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Car hire in Birmingham at the best prices

One of the most popular destinations in England is the vibrant city of Birmingham. With a world-class shopping scene, six universities, outstanding galleries, inspiring museums and even a chocolate factory, this is the perfect destination for your next holiday. The city is bustling with cultural events, varied attractions and lively streets packed with shops, restaurants, cafes and open-air performers. Not to mention the incredible amount of parks and green areas frequented by families, joggers, pets and more.

Auto Europe brings you the most relevant information about this amazing place. With our insider tips and a car hire in Birmingham, you can plan the perfect trip. Our company has over 60 years of experience in the field, as a lead broker in the car hire industry. We offer car rentals in over 24,000 convenient locations across the globe at the lowest prices. Our services also include motorhome and luxury car rentals. Due to our partnership with international and local suppliers, we provide clients with a wide selection of cars and locations. Don't wait any longer, book online today and experience a high-quality service. Take a look at what others have to say about their Auto Europe car rental experience by visiting our Birmingham car hire reviews page now.

How is the traffic in Birmingham?

Due to its major role in the economy of the country, as well as its central location, Birmingham roads are some of the most heavily used in Great Britain. The city is served by the M5, M6, M40, and M42 motorways. The M40, which connects Birmingham to London, has several traffic blackspots and congestions, as well as the M6 motorway, passing through Liverpool, Manchester, Lancaster, and other cities to the north. If you are planning to rent a car in Birmingham, you can find more information about traffic regulations on our driving information guide in the UK.

Where can I park my car hire in Birmingham?

Parking your car in Birmingham is very simple. There are several car parks available, from street parking spaces to short/long stay car parking. Upon arrival at the city, look for an electronic signage system which displays detailed information about the number of spaces available at each car park. If you have to park on the street, make sure to never park on a white, double yellow or double red line. If the space available is pay and display, please read the information related to the functioning hours and days. If you are parking at Centre Car Park, Moor Street (Selfridges) Car Park and Edgbaston Street Car Park, take advantage of discounted rates after 5 pm.

Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport is easily accessible from several routes in England, and it is situated 6.3 miles southeast of the city centre. With more than 140 destinations worldwide, it handles over 11.6 million passengers each year. Conveniently, passengers can pre-book online the Express Lane Security for £3.75 per person or pay at the kiosk for £5 per person. There are over 7 car parks within a walking distance or a 15-minute shuttle bus ride.

Birmingham Airport (BHX)
Website: https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 871 222 0072
Address: Junction 6 of the M42 via the A45

What to do in Birmingham

The best part about being in a new place is getting to know all of the great things it has to offer. And Birmingham is no exception! This city is brimming with attractions, ranging from unique museums and beautiful parks to modern shopping centres and inviting restaurants. Surprisingly, there are many landmarks you can visit that are still unspoilt, such as the splendorous Winterbourne House and Garden, home to over 6,000 different species of plants from around the world, just six minutes outside of the city. A car rental in Birmingham allows you to easily drive to multiple other destinations, making the most of your journey. Take a look at a few of our suggestions and get inspired!

• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery: Start your tour in Birmingham by learning about the city's history in the best possible way and head over to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Not only is this place free of cost, but it also has some of the best scones in the area. Housed in a Victorian building, this museum has a vast collection of art work, ceramics, Pre-Raphaelites, Staffordshire hoard and religious artifacts. Opening hours are from 10 am to 5 pm every day, except on Fridays, when it opens at 10:30 am.


• Cadbury World: Chocolate is one of the most beloved desserts in the world, and this museum dedicated an entire world for it! Here, children and adults alike can walk through colorful interactive exhibits, watch a 4D movie, learn about chocolate-making and the history of Cadbury. Visitors also have the chance to sample some of the finest chocolate flavours produced by the company. We recommend spending at least 4 hours here. Keep in mind that tickets must be pre-booked over phone, text message, or online, where you can save 5%. Cadbury World opens from 11 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays and from 10:30 am to 6 pm on weekends.


• Birmingham Botanical Gardens: With over 15 acres, this site is jam-packed with exotic plants, colourful flowers, butterflies and different bird species. Not to mention a magnificent Bonsai garden! The many different plants and greenery are housed in elegant Victorian glasshouses, but there are also two playgrounds available for children. Even better, the admission tickets and parking are free of charge. The Botanical Gardens are open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.


• Museum of the Jewellery Quarter: The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is a genuine time travel to the 1980s. A tour of Smith and Pepper's jewellery factory is informative, fun and captivating. You will learn about the workplace environment decades ago and have an insight into both the workers and the family that owned it. It's possible to watch live demonstrations of the jeweller's craft during the legacy tour and admire the well-preserved heritage of the factory. The Museum is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10:30 am until 5 pm and the admission ticket costs £7.00, with the exception of the temporary exhibition space, which is free of charge.


• National Sea Life Centre: Have a fun-filled and different day visiting the National Sea Life Centre, and learning more about Gentoo penguins, starfishes and over 5,000 other sea creatures. The place has stunning marine habitats on display, as well as a fantastic play area with interactive activities such as quizzes and collecting stamps. A special pass allows visitors to experience feeding sharks, turtles and penguins. General admission tickets cost £20.95 at the door, or 40% less when booked online. This family-friendly Centre opens on weekends from 10 am to 6 pm and on weekdays until 4 pm.

Best day trips with my car rental in Birmingham

Now that you know about some of the most spectacular places to visit during your stay, why not take your car hire in Birmingham for a longer drive? In fact, Birmingham is the perfect start point for a road trip, as it is located fairly in the centre of England. This region is full of interesting places and hidden gems waiting to be uncovered. Here are our top day trips suggestions:

Stratford-upon-Avon

In less than an hour driving south, you will arrive at this picturesque town, with colourful flowers and a river crossing the streets. Stratford-upon-Avon is famously known as the birthplace of Shakespeare, and here visitors are treated to an all-things-Shakespeare atmosphere. Several extremely well-preserved buildings date back to over 800 years ago. Don't miss a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), which is a special treat for theatre lovers and a great way to spend your evening.

Warwick

For an authentic medieval experience, we suggest visiting the famous Warwick Castle located in the country town it is named after. This beautiful and well-kept castle, just 45 minutes from Birmingham, is easily accessible and well signposted on the M40. A full day is easily spent here, due to the amount of activities available, such as exploring the castle, the garden and river around it, watching interactive shows of battlements, towers and, of course, taking a break at one of the local restaurants and shops. The castle's walls have over 1,100 years of history to tell! Opening hours are from 10 am to 4 pm, but they may vary by season or event.

Nottingham

Learn all about the English folklore figure of Robin Hood, the outlaw archer that stole from the rich to give to the poor, here in Nottingham. The origins of this legend come from Nottinghamshire, about an hour northeast of Birmingham, via the M42 and A42. The city boasts a massive castle, several museums and even a sophisticated Elizabethan mansion with gardens and a deer park! Spend a rainy day watching art house movies at Broadway Cinema or gin tasting in the Malt Cross caves and top it off with a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants in town.

Geographic Information & History

Birmingham lies in the middle of the green West Midlands, the second most populous county in England. The city itself is the second largest city in the UK. As Birmingham has a temperate maritime climate, the best time to visit it and explore one of the 571 parks in the area is around summer. The hottest month here is in July, with average temperatures of 17°C and sunny days. On the other hand, February brings temperatures as low as 1°C, combined with rainfall.

This is one of England's most important cultural, industrial and commercial areas, especially due to its central role in inspiring social and economic reforms due to the Industrial Revolution. This fast-growing city has its origins as a small Anglo Saxon settlement in the 7th century. However, it was only in the 14th century that it became an established settlement. Four centuries later, the city was regarded as an important centre of the Industrial Revolution in the country, largely due to its metal trade, gun production, jewelry craftsmanship and other trinkets, such as brass buttons, all of which were exported to the world. At that time, its population increased almost 400% in just one century. In 1838, Birmingham's members were incorporated to Parliament, another important milestone for the city. During the 1800's and early 1900's, Birmingham initiated important reforms, such as infrastructure planning, one-way-traffic experiments and the construction of a municipal airport. After the war, the city was rebuilt with a modern central train station, shopping centres and apartment complexes.

Nowadays, Birmingham is a contemporary city and metropolitan hub with a diverse industrial base and leading engineering research, as well as manufacturing of bicycles and motor vehicles. The city is also a proponent of the arts and culture, housing several different theatres, the Birmingham Royal Ballet Company, concert halls, art galleries and studios. Acclaimed universities are located here, and the city's Central Public Library is one of the largest in the country.

How to get around Birmingham

In case you wish to leave your car hire in a car park, there are many options to commute in Birmingham. The city centre can be explored on foot or by bike - there are plenty bike rental companies around. For further destination, the city is serviced by a complex and efficient public network with multiple options of transportation.

Train

Birmingham has several busy stations and local rail lines supported by Transport for West Midlands including Birmingham International Train Station. They cross the city, ensuring quick access to the airport, the centre and other cities. The recently redeveloped New Street Station offers regular services to London, Manchester, Liverpool, the North West and Scotland. Six minutes from here lies Moor Street Station, with direct connections to Stratford upon Avon and Kidderminster. Birmingham Snow Hill Station serves local rail services to Solihull and Worcester.

Tram

The light-rail system connects Birmingham via Bull Street to Wolverhampton, passing through West Bromwich and Wednesbury, with plans for further extensions. It is operated by TfWM on streets in urban areas. Tickets can be purchased online or on the Midland Metro. Tourists can buy a combined day-ticket for metro/bus, valid for unlimited use on the Midland Metro tram and most bus operators. Prices are, on average, £6.50.

Bus

Birmingham is well connected by the Network West Midlands Company, which offers a large choice of bus lines, including low floor models. Keep in mind that buses can't be hailed here, so passengers wishing to board should wait for the bus at official stops. Tickets can be purchased on board, but you need to give the exact fare amount. One-day tickets cost £5 on the Swift Pay As You Go card and are available online or at Payzone outlets. From the airport, the 97 and 97/A lines lead to the city centre, operating 24 hours a day. Timetables can be accessed on NWT official website, or by calling 0871 200 22 33.

Taxi

Taxis are widely available throughout the city and can be flagged down anywhere. Black cab operators are known as TOA Taxis. The T.C. Cars Company offers a private hire service.

Can I hire a campervan in Birmingham?

As a central hub, Birmingham is the ideal starting point to an adventurous trip around England, and even the UK! Auto Europe offers various options of campervans to rent at various locations in England. Not only are you able to plan your own journey, but you will also save considerable amounts. Take a look at our offers and get inspired for your holidays on the land of the queen.

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