Compare Bristol city centre car hire

With colourful street art, the bustling Harbourside dock and historic landmarks like the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol is a city with serious charm.

While there’s plenty to explore here, hiring a car in Bristol also unlocks the wider delights of southwest England, from Cheddar Gorge and Berkeley Castle to the Roman baths of Bath.

What’s more, it only takes around an hour and a half to reach the upmarket Cotswolds or prehistoric Stonehenge from here too.

You’ll find a range of car hire options right in the heart of Bristol city centre, with flexible drop-off times to boot. This means that if you’re staying centrally or arriving by public transport, it’s easy to pick up your car and start exploring.

Big-name Bristol city centre car rental providers include:

• Enterprise: +44 117 971 6464
• Europcar: +44 371 384 1143
• Sixt: +44 207 018 8246
• Thrifty: +44 117 977 9777

Local providers include:

• Bristol Car & Van Hire: +44 117 959 3333
• Maben Vehicle Hire: +44 117 450 6880

While driving in Bristol is generally straightforward, you should expect to encounter plenty of buses, cyclists and pedestrians, as well as high levels of city-centre traffic at peak times. Bear in mind that many bus lanes in Bristol are restricted to public transport only.

Parking in Bristol is mostly paid, so look for metered bays and avoid resident-only spaces reserved for locals. Multi-storey car parks near Cabot Circus and the Harbourside offer convenient city centre access, while the SS Great Britain attraction also has its own car park.

For a memorable Bristol driving experience, consider crossing the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. With a small £1 toll for cars, it offers stunning views over the Avon Gorge as well as a scenic route towards North Somerset and beyond.

If you’re venturing into the countryside, consider hiring a smaller rental car in Bristol to help you navigate the narrow lanes of the Wye Valley, Devon and Cornwall. Alternatively, the Severn Bridge crossing into South Wales is toll-free, putting Cardiff and coastal gems like Tenby within easy reach – perfect for a city-to-sea adventure.

• Min. age required to hire a car: 21-25, depending on your provider
• Which side of the road: Left
• Credit card requirements: Debit or credit cards

Any additional requirements: Driver surcharge may be payable if you’re under 25

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.