Car Rental - Plymouth

Car rental in Plymouth is a great way to explore the best of Britain's south-west coast. Situated on a picturesque stretch of historic English shore, this port city boasts some fascinating attractions thanks to its central role in Britain’s maritime history.

Badly damaged during World War II, it has since been skillfully regenerated, not least around its cultural heart, the Barbican. Here you’ll find a host of stores and restaurants as well as fascinating exhibitions and events taking place all year round.

If all that wasn’t enough, with a rental car it’s possible to head out of the city to the beaches of Devon and Cornwall, or the rolling countryside of Dartmoor National Park. You can even travel down the coast to the city of Truro.

We have collection points located around Plymouth, including at the ferry terminal and train station. Choose from our wide selection of vehicles to find the perfect one for your trip. We’ll aim to make your car rental as convenient and hassle-free as possible.

With historic buildings and galleries, and enticing stores and cafes, you’ll find a huge number of attractions on offer in Plymouth city center. With a rental car you can also explore the nearby coast along with Dartmoor National Park, making it a great way to make the most of your stay.

Plymouth’s Barbican area and the surrounding Sutton Harbor lie at the heart of the city’s waterfront, and are home to many of its most famous sights. Around the Barbican you’ll find an array of boutique stores, along with several restaurants where you can enjoy excellent views of the waterfront as you dine. Visiting with work or family? We have cars for both occasions with our business and holiday rental options.

From the harbor it’s possible to take a boat trip out on to the water, where you can learn all about the marine life off Plymouth’s shores. The harbor is also home to the National Marine Aquarium, which contains rare species of shark and other fish. Reserve a spot-on a behind-the-scenes tour to learn all about how the conservation charity looks after them.

And, of course, at the harbor you can see the famous Mayflower Steps, from where the Pilgrim Fathers are believed to have set sail for North America in 1620. The actual steps themselves no longer exist, but a monument has been installed to commemorate the site of their departure, marked on either side by the British and American flags.

With a rental car, it’s just a short drive to visit some of the beautiful beaches near Plymouth. Make your first stop the nearby Bovisands beach, a sheltered bay ideal for swimming and snorkeling thanks to its calm waters. There is parking available on either side of the bay, making it easy to visit by car.

Close by is the village and peninsula of Wembury, a popular surfing and watersports spot. This rugged stretch of coastline is surrounded by cliffs, and its beach is filled with captivating rock pools and coves.

From Plymouth, you can even take the Cawsand Ferry to Cornwall, which departs from the Barbican landing stage. This service, which runs through the summer months until October, will take you to Kingsand and Cawsand, where you will find beaches surrounded by picturesque fishing villages and, of course, some excellent seafood restaurants.

Another destination within easy reach in a rental car is Dartmoor National Park, an ancient rural landscape where you will find scenic hills, valleys and rivers. With a great range of activities on offer, from horseback riding to camping and canoeing, it’s the perfect place to experience the great outdoors. You might even see some of the wild ponies that roam freely on the moor.

Once you’ve taken in some of the scenery and enjoyed the fresh air, you can drive to one of the nearby towns or villages, such as Ashburton or Tavistock, to enjoy a relaxing lunch in the country. Renting a car in Plymouth makes it possible to explore all this and more during your stay in this fascinating corner of the UK.

Renting a car makes it easier to get in and around Plymouth, it’s connected to the surrounding areas of southern England by a network of A-roads. One of the most important routes around the city is the A38, also known as the Devon Expressway. This road, which links Plymouth to many nearby towns and villages, can be followed all the way north to the historic city of Exeter. It also connects Plymouth to Newquay Airport, fewer than 50 miles to the west.

The nearest motorway (the UK equivalent of a freeway) to Plymouth is the M5, which leads to destinations including Weston-super-Mare and Bristol. The spa city of Bath is also accessible from this route by following the M4.

Plymouth is a great base for exploring the surrounding areas of Devon and Cornwall. To reach Dartmoor National Park, drive along the A386 to the north of the city. The coast is not far away, with resorts such as Falmouth and Newquay just a few miles along the A30 and A38.

Some of the main shopping streets around the center of Plymouth are pedestrianized, but you’ll find plenty of parking lots, including at Derry Cross and St Andrew’s Street. There are also parking places along the waterfront, with street parking available near Plymouth Hoe. Hop in a Hertz car rental from our Plymouth location to explore the area free from public transport.

The roads around Devon aren’t usually crowded, although you may find some of the more rural routes are narrow, single-lane routes, so remember to allow plenty of time for your journey. The UK speed limit in most built-up areas is 30mph, unless otherwise indicated, and the speed limit on highways is 70mph. Outside built-up areas, single-lane A-roads have a 60mph limit.