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Car hire in Wales - get the best rates on your next rental
Portrayed in numerous films, Wales boasts many historic sights, iconic landscapes, and beautiful sceneries perfect for a family holiday or a romantic getaway. Famous for its castles from the Middle Ages, interesting historical museums and galleries and steeped in history, Wales is an attractive place with a living Celtic culture. Most of the country is mountainous terrain which makes it a popular destination for outdoor activities and attracts tourists all year-round.
Choose Auto Europe as your rental broker for your car hire in Wales. With pick-up locations in all major cities, including airports and railway stations, Auto Europe is able to offer you a rental car all over the country. Thanks to a large choice of vehicles Auto Europe can help you find just the right car for your needs. Discover everything Wales has to offer at your own pace by car by doing a quick search and comparing all available offers today. Should you need help with your reservation then please don´t hesitate to contact our friendly and highly skilled rental specialists for assistance.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Wales, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
| Suppliers | Car Hire FAQs | Travel Guide |
Where to Pick up a Car Hire in Wales
In Wales a number of popular destinations are available if you need to pick up a car rental and include Cardiff, Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, Swansea and Newport. Most of the suppliers we work with in Wales are based at centrally located spots, but also include Cardiff Airport and Cardiff Central Train Station. By toggling the map view on the booking engine when doing a search on our site you will be able to find your most suitable pick-up location easily and compare all offers conveniently in 3 easy steps.
Compare Car Hire Rates at the Most Popular Airport and Rail Stations in Wales
Book with the Best Car Hire Suppliers in Wales
Auto Europe works closely with some of the worlds most renowned car hire suppliers and Wales is no exception with rentals available at affordable price from Alamo, Avis, Europcar, Budget and National. This enables us to offer great rates on your next car hire, with a large range of vehicles to choose from, and added extras such as free additional drivers and free upgrades.
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If you want to find out more about individiual policies from a specific supplier or have questions about rental options such as out of office pick-up and drop off, age requirements or adding extras equipment, please feel free to contact our reservations department that are available over the phone and email 7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions about Renting a Car in Wales
Our years of experience allow us to guarantee that the entire process of your rental will be a simple and stress-free process. This section has been created in order to answer some of the most common questions that arise when booking a car rental in Wales. If after reading this section, you still have questions, please contact us so we can assist you.
What are the most important driving rules in Wales?
Take a look at our short guide to driving your car rental in Wales. The road regulations do not differ from the rest of the UK. Be careful on narrow countryside roads, where you need to pay attention to live stock; sheep may graze close or come on the road. In the mountains, when the weather becomes wintry, pay attention to slippery roads. Because of the topography of the country, travelling from north to south is time-consuming but very rewarding due to the beautiful scenery.
- Driving is done on the left in Wales.
- Generally, speed limits are as follows: in the city the limit is 30 mph, outside of the city the limit is generally 60 mph, and on motorways you should limit your speed to 70 mph.
- Most vehicles in the UK have manual gearshift.
- Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers.
- Blood alcohol limit in Wales is 0.05 BAC.
- The minimum driving age is 17, but for car hire it is mostly 23 (exceptions may apply). Car rental companies may apply additional fees for drivers under 25.
- In Wales, children under 12 are allowed to sit in the front or rear of the vehicle as long as they have the appropriate restraint system.
- It is illegal to use your phone while driving and comes with hefty fines.
- Petrol stations are easy to find along the motorways and in towns.
How old do I have to be to rent a car in Wales?
Although the minimum driving age in Wales is 17, it will depend on the terms and conditions of the supplier if there are any age restrictions. In general, most car hire suppliers have a minimum age requirement of 23. Most suppliers have a young driver surcharge for drivers that are under the age of 26. Make sure to check the terms and conditions, and in case you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our reservation department.
Do I need to pay toll when driving my car rental in Wales?
Most of the roads in Wales are toll-free. Two bridges connecting Wales with England are toll-bridges: Second Severn Crossing on the M4 and Severn Bridge on the M48. The third toll-bridge in Wales is Cleddau Bridge on the A477 in Pembrokeshire in the south of the country.
Can I hire a campervan in Wales?
Of course! Travelling around Wales will become more independent with a motorhome. Campervans in the UK are widely available for rent and Auto Europe has some of the best offers. Give a home on wheels a try and make the most of your travels in Wales.
Wales Travel Guide
Celtic Wales was occupied by the Romans from the 1st to the 5th century. The Kingdom of Gwynedd was a successor state that occupied the most territories of today's Wales. It was ruled by Celtic kings until it was conquered by Edward I in 1283. In 1301, he named his son, Edward III, the Prince of Wales. Until today the oldest son of the reigning British monarch becomes the Prince of Wales. Owain Glyndwr, who was the last Welsh born Prince of Wales, began the revolt against the English rulers in 1400 which ended 10 years later. In the middle of the 16th century, Wales was united with England and since then was ruled from London. The National Assembly for Wales was created in 1998, and in 2006 it was given legislative powers.
Road trips with my car hire in Wales
In this section, we would like to present you with a choice of one-day trips you could do with a rent a car in Wales. For the trips in the rest of the UK, please see our road trip page. Our selection includes historic and leisure destinations perfect for a trip with family and friends or romantic getaways.
- Cardiff: The country's economic centre, Cardiff was named the capital city in 1955. This port city is located on the south coast of Wales and has once been the world's largest coal port. Today the city attracts visitors with the impressive Cardiff Castle. The National Museum Cardiff is devoted to arts and natural history. Cardiff museum, together with six other institutions spread around the country, forms the Welsh National Museum. Cardiff museum is well worth a visit as it exhibits interesting nature displays and fine art. This lively and modern capital city is now one of the top ten shopping destinations in the UK and is growing more and more popular with tourists.
- Conwy Castle: As one of the four Welsh castles listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Conwy Castle is said to be the most beautiful one. Built in the late 13th century, the castle offers its visitors fantastic views over Conwy, mountains and the sea. It was one of the most costly Edward I castles in Wales and is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in the UK.
- Barafundle Bay: And now for something completely different, we would like to draw your attention to Barafundle Bay. It's a small and stunning white sand beach outlined with dunes, pine trees and green hills. It is located in the south west of Wales in Pembrokeshire. Barafundle Bay is the perfect destination for a leisure trip to the seaside.
What to do in Wales
Wales is mostly known for its rich wildlife and beautiful landscapes. The country's most scenic region, Snowdonia has been portrayed in numerous films, one of them being "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword", for example. Therefore, when visiting Wales you have to go to the mountains and experience first-hand what this country is famous for. All of the below mentioned attractions can easily be reached with your car hire in Wales.
- Snowdonia: Snowdonia is Wales' number one attraction when it comes to nature. It is mountainous terrain in the county of Gwynedd. Snowdonia is featured in the legends of King Arthur and is now home to Snowdonia National Park, one of the most popular hiking destinations in the UK. Its highest peak Snowdon, 3,546 feet high, can be accessed on foot or by train. A perk to the beautiful scenery is the Zip World in Penrhyn Quarry - the longest zipline in Europe. Zip five hundred feet in the air at 100 mph and enjoy the panoramic views!
- Ffestiniog Railway: Once in Snowdonia, you cannot miss the opportunity to take a ride with the Ffestiniog Railway. It is a narrow gauge historic railway, located in Snowdonia National Park. The heritage railway runs 40 miles through the park's most beautiful scenery connecting Caernarfon with Blaenau Ffestiniog.
- Caernarfon Castle: Caernarfon is one of the historic towns in Wales. It features one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe - Caernarfon Castle. Built in 1283 by King Edward I, the castle switched hands from the English to the Welsh in the years to come. The castle was rebuilt in the 19th century. It has been site to two investitures, the last one of Prince Charles in 1969.
- Brecon Beacons National Park: It is located in the heart of Brecon Beacons hills in the south of Wales. It is mostly famous for the wild ponies living in the east of the park. Often visited by hikers, the park is also famous for its caves and waterfalls.
- Swansea Indoor Market: "When in Rome..." Stroll through over 100 stalls at one of the most popular indoor markets in Swansea. Shop for local fresh-made food and Welsh specialities like cockles or laverbread. The market also features jewellery and gifts shops as well as leather goods, cafés and coffee shops.