How Much to Hire a Car from Birmingham Airport
So you’re flying into Birmingham Airport and wondering exactly how much it’s going to cost you to hire a car? Let me tell you, it’s not as straightforward as the big rental companies would have you believe. Those headline rates you see online can be about as accurate as a chocolate teapot.
As a company that spends our days ferrying clients around the West Midlands in style, we’ve got the inside scoop on what car hire at Birmingham Airport really costs in 2025. No sugar-coating, just the honest numbers.
The Real Cost of Car Hire at Birmingham Airport
Let’s cut to the chase. Here’s what you’ll actually pay to hire a car from Birmingham Airport in 2025:
Daily Rates by Vehicle Type
Economy Cars (Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Fiat 500)
- 1-2 days: £45-60 per day
- 3-6 days: £35-45 per day
- 7+ days: £28-38 per day
Compact Cars (VW Golf, Ford Focus, Seat Leon)
- 1-2 days: £65-80 per day
- 3-6 days: £50-65 per day
- 7+ days: £40-55 per day
Family/Mid-size Cars (Skoda Octavia, Vauxhall Insignia)
- 1-2 days: £85-100 per day
- 3-6 days: £70-85 per day
- 7+ days: £60-75 per day
Premium Cars (Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class)
- 1-2 days: £120-150 per day
- 3-6 days: £100-120 per day
- 7+ days: £85-110 per day
SUVs (Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage)
- 1-2 days: £95-120 per day
- 3-6 days: £80-95 per day
- 7+ days: £70-85 per day
Van Hire (Transit, Vivaro)
- 1-2 days: £85-110 per day
- 3-6 days: £75-90 per day
- 7+ days: £65-80 per day
But here’s where it gets interesting (and by “interesting,” I mean potentially expensive)…
The Hidden Charges They Don’t Advertise
When you hire a car from Birmingham Airport, that base rate is just the beginning. Here’s what else you’ll likely pay:
Insurance Excess Waiver
The standard insurance excess at BHX car hire companies is typically between £1000-2000. To reduce this to zero, you’ll pay:
- Economy cars: £12-18 per day
- Compact cars: £15-22 per day
- Premium vehicles: £20-28 per day
That means your “£35 per day” economy car suddenly costs £53 per day if you want proper coverage.
Fuel Policies
Most Birmingham Airport car hire companies operate a “full-to-full” policy, which sounds fair until you realize:
- If you return it not completely full, they’ll charge you around £2.50 per liter to refill (the local petrol stations charge about £1.45).
- Some companies offer a “return empty” option, which means prepaying for a tank of fuel at around £1.80 per liter.
Additional Driver Fee
Sharing the driving with your partner or colleague? That’ll be an extra £10-12 per day at most Birmingham car rental desks.
Young Driver Surcharge
Under 25? Prepare for a hefty young driver surcharge of £25-35 per day from most car hire companies at Birmingham Airport.
GPS/Sat Nav Rental
Rather not use your phone for navigation? A GPS will set you back about £12-15 per day.
Child Seats
Traveling with little ones? Child seats are around £8-12 per day each.
Airport vs City: The Birmingham Location Price Difference
Here’s something the car rental companies don’t advertise: hiring a car from Birmingham city centre is almost always cheaper than hiring the exact same vehicle from Birmingham Airport.
Our recent price comparison for a week-long compact car hire:
- Avis at Birmingham Airport: £345
- Avis in Birmingham city centre: £275
- Hertz at Birmingham Airport: £365
- Hertz in Birmingham city centre: £295
That’s a saving of 15-20% if you’re willing to take the 10-minute train ride from Birmingham International station to the city centre.
If you’re looking for cheap car hire in Birmingham, it can often be cheaper to limo hire from somewhere near Birmingham Airport rather than at the terminal itself. Consider locations like Solihull or even Birmingham International station.
Weekend vs Weekday Rates
The day of the week makes a huge difference to what you’ll pay for car hire at Birmingham Airport:
- Weekend rates (Friday-Monday) are typically 15-25% higher than midweek
- Business travel slows on Fridays, so Thursday night to Monday morning tends to be the most expensive period
- The cheapest day to start your car hire in Birmingham? Tuesday
Best Value Car Hire Companies at Birmingham Airport
Based on our extensive experience and client feedback, here’s how the major car rental companies at Birmingham Airport stack up for value:
Budget-Friendly Options
- Enterprise consistently offers the best combination of reasonable rates and fewer hidden charges
- Sixt often has competitive weekend rates, especially on premium vehicles
Mid-Range Value
- Avis and Hertz have higher base rates but sometimes include extras that others charge for
Premium Experience
- Europcar tends to have newer vehicles but at a price premium
How to Find the Best Deal on Car Hire at Birmingham Airport
Want to find the cheapest car hire at Birmingham Airport? Here are our insider tips:
- Book 6-8 weeks in advance for the lowest price for car hire. Rates typically jump dramatically in the final month before pickup.
- Check multiple pick-up times – sometimes collecting your car at 10am vs 2pm can affect the daily rate by as much as £8-10.
- Look beyond the airport – the cheapest rate for car hire nearby might be at a location just a short taxi ride away.
- Consider the full rental period – sometimes adding an extra day actually lowers the total cost due to weekly rate thresholds.
- Join loyalty programs – even basic membership in Avis Preferred or Hertz Gold can unlock lower rates not available to the general public.
Long-Term Car Hire: Month to Month Options
If you’re staying in Birmingham for an extended period, daily and weekly rates are a mug’s game. Monthly car hire offers substantial savings:
- Economy cars: From £495 per month (around £16.50 per day)
- Compact cars: From £595 per month (around £19.85 per day)
- Family/Mid-size cars: From £795 per month (around £26.50 per day)
For long-term car hire in Birmingham, always negotiate. The listed monthly rates are rarely the best deal you can get, especially for rentals of 2+ months.
Car Hire vs. Alternative Transport Options
Sometimes hiring a car from Birmingham Airport simply isn’t the most cost-effective option:
- For City Centre-Only Travel: Birmingham’s tram and bus network is extensive and much cheaper than parking charges (which can reach £25 per day in central locations).
- For Business Travel: Consider that a luxury taxi or executive car service from Birmingham Airport to most city locations costs £35-50 one-way, while your car hire will incur daily parking fees of £15-25 at most hotels.
- For Airport Transfers: If you’re just needing transport from BHX to another location, private transfers often work out cheaper than a one-day car rental once you factor in all fees.
How to Pick Up Your Car Hire at Birmingham Airport
When you’ve booked your car hire at Birmingham Airport, here’s what to expect:
- The car hire desks are located in the main terminal building opposite International Arrivals.
- After completing paperwork, you’ll need to head to Car Park 4 to collect your vehicle (about a 6-minute walk from the terminal).
- Allow at least 30-45 minutes for the entire process during peak times (more if you arrive on Friday afternoons or Sunday evenings when queues can be substantial).
The Bottom Line: Is Hiring a Car at Birmingham Airport Worth It?
For exploring the wider West Midlands region, having your own car offers unbeatable flexibility. But for short stays centered around Birmingham city centre, the combined cost of limousine hire and parking often exceeds alternative transport options.
If you’re looking for convenience without the hassle of driving in an unfamiliar city, our executive car service offers door-to-door transfers throughout the Birmingham area, often at a comparable overall cost to car hire once you factor in all those extra charges.
For the cheapest car hire at Birmingham Airport, book well in advance, be strategic about pickup and return times, and always compare the total cost including all extras – not just the headline rate that got you clicking.
Need something more special than a standard rental car? Our Mercedes fleet and professional drivers are just a call away. No hidden charges, just straightforward luxury transport throughout Birmingham and beyond.
