Compare Ayr car hire

On the south-west coast of Scotland, Ayr is a seaside town under an hour’s drive south of Glasgow. Here, you might take breezy promenade walks, sunbathe on the beach when the weather allows, spend a day at Ayr Racecourse – home of the Scottish Grand National – or visit poet Robert Burns’ birthplace in Alloway, just outside town.

Exploring Ayr and its surrounds is easiest with a vehicle – so here’s everything you need to know about hiring a car in Ayr.

Car hire companies operating in Ayr include Europcar, Enterprise Car & Van Hire, Alamo Rent a Car, Ayrshire Vehicle Rental and Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental. The latter is a 10-minute walk up the road from Newton-on-Ayr railway station, while Ayrshire Vehicle Rental is just five minutes from Ayr station.

Driving around Ayr is generally painless, but, as with everywhere, it’s best to avoid driving in rush hour. Street parking in Ayr town centre is free for up to two hours, as are the car parks near the racecourse, Riverside Place, and on the beachfront at Queens Terrace. And there are many pay-to-stay car parks around town too. If you’re driving an EV, you can plug in for free at car parks at the central Castlehill Road and Cromwell Road, off the northern end of Ayr Beach.

Just out of town, on the outskirts of Ayr, in Alloway, is the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. It’s less than a 10-minute drive along the B7024 from the town centre. Here, in the cottage of the poet’s birth, is a museum of all-things Burns as well as handwritten manuscripts and a wander to Scotland’s literary heritage.

The A77 connects Ayr with Kilmarnock, half an hour to the north (where it becomes the M77 to Glasgow), and the pretty village of Portpatrick, 90 minutes south of Ayr. This southerly route has impressive views of the Firth of Clyde and the Irish Sea along the A77 coastal road.

Add to your drive stops at the free Girvan’s McKechnie Institute for a glimpse of the Bronze Age and its urns, and the early 16th-century Castle of St John in Stranraer.

For a shorter day trip, take the coastal Ayr Road (A719) to Culzean Castle & Country (half an hour south of Ayr town centre). Stop at scenic Croy Beach for a walk and a paddle before visiting the grand clifftop castle, which was built in the 18th century, with views of the sea and woodlands. Its extravagant swan pond and walled garden, one of the largest in Scotland, are quite the treat.

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.