How to find a cheap car hire deal in Glasgow
Pick up a cheap rental car in Glasgow for around £52 a day and drive off happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, so you can quickly compare prices and book.
Daily rental prices in Glasgow start from just £8.
Taking a longer break? Pick up a weekly rental from £55 and explore beyond the usual highlights.
Get the timing right and book around two weeks ahead to drive away with the best price on a Glasgow car hire.
Browse the offers available with Green Motion, Drivalia and Enterprise. They're among the top-rated providers in the city.
Whether you book with Green Motion or another supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your Glasgow car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others sell it as a separate extra.
Booking one-way could save you cash on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved between sites. Simply choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in Glasgow.
Avoid those steep refueling fees by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.
Want to explore freely without worrying about the number of miles you clock up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra fees.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll find the best deal with this company. Prices average £80 a day.
Offering daily rates of around £78, this provider is next in line.
The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly £51 a day with this supplier.
If you're unsure which ride is right for you, choose something from the Economy rental category. It's the most widely booked car type in Glasgow.
Flying to Glasgow? Think about an airport pick-up
Make arrival day easier by picking up a car hire at Glasgow Intl Airport. If you're flying to Glasgow through this airport, simply collect your wheels after landing and go. The drive to the city centre is about 13 kms (8 miles) and takes around 20 minutes.
Or make a smooth getaway with a car hire from Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Once you've collected the keys, it'll take roughly 50 minutes to drive the 48 kms (30 miles) or so to the centre.
Compare car hire types in Glasgow
Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Glasgow puts you on the road for less. These zippy, fuel-efficient rides are ideal for city driving and short trips.
Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the Goldilocks of rentals! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of fuel efficiency and interior space and are great for couples and small families.
Large: Long drives are effortless in this Glasgow car hire category. Also known as full-size, they have the engine size to match the journey. The extra space and comfort make them a great option for families and groups of friends.
SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and an open view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged backcountry or zipping along smooth highways, many offer all-wheel drive to help you take on any road.
Van: Go for this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in Glasgow that can handle the heavy stuff. Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's equipment, baggage or whoever's along for the ride.
Insurance and optional extras
Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but is something you should consider. If your ride is damaged, no matter how minor, it can save you from paying an expensive excess fee. Different Glasgow car hire providers have different insurance policies and cover levels, so check the terms before booking.
Take your ride to the next level with handy extras like a reverse camera and GPS unit. They can make your journey easier and more relaxed when you rent a car in Glasgow.
Good to know
You generally have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in the United Kingdom. Being younger isn't always a deal-breaker — just be prepared for extra fees or rules. Check the suppliers' terms and conditions before you book.
Add a car seat to your Glasgow car hire reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Rules can change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest way to travel.
You'll be asked for some documents when you get to the rental desk. As a rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough balance for the excess (most companies don't accept debit cards), and additional photo ID. Your booking will outline the exact requirements.
If you're new to driving in the United Kingdom, be aware that traffic here keeps to the left side of the road.
Local speed limits are usually about 40kph (25mph) in built-up areas and around 100kph (65mph) on highways. Check the road signs, as limits may vary.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08% applies in the United Kingdom. The safest choice for staying legal to drive is to not drink at all.
Around 5pm is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid busy hours generally for a smoother drive.
The British pound (GBP) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day purchases and activities. Pay with a debit or credit card when you can, and keep some cash handy when electronic payments aren't accepted.
Best hotels in Glasgow for drivers
Pull in and enjoy your stay at Brunswick Merchant City Hotel. Offering parking as well as Wi-Fi and a nightclub, this hotel is about 0.80 kms (0.50 miles) from central Glasgow.
Or make use of the parking at Dakota Glasgow. The city centre is roughly 0.48 kms (0.30 miles) from this stay, which also features a bar and a restaurant.
Explore the full lineup of hotels in Glasgow and pick the stay that suits your plans. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to your needs — like 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with on-site charging.
After you've locked in a car hire deal in Glasgow and the right hotel, the only thing left is to decide where to head to first. Get things started with major attractions such as Glasgow Cathedral, King's Theatre and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Glasgow
Shift gears and make tracks to Edinburgh. Around 64 kms (40 miles) east of central Glasgow, it's home to must-sees like Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.
Ten Hill Place and Travelodge Edinburgh Dreghorn are popular accommodation options with parking in Edinburgh.
Or pick up your cheap car hire in Glasgow and then head for Livingston. Roughly 48 kms (30 miles) east of Glasgow, Five Sisters Zoo and Almond Valley Heritage Centre are top attractions that make the extra drive worth it.
Livingston Lodge Hotel and Mercure Livingston Hotel are comfortable places to stay in Livingston if you're hanging around for a while. Book one of these and have somewhere handy to leave your ride.
Up for a bonus adventure? Bradford is a top road trip destination that's about 290 kms (180 miles) southeast of Glasgow. Consider making a few pit stops at Bradford Cathedral and Cartwright Hall.
Check out the room availability at Holiday Inn Express Bradford City Centre by IHG or Leonardo Hotel Bradford. Make one of them your base and enjoy everything Bradford has to offer. They also come with parking.
