Car Hire at Southampton Airport
Southampton Airport is your local airport connecting you to the South Coast of England. With a range of destinations near Southampton Airport including the New Forest and the Isle of Wight, hiring a car, both self drive and chauffeur driven, is a great form of transport for seeing Southern England. Click here for more information on Southampton and the surrounding area.
If you plan on hiring a car from Southampton airport you should try and book in advance to get the best deal. Car hire providers usually have their best deals online so you should visit their websites to find the latest deals and discounts.
There are 7 car hire providers at Southampton airport. You will find their desks opposite the terminal building in the Car Rental Reception Centre near the short stay car park. Once you receive your keys staff will direct you to your vehicle.
Direct Bookings
| Provider | Phone | Website | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | + 44 (0) 8713 849 847 | www.europcar.co.uk |  | ||
 | + 44 (0) 8713 841 086 | www.alamo.co.uk | | ||
 | + 44 (0) 8713 841 140 | www.nationalcar.co.uk | | ||
 | + 44 (0) 8445 810 147 | www.avis.co.uk |  | | |
 | + 44 (0) 8433 093 001 | www.hertz.co.uk | | ||
 | + 44 (0) 8445 444 085 | www.budget.co.uk |  | | |
 | + 44 (0) 2380 653 700 | www.enterprise.com | |
Compare Car Hire
You can compare car hire providers' prices online using online comparison sites such as the Car Hire Centre. Sites such as this will compare all of the providers at a location to help save you money.
Car Hire Centre
There are 7 car hire providers at Southampton Airport and it can be difficult to choose between them. Visit the Car Hire Centre if you want a car hire quote fast. Alternatively you can call them on +44 (0)844 816 0099 for a direct quote.
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holiday autos are a price comparison company who compare only the best value car rentals throughout the world. You can visit them for a quote today.
Map of Southampton Car Hire Locations
Southampton and the surrounding area
Southampton is the hometown of the Saints football club and Southampton University. The city also boasts having the region’s best concert halls, art galleries and theaters. The city is rich in history which is visible in the Old Town.
From Southampton you can access a range of UK destinations including the Isle of Wight. Red Funnel offer a ferry direct from Southampton to East Cowes in the Isle of Wight. The journey only takes an hour and the Isle of Wight is a fantastic holiday destination. The island also hosts the Isle of Wight festival every summer. The festival is popular with music fans across the UK.
To get to the Isle of Wight ferry from Southampton airport you could pick up your rental vehicle from Southampton Airport and drive it onto the ferry so you have a car while you are in the Isle of Wight. Alternatively you could hire a car from Europcar at Southampton Airport and drop it off at their West Quay Road location near Southampton docks and walk onto the ferry. Although this is a one way hire which usually costs more, Europcar will allow you to do this from only £45 using Airport Connect. This price is exclusively to Southampton Airport Guide visitors. Click here for more information.
Southampton Airport is also a short drive from the new Forest National Park. The park is a fantastic destination for campers and visitors interested in activities. The drive should take just over 20 minutes and hiring a car means you can pack all of your camping equipment at no extra cost.
Young Drivers
Age Requirements
To hire a car from Southampton Airport you must be at least over the age of 19. Hertz are the only provider at Southampton Airport who allow rentals for drivers over 19. National, Alamo and Europcar have a minimum age requirement of 21. Enterprise, Avis and Budget only allow drivers over the age of 23 to hire a car with them.
Student Discounts
Hertz offer students up to 15% off off car hire with them. All you need is a valid NUS card which you will need to present on collection of the vehicle.
Young Driver's Surcharge
Drivers under 25 usually have to pay what is called a young driver’s surcharge. The charge is added per rental day and varies for each provider. It may also differ depending on your desired rental vehicle and main driver age. You can find out more about each individual provider’s young driver’s surcharge fee by looking at the “more information” section at the bottom of the page.
Collecting your rental
When you collect your vehicle you will need to present your driving license (both the card and paper parts) and a second form of identification such as a passport. You will also need a valid credit card.
Once you receive the keys to your vehicle take a couple of minutes to check the car. If you find any damage inform your car hire provider to make sure you do not get charged for it at the end of your rental.
You should then get to know your vehicle by checking how to use all of the controls and perhaps having a drive around the forecourt.
Additional Charges
Car Hire providers have a whole range of additional charges such as excess charges if the car is damaged, one way hire charges, airport charges and many more. The following charges are possible charges that may not necessarily be added to your booking but you should be aware of them in case they are.
Car Hire Excess Charges
If your car is damaged during your rental then car hire providers may charge you what they call an excess to repair the damage. This fee could cost anything up to £2,000. To avoid this charge you should buy car hire excess insurance from Insurance4carhire. They specialise in car hire excess insurance and will do their best to give you the best deal. Car hire providers may offer you their own car hire excess insurance but it is often quite expensive and excludes parts of the vehicle such as the windscreen, roof and tyres. Insurance4carhire covers all of these vehicle parts at no extra cost.
Airport Surcharges
Car hire providers often use terms like airport surcharge in their policies without identifying what these terms mean. Airport Surcharge is a fee added to your booking when you hire a vehicle from an airport. The charge is added to cover the price providers have to pay to airports to use their facilites. Sometimes you have to pay this charge upon arrival at the airport so check with your provider if this is the case.
If you find other car hire terms on your booking you do not understand or need a definition for then click here.
One way rental charges
One way rentals can be a great way of getting to, from or between airports. However, one way car hire usually incurs a large fee as car hire providers need to keep track of where their vehicles are. Europcar, National and Alamo offer Airport Connect especially for one way rentals to, from or between airports. The price starts from £49 usually, but Europcar offer Airport Connect from only £45 exclusively for Southampton Airport Guide visitors.
Late Charges
If you return your vehicle more than 59 minutes later than your specified time you may be charged a late fee which is usually the equivalent of an additional day’s hire. To avoid this fee plan your return journey carefully and try and avoid any traffic by listening to a local radio that offers travel advice.
If you would like more car hire advice and information visit the Car Hire Centre.
Southampton Airport Car Hire Providers
With 7 car hire providers to choose from it can be difficult to choose who to book your rental with. Here you can find information on each provider to help you choose your rental provider.
Provider Extras
Products and services available at Southampton Airport:
 |  |  |  |  |  | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Seats |  | | | | | | |
| Satellite Navigation | | | | | | | |
| Hire via Phone App. | | | |  | | | |
| Disabled Driver Hand Controls | | | | | | | |
| Entertainment Systems | | | | | | | |
Opening Hours
Europcar opening hours:
- Mon-Fri: 7.30am until 10pm
- Sat: 7.30am unti 7pm
- Sun: 9.30am until 10pm
Free delivery and collection
Europcar can deliver or collect your car for free. To find out more, including terms and conditions please call 0871 384 1142 .
Minimum age of hire
You must be over 21 to hire a car with Europcar.
Young Driver’s Surcharge
Applied to rentals where the driver is under 25.
Usually costs from £13 per day.
Price of a Satellite Navigation system
From £10 per day
Cost of additional driver
From £5.50 per day you can share the driving during your rental.
*Airport Connect
If you are looking for one way hire to, from or between airports, Europcar’s Airport Connect one way hire starts from only £45, exclusively for Southampton Airport Guide visitors.
Services for disabled drivers
Contact details for requesting services for disabled drivers:
Phone: 0870 384 1087
Opening Hours
National Car opening hours at Southampton Airport:
- Mon-Fri: 07:30 - 22:00
- Sat: 07:30 - 19:00
- Sun: 09:30 - 22:00
Minimum age of hire
You must be over 21 to hire a car from National Car at Southampton Airport.
Young Driver’s Surcharge
All drivers under 25 need to pay a young driver’s surcharge.
Young Driver’s Surcharge costs from £11.67 per day.
Price of a satellite navigation system
You can book a satellite navigation system from £8.33 per day.
Cost of additional driver
£6.50 per day.
HireRewards
HireRewards is a loyalty scheme set up by National Car for frequent rentals.
Airport Connect
From only £49 you can hire a one way hire to, from or between airports with Airport Connect.
Drivers with disabilities
For additional features like hand controls please email National Car at mobility@nationalcar.com.
Opening Hours
Alamo opening hours at Southampton Airport:
- Mon-Fri: 07:30 - 22:00
- Sat: 07:30 - 19:00
- Sun: 09:30 - 22:00
Minimum age of hire
Drivers need to be over 21 to hire a car with Alamo.
Young Driver’s Surcharge
Drivers aged 24 and under will need to pay £11.67 +VAT young driver’s surcharge.
Price of Satellite Navigation
You can add satellite navigation systems to your booking from only £8.33 per day + VAT
Cost of additional driver
The price for an additional driver starts at £5.83 per day +VAT
Airport Connect
Airport Connect is ant one way hire to, from or between airports. The price starts from only £49.
Opening hours
Hertz hours of operation at Southampton airport:
- Mon-Fri: 7.30am until 9pm
- Sat: 7.30am until 7pm
- Sun 9.30am until 9pm
Flight Number
If you are flying to Southampton airport and collecting your car from the airport you will need to give your provider a flight number so they can track the status of your flight.
Minimum age of hire
The minimum age to hire a car with Hertz is 19.
Young Driver’s Surcharge
All drivers under the age of 25 will need to pay a young driver’s surcharge fee.
With Hertz that fee starts from £15.75 per day.
Student Discounts
Students can get discounts off their car and van hire if they have a valid NUS card.
Cost of additional driver
Additional drivers cost from £9 per day with Hertz.
Services for physically challenged drivers
Disabled drivers can request hand controls by emailing 0870 840 0084. You will need to request hand controls at least 24 hours before your booking to ensure they have enough time to fit the equipment.
Opening hours
Avis opening hours at Southampton Airport:
- Mon-Fri: 07:30 - 22:00
- Sat: 07:30 - 18:30
- Sun: 09:30 - 21:30
Minimum age of hire
You must be over 23 years old to hire a car with Avis.
Young Driver’s Surcharge
Young Driver’s surcharge costs about £11 per day and is applied to rentals when the driver is under the age of 25.
Cost of additional driver
Cost of additional driver per day: From £9
Satellite Navigation
If you want to book satellite navigation systems you will be charged a fee starting at £13.99 per day.
Avis Chauffeur Driven
Avis offer a chauffeur driven car rental service. To book or find out more information please call Avis on 020 8326 7600.
Disabled Driver Options
Disabled driver options include adding Lynx hand controls onto bookings. To book please call 08445 81 81 81 more than 48 hours before the start of your rental.
Opening hours
Budget opening hours at Southampton airport:
- Mon-Fri: 7.30am - 10pm
- Sat: 7.30am - 6.30pm
- Sun: 9am - 9.30pm
Minimum age of hire
Drivers must be over the age of 23 to hire a car with Budget.
Young Driver’s Surcharge
All drivers aged between 23-25 will have to pay £11 per day young driver’s surcharge.
Cost of additional driver
Additional drivers can be added from £9 per day.
Disabled Driver Options
Budget offer a variety of disabled driver options. To book features or find out about additional features please call 0844 544 3407.
Opening hours
Enterprise opening hours at Southampton airport:
- Mon-Fri: 07.30am - 9.30pm
- Sat: 7.30am - 7.30pm
- Sun: 9am - 9.30pm
Disabled driver information
Enterprise have a selection of optional extras for disabled drivers. To find out more please call 01279-682955 more than 24 hours before the start of your rental.
Minimum age of hire
Drivers must be over 23 to hire a car from Enterprise.
Young Driver’s Surcharge
All drivers aged 24 and under will need to pay a young driver’s surcharge.
The young driver’s surcharge amount varies from £15-£30 depending on the driver’s age and required rental vehicle.