This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a KAYAK user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in Bedford with a pick-up date of 31/7 and drop-off date of 7/8. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Bedford with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in Bedford?
You should book your car hire in Bedford around 85 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car hire company in Bedford?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest hire cars were found at keddy by Europcar (£17.68/day), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (£20.94/day), and Europcar (£24.04/day). The cheapest car hire price was found at keddy by Europcar 171-175 Tavistock Street (0.5 mi from city centre).
What is the most popular car to hire in Bedford?
Hires in the Small category (Volkswagen Golf or similar) are the most popular option in Bedford, costing £28/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as £18/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Bedford?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Bedford is January at an average cost of £22/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Bedford when prices are £42/day on average, which tends to be 2% above the yearly average hire price for Bedford.
Which car hire company in Bedford has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 2 locations in Bedford, more than any other car hire company.
Explore Bedfordshire in the best way possible, with the flexibility that a car hire in Bedford gives you. Take in the local sites, as well as those further afield, at your own pace and don’t let public transport dictate your movements. Bedford car hire is perfect for if you are staying in the historic market town of Bedford and want to explore the countryside. You can take a 6-mile drive to the popular tourist area of Willington Dovecote and Stables in about 15min, which is quicker than other modes of transport.
The closest international airport to Bedford is in Luton, which is approximately 18 miles from the town centre. At London Luton (LTN), you will find a great selection of car rental companies for your onward journey. Pick between companies such as Avis, Enterprise and Hertz, which are all located in the Car Hire Centre just a short shuttle bus journey away from the terminal entrance. At the airport, the free shuttle bus will arrive at Bay C outside the airport arrivals door of the terminal building, before taking you to the Car Hire Centre.
As towns go, Bedford is quite large, so having a car to explore the tourist sites is definitely beneficial. You might want to consider adding a navigation system to your Bedford car hire to ensure you don’t take a wrong turn. Due to its popularity as a market town, the streets can get busy with visitors, so be careful of any tourists who are looking at the buildings and not taking notice of the oncoming traffic. You may also notice a larger amount of cyclists down by the Embankment, so care should be taken when driving along the river.
During rush hour, which is normally between 8:00 and 9:00 and 17:00 and 18:00, traffic increases as a result of locals going to and from work. It’s advisable to try planning your travel around these times to avoid any delays. Weekends also get very busy with visitors who want to explore the historic market town, so be prepared for more traffic during these times. The worst hit roads are Manton Lane and Clapham Road, which meet at a junction and often get very busy. During the summer, people flock to Bedford Embankment for walks, many of whom drive in from outside the town, so it’s expected to be busier in general during warmer months.
By collecting your cheap car hire in Bedford, you afford yourself the opportunity to explore some of the surrounding area, and you can visit a few of the most popular tourist destinations nearby. The ancient university city of Cambridge is only 31 miles away and you can get there in your hire car in about 50min. Another great option is to visit London, which is only 57 miles away, taking about 1h 30min to arrive. However, you should keep in mind that there is a circulation fee that you must pay when entering London with your car hire.
There are plenty of extra accessories that you can add to your Bedford car hire, including things like air conditioning and sat-nav, which could be very handy if you are exploring the local area. You can add extra drivers onto your package and there are both baby seats and booster seats that you can ask for to make your journey safe if you're travelling with children.
You will need to be at least 20 years old when picking up your cheap car hire in Bedford, and there may be a surcharge for drivers under the age of 25 to cover any extra insurance costs. You will need to have held your driving licence for at least 12 months before collecting the hire car, and you will need to show a valid driver’s licence. Most companies ask that you pay by credit card. You may be able to contact the car hire company to see if you can pay by debit card.
25% of our users found a car hire in Bedford for £27 or less
Small hire cars in Bedford are around 40% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about car hire in Bedford
What type of car is recommended for driving in Bedford?
Bedford is a historic market town so, as you can imagine, it’s smaller than most cities. A smaller car may therefore be a better choice for your car hire in Bedford so that you can navigate the roads with ease and find parking quicker.
What’s the speed limit in Bedford?
Bedford has introduced some 20mph speed limits in residential zones across the town in order to increase safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike. There are still some 30mph zones within the town centre as well, which can identified by the road signs.
Where are the best places to park in Bedford?
Bedford has some great places to park, which are only a stone’s throw away from the local amenities. Lurke Street Car Park and Duckmill Lane Car Park offer reasonably priced alternatives to on-street parking. On Sundays, all council car parks are free of charge to the public, whilst you can get free parking during weekdays after 18:00 too. On Saturdays, the first two hours of parking are free too, should you only need to nip into the town.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Bedford?
On average a car hire in Bedford costs £38 per day.
Which car hire agencies are at Heathrow airport (LHR)?
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Heathrow airport (LHR)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Heathrow airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Sixt, Dollar and Avis.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Gatwick airport (LGW)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Gatwick airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Sixt, Dollar and Avis.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Stansted airport (STN)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Stansted airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Sixt, Dollar and Avis.
How can I find car hires near me in Bedford?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Medium car hire cost in Bedford?
A Medium car hire in Bedford costs £46 per day, on average.
How much does a Small car hire cost in Bedford?
A Small car hire in Bedford costs £27 per day, on average.
How much does a Luxury car hire cost in Bedford?
A Luxury car hire in Bedford costs £39 per day, on average.
What is the most popular car hire location in Bedford?
In Bedford, cars are most frequently hired at Enterprise Rent-A-Car Elstow Park And Ride (2 miles from city centre).
Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Bedford?
Most car hire providers in Bedford offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Bedford, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.
What are the legal driving requirements for using child seats in Bedford?
Children must use a child seat until the age of 12, or until they reach the height of 135 cm tall, whichever one comes first. Until they are the age of 15 months, children must be placed and securely fastened in a rear-facing child seat, which, after 15 months, can be turned to face the front. You can ask for a child seat to be included with the car when you pick it up.
What are the rules of the road when driving in Bedford?
The legal alcohol limit in Bedford is the same as in the rest of England and is set at 80 mg. If you are caught driving with more then you may face fines or more serious consequences. You can only use your phone if it is hands free, and all passengers must wear their seat belts when the vehicle is moving. The speed limit is normally 30 mph in the urban areas of Bedford unless otherwise signposted, and in rural areas it is 60 mph. The speed limit is the national limit of 70 mph on the motorway.
Some Bedford car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend being aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Bedford.
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a non-deductible option to your Bedford car hire.
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