Your quick travel guide to Southampton

Finding Yourself in Southampton

The welcoming city of Southampton lays fewer than 70 miles south-west of London. Bounded by rivers and forests, and never too far from the sea, the city enjoys an altogether warmer and sunnier climate than that of its northern counterparts. It hosts four million tourists a year who flock towards its stunning coastal areas, acres of lush greenery and exciting medley of heritage, culture and entertainment. Car hire in Southampton is one of the cheapest, fastest and most comfortable ways to travel, making it possible to go from sun-kissed beachside to bustling downtown in a matter of minutes.

Things to See and Do: Where to Drive Your Auto Rental

There’s a wealth of places you can punch into your sat-nav while exploring Southampton. The thriving city centre, sitting right between the sparkling rivers Test and Itchen, is the ideal place to start your holiday. Step into Southampton’s Old Town and you’ll find enough heritage and history to satisfy even the most avid culture-vulture. From the looming Arundel Tower, with its related melancholic legends, to the regal lion statues fiercely guarding the northern Bargate entrance, there’s certainly plenty of material to fill your SD card. When you’re tired of stately buildings, wind down by watching a football match or some first-class cricket – Southampton is renowned for its fondness of sports of all kinds and has the stadiums to prove it. Or spend an insightful few hours at the SeaCity Museum, an enlightening building dedicated to exploring Southampton’s intricate relationship with the sea throughout the ages.

After you’ve visited Westquay Shopping Centre for some serious retail therapy and stopped at a riverside eatery for a bite to eat, it’s time to hop into your rental and venture further afield. Before that, though, don’t forget to meander down to one of Southampton’s four cruise terminals for the chance of catching a peek at a majestic cruise liner docked at the port – the city is known as the cruise capital of the world.

Southampton’s proximity to the sea means that the beach is never far away. Towards the south, and under a mile’s drive away, several sandy, rocky and shingle beaches await. Families looking for some well-spent quality time should head for Milford-on-Sea or Avon in Dorset, while those with a thirst for adventure should point their vehicle in the direction of Lepe Beach.

A multitude of other must-sees lie within easy reach. Why not hop onto a ferry from Southampton and spend the day on the Isle of Wight for some stunning scenery, challenging walks and trails and quaint villages? Or treat the kids to a visit to Marwell Zoo, near Winchester.

Why You Should Hire a Car in Southampton

There are several reasons why car rental in Southampton is the best way of getting around:

  • It’s cost-efficient - Apart from being the most flexible and comfortable way to travel, cheap car hire in Southampton is very easy to find. Just visit EconomyBookings.com for a vast range of options to suit your needs and budget.
  • Great weather conditions – Navigating Southampton’s roads is always a breeze with such fine weather! Even in winter, temperatures rarely drop below freezing point, so not only can you visit whenever you like, but you can also drive wherever you like without worry!
  • It’s the ideal base for exploring the surroundings – Southampton city centre is packed full of attractions that can most certainly keep you busy. Having access to a hired car, though, means that you don’t have to limit yourself to a few busy streets. A multitude of other, equally exciting locales lie just minutes away.
  • Parking is a piece of cake – You’ll be pleased to find that there are plenty of options for cheap parking in Southampton. The city is liberally sprinkled with no less than 42 indoor and outdoor car parks, so finding a space for your rental shouldn’t present a problem, whatever time you’re visiting. Centrally, parking involves a small fee, but off the beaten path you’ll find that parking is absolutely free.

Experience the top locations with car rental in Southampton

Southampton Airport
Alamo
8.8

All car rental in Southampton

Discover the cheapest car rental in Southampton

Cheap Car Rental in Southampton FORD FOCUS
FORD FOCUS
5
2
4
M
From US$ 46.36 per day
*
Cheap Car Rental in Southampton VAUXHALL CORSA
VAUXHALL CORSA
5
2
2
M
From US$ 27.27 per day
*
Cheap Car Rental in Southampton NISSAN QASHQAI
NISSAN QASHQAI
5
2
M
From US$ 65.67 per day
*
Cheap Car Rental in Southampton TOYOTA AYGO
TOYOTA AYGO
4
1
2
M
From US$ 47.54 per day
*
Cheap Car Rental in Southampton NISSAN QASHQAI
NISSAN QASHQAI
5
2
M
From US$ 65.67 per day
*
Cheap Car Rental in Southampton FORD TOURNEO CUSTOM
FORD TOURNEO CUSTOM
9
1
M
From US$ 140.81 per day
*
Cheap Car Rental in Southampton FORD GALAXY
FORD GALAXY
7
3
M
From US$ 106.54 per day
*
Cheap Car Rental in Southampton FORD TOURNEO CUSTOM
FORD TOURNEO CUSTOM
9
1
M
From US$ 140.81 per day
*

* Disclaimer: Prices displayed may not reflect today's rates.

What our customers say

Car rental companies in Southampton

We have prepared a shortlist of top rental companies in Southampton. To save both time and money compare offers on EconomyBookings.com to find the best deal.

Enterprise
star
7.7 /13 reviews
Available in 2 locations
Time it took to drop your car off9.8
Cleanliness of the car8.1
Overall condition of the car8.8
Time it took to pick your car up7.1
Alamo
star
8.8 /10 reviews
Available in 1 location
Time it took to drop your car off10.0
Cleanliness of the car8.5
Overall condition of the car9.2
Time it took to pick your car up7.8
Europcar
star
8.6 /2 reviews
Available in 2 locations
Time it took to drop your car off9.2
Cleanliness of the car9.0
Overall condition of the car7.6
Time it took to pick your car up7.5