Compare Bournemouth Airport car hire

Once you’ve had your fill of Bournemouth’s parks, pier and promenade, head further afield to see Dorset’s soaring cliffs, golden sands and chocolate-box villages. At the wheel of a hire car, you’re also just minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage listed Jurassic Coast with its fantastic fossil-hunting sites.

If you’re flying into Bournemouth, you can pick up a cheap rental car from the airport. Bournemouth Airport (BOH) is just 9.6km (6 miles) or 15 minutes’ drive north-east of the town centre.

The two major car hire firms at the airport, Europcar and Hertz, both have booking offices on McIntyre Road opposite the long-stay car park. Opening hours vary, so check with the individual company prior to booking your flight.

Car rental companies that have desks at Bournemouth Airport are:

• Europcar (Tel: 01202 274 821)
• Hertz (Tel: 0843 309 3008)

It’s a straightforward drive from the airport into Bournemouth, including the seafront avenues where many hotels are located. From the airport, head south-east on the B3703 until you reach the A38, then take the dual carriageway south-west into the centre of town.

Alternatively, you can pick up a hire car in Bournemouth town centre – booking offices can be found in several areas, including Lower Gardens, Newtown and next to the railway station.

Well served by the A338 dual carriageway, which cuts through the town centre, Bournemouth is easy to access from both the Dorset and Hampshire sides. Its wide, leafy routes are driver-friendly but can get very busy, particularly during the peak holiday season. This is one of the UK’s most popular seaside resorts, and it can get crowded around Central Gardens and the promenade when the sun comes out.

The speed limit on most town centre roads is 30mph although some streets are subject to a 20mph restriction and have speed bumps. Outside Bournemouth, the speed limit on single-carriageway roads is 60mph, while dual carriageways and motorways are 70mph.

Finding a parking space in Bournemouth is usually hassle-free – the summer holidays aside – but you generally have to pay for the privilege. Pay-and-display areas can be found at Bournemouth International Centre, The Square, West Hill and Exeter Road, among other central locations. There are on-street parking spaces on East Overcliff Drive, Westover Road and by the beach on Undercliff Drive, but arrive early to be sure of bagging a spot.

Stonehenge and Salisbury

Driving time: One hour

Standing tall on the windswept expanse of Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge is a wonder of the prehistoric world where you can walk in the footsteps of Neolithic people and learn about a long-gone civilisation.

As well as the stone circle itself, you can explore the visitor centre and museum to learn about the site and the people who built it. To make a day of it, drive into elegant Salisbury to visit its fine medieval cathedral and surrounding cobbled streets.

You can also climb the ramparts of Old Sarum, the abandoned hill fort where the city once stood.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the New Forest

Driving time: 55 minutes

If you can’t decide between a day out in the countryside and an exploration of British maritime history, combine the two! Start by taking a drive through the New Forest National Park to Portsmouth’s naval base: the town’s Historic Dockyard is home to the HMS Warrior 1860 battleship, Lord Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory and the legendary Tudor warship Mary Rose.

After a boat trip round the harbour, make your way back through the forest, taking in its charming villages, pretty heathlands, woodland trails and wild ponies along the way.

Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove

Driving time: 45 minutes

To experience the two greatest attractions on the Jurassic Coast – England’s only natural World Heritage site – drive through the Dorset countryside to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.

Carved out of limestone by the power of the sea and wind, these twin geological features are a magnet for hikers, fossil-hunters and photographers. From here, it’s only a short drive to Poole Marina, Weymouth’s seafront and the iconic shingle bank at Chesil Beach.

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.