Birmingham Airport car hire

Birmingham is great for shopping and attractions, but it's also a handy gateway to the West Midlands. Book cheap Birmingham car hire to discover the history-packed towns of Warwickshire, the countryside of Shropshire, Cannock Chase, the Cotswolds, and much more.

It's easy to book a car hire deal at Birmingham Airport (BHX) when you compare online in advance. Major brands, such as Avis, Budget, Hertz and Sixt, are located in the arrivals hall. The drive to central Birmingham takes just 30 minutes, and you can be in the Cotswolds within an hour, passing historic Stratford-upon-Avon on the way.

You'll also find car hire offices at several locations in the city, including Birmingham New Street railway station and the canal-side Westside district, home to several major events venues.

The drive to Birmingham city centre from the airport is relatively simple. Join the A45 westbound, which takes you straight to the A4540, otherwise known as the Ring Road . This runs all the way around the city centre. Join the B4100 to continue into the city centre, or follow the A4540 to reach suburban destinations or to connect to the M5 and M6 motorways.

Birmingham Airport's car hire desks are in the arrivals area. Look out for them on the left as you exit customs. When you're ready to go, you'll need to take a five-minute walk to the pick-up points, which are next to Car Park 4. Car-hire desk staff can direct you.

Car rental companies with desks at Birmingham Airport include:

· Avis (Tel: 0344 544 6013)

· Budget (Tel: 0344 544 4602)

· Enterprise (Tel: 0121 782 9030)

· Europcar (Tel: 0371 384 3423)

· Hertz (Tel: 0843 309 3005)

· Sixt (Tel: 0844 499 3399)

Black Country Living Museum

Driving time: 40 minutes

A local history attraction? Trust us: a day out at this open-air living museum, which looks back at the Midlands' industrial heritage, is a blast. The 26-acre site is like a real town, complete with high street shops, a school, a pub, vintage buses, canal docks and a working fairground. The museum has even been used as a set for hit TV show 'Peaky Blinders'. Choose the chippy for lunch, but get there early – it does real old-fashioned fish and chips, and the queues run down the street.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Driving time: One hour

This is one of the quintessential Birmingham day trips. Stratford-upon-Avon is best known as Shakespeare's birthplace, and there are several Bard sights to tick off. It isn't all fusty historical stuff either – there is plenty for kids to enjoy, with interactive exhibitions and sensory gardens at New Place, and animals to feed at Mary Arden's Farm. Had enough Shakespeare? Just take a stroll through the quaint town centre or along the River Avon.

Alton Towers

Driving time: 90 minutes

If family-friendly Shakespeare isn't quite family-friendly enough, head to one of the West Midlands' major theme parks. Drayton Manor, which includes a Thomas the Tank Engine zone for little ones, is just 30 minutes away. However, it's worth going a little further for the mighty Alton Towers. It has been around for decades, and offers both white-knuckle coasters for grown-ups and CBeebies-themed rides and experiences for small kids.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.