A dynamic and cosmopolitan hub, Bristol is where old meets new and tradition meets innovation. For all its traditions and heritage, Bristol is also a very modern, vibrant city. With a flourishing foodie scene, no end of art collectives, music venues and independent cafes, the city is extremely lively. With a rental car in Bristol you can explore as much as you want to.

Bristol was once a great maritime city. You won’t have to try too hard to imagine it as such as you step aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain. The world's first great ocean liner is docked in the harbourside.
 

The city’s most iconic attraction is another of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s creations, the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It was designed in the early 19th century but still stands up to the thousands of commuters that cross it every day.

Bristol is also something of a cultural retreat. There’s the Art Quarter around the medieval Christmas Steps with its unique shops, art galleries, studios and creative outlets. St Nicholas Market is the site of the world's first Slow Food market and a regular farmers' market. The Old Vic theatre is renowned for its world-class productions and creative performances.

Graffiti artist Banksy's work was born of the underground scene here. You can spot some of his classic pieces as you wander through the city.

Finish off your day with a drink or dinner in the Llandoger Trow, one of the city’s oldest pubs dating back to 1664. The revamped harbourside offers a stroll past plenty of trendy bars, shops, restaurants and hotels, whilst the energetic nightlife continues through to the early hours on weekends.

With so much to entertain and entice, Bristol impresses at every turn. Discover this sparkling gem for yourself with the help of your Avis hire car.

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Which side of the road?
In the United Kingdom, please drive on the left side of the road.

Country driving laws

• Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
• There is a congestion charge payable when driving in London
• Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
• Zebra crossings (black and white stripes on the road) give pedestrians right of way to cross the road

Speed Limits
All speed signs will be in mph.

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:

•         Urban areas: 30 mph (48 km/h)
•         Rural areas: 60 mph (96 km/h)
•         Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h)

Unless indicated by road signs.

Child safety / Seatbelt laws

• It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
• Children aged under 12 or less than 135cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size

Please note - It is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.

If you want to learn more about driving in Bristol, see the full UK Road Rules guide.

South-west England is a stunning part of the country. Areas worth stopping by in your Bristol hire car include Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and Cornwall. Whether you're looking for beach life, cultural exploration or retail therapy you’ll find it close to Bristol.

Bath
Less than half an hour by car is the World Heritage City of Bath. The Roman Baths are the main attraction. Visit the preserved ruins of this magnificent temple and bathing complex that was built around Britain’s only hot springs.

Stonehenge
This mysterious prehistoric monument has captivated visitors for centuries and the new visitor and exhibition centre provides audio guides for those wishing to find out more. Many visitors combine a trip here with a walk around nearby Salisbury, which is only a 20-minute drive away.

Salisbury Town and Cathedral
Aside from its impressive Gothic cathedral, which is home to the Magna Carta exhibition, this delightful city in Wiltshire offers a vibrant arts scene and various museums. If you're in search of some souvenirs, an afternoon browsing the bustling market is highly recommended.

Painswick
With Avis car rental, you are all set for exploring the Cotswolds. Visitors from all over the world are drawn to the quintessential Englishness of the honey-coloured, sleepy limestone villages and gentle hillsides.

Cheddar Gorge
You can also visit Cheddar Gorge in the Mendip Hills of Somerset. As well as being Britain’s biggest gorge, there are dramatic cliffs rising up 450 ft and stunning stalactite caverns. The nearby village of Cheddar is of course the original home of the ever-popular Cheddar cheese.

Berkeley Castle
For some more rural splendour, head north to Gloucestershire. Here you can visit England’s oldest inhabited castle, Berkeley Castle. It was in these cells and dungeons that Edward II was notoriously imprisoned and murdered.

Cardiff
With mountains to its north and the coast to its south, Cardiff is a city of many charms. Just under an hour’s drive west from Bristol along the M4, the Welsh capital mixes its ancient architecture with its cosmopolitan present.

Discovering the beauty of the UK’s south west is simple with a hire car from Bristol. All you need to do is drive.

Is it expensive to hire a car in Bristol?

Whether you are looking for a hire car for business or pleasure, Avis has something to suit all needs. Choose from a wide range of cars, SUVs and vans, and benefit from the latest online deals. You’ll get our best prices when booking on our website.

What kind of car should I hire in Bristol?

Avis offers cars for every need and budget, from small and efficient compact cars to family sized saloons and spacious people carriers, right through to our top-of-the-line luxury Prestige models. Book now to see which models are available.

Can I pick up my hire car in Bristol and return it at another location?

Yes, with the Avis one-way rental that's not a problem. Pick up your one-way rental car at one of our locations throughout the United Kingdom or Europe and return it at another rental location at the end of your trip.

Can you hire a car by the day in Bristol?

You can enjoy affordable rates when you book one-day car rental with Avis. Submit your trip details into the online booking form so you can see the available vehicles and their one-day car rental cost.

What do you need to shift? Our van rental fleet spans small hire vans, perfect for that weekend DIY project; medium vans, well suited to hauling rolls of carpet, heavy floor tiles, or moving the kids to university; and large vans to accommodate some or all your worldly goods.

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