Car hire Birmingham: tour the city in style and at ease with a rental

Car hires in Birmingham: practical information

Where to rent a car in Birmingham

Are you planning a holiday in Birmingham? If you plan to explore the surrounding regions of the city then you'll definitely need a car rental. At the airport, travellers have several options: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and National. You will find cheap car rentals at the airport, but sometimes the better deals are found in the city centre.

Always compare car hire offers before choosing, there may be a better deal with the same company at a different location, especially between the airport and the city centre. Along the A38, Bristol Street and the Suffolk Street Queensway you will find Greenmotion Vehicle Rental, Enterprise, Budget, Avis and Europcar.

Driving in Birmingham: parking and other tips

There are more than 24,000 parking spots in Birmingham so the chances of you finding one to park your rental car are pretty good. There is a wide choice of car parks as well as on-street parking. On the main roads, look out for illuminated signs which display how many spaces are available at the nearby car parks. In some spaces you can even pay by phone, although you do need to register beforehand on the internet.

Some car parks are only open during weekdays while others are open 24/7. Daily rates range from £5.00/day to around Birmingham £19.00/day. If you find a free place on the street, you can expect to pay around £2/hour.

Road trips from Birmingham: what to do, what to see

Cadbury World

Love chocolate? Take a ride to the Cadbury World! Take a tour and don't leave without a few samplings of without a doubt the most famous chocolate in England. Cadbury World features 14 zones which take you through one chocolatey exhibit to the next showing visitors everything from the history of Cadbury to a multi-senseory cinema. Why not craft your own chocolatey creation too? You can do it all at Cadbury World and what a tasty way to enjoy your holidays in Birmingham!

Ironbridge

Not far from Birmingham, Ironbridge is a small town along the River Severn. The town's namesake bridge was built in the 1779 out of cast iron and spans the river. There are a few small museums in the town as well, some great hiking in the surrounding countryside and gorge. Today the 30m bridge is part of an UNESCO World Heritage Sight that also includes the nearby woodland and gorge.

London

Driving from Birmingham down to London will take you a mere 2 hours by car, a great way to catch some sights on a weekend or overnight. Head right into Westminster, or enjoy a slower pace in the boroughs along the Thames, Richmond for example. There is no shortage of attractions in London from a tour of Westminster Abbey to the perfect view from atop the Eye and rounds at the country's best museums, Tate Modern, British Museum and the V&A.