How to find a cheap car hire deal in St Etienne
Pick up a cheap rental car in St Etienne for an average of £130 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, making booking quick and easy.
The cheapest daily rental price in St Etienne is £32.
For longer trips, grab a weekly rental from £222 and pack more sights into your itinerary.
Book early to snap up the best price for a St Etienne car hire. Beyond just getting a great rate, you'll have first pick of the most popular options.
Find your perfect ride with Sixt, Enterprise or Keddy By Europcar. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.
The coverage Sixt or another supplier includes with your St Etienne car hire can vary, so remember to read the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will charge extra for it.
Booking one-way could snag you a bargain on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved around. Just click 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in St Etienne.
Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. No surprise fuel add-ons when you hand back the keys either.
Want to explore freely without stressing about how many miles you clock up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and drive as far as you like without the extra charges.
Best value car hire options right now
The best value overall comes from this company, with average prices at £43 a day.
Offering daily rates of around £60, this provider comes in next.
The third option also makes your money go further. Expect to pay roughly £44 a day for one of their rentals.
Want a car that makes sense for everyday trips? The Fullsize rental category is the top choice for travellers visiting St Etienne.
Compare car hire types in St Etienne
Small: Whether you're weaving through city traffic or just planning a quick trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect great mileage and easy handling.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine comfort, space and fuel efficiency. Easy to handle in cities and with enough space for longer drives, they work well for most trips.
Large: Long drives are effortless in this St Etienne car hire category. Also known as full-size, they've got the engine power for lengthy trips. The extra legroom and comfort make them an excellent choice for groups of friends and families.
SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel fix for wanderlust. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and country backroads alike.
Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in St Etienne big enough for a small crowd (and their suitcases), a van has space where it counts. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid pick for group trips, moving or business needs.
Insurance and optional extras
Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but is something to think about. If your car is damaged, no matter how minor, it can help you avoid paying an expensive excess fee. Different St Etienne car hire providers have different insurance policies and coverage levels, so check the terms before booking.
Make driving easier when you rent a car in St Etienne by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a navigation system to be your go-everywhere guide, or reverse cameras that upgrade your parking game.
Good to know
To rent a vehicle in France, you typically have to be at least 21 years old. Some places may rent vehicles to younger drivers for a surcharge, so always check the terms before securing your wheels.
If you're bringing the kids along, check if you need to add a child car seat to your St Etienne car hire reservation. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to ride.
You'll need to hand over a few things when picking up your rental car: a valid driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds for the security deposit. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. The full set of requirements will be laid out in your booking.
If you've never driven in France, keep in mind that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.
Keep within the local speed limits. Usually that's around 45kph (30mph) in built-up areas and 125kph (80mph) or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in France. The only sure way to stay legal to drive is to skip the drinks.
One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 8am. Make travel easier by steering clear of peak periods.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) for all your purchases and expenses on your trip. You may find it handy to carry a mix of cards and cash so you always have a backup option.
Best hotels in St Etienne for drivers
Pull in, unpack, and ease into your stay at Hotel ASTORIA- Saint Etienne-Centre des Congrès-. Offering parking as well as a library and internet access, this hotel is about 2 kms (1 mile) from central St Etienne.
Hôtel Continental makes travel simpler with parking and features like luggage storage and express check-in. It's roughly 0.97 kms (0.60 miles) from the city centre.
Want more inspiration? Browse the full lineup of hotels in St Etienne. You can narrow things down with filters — try 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' If you're driving electric, you can select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter too.
Once you've found a car hire deal in St Etienne and the right hotel, all that's left is deciding where to go first. Begin your sightseeing at popular attractions like Abbey of Valbenoîte, Musée de la Mine and Cite du Design.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from St Etienne
Around 48 kms (30 miles) northeast of central St Etienne, Lyon should be on your itinerary. Make your way to can't-miss sights like Fête Des Lumières and Lyon Old Town.
Hotel Charlemagne By Happyculture and Ibis Budget Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu are popular accommodation options with parking in Lyon.
Or collect your cheap car hire in St Etienne and then take off to Villeurbanne. About 56 kms (35 miles) northeast of St Etienne, Jardin Botanique de Lyon and Fresque murale aquatique en réalité augmentée are standout attractions that are well worth the trip.
Take it easy after a day spent exploring Villeurbanne at Hotel Charlemagne By Happyculture or Ibis Budget Lyon Centre - Gare Part Dieu. These hotels have arrangements for guests with cars.
Take things a bit further and road-trip it to Montpellier, roughly 209 kms (130 miles) south of St Etienne. Make your first stop Arc de Triomphe, then take your time exploring Cathedrale St-Pierre.
Check out the room availability at Radisson Blu Hotel, Montpellier or B&B Hotel Montpellier Centre Le Millénaire. They're a convenient base for exploring everything Montpellier has to offer. They also offer parking.
