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Why rent a car in Birmingham?

Situated in the West Midlands region, Birmingham is the second largest city in Britain after London. It flourished as a manufacturing powerhouse during the Industrial Revolution, and an extensive system of picturesque canals from that era is still in use offering waterside attractions. The city’s museums and galleries are outstanding and the gastronomic choices extensive.

With a car hire at Birmingham Airport you can cover far more sights in and around the city. Have an indulgent ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ experience at the Cadbury’s factory in Cadbury World four miles south of the city centre. Alternatively, take a royal tour through medieval towers and dungeons at Warwick Castle, 40 minutes away. Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, is less than an hour south, for a Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) production.

How to get to and around Birmingham?

Birmingham city is served by Birmingham Airport, 12 miles from the centre. A two-minute Air-Rail Link monorail takes you to Birmingham International Station, from where there are train connections to central Birmingham and other major UK cities.

With a cheap car hire in Birmingham Airport, however, you’ll be in the city centre in less than 20 minutes. Other nearby airports are East Midlands Airport (42 miles) and Gloucestershire Airport (49 miles), where you can also hire a car.

London is less than two hours and a half southeast and Bristol and hour and 40 minutes southwest. Travelling north on the M1, Sheffield is an hour and 40 minutes away.

Hiring a car in Birmingham city centre

To rent a car in Birmingham, use the Expedia car hire tool to find one that suits your needs.

Birmingham is located at the heart of the UK motorway network, off junction six of the M42, providing easy access to all major UK cities, but traffic can be heavy. The city centre has 25,000 parking spaces with higher demand at weekends. The area is also served by the M6, England’s only toll motorway, convenient for shorter, less-congested journeys to the north.

What brands are available?

A wide choice of car hire brands are at your disposal in Birmingham. You can choose from the following:

Must-sees within an easy drive of Birmingham

Clevedon in Somerset, by junction 20 of the M5 motorway, is a beautiful seaside town overlooking the Severn estuary. Enjoy the views as you stroll down the Grade I-listed Victorian Clevedon Pier. In the town centre, watch a movie at the Curzon Cinema, the world’s oldest purpose-built cinema.

A journey of an hour and 20 minutes takes you to the medieval Powis Castle in Powys, on the Welsh border. It was once the fortified home of the Princes of Powys and holds an amazing collection of paintings, sculptures, furniture and tapestry. It also has a museum with Indian artefacts and a luscious multi-layered garden.

Bath, with its Roman Baths, is a couple of hours southwest on the M5. For some of the most impressive samples of Georgian architecture in the country, see the Bath Abbey and the Royal Crescent’s terraced houses.

Tips and tricks for driving in the UK

In the UK you must drive on the left-hand side and overtake on the outside right lane on motorways. On roundabouts, cars on the right have priority. Hire cars usually come with manual transmission; if you prefer a vehicle with automatic transmission, request one upon booking.

Wearing seatbelts is mandatory and use of mobile phones while driving prohibited. Keep your driver’s licence always at hand, along with your ID (passport) and insurance papers. Licences issued in the EU or EEA are recognised but international licences are also accepted.

Ready to plan your Birmingham city break?

Ready to start planning your trip to Birmingham and other parts of the UK? Use this city guide and the Expedia search tool to find the best car hire, flight and hotel deals and research your preferred attractions and activities.

Experience the Convenience of Car Rental

With your hire car you can follow your heart and discover what matters to you. The Birmingham area caters for all tastes, so whether you want to splash some cash in the high-end department stores of the Bullring shopping complex, or would prefer to head to an unspoilt village in rural Warwickshire for cream tea, you can take the route you want, when you want to.

Beyond Birmingham

Pick up your car rental and you’re ready for adventure. A short drive south of Birmingham Airport takes you to spectacular Warwick Castle. Located deep in the countryside, this medieval castle hosts a range of events that bring its history to life. Watch falconry displays and discover more about the gruesome goings on in the dungeon during a day trip, or book in and stay a night or two in the Medieval Glamping Village.