Short term car rental UK.

What is short term car rental?

Short term car rental means hiring a car for anything from one day up to a week. It sits between daily rental (a single 24-hour period) and longer arrangements like monthly contracts. You get the use of a car for the days you actually need it, without committing to anything beyond that.

It is the practical middle ground. Maybe your own car is in the garage for a few days. Maybe you have visitors staying and need a bigger vehicle for the week. Maybe you are travelling to a different city and want wheels when you get there. You book for the days that suit you, pick up the car, and return it when you are done.

When does short term rental make sense?

Short term hire fits a range of situations where owning or leasing does not:

• Your car is off the road. MOT, repairs, or an insurance claim can leave you without transport for days. A short term rental keeps you moving.
• Visitors or family staying. A bigger car for the school run, airport runs, or day trips while relatives are over.
• Work or business travel. A few days of meetings in a city where you do not normally drive, or a project that needs you on site for a week.
• A trial before buying. Thinking about a particular model? Rent one for a few days and see how it actually feels.
• Holidays and short breaks. A UK road trip or a self-catering holiday where you want the freedom to explore.

If you only need a car for a single day, our daily car rental page covers that specifically. Short term rental is for when one day is not quite enough but a full month is too much.

How short term car rental works

1. Search and compare

Enter your pickup location, dates and times in the search box above. We check rates across our supplier network, which includes Enterprise, Sixt, Hertz, Budget and others. You see the available cars ranked by price, and you can filter by car type, size or supplier.

2. Book online

Pick the car that works for you and book securely. You will get an instant confirmation email with your booking reference. No phone calls needed unless you want to talk something through.

3. Pick up and drive

Bring your driving licence, a credit or debit card, and any required ID. Check the vehicle before you drive off, note any existing damage on the checkout sheet, and sign. Return the car at the agreed time.

Our car rental guide goes into more detail on documents, deposits, fuel policy and insurance excess if you want the full checklist.

How much does short term car rental cost?

Short term rental pricing depends on the same things as any car hire: location, car type, time of year, and how far ahead you book. As a rough guide, a compact car booked a couple of weeks in advance at a UK city location starts from around £30 to £40 per day. A full week often works out cheaper per day than booking individual days.

Airport pickups carry a premium location fee. City centre branches are typically cheaper. Booking early during school holidays, bank holidays and peak summer months makes a real difference to the price.

The most accurate way to see pricing is to run a search above. Because we compare live rates across multiple suppliers, the prices you see reflect what is actually available now, not a generic starting figure.

Short term car rental FAQ

What counts as short term car rental?

Short term car rental typically means hiring a car for anywhere from one day to one week. Anything under a day falls under daily rental. Anything over a week starts moving into longer term arrangements with different pricing structures.

Can I hire a car for a week?

Yes. A week is the upper end of short term rental and one of the most common booking lengths. Weekly rentals often have a lower daily rate than individual day bookings. Enter your dates in the search above to compare weekly rates.

Do I get unlimited mileage?

Most UK rentals include limited mileage of around 300 miles per day. Extra mileage is charged at roughly 10p per mile, payable locally. Some suppliers offer unlimited mileage, particularly on longer bookings. Check the terms for your specific rental.

What documents do I need?

You need your driving licence (both parts if you have the old-style UK licence), a credit or debit card in the main driver’s name, and a passport if you are renting outside your home country. See our FAQ page for the full list.

Is insurance included?

Yes. Every booking includes collision damage waiver, theft protection and third-party liability. There is usually an excess, which is the amount you would pay towards repairs if the car is damaged or stolen. You can add excess protection at booking to reduce or remove this.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. Cancel or amend up to 48 hours before your pickup time without losing your booking fee. After that, cancellation terms depend on the supplier.

Can I return the car to a different location?

Yes, one-way rentals are available with most suppliers. There is usually a fee of £20 to £50 depending on the distance. Tick the “Return to a different location” box in the search form to compare options.

Written by Sunny for Cars 4 Rental. Last updated August 2026.