Dorset car hire

Driver's age: 25-65

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Cheap car hire in Dorset

These are the best prices for 20-27 Jun.
Vauxhall Corsa car
Vauxhall Corsa
or similar Small
2
2
4-5
£18/day
View Deal
Vauxhall Astra car
Vauxhall Astra
or similar Small
4
2
4-5
£19/day
View Deal
Peugeot 3008 car
Peugeot 3008
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
£28/day
View Deal
Vauxhall Insignia car
Vauxhall Insignia
or similar Medium
5
3
4-5
£36/day
View Deal
Peugeot 5008 car
Peugeot 5008
or similar Van
5
3
4-5
£46/day
View Deal
Ford Explorer car
Ford Explorer
or similar SUV
5
2
4-5
£39/day
View Deal
Fiat 500 car
Fiat 500
or similar Small
2
2
2-3
£16/day
View Deal
Mercedes-Benz E-Class car
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
or similar Luxury
5
5
4-5
£64/day
View Deal
Jeep Avenger car
Jeep Avenger
or similar SUV
4
2
4-5
£21/day
View Deal
Kia Sportage car
Kia Sportage
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
£25/day
View Deal
Class Standard SUV car
Class Standard SUV
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
£41/day
View Deal
Volvo XC90 car
Volvo XC90
or similar SUV
5
5
4-5
£60/day
View Deal
Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Dorset car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Dorset with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in Dorset?

You should book your car hire in Dorset around 29 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Dorset?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Dorset is January at an average cost of £38/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Dorset when prices are £67/day on average, which tends to be 1% above the yearly average hire price for Dorset.

Which car hire company in Dorset has the most locations?

Avis operates 21 locations in Dorset, more than any other car hire company.

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Dorset car hire price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right car hire in Dorset by comparing prices across vehicle types.

Small cars

£28 - £42

All Car Types

£53 - £93

How much does it cost to hire a small car in Dorset?

How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Dorset?

How much does it cost to hire a large car in Dorset?

How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Dorset?

How much does it cost to hire a van in Dorset?

How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Dorset?

Small car hire in Dorset typically costs around £34 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average £28 per day, which is about 18% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 50% cheaper than the average car hire in Dorset, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.

Medium car hire in Dorset typically costs around £76 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average £59 per day, which is about 23% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 11% more expensive than the average car hire in Dorset, offering a good balance of space and value.

Large car hire in Dorset typically costs around £84 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average £55 per day, which is about 35% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 20% more expensive than the average car hire in Dorset but offer more comfort for longer trips.

SUV hire in Dorset typically costs around £72 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average £47 per day, which is about 35% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 6% more expensive than the average car hire in Dorset but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.

Van hire in Dorset typically costs around £106 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average £79 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 36% more expensive than the average car hire in Dorset but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.

Luxury car hire in Dorset typically costs around £97 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average £70 per day, which is about 28% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 30% more expensive than the average car hire in Dorset but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.

Good to know

Most popular agency

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

Europcar
Small
£42/day
£31/day

Top tips for hiring a car in Dorset

  • To enjoy coastal scenery with your hire car in Dorset, take the B3157 Jurassic Coast Road Drive, which stretches for 18 miles along the World Heritage Jurassic Coast and produces some of the best coastal views. The whole coastal route continues for around 95 miles and is especially popular with motorcyclists and cyclists as well as drivers, so be mindful to take care on blind corners and bendy parts of the route. The speed limit on this route is 50 mph and 30 mph as you pass through smaller towns and villages.
  • Seatbelts are a mandatory requirement for all passengers travelling in vehicles in the United Kingdom, and you could receive a substantial fine if you or anyone else in the vehicle are found not wearing one. It is also illegal to use a mobile phone for any reason whilst driving. You can use a hands-free device, however, if you are using it for navigational purposes.
  • It is possible to connect by ferry with your car hire to Isle of Wight, which is an island located off the coast of Dorset. As it is still part of the United Kingdom, there wouldn’t be any restrictions on taking your vehicle over, as you would still be covered under your car hire agreement. If you plan to go to France or Channel Islands, however, you should check with your chosen provider for necessary steps to take.
  • Remember to check the refuelling policy for the return of your vehicle. Be aware that many petrol stations located in smaller towns and villages of Dorset will close around 20:00-21:00; although, you will be able to find 24-hour outlets along motorways and major roads around the larger cities of the region.
  • 25% of our users found a car hire in Dorset for £31 or less
  • Medium hire cars in Dorset are around 48% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Dorset

  • Should I hire a car in Dorset?

    Dorset is a great region for hiring a vehicle, as you will be able to easily explore all the area has to offer, including scenic harbour towns, miles of unspoilt coastline and many areas of outstanding natural beauty. Located in the south-west of England, Dorset County is well connected to regional towns such as Weymouth and Christchurch and the nearest airport, located in Bournemouth. London airports are around a 3h drive away, meaning you could pick up your car hire directly from one of the airports to start your drive; this is easier than public transport options, especially if you have a lot of luggage. Visit Sandbanks Peninsula, popular with the rich and famous, or drive out to Monkey World in Wareham, if you are travelling with children, which will make an entertaining day out.

  • What is driving like in Dorset?

    Taking a journey by car around Dorset is a much more relaxing experience than driving around other southern areas that circle London and its nearby counties, as you will experience less congestion and lighter traffic flows, making for a pleasant drive. You can follow the coast road, which runs for around 95 miles from Bournemouth along Jurassic Coast or east to Christchurch for spectacular coves and beaches. New Forest National Park is also within driving distance (around 1h along A31 or A35). Roads and motorways are toll free and well maintained, and speed limits range from 30 mph in built-up areas to 60 mph for the national speed limit to 70 mph for motorway speeds. You may find a smaller vehicle useful if you intend to do a lot of countryside driving, due to the numerous single-track lanes you will come across.

  • How old do you have to be to hire a car in Dorset?

    You should present your full UK driving licence to hire a car in Dorset and have suitable insurance. Overseas drivers may need an International Driving Permit alongside their original licence. You will also need to be a minimum age of 21 years to hire a car in the United Kingdom, and some companies may stipulate higher age restrictions (up to 25 years) or add an additional surcharge for drivers under this age. A valid credit card will be needed to complete your booking.

  • How much does it cost to hire a car in Dorset?

    On average a car hire in Dorset costs £41 per day.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Dorset?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • Where should I hire a car in Dorset?

    Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Dorset are Bournemouth (43% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Dorset), Poole (26%) and Dorchester (14%).

  • How much does a car hire in Dorset cost for a week?

    On average a car hire in Dorset costs £287 per week (£41 per day).

  • How much does a car hire in Dorset cost for a month?

    On average a car hire in Dorset costs £1,231 per month (£41 per day).

Car hire directory

  • free2move

    Free2Move car hire locations in Dorset

    8 Locations

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in Dorset

    6 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in Dorset

    6 Locations

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car hire locations in Dorset

    6 Locations

  • flizzr

    FLIZZR car hire locations in Dorset

    5 Locations

  • europcar

    Europcar car hire locations in Dorset

    4 Locations

  • firefly

    Firefly car hire locations in Dorset

    2 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in Dorset

    2 Locations

  • acar

    A Car Rental car hire locations in Dorset

    1 Location

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in Dorset

    1 Location

  • easirent

    Easirent car hire locations in Dorset

    1 Location

  • interrent

    INTERRENT car hire locations in Dorset

    1 Location

Car hire locations in Dorset

Everything you need to know for your car hire in Dorset

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Hotels in Dorset