Car Hire in Exeter

Nestled in the heart of the glorious Devon countryside, the city of Exeter lies on the banks of the River Exe in Southwest England.

One of the oldest cities in the UK dating back to before the Romans arrived in 50AD, today Exeter is a lively city full of character and historic landmarks as well as independent shops and there’s plenty to see on a short break or longer stay.

Just off the M5 motorway connecting the southwest of England with London and the national motorway network, Exeter is accessible from the rest of the UK and a great starting point for exploring the countryside and coastline in this beautiful region.

Exeter is home to the renowned Exeter University and for sports fans, there is action to follow at the Exeter Chiefs Rugby team, Exeter City Football Club and Exeter Racecourse.

You'll find our Avis rental station in Exeter just outside the city at Exeter Airport.

With Avis Car Rental, you can easily and conveniently explore Exeter and the surrounding Devon countryside and experience all it has to offer. Easy to navigate on foot, Exeter is a compact city with its own individual character and rich history as an important trading centre with landmarks dating through the ages.

Take time around the maze of narrow cobble streets and alleyways in the centre of the city and don’t miss 900-year-old Exeter Cathedral, a remarkable Gothic masterpiece at the heart of the city. You can even climb to the top of the Cathedral for a rooftop view across the city to the Devon hills beyond.

To see another side of the city altogether, go below ground for a tour of the vaulted medieval passageways built to bring fresh water to Exeter residents several centuries ago. For an even older glimpse of Exeter’s history, take a walking trail around the 2000-year-old Roman wall, the majority of which remains intact.

Exeter’s quayside is a 15min walk from the city centre and is worth spending a day exploring the area. Step back in time at the historic Customs House or work up an appetite with some hiking, cycling or watersports along the river – you can hire bikes and canoes here. Finally, fuel up and settle down to some people-watching in one of the array of cafes and restaurants lining the waterfront.

The Avis rental location at Exeter Airport offers car hire vehicles for all occasions whatever your plans. You don't need a car to reach our location, it's easily accessible by public transport and an airline ticket is not needed to get to our rental desk.

If you are travelling from one of the UK’s major airports to hire a car from Avis at Exeter Airport, there is a regular bus service – number 4A – from Exeter St David’s Railway Station to Exeter Airport via the city centre.

Alternatively, Exeter Airport is a drive of around 20min from the centre of Exeter. Head east out of the city via the B3183 and join the A30 following signs to the airport.

Exeter may be the historic administrative heart of Devon but there is so much to see in whichever direction you drive as you leave the city. As one of the UK’s most popular tourism destinations, Devon has so much to offer from family-friendly attractions to historic houses and monuments to character-filled towns and villages as well as the scenic beauty of the dramatic coastline, rolling countryside and remote moorland.

Being centrally located within easy reach of some of the West Country’s most popular destinations, Exeter is a great base for planning a road trip.

One of the best day trips by car from Exeter is a scenic drive across to Dartmoor National Park famous for its wild ponies and even more wild dramatic landscape.

Dartmoor is within easy reach of the centre of Exeter by car. Head west on the A38 and after around 15 miles take the A382 exit towards Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey. After a stop off in the moorland town of Bovey Tracey, the road climbs up to Haytor, a granite peak offering views across the county and out to sea. Then enter the wilderness of the moor, stopping off at small villages like Widdecombe on the Moor before reaching atmospheric Princetown with its visitor centre and Napoleonic prison.

Drive north a little and return to Exeter via Postbridge Clapper Bridge, an ancient river crossing dating back to the 13th century – in all a trip of around 2hrs and 69miles with plenty of opportunities to stop along the way for an unmissable Devon cream tea.

While the historic city of Exeter is easy to get around on foot, it is worth hiring a car to travel across Devon and its spectacular neighbouring counties of Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset not to mention exploring cities further afield like Plymouth, Bristol and Bath.

The top tip for driving around Exeter is to plan your route and use GPS and when you are driving in and out of the city, try to avoid the rush hour in Exeter which runs from 4pm to around 6pm. In peak season, the M5 and coastal routes can be busy, especially on Saturdays.

If you are flying into the UK it’s worth checking the driving rules in the UK before you travel and pick up your hire car. In Exeter, like the rest of the UK, you will be driving on the left-hand side of the road as you leave the Avis rental location at Exeter Airport.

See more on the UK road rules you need to know.