Wales car hire

Given that there are large, rural areas across Wales, public transport may be slow or limited in many places. This means that it is generally faster to travel by car in Wales. Hiring a car will also save you from long waits between transport links, which can be a problem in sparsely populated areas, where the demand for public transport is not high. Travelling by road also gives you access to areas that may not be accessible by bus or by train. This is great if you want to get off the beaten track.

Driving terrain in Wales is generally good and you will find lots of clear, well-maintained country roads with beautiful surrounding scenery. When driving through the countryside in Wales, it is important to be aware that rural roads are often single track and may have poor visibility because of bends in the road or foliage. It is, therefore, very important to stick to any speed limits and avoid overtaking on bends. You may also have to wait behind slow-moving farm vehicles on country roads. Be patient and only overtake when you are sure you can see ahead.

You can hire a car in Wales if you are over 18. However, many car hire companies will add a surcharge for young drivers or may not allow those under 25 to hire a car. When driving in Wales, make sure that you have your driver’s licence with you at all times, in case you are pulled over for any reason. It is also a good idea to keep some extra form of photographic ID, such as a valid passport, in the car with you.

Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Wales.

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Wales are Cardiff (50% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Wales) and Swansea (50%).