Car Rental - York
A car rental in York ushers you into one of England’s most treasured cities – a medieval stronghold that has character beyond compare. With more than 2,000 years of history to its name, this storied city boasts a beautiful gothic cathedral and Roman city walls among its architectural highlights.
There’s natural beauty to enjoy too, with a pair of picturesque rivers, the Ouse and the Foss, flowing through the center and easy access to the surrounding Yorkshire countryside.
We have several pickup points in York, including one near the train station, so you can get in your rental car and be on your way quickly and efficiently.
From the vibrant city center to the rolling countryside, reserve your York car rental online and make your trip one to remember.
York Locations
A Quick Guide to York
From Roman walls to Viking invasions, York is one of England’s most celebrated cities – with every street having a story to tell. Two Roman emperors, Septimius Severus and Constantine the Great, died here, and it was once the Viking capital of England.
The city’s medieval centerpiece, York Minster, is one of the largest cathedrals in northern Europe, and the overhanging timber-framed stores of The Shambles attract visitors all year round.
York’s Incredible Past
Park up your York car rental and find out more about the city’s history by walking around its 13th-century walls. The most secure medieval city walls in Britain, they boast 45 towers and five gatehouses overlooking the city below. In the spring and summer months, blushing blossom trees color the medieval walls and provide the perfect photo opportunity.
No trip to York is complete without visiting the magnificent York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in England and home to one of the world’s largest medieval stained-glass windows. Step inside to journey 2,000 years through history in the Undercroft Museum beneath the cathedral or climb the 275 steps to the tower for breathtaking views of the city.
Heritage Galore
One of the biggest family attractions in York is the Jorvik Viking Centre. This award-winning museum recreates the 9th-century Viking town of Jorvik, which later became York, in a multi-sensory experience. Visitors are magically transported back to the year AD960, discovering what daily life was like during this era and learning about Eric Bloodaxe, the last Viking king in Jorvik.
Another popular destination in York is the National Railway Museum. Inside, you can admire some of Britain’s most iconic trains and learn more about the development of rail travel, including the world-famous Flying Scotsman and the Japanese bullet train.
It’s also worth checking out the York Castle Museum. Based inside Clifford's Tower, one of the best preserved parts of the original castle, this spooky space was once a debtors’ prison housed within the 13th-century castle.
Chocolate City
Rowntree’s and Terry’s are two of Britain's biggest confectionery companies, and both had factories in York. You can celebrate the city’s chocolate heritage at York’s Chocolate Story museum. Here you can enjoy a sweet-toothed tour explaining the history of the town’s most famous chocolate-making families.
What a Shambles
Only in York will you find Roman ruins lying cheek by jowl alongside modern stores. The Shambles is the city’s most famous street, packed full of inventive window displays, irresistible fudge shops, and antique dealers.
With timber-framed buildings hosting quaint boutiques and shopping malls, you’re sure to find something that catches your eye in this retail haven.
Day Trips From York
York is an excellent base for visiting towns and cities across England and Scotland, with road links flowing in all directions. The nearest big city is Leeds, a buzzing destination with high-end stores and a lively restaurant and entertainment scene which can be reached in an hour via the A64 in your rental car. Manchester, the largest city in the north of England, is 90 minutes’ drive away westbound along the M62.
Closer to home, you can explore the scenic North York Moors, including the charming medieval town of Helmsley and the stunning North York Moors National Park. At Whitby, you can enjoy the feel of a traditional English coastal town and spend time in the Captain Cook Museum, dedicated to the famed explorer who called the place home.
The Yorkshire Dales is another beautiful national park – check out picture-perfect Aysgarth Falls and the pretty town of Hawes, or travel to Haworth in your holiday car rental and discover the world of literary sisters the Brontes. A guided tour of Castle Howard, meanwhile, transports you back to the days of servants and masters in this elegant stately home.
With Hertz car rental in York, you can experience the best of this charming UK city as well as explore more of the Yorkshire region and beyond.
Driving In and Around York
The city of York is located in the north of England with direct links to London, Edinburgh, and Leeds. Manchester Airport is just a two-hour drive in your holiday rental car along the M62 highway, known in the UK as a motorway, while the cities of Hull and Newcastle are equally close via the A63 and A1.
York is a 20-minute drive east from the A1 and M1/M62 motorway network, making it the perfect base for exploring this part of the country in a rental car.
Since York is a medieval settlement, there’s limited parking available inside the city walls. However, there’s plenty just outside and you can also make use of several park and ride sites which allow you to park up and take a bus into the city.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is just over an hour’s drive from York. Car rental gives you the freedom to contrast your time in the city with a rural adventure, soaking up the natural beauty of the English countryside. There are pay and display parking spots throughout the Dales, so you can even park up your rental car and explore the rolling landscapes on foot or bike.
The big difference when driving in the UK is that you’ll be on the left-hand side of the road. The usual speed limit on main highways (motorways) and two-lane divided highways (dual carriageways) is 70mph. This drops to 60mph on major roads displaying the national speed limit sign of a grey circle and diagonal black line. In towns and cities, you’ll be restricted to 30mph or lower. Keep a close eye on signs to ensure you stick to the limits as they can change.
