Compare Newquay car hire

Unlock the best of Cornwall with a hire car from Newquay and explore the southwest of England in comfort. With a hire car, you’ll be able to visit hard-to-reach places and travel when it suits you best.

Once you’ve experienced Newquay’s best surf spots, zoo and aquarium, hop in your hire car for a road trip to picturesque harbours like Padstow and St Ives. You can also follow the Atlantic Highway for stunning coastal scenery or venture inland for a trip to the Eden Project, which is home to thousands of plant species.

There are several car hire options in and around Newquay’s town centre, and many offer vehicle delivery direct to your location – perfect if you’re planning to explore Cornwall from a central starting point.

Car rental providers in Newquay include:

• Cornwall Car Hire +44 163 722 2585
• Croftlea Car Hire: +44 788 944 7789
• Newquay Self Drive: +44 163 783 8161

Generally, driving around Newquay in your hire car is stress free. But in the summer the town centre gets busier as surfers, families and other holidaymakers flock there, which means roads become a little more congested.

There are plenty of pay-and-display car parks in town and near the beaches, and many council-run car parks are also free after 4pm. It’s worth noting that the Fistral Beach car park fills up fast on sunny days. There are a few metered on-street parking bays in town for limited times too, but look out for resident-only parking zones.

Cornwall’s roads have their quirks – the county has no motorways and plenty of narrow, winding routes. A smaller rental car in Newquay can be a good choice, as it’s a lot easier to squeeze down tight lanes.

Be sure to monitor your fuel gauge too, because petrol stations can be sparse outside of major towns.

For epic sea views and lush hills, head north along the B3276 coastal road leading to Padstow or take the A392 south to join the A30 to reach top spots like the Eden Project and Land’s End. For another scenic drive, try the A39, Cornwall’s Atlantic Highway.

Padstow

Driving time: 30 minutes

Nicknamed 'Padstein' thanks to the significant presence of celebrity Rick Stein, Padstow has long been the unofficial foodie capital of Cornwall. The town is around half an hour's drive from Newquay and, as well as having various excellent restaurants, is a typically charming Cornish town, with quaint, winding streets and a pretty harbour dotted with colourful boats.

St Ives

Driving time: 50 minutes

If Padstow is foodie central, then St Ives is undoubtedly Cornwall's art capital. It’s not only home to the Tate St Ives, which houses rotating exhibitions from various British artists, but also the impressive Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. St Ives is also a good bet for spotting local marine life – book on to a boat trip to Seal Island to see its resident Atlantic grey seals.

Tintagel

Driving time: One hour

If you’re a fan of fables and fairy tales, plan a trip to Tintagel. Legend has it that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table lived in the village’s majestic castle, which stands precariously overlooking the Atlantic. As well as visiting its ruins, you can explore a number of other attractions related to the legend, including Merlin’s Cave, which can only be entered during low tide.

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.

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