Car hires in Bristol: practical information
Where to rent a car in Bristol
Bristol's rich maritime history and pomp make it one of the most visited cities in all of England, especially in summer. If you want to see anything outside of the city, the easiest way is by far with a cheap rent a car. From the airport you can pick up cars from Europcar, National, Hertz, Avis and Budget. If you arrive for the weekend, make sure you've reserved your car before you arrive, otherwise you risk being disappointed.
In the city centre you will find the major international players in and around Rupert Street and Nelson Street, both Budget and Avis. National and Europcar are located near Tyndalls Park while Thrifty's and Gullivers are near St. Philips Parish. Before you book your car, always compare prices for low cost car rentals especially between picking up at the airport or the city centre.
Parking in Bristol: what you should know
There is a lot of meter parking in Bristol, not to mention plenty of car parks. It can be difficult however to find parking in central Bristol for cheap, especially during peak times of the day. An alternative is to use the city's Park & Ride scheme and take the bus into the city.
The most ideal would be to park at your hotel in Bristol during the night and make good use of your rental car during the day by exploring places on the outskirts of the city and beyond. As for the car parks, expect to pay around £14/day, sometimes more. At the Pay & Display spots, it's around £1/hour, sometimes more and sometimes less.
Road trips from Bristol: what to do, what to see
It's good to note that getting in and out of Bristol is pretty easy, as long as you have more than one occupant. There are designated lanes for car pools. There are plenty of opportunities to get out of Bristol since it's surrounded by quaint towns and other cities with attractive sights to see and places of interest to visit during your holidays in Bristol.
- A stone's throw away: Bath, just a 30 minute drive away makes a great outing. This medium-sized city is famous for its Regency terraces and Roman remains. Not surprisingly, Bath is also known for its hot springs so make sure you swing by the Roman Baths.
- A little further: Just along the shore lies Weston-super-Mare, a quintessential stop for those seeking a little taste of the typical English seaside atmosphere. Look out across the Bristol Channel, walk along Weston Bay, lay out your towel on the sandy beach and in the evening catch a show at the Playhouse Theatre.
- A proper day-trip: Wells is a perfect place for a day trip since it's still relatively close, 45 minutes down the A37. It is officially the smallest city in England with a whopping 10,000 people. It's Gothic cathedral is an impressive focal point of the city. Stroll down Vicar's Close, believed to be one of the oldest streets in Europe that has been continuously inhabited. Nearby towns worth visiting: Cheddar (for obvious reasons), Glastonbury and Street.
