West Midlands car rentals
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Cheap car rentals in West Midlands
Top tips for renting a car in West Midlands
- The West Midlands is the second largest county in England by population, smaller only than the population of Greater London. It’s a large and diverse county that contains cities and towns such as Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Sollihull and Dudley. Consequently, the road and motorway network to connect all of these places is highly developed, and a quick way to get around the county is by car. Three major motorways (the M5, the M6 and the M42) are the dominant routes, with many major A-roads linking off these. There is plenty of local public transport, including buses, trams and trains, but if you intend to criss-cross the county, taking in its many towns and cities and other attractions, then a car will get you there more quickly and more comfortably than most other ways to travel.
- Like the rest of the UK, the West Midlands drives on the left-hand side and overtakes on the right. Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants and young children need to be in a car seat. Most of the hire car companies will be able to supply you with a car seat as an added extra when you book. Before you choose your preferred company, it’s worth checking that this is possible, or you may need to bring your own, which can be very inconvenient.
- A smaller city car will be ideal for a driving tour in the West Midlands. The county is packed with attractions, and getting there on the excellent road network is very straightforward. Unless you have a big family, you won’t need a large car to enjoy the region.
- If you prefer not to drive or park in big cities like Birmingham and Coventry, there are many park and ride facilities all along the transport network in the West Midlands, allowing you to park your car and continue your journey to the city centre by public transport.
- Book your rental car in West Midlands at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Compact rental cars in West Midlands are around 55% more expensive than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in West Midlands
Should I rent a car in West Midlands?
The West Midlands is very well connected by road, and this makes the option of car hire very attractive. There are also many smaller attractions away from the main motorways and cities that are harder to get to if you don’t have a car. For example, you might want to visit Black Country Living Museum or the limestone caverns, both in Dudley. Or possibly travel onward to Stratford-on-Avon to see the birthplace of Shakespeare. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is said to contain the most important pre-Raphaelite art in the world, while The New Art Gallery Walsall houses work by William Blake, Van Gogh and Monet. Unfortunately, each of these attractions are quite distant from each other, so without a car, you can’t really experience the full flavour of the county.
What is driving like in West Midlands?
The road quality in the West Midlands is generally very good. The roads are well maintained, and while they may seem complicated in parts to anyone unfamiliar with them, they do work. The M6 Toll is an additional section of the M6 motorway and known on road signs as the Midland Expressway, which connects Junction 3a with Junction 11a at Wolverhampton. You can avoid it by staying on the untolled M6 to save on the toll.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in West Midlands?
To hire a car in the UK, you need to be at least 21 years old, and some companies will require that you are 23. Drivers under the age of 25 will generally receive a daily surcharge; this surcharge may also be extended by some companies to older drivers above the age of 70. All EU and, naturally, UK driving licences are acceptable. If your licence is from a country in which the local script is anything other than Latin, you should also get an international driving permit.
What is the most popular rental car in West Midlands?
Compact (Seat Leon ST or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in West Midlands.
How can I find car rentals near me in West Midlands?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
Car rental locations in West Midlands
Car rental directory
Sunnycars car rental locations in West Midlands
24 Locations
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car rental locations in West Midlands
23 Locations
keddy by Europcar car rental locations in West Midlands
14 Locations
Firefly car rental locations in West Midlands
10 Locations
Free2Move car rental locations in West Midlands
9 Locations
Europcar car rental locations in West Midlands
8 Locations
Thrifty car rental locations in West Midlands
8 Locations
GREEN MOTION car rental locations in West Midlands
7 Locations
Hertz car rental locations in West Midlands
7 Locations
Budget car rental locations in West Midlands
5 Locations
Easirent car rental locations in West Midlands
5 Locations
Routes Car & Truck Rentals car rental locations in West Midlands
5 Locations
Good to know
Most popular car type | Compact |
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