Car Rental - Cardiff
Named the capital of Wales in 1955, Cardiff today is a striking fusion of the ancient and the ultra-modern. Explore it with a Hertz car rental. It boasts historic forts and fascinating Roman architecture, set seamlessly alongside stylishly regenerated urban areas at its waterfront. You're also only a short distance from stunning national parks and spectacular coastal spots.
It's simple to rent a car in Cardiff – we have multiple branches in the city, including at Cardiff Airport. With your own four wheels, you can discover all this UK destination has to offer.
Browse our range of holiday and business car rentals online to find the perfect one for your Cardiff trip. Once you’ve picked one out, you can reserve it in advance. That way all you need to do when you collect it is sign the paperwork, grab the keys and head out onto the open road.
There are no hidden extras to pay and if you need to amend or cancel your booking, we won’t charge you for it when you change or cancel up to two days before collection. Renting a car will also mean you don’t have to rely on public transport. Roam Cardiff freely with Hertz.
Cardiff Locations
A Quick Guide to Cardiff
The Welsh capital offers a beguiling blend of the ancient and the modern, as medieval castles rub shoulders with recently regenerated former industrial areas. And with a Hertz rental car, you can get around Cardiff with ease, as well as venturing further afield to take in some stunning natural scenery.
Get to Grips With Cardiff’s Regal History
Located on top of a hill in the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle demands attention. Park up your car rental and enjoy the eye-catching stronghold boasting more than 2,000 years of history.
Once a Roman fort, the keep was built during the Norman era and the castle was regularly added to over the centuries. Stroll around the grounds and admire the fascinating mixture of architectural styles.
If this has captured your imagination, take a drive to the northern edge of the city to Castell Coch, a smaller, but no less significant, castle. This 19th century fortress looks like something straight out of a fairytale, built in Gothic Revival fashion. Visit the lavish rooms, wander the courtyard’s covered walkway and read the exhibits depicting the castle’s history.
A Dose of Greenery
Take a walk through Bute Park, a sprawling pocket of parkland nestled next to Cardiff Castle. Historically part of the castle's grounds, it’s now a major public park with around 130 acres to explore. Drive here with a family holiday car rental and enjoy one of Cardiff’s scenic natural havens.
An arboretum, a collection of trees, forms a large part of the space with more than 3,000 species to see. Wander among the woodland and you may came come across multiple sculptures as well as the foundations of Blackfriars Friary. Built in the 13th century and destroyed in 1404, it was later rebuilt before being finally vacated in the 17th century.
Modern Movers
Experience a different side of the city in its cosmopolitan district. The former industrial area of Cardiff Bay has been radically transformed and at its heart is the Wales Millennium Centre. Visiting on business? A car rental will make your Cardiff trip much easier as you can be on your own schedule.
Strikingly designed with different shades of Welsh slate and topped with a bronze steel shell, the performing arts center houses cultural organizations such as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the National Dance Company and the Welsh National Opera. Take a look at what’s on during your visit and pick up tickets for a show – you’re in for an unforgettable evening.
Also built around the turn of the century was the Principality Stadium, formerly the Millennium Stadium. Located on the banks of the River Taff, it's an impressive venue to enjoy a game of rugby, Wales’ national sport. Book tickets in advance to see local teams, or even the national squad, in action.
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
No visit to Wales would be complete without sampling the nation's famous outdoor scenery. The Brecon Beacons, a spectacular mountain range and national park, is a natural starting point, just north of Cardiff.
Trek through the wild and secluded Black Mountains. Swathed in grass and heather, the peaks here are a peaceful place for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. Continue your adventure in the Great Forest. Head out on an idyllic woodland walk and on your way round, spot beautiful waterfalls.
Henrhyd Falls is one of the most spectacular, cascading 27 meters down a rock face.
For a blast of sea air, make your way to Pembrokeshire. Nestled on the coast, there are plenty of pristine beaches for a day building sandcastles or even a spot of surfing. Peppered among the landscape is a series of magnificent castles, the most impressive being 13th century Pembroke Castle.
Explore its warren of tunnels, climb the stairs to the battlements to enjoy sweeping river views and head beneath the ground to discover Wogan's Cavern, a secret subterranean cave.
Renting a car in Cardiff allows you to explore the best of the city, as well as venturing beyond to see more of Wales.
Driving In and Around Cardiff
Located on the southern coast of Wales, Cardiff overlooks the Bristol Channel. The city itself is divided by the River Taff, while the A48 circles the main urban area.
The A4232 crosses the river down by the waterfront, while the A4119, A4160 and A4161 do the same job further north. As you'd expect from a capital city, traffic in Cardiff can get busy, particularly during rush hour, but in general it’s a compact city that can be easily navigated with a rental car.
Some areas of the center are pedestrianized, including around High Street and St Mary's Street, but there are plenty of parking lots dotted around the city, as well as on-street parking for your Cardiff car rental.
Further afield, the A470 takes you out of Cardiff to the Brecon Beacons in under two hours. This national park is a playground for outdoor lovers, with hiking trails snaking along dramatic mountains and through lush green valleys.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park offers more spectacular scenery, with sandy beaches and impressive castles accessible via the M4 in two hours.
Those hoping to take on the mighty Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, can take the A470 north, but note it’s a longer journey, taking around four hours from Cardiff with a rental car.
If you’re after more urban adventures, the neighboring city of Swansea is around an hour's drive away west along the M4. While heading east along the M4 takes your across the English border and to the spirited city of Bristol in just under an hour. Renting a car makes it easier to reach other cities near Cardiff.
As in the rest of the UK, drivers in Wales use the left-hand side of the road and give way to the right. The speed limit on highways, known locally as motorways, is 70mph, while on other roads limits vary from 60mph down to 30mph and even 20mph in built-up and residential areas, so keep an eye out for signage. Some mountain roads can be narrow and winding, so drivers are advised to take extra care.
