Southampton city
Branches around the city and waterfront
- From
- £21.20/day
- Cars
- 158
- From centre
- 1 mi
Alamo, Enterprise, National
Car hire in Southampton
Cheapest car
£13.52/day
at Southampton Airport (SOU)
Cars found
386
across 2 pick-up areas
Rental companies
8
in and around Southampton
Rental offices
10
on the map below
Prices from our own search on 2 Nov 2026 for a 7-day hire, 23 Nov - 30 Nov, driver aged 30. Prices change daily - search your dates for live prices.
Southampton is where many cruises begin and end, and it's the gateway to the New Forest, Winchester and the Isle of Wight. Compare car hire in the city and at Southampton Airport - whether you're arriving by ship, plane or train, there's a pick-up point that fits.
Compare pick-up points
City or airport?
Lowest priceMost choice
- From
- £13.52/day
- Cars
- 228
- From centre
- 4 mi
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Keddy, National, SIXT
City branches gather around the waterfront and West Quay, a short taxi ride from the cruise terminals - useful if you're starting a road trip after a voyage. Southampton Airport sits beside the M27 at Eastleigh, with its own railway station next to the terminal. Prices and fleets change with your dates, so compare both.
Prices from our own search on 2 Nov 2026 for a 7-day hire, 23 Nov - 30 Nov, driver aged 30. Prices change daily - search your dates for live prices.
Map
Car rental offices in Southampton
Map of car rental offices
Tap a logo to see the office · Airport Station City
Car classes & models
Cars you can hire in Southampton
Economy
from £14.34/daySmall hatchbacks for up to four people; a sensible default for most trips.
48 offers in our searchCompact
from £14.43/dayRoomier hatchbacks with space for a family's weekend luggage.
52 offers in our searchMedium
from £25.26/daySaloons and larger hatchbacks for longer drives in comfort.
35 offers in our searchSUV
from £15.51/dayRaised seating and extra space - popular for countryside and coast.
127 offers in our searchPeople carrier
from £27.23/daySeven to nine seats for groups and big families.
60 offers in our searchClasses and "from" prices come from our own search on 2 Nov 2026 for 23 Nov - 30 Nov (7 days). Models are examples - the exact car depends on the supplier.
Local know-how
Driving in Southampton
Itchen Bridge
The high bridge linking the city centre with Woolston charges cars a toll. If you'd rather not pay, the route upriver via Northam Bridge is free, though it takes a little longer at busy times.
New Forest roads
Ponies, donkeys and cattle roam freely across the open forest and often stand in the road. Many unfenced roads have a 40 mph limit - keep to it, and take extra care at dusk and after dark.
Isle of Wight ferries
Car ferries sail from Southampton to East Cowes. Before you book a crossing, check that your rental terms allow the car on a ferry, and tell the supplier in advance if they ask you to.
Cruise days and the M27
Turnaround days at the cruise terminals bring heavy traffic around the docks, and the M27 and M3 junctions near the city are busy at rush hour. Allow extra time before a flight or sailing.
Get out of town
Day trips by car
New Forest (Lyndhurst)
Open heathland, wandering ponies and village pubs in the heart of the national park.
Beaulieu
The National Motor Museum, Palace House and abbey ruins, all in one visit.
Winchester
The former capital of Wessex, with a great cathedral and the Round Table in the Great Hall.
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
HMS Victory, the Mary Rose and centuries of Royal Navy history on the harbour.
Salisbury
A soaring cathedral spire and one of the surviving copies of Magna Carta.
Stonehenge
The world-famous prehistoric stone circle, easily combined with a visit to Salisbury.
Distances are straight-line from Southampton city centre; road distances are longer.
Nearby
