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 Bournemouth with a pick-up date of 26/9 and drop-off date of 10/10. 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.
Same drop-off
Driver's age: 26-65
Car Rental Deals
Booking Insights
Car Rental Deals
Cheap car hire in Bournemouth
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
Booking Insights
Good to know
Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
keddy by Europcar
Economy
£34/day
£26/day
KAYAK’s insights & trends for Bournemouth car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Bournemouth with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in Bournemouth?
You should book your car hire in Bournemouth around 38 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the best car hire company in Bournemouth?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Bournemouth are Europcar (7.3), keddy by Europcar (6.0, 1 review), and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.9).
What is the most popular car to hire in Bournemouth?
Mini cars (Citroen C1 or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to hire in Bournemouth. Mini cars in Bournemouth cost £38/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as £22/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Bournemouth?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Bournemouth is November at an average cost of £27/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Bournemouth when prices are £46/day on average, which tends to be 8% above the yearly average hire price for Bournemouth.
What car hire company in Bournemouth has the most locations?
Europcar and keddy by Europcar operate 3 locations each in Bournemouth, more than any other car hire company.
Car hire in Bournemouth offers you the big advantage of not having to rely on public transport or a taxi service to get around whether you’re on holiday or in the city on business. It’s more efficient and offers far more flexibility. When you’re in Bournemouth you can use this to your benefit to drive out to all the local Dorset attractions, like Bournemouth Beach for a start. There’s also The Village, more formally known as Westbourne, a shorter drive from the town centre. For Bronze Age history, drive a little further out to Hengistbury Visitor Centre.
The nearest airport servicing Bournemouth is Southampton Airport. You can book car hire in Bournemouth from any number of top international and UK companies through KAYAK, and simply collect your vehicle right there at the airport. You’ll find all their offices inside the main airport terminal, and the parking areas where you’ll collect your vehicle are within easy walking distance from there.
The roads in Bournemouth are quite free-flowing, so you’ll have to exercise quite a bit of caution on them if you’re not accustomed to this kind of traffic. Pay special attention when you’re on the A338, which is the main route that runs through southern England. Also keep an eye out for groups of cyclists on the smaller roads. During the school terms you’ll find a lot of school-crossing patrols, so drive cautiously in areas where the schools are situated. There are also other traffic-calming measures in place, so essentially this is a town where a lot of emphasis is placed on sedate driving.
The main rush hours to avoid are slightly different to many other cities in the UK, in that they are a bit earlier. The worst time of the year for rush-hour congestion is during April, tailing off into May and June. Fridays are the busiest days in general, with rush hour peaking between 15:00 and 16:00. So remember when you’re planning your schedule that you can save up to 2h of travel time by avoiding these hours.
Choose the right car for your destination when you book cheap car hire in Bournemouth, it's essential to select the right vehicle for your destination. If you're planning to explore the beautiful coastline or venture into the New Forest, a compact car might not be the best choice. You'll need a more capable vehicle to navigate the rugged terrain with ease. For example, if you plan on visiting Durdle Door, which is located on the Jurassic Coast, you'll need a sturdy vehicle to handle the hilly and sometimes rocky terrain. Similarly, if you want to explore the New Forest, a larger vehicle will be necessary to navigate the narrow, winding roads and potential off-road tracks.
Many car hire companies in Bournemouth offer cheap rates, but be sure to check for hidden costs before booking. Some companies may charge extra fees for fuel, insurance, or additional drivers, which can significantly increase the final cost of your rental. To avoid any unexpected expenses, read the terms and conditions of your rental agreement carefully and ask for clarification if necessary. According to reviews by KAYAK users, some of the car hire companies with the best rates in Bournemouth include Budget, Alamo, and Hertz.
Be mindful of traffic conditions when driving your cheap car hire in Bournemouth because the roads can get quite busy during peak tourist season, especially in the town centre and near popular attractions such as Bournemouth Beach and the Bournemouth Pier. If you're driving in the area, be mindful of traffic conditions and plan your route accordingly. Consider avoiding driving during rush hour, which can be chaotic and stressful, and instead plan to explore the town during off-peak times to avoid traffic congestion.
25% of our users found a car hire in Bournemouth for £26 or less
Standard hire cars in Bournemouth are around 56% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about car hire in Bournemouth
What type of car is recommended for driving in Bournemouth?
Being a coastal resort town, you’ll find a range of different vehicles to be appropriate. If you’re just there for the sea and the sunshine, you won’t need much more than a compact car or an economy model to ferry yourself to and from the beaches and resort activity areas. If you’re intending to travel along the coast a bit more, then a sedan, an MPV or a 4x4 will do you well. You can also do it in more style with a sports car or a convertible model and enjoy the sea air with the top down. Have a look at the Bournemouth car hire options you have when booking through KAYAK.
What’s the speed limit in Bournemouth?
Speed limits in Bournemouth, like many other UK cities and towns, vary according to the specific zone in which you’re driving, although there are no 20mph zones. The overall speed limit is 30mph in residential areas. Also be aware that the Dorset police road safety plan that applies to Bournemouth takes a "no excuse" approach to infringements.
Where are the best places to park in Bournemouth?
Bournemouth Borough Council operates car parks located throughout the city, so you can pretty much have your pick no matter where you’re headed for. In the city centre you’ll find Berry Court Car Park and Richmond Gardens Car Park, for instance. Specific areas require parking permits, and you have various options here, such as evening and weekend permits. You can pay for parking using the city’s PayByPhone service for extra convenience. Prices are seasonal, ranging from £1.70 per hour in winter to £2.70 per hour in summer.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Bournemouth?
On average a car hire in Bournemouth costs £34 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 GREEN MOTION, Avis and Alamo.
How can I find car hires near me in Bournemouth?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Bournemouth?
An Economy car hire in Bournemouth costs £39 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Bournemouth?
A Compact car hire in Bournemouth costs £45 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Bournemouth?
A Mini car hire in Bournemouth costs £38 per day, on average.
What is the most popular car hire location in Bournemouth?
In Bournemouth, cars are most frequently hired at Europcar Unit 2 520 Wallisdown Road (3 miles from city centre).
Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Bournemouth?
Most car hire providers in Bournemouth offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Bournemouth, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.
Can I drive to the beach in Bournemouth?
No, driving on the beach in Bournemouth is strictly prohibited. Especially when in your Bournemouth car hire. Beach-goers can park their cars in designated car parks or on nearby streets. A popular choice is Bournemouth Central Car Park, which is located in the town centre near shops, restaurants, and the beach, but driving on the sand is not allowed. This regulation is in place to protect the environment and ensure the safety of beach-goers.
What day trips can I make by car from Bournemouth?
Bournemouth is a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding area, with plenty of day trips to choose from. Just a short drive away, you can visit the stunning Jurassic Coast, the historic town of Christchurch, or the charming village of Wimborne. For a longer day trip, consider driving to the picturesque Isle of Purbeck or the rugged Dartmoor National Park. With cheap car hire in Bournemouth, the possibilities are endless.
It would have been better if I had got the car I booked online , very disappointed with the car given . Given a seat cupra instead of the vauxhall grandland I ordered & wife not comfortable getting in & out a very low vehicle. Will not use them again.
Some Bournemouth 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 Bournemouth.
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 Bournemouth car hire.
KAYAK and its partners wish to use cookies or similar technologies to store and/or access information on and about your device and process personal data such as your IP address, device identifiers etc., in order to improve your experience on the site, to analyse navigation, to offer and measure personalised advertising, and to facilitate sharing on social networks. We also allow the use of third-party cookies (including those from our advertising partners) on our sites.
By clicking 'Accept', you consent to your data being processed by 0 vendors on this web site for the purposes described in this notice. You can review the vendors and their individual processing purposes on the .
To review individual processing purposes and cookie categories, please click ’Select individual purposes’. You can review your choices and withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the ’Privacy Preferences’ link in the page side navigation.