Low	Slightly Low
December	41.0°F (5.0°C)	Light Rain	Mostly Cloudy	Average	Average

Car hire prices in Birmingham

The cost of car hire in Birmingham varies depending on when you travel and the type of car you choose. However, summer prices start at £14*. To unlock greater savings, travel off-season when prices drop. Renting a car in Birmingham will give you the independence to explore the UK's second-biggest city on your own schedule. See the historic Roundhouse building, wander the canal quarter, or take a drive to the Moseley Bog nature reserve where author JRR Tolkien once lived.

Finding some of the best deals for cheap car hire in Birmingham

To find brilliant Birmingham car hire deals search Expedia's platform. Just enter your trip dates and where you want to pick up your vehicle and you can then browse through numerous Birmingham rental cars. Refine your search by car type or select an electric car hire, like the Nissan Leaf Electric or similar to avoid the congestion zone charges in the city. On the left side of your search screen, you'll find an option for "Great Deal" under "Exclusive Offers" where you'll see some of the best prices available including cheap car hire in Birmingham.

Some of the best car hire companies in Birmingham

When you hire a car in Birmingham with Expedia, you'll have lots of options with major rental brands like Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and more available. Narrow down your search by your preferred company or leave this option blank and compare all the car hire companies on offer to find cheap car hires in Birmingham.

Some of the best places to hire a car in Birmingham

You can rent your car right at Birmingham airport to get going as soon as you land or you can pick your vehicle up in the suburbs, such as in Edgbaston, or Birmingham city centre. Just make sure you consider the total cost including any travel expenses to get to your car hire pick-up location to make sure you get a deal.

Birmingham car rental types

You can choose from a large range of vehicles when you search car hires in Birmingham including compact cars perfect for zipping around the city. If you have large suitcases, are bringing the whole family along, or are planning to shop until you drop then a larger car, like an SUV with plenty of cargo space, might work better. For special occasions or if you just fancy treating yourself to an upgrade choose a luxury car hire in Birmingham like a Mercedes-Benz E-Class or an Audi Q5 for an elevated experience. The type of car you choose is up to you but keep in mind how long you'll be using the vehicle, how many passengers will be joining you and your budget to make the right decision.

Advice on car hire in Birmingham

To hire a car in Birmingham, British citizens just need their driver's licence and a credit card. Visitors from other countries may also need to provide an International Driving Permit if their driving licence is in a language other than English and proof of their travel home.

One-way and long-term car hire in Birmingham

On the Expedia search page click "Add a different drop-off location" to search by different cities, airports or addresses. This works out well if Birmingham is just one stop on a longer road trip through the West Midlands or if you are planning on continuing your journey north to Manchester, Leeds or Sheffield or south to London or the coast. Choose a long-term car hire in Birmingham if you plan to travel or stay for longer than a month.

Benefits of booking a car hire in Birmingham with Expedia

Expedia is your one-stop shop for all your travel needs including vehicle hire in Birmingham. Bundle your car hire, hotel, and flight bookings for savings and benefit from unlimited mileage on your car hire as well as free cancellation if you decide on a different route or itinerary.

*Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms may apply.