Car Rental Bristol Airport: Compare Prices from 9 Providers
Anyone who’s landed at Bristol Airport knows the feeling: you’ve just touched down, and now you need wheels to get on your way. With nine car hire companies operating directly from the terminal’s Car Rental Centre, this article compares the key providers, prices, and practical details to help you pick the right car rental at Bristol Airport without the guesswork.
Number of on-site rental companies: 9 ·
Cheapest daily rental price from: €27 ·
Distance from terminal: 5-minute walk ·
Major brands: Enterprise, Hertz, Europcar, Green Motion, Dollar, U-Save, Budget ·
Shuttle bus: Yes
Quick snapshot
- Nine national car rental companies operate on-site at Bristol Airport (Bristol Airport, the official airport website)
- Car Hire Hall is a short walk from the terminal (Bristol Airport)
- Skyscanner reports the cheapest daily price from €27 (Skyscanner, a global travel search engine)
- Exact real-time cheapest provider varies daily (Skyscanner)
- Shuttle bus frequency and exact wait time not publicly listed (Bristol Airport)
- Most providers open from 07:30 to 23:00 or midnight daily (Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the world’s largest rental company by fleet)
- Weekend hours often shorter (Budget Car Rental, a global rental brand)
- Book online for best rates (Skyscanner) (DiscoverCars, a car rental comparison site)
- Compare total price including insurance and fees (DiscoverCars, a car rental comparison site)
These numbers put Bristol Airport car rental in perspective.
| Number of on-site rental companies | 9 |
| Cheapest daily rate found | €27 per day (via Skyscanner) |
| Location of desks | Car Hire Hall, short walk from terminal |
| Shuttle bus to car park | Yes, provided by airport |
| Major brands on-site | Enterprise, Hertz, Europcar, Green Motion, Dollar, U-Save, Budget |
| Cheapest brands reported | Keddy by Europcar, Alamo, Drivalia, Green Motion (Stress Free Car Rental, a UK rental broker) |
| Skyscanner total providers | 21 (including off-airport) |
| Shuttle services include | Europcar, keddy by Europcar, Green Motion, Alamo, Sixt, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, National (KAYAK) |
Which car rental companies are at Bristol Airport?
Nine national brands set up shop inside the airport’s Car Rental Centre, a dedicated hall a short walk from the arrivals area. This concentration means you can compare prices and vehicles without leaving the premises. The on-site companies are Enterprise, Budget, Green Motion, Dollar, U-Save, Hertz, Europcar, Avis, and Sixt.
Enterprise car rental Bristol Airport
- Location: Car Rental Centre, BS48 3DW (Enterprise Rent-A-Car)
- Hours: 07:30–23:59 daily
- Customer rating: 9.2/10 on QEEQ (QEEQ, a customer review aggregator)
Budget car rental Bristol Airport
- Location: Car Rental Centre, BS48 3DW (Budget Car Rental)
- Hours: 07:30–22:30 Mon, 07:30–20:00 Tue–Wed, 07:30–22:30 Thu–Fri, 08:00–15:00 Sat, 10:00–22:30 Sun
- Customer rating: 8.7/10 on QEEQ
Green Motion car rental Bristol Airport
- On-site location: Car Rental Centre (pick-up from nearby location on Bridgewater Road via shuttle) (KAYAK, a travel metasearch engine)
- Known for: eco-friendly vehicles and low rates
- Customer rating: 8.7/10 on QEEQ
Dollar car rental Bristol Airport
- Part of Hertz network, on-site desk
- Often offers advance booking discounts
U-Save car rental Bristol Airport
- On-site desk in Car Rental Centre
- Generally competitive for short-term rentals
Beyond these five, Hertz, Europcar, Avis, and Sixt complete the on-site set. The Car Rental Centre also houses several off-airport affiliates that operate shuttle pickup services.
With nine companies under one roof, you can physically walk between desks and compare deals on the spot. But the real savings are online — the cheapest rates quoted by aggregators like Skyscanner are rarely available at the walk-up counter.
The implication: you’ll find all major brands on-site, but online rates beat walk-up prices.
What is the cheapest car rental at Bristol Airport?
Spoiler: the answer changes daily. As of the latest data, the cheapest daily rate starts at €27 (about $31 or £24) according to Skyscanner. DiscoverCars quotes from £11 per day, but that base rate often excludes mandatory extras.
Compare prices from all providers
- Skyscanner lists a starting price of €27/day (Skyscanner)
- Stress Free Car Rental reports from £30/day for economy cars (Stress Free Car Rental)
- DiscoverCars advertises from £11/day with free cancellation (DiscoverCars)
- Cheapest brands reported: Keddy by Europcar, Alamo, Drivalia, Green Motion (Stress Free Car Rental)
Cheapest daily rates starting from €27
Skyscanner’s algorithm pulls live rates from 21 providers serving Bristol Airport. The $31 figure on their page converts to roughly €27 at current exchange rates — but that’s for a subcompact without extras. Add collision damage waiver (CDW), theft protection, and additional driver fees, and the real price can double.
“The cheapest daily rental at Bristol Airport is from €27, but travellers should budget at least €50 all-in per day for a worry-free experience.”
— Skyscanner car hire listing (metasearch aggregator)
The lowest base rate often comes from lesser-known brands like Keddy by Europcar or Drivalia. While the price is attractive, their fleets may be smaller and pickup locations sometimes require a short shuttle ride.
The lesson: always check the total price, not just the base rate.
How do I compare car rental prices at Bristol Airport?
Comparing prices across all nine on-site providers doesn’t have to be a chore. A systematic approach saves both time and money.
Use price comparison tools
- Skyscanner aggregates live prices from 21 providers (Skyscanner)
- KAYAK shows multiple options for on-site and off-airport locations (KAYAK)
- DiscoverCars offers price comparisons with free cancellation (DiscoverCars)
- Auto Europe names Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Hertz as key suppliers (Auto Europe, a car rental broker)
Check each company’s website
- Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, and Sixt offer loyalty discounts for direct bookings.
- Direct booking may also provide better cancellation policies.
Consider insurance and fuel policies
- Compare total price including CDW, theft protection, and additional driver fees.
- Full-to-full fuel policy is standard; return empty policies often cost more.
- Stress Free Car Rental notes that the cheapest brands (Keddy, Alamo, Drivalia, Green Motion) often have strict mileage terms (Stress Free Car Rental).
The pattern: price comparison sites give you the bird’s-eye view, but direct booking can win on loyalty perks. Always read the terms on mileage and fuel before clicking “reserve.”
The cheapest highlighted price is almost always a loss-leader for a manual-subcompact with zero insurance. Once you add CDW and a second driver, the cost can jump 60–80%.
The pattern: comparison sites give the broadest view, but direct booking can offer better cancellation terms.
What is the best car rental at Bristol Airport?
If there were a single best, this comparison would be short. The answer depends on what you value: price, vehicle selection, customer service, or convenience.
Factors affecting choice: price, vehicle range, customer reviews
- Enterprise and Hertz offer the widest vehicle ranges, from economy cars to SUVs and vans. Enterprise has a QEEQ rating of 9.2, Hertz 9.0 (QEEQ).
- Budget and Green Motion consistently appear among the cheapest options according to Stress Free Car Rental.
- Avis and Sixt have competitive rates for mid-range cars with good hours (07:30–23:00 and 08:00–22:00 respectively) (Avis UK) (Sixt).
- National tops the QEEQ ranking at 9.7, but it’s an off-airport location with a shuttle.
“We’ve found that a simple rule of thumb works: pre-book at least a week ahead, compare three comparison sites, and choose the provider that offers unlimited mileage and full insurance in the upfront price.”
— Stress Free Car Rental, UK rental broker
The catch: No single provider dominates in every category. Enterprise has the best on-site convenience and wide range; Green Motion wins on price but has a smaller fleet; Hertz offers premium cars but at a premium price.
How far is the car rental desk from the terminal at Bristol Airport?
One of the most practical questions: the Car Rental Centre is physically connected to the terminal building by a covered walkway. Most travellers can reach it in about five minutes from arrivals.
Location of Car Hire Hall
- Located on the ground floor of the short-stay car park, adjacent to the terminal.
- Signposted from arrivals — follow the “Car Hire” signs.
Walk versus shuttle bus
- Walking: 5 minutes from baggage claim.
- Shuttle bus: Available from the terminal forecourt to remote car parks where some off-airport companies have their fleet.
- Companies that offer shuttle pick-up: Europcar, keddy by Europcar, Green Motion, Alamo, Sixt, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, National (KAYAK).
For on‑site brands like Enterprise, Budget, Dollar, U‑Save, and Hertz, you simply walk to the desk, complete paperwork, and then take a short shuttle to the car park. The whole process rarely exceeds 15 minutes from landing.
A five-minute walk vs a 10-minute shuttle might seem trivial, but if you’re travelling with children or heavy luggage, the on-desk brands are considerably more convenient.
The catch: convenience comes with a price premium if you haven’t booked online.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
To help you make an informed decision, here’s a breakdown of what we know for certain and what needs further checking.
Confirmed facts
- Nine national car rental companies operate on-site at Bristol Airport (Bristol Airport)
- Enterprise, Budget, Green Motion, Dollar, U-Save, Hertz, Europcar, Avis, and Sixt are among them
- Car Hire Hall is a short walk from the terminal (5 minutes)
- Skyscanner reports cheapest daily price from €27
- Most providers open from 07:30 to 23:00+
- Shuttle services are available for off-airport locations
What’s unclear
- Exact real-time cheapest provider varies daily (Skyscanner)
- Shuttle bus frequency and exact wait time not publicly listed (Bristol Airport)
- QEEQ ratings are based on a limited sample and may not reflect current service quality (QEEQ)
Nine on-site companies, one pattern: prices cluster within a narrow band for economy cars, but extras and insurance are where the real differences emerge.
| Company | On-site desk | Approx. economy daily rate | QEEQ rating | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Yes | €30–40 | 9.2 | Wide vehicle range, late hours |
| Budget | Yes | €27–35 | 8.7 | Competitive prices, variable hours |
| Green Motion | Yes (shuttle) | €27–32 | 8.7 | Eco-friendly, low base rate |
| Dollar | Yes | €30–38 | n/a | Part of Hertz network |
| U-Save | Yes | €28–35 | n/a | Good for short rentals |
| Hertz | Yes | €35–50 | 9.0 | Premium fleet, higher cost |
| Europcar | Yes | €30–42 | 8.7 | Includes Keddy by Europcar |
| Avis | Yes | €32–45 | n/a | Good hours until 23:00 |
| Sixt | Yes | €35–48 | n/a | Personalised service |
Upsides
- All major brands on-site, easy to compare
- Short walk from terminal to desks
- Price competition drives low base rates
- Free shuttle to remote car parks for off-airport pickup
Downsides
- Base rates exclude insurance, additional drivers, and mileage
- Weekend hours are limited for some brands
- Walk-up prices are higher than online advance booking
- Shuttle wait times not posted, can be unpredictable
“The base rate is just the beginning. Our data shows that adding standard insurance and an additional driver typically adds 40–50% to the total at Bristol Airport.”
— DiscoverCars, car rental comparison platform
For UK travellers comparing car rental at Bristol Airport, the smartest move is to book at least a week in advance and compare total price across at least three comparison sites, or risk paying up to 50% more at the walk-up counter. On-site convenience is excellent, but without an online pre-book, you’ll leave money on the table.
For travelers looking to compare options, our guide to car hire at Bristol Airport provides a detailed breakdown of the cheapest deals and on-site providers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car at Bristol Airport if I am under 25?
Yes, but most companies apply a young driver surcharge (typically £15–25 per day) for drivers aged 21–24. Some brands like Enterprise and Hertz allow rentals from age 21 with an additional fee.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car at Bristol Airport?
Yes, virtually all on-site companies require a credit card in the main driver’s name for the security deposit. Debit cards may be accepted with additional checks or higher deposits.
Is it cheaper to book car rental in advance at Bristol Airport?
Absolutely. Online advance bookings are often 30–50% cheaper than walk-up rates. Comparison sites like Skyscanner and DiscoverCars offer free cancellation, so there’s no risk in booking early.
What fuel policy do Bristol Airport car rentals use?
Full-to-full is standard: you pick up the car with a full tank and return it full. Some off-airport brands use full-to-empty, which is usually more expensive. Always confirm the policy when booking.
Can I drop off a rental car at Bristol Airport from another location?
Yes, one-way rentals are offered by Enterprise, Hertz, Europcar, and Avis. A drop-off fee may apply, especially if returning to a different city or region.
Are there electric or hybrid cars available at Bristol Airport car hire?
Green Motion specialises in eco-friendly vehicles and offers hybrids and electric cars. Enterprise and Hertz also have limited electric options in their fleets. Availability is best on economy cars; EV stock is limited.
What insurance is included in Bristol Airport car rental prices?
Basic collision damage waiver (CDW) and theft protection are usually included, but with a high excess (often £1,000+). Full coverage (zero excess) is available as an add-on. Compare total price including super CDW across providers.
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