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Compare Derby car hire

Cover from just £2.45*

*Based on an individual aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions taking single trip cover for 3 days to France. Cover starts on August 10th, 2024 and ends on August 13th, 2024. Price correct as of August 15th, 2024.

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Derby’s cobbled Cathedral Quarter and old textile mills offer historical interest, but the real magic happens a few miles north of the city, in the stunning Peak District. Hire a car to explore its ancient villages and stately homes, and a landscape of hills, forests, valleys and heather-draped moors.

Fast facts about hiring a car from Derby

If you’re flying into Derby, your arrival point is most likely to be East Midlands Airport (EMA), 22km (14 miles) to the south-east. Picking up a cheap hire car at the airport means you can be in central Derby within 25 minutes, traffic allowing.

There are several rental companies to choose from at the airport, including Avis, Enterprise, Europcar and Hertz, and booking offices are handily located in the Arrivals area within the terminal building. Each of the operators is open seven days a week throughout 2024, although opening and closing times vary.

For more information or to make a booking, you can contact the following hire car companies:

  • Avis/Budget (Tel: 03445 446 005)
  • Enterprise (Tel: 01332 812 828)
  • Europcar (Tel: 01332 853 679)
  • Hertz (Tel: 01332 853 552)

Once you’ve picked up your hire car from outside the terminal, turn left out of the airport and join the A50 (Derby Southern Bypass). Follow the A6, then the A52 to reach the city centre – you'll see signs to Derby all along the route.

You also have the option of taking the train to Derby then picking up a hire car in the city. Booking offices can be found at Racecourse Park in the north, Pride Park in the east and Pear Tree in the south, among other locations.

Driving in Derby city centre

Getting around Derby is quite straightforward, courtesy of the city’s handy inner and outer ring roads. The central dual carriageway is well signposted, which helps locate the local attractions – including the Cathedral Quarter, Darley Abbey Mills and Pride Park – and those further afield.

Speed limits vary across the city. The inner ring road (A601) is subject to a 40mph cap, with 30mph permitted on other central and residential roads unless otherwise marked. Speeds of up to 70mph are allowed on the dual carriageways in the outer city, but keep your eyes peeled for road signs.

A Park & Ride scheme operates in Derby for those who would prefer to leave their car outside the centre. However, there are a good number of multi-storey car parks and on-street parking zones in the city centre. Note that if you use a pay-and-display in the Cathedral Quarter, some shops will refund your parking charges if you make a purchase over a certain value. Check signs in car parks and shops for details.

Recommended day trips from Derby

Nottingham and Nottingham Castle

Driving time: 30 minutes

Take the short drive along Brian Clough Way (A52) from Derby to nearby Nottingham, the city of Robin Hood, where you can explore historic squares, shopping streets, parks and riverbanks before making your way to Nottingham Castle, which sits high above the city on a natural promontory.

Little of the original fortress remains, but the 17th-century Ducal Mansion built on Castle Rock is home to a fabulous museum and art gallery. Beneath the castle, you’ll find a man-made maze of caves and tunnels once inhabited by the city’s poor.

Heights of Abraham and Matlock Bath

Driving time: 35 minutes

Perched on a forested hilltop above the spa town of Matlock Bath, the Heights of Abraham tourist park is a great spot for outdoor family activities. Accessed by cable car, the attraction consists of two fascinating caves, a Victorian lookout tower, woodland heritage trails, an adventure playground, and cafés and restaurants.

Just along the bank, the Gulliver’s Kingdom theme park offers its own child-friendly rides, attractions and experiences. If there are no kids in your party, the boutique stores, cafés and converted mills by the river are an appealing alternative.

Chatsworth House and Bakewell

Driving time: 55 minutes

Set in the heart of the Peak District, Chatsworth House – home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire – is one of England’s most spectacular stately homes. Make your way around 30 finely decorated rooms in this palatial mansion, which is renowned for its stunning natural surroundings, regal decor and priceless art collection.

Outside the house, the 105 acres of landscaped gardens feature lawns, flowerbeds, waterworks, lakes and sculptures. A 15-minute drive away, the market town of Bakewell – birthplace of the famous pudding – boasts quaint cottages, independent shops and leafy riverside walks.

Important information

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.

Find answers to your questions

What's the average price of renting a car in Derby?

A car hire in Derby costs £26.14 per day on average, though prices will change depending on the car type you select

How many days ahead should I book to get the cheapest car hire price in Derby?

According to our data, on average you should book 4 days ahead to get the cheapest price

Which supplier is the most booked in Derby?

People who have used TravelSupermarket have booked more cars with Europcar than any other supplier

Which car hire supplier is cheapest in Derby?

In the past 30 days, Europcar (£19.83/day) and Alamo (£26.47/day) were the companies with the cheapest prices

What is the most popular type of car rented in Derby?

Mini is the most frequently booked car hire type in Derby.

How much does car rental in Derby cost for a week?

On average a car rental in Derby costs £182.98 per week (£26.14 per day).

How many days should I book my car hire for?

That depends on your holiday, but on average most TravelSupermarket users have booked their car for 8 days

How many suppliers does TravelSupermarket compare for car hire in Derby?

In the last 30 days, TravelSupermarket has compared 9 companies to help find the best car hire deal for you in Derby

What's a good price for a hire car in Derby?

Based on our data, a car for £19.61 a day would be a good deal, as it's 25% lower than the average price

Things to know about car hire in Derby

Most booked car typeMini
Most booked supplierEuropcar
Average price£26.14/day
Good deal£19.61/day
When should I book?4 days ahead
How long do I need?8 days
Most commonly included policies
    Free cancellationCollision damage waiverTheft protection
Best time to book car hire in DerbyTap on the month below to see the average daily price of car hire in Derby per month
Nov£0.00
£70
£56
£42
£28
£14
£0

Top car rental companies in Derby

    Europcar

    7 locations in Derby, England, United Kingdom

    Airport location: No

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Theft protection

    From

    £16.31 /day

    View deals

    Budget

    1 locations in Derby, England, United Kingdom

    Airport location: Yes

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Theft protection

    From

    £18.66 /day

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    Avis

    1 locations in Derby, England, United Kingdom

    Airport location: Yes

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Theft protection

    From

    £19.18 /day

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    Alamo

    1 locations in Derby, England, United Kingdom

    Airport location: No

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Theft protection

    From

    £20.98 /day

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    Enterprise

    2 locations in Derby, England, United Kingdom

    Airport location: No

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Theft protection

    From

    £24.57 /day

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    National

    1 locations in Derby, England, United Kingdom

    Airport location: No

    Inclusions:

    Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.

    Free cancellation

    Local taxes included

    Unlimited mileage

    Collision damage waiver

    Theft protection

    From

    £27.27 /day

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Policies commonly offered by supplier. Always check your deal's terms and conditions for full inclusions.