Rent a car at Exeter Airport with confidence. Full, fee-free cancellation guaranteed
Exeter is one of the main cities of the coastal county of Devon, in the south-west of England. Car hire in Exeter Airport will allow you to explore this unique region, after checking out the historical architecture of the town, including a cathedral that dates back to the 11th century.
Flying into Exeter Airport? Find car hire easily and quickly with Avis car rental at Exeter Airport. Not only does our airport location service customers flying into Exeter airport, it’s also a great location to rent from if you are a local resident looking to get away from the city.
Great public transport links, a close proximity to Exeter city centre and the low traffic levels at the Airport compared to the city make our highly convenient car hire at Exeter airport perfect for that local business rental or that holiday weekend getaway.
Collecting your hire car If you are flying into Exeter Airport, exit the Arrivals hall and turn left and you will find our car hire office right in front of you. Once you have signed off your rental agreement our rental agent will direct you to the location of your car. To leave Exeter Airport turn right and follow the signs for A30/M5.
Exit M5 Junction 29 and follow the A30 towards Honiton. Exit the A30 signposted Exeter Airport.
If you are returning your car out of opening hours, please park in the returns section of Car Park 3 and leave the keys in the key drop-off box located right of the Avis Budget car hire office door; the box will be labelled ‘Avis Budget Group’.
The nearest Petrol station is on the M5 Junction 30, Exeter Services.

Top car hire locations around Exeter Airport
Discover cars to rent at Exeter Airport
What kind of vehicle do you need? A large SUV for a big family? An eco-friendly compact car to zip around the city? Whatever you’re looking for, Avis car hire at Exeter Airport will have you covered. Our vehicles offer practicality, performance and comfort, so you can enjoy your trip as much as possible. Get in touch for more information about the exact models that are available.
Plan your journey from Exeter Airport
Picking up your Avis hire car at Exeter Airport is easy. Exit the Arrivals hall and turn left, and you will find our rental office right in front of you.
Once you have collected your car, turn right and follow signs for the A30/M5. From there it’s a 20-minute drive straight into the city centre. When you arrive you’ll find plenty of on-street parking and car parks throughout the city. Then you can embrace the heart and soul of this historic city on foot.
Many of this city’s attractions are within walking distance, so soak up the atmosphere of streets oozing quaint charm with half-timbered houses, the gothic Cathedral, Exeter Farmers Market and sites dating back to Roman times. Take a stroll along the historic quayside with its numerous cafes and restaurants that overlook the water.
Find great deals on your rental car with Avis at Exeter Airport you’ll find yourself ideally placed for touring both Exeter city centre and the stunning scenery beyond. Get ready to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
Top tips for driving in Exeter
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)
- Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h)
- Rural areas: 60 mph (96 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.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.
Beyond Exeter Airport
Beyond Exeter, the city limits give way to rolling hills, wild moors and picture-perfect seaside towns. Journey west through the rugged beauty of Dartmoor National Park, or directly south to explore the coast.
The beautiful Jurassic Coast is 30 minutes south of the city down the A3052 and B3178, while the historic maritime city of Plymouth is less than an hour way, via the M5. The picturesque seaside towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, collectively known as the English Riviera, are all great places to stop for a leisurely seaside stroll and some fish and chips - only 40 minutes from Exeter Airport.
Put your foot down along the A39 between Barnstaple and Newquay. This long and winding road known as the Atlantic Highway reveals some of the UK’s most magical coastlines. Alternatively, you could head east off the beaten track through Exmoor National Park, where quiet landscapes and walking trails abound.
History buffs can drive north up the A30 to visit the spa town of Bath, renowned for its 18th century Georgian architecture and ancient Roman baths. From here you can check out the numerous galleries, museums and attractions in the nearby city of Bristol, approximately 45 minutes from Bath.
Why choose Avis for your Exeter Airport car hire?
- Fully flexible
Enjoy fee-free flexible booking with full cash refunds and no vouchers.
- Fully flexible
- Savings on coverage
When you choose Avis Inclusive you can experience total peace of mind with no extras or surprises. Pay one upfront price for free Roadside Assistance Plus and 25% discount on comprehensive zero-excess cover.
- Savings on coverage
- Loyalty benefits
Join our free loyalty programme Avis Preferred, and benefit from priority service, discounts and more.
- Loyalty benefits
- Safety first
From our well-maintained fleet to protecting your data, we take safety seriously. That’s why we’ve partnered with Dettol® to ensure both hygienic rental locations and thoroughly cleaned vehicles.
- Safety first
- Faster collection
Save time at the counter by registering your details in advance with our simple and free QuickPass. You could be on the road sooner than you think.
- Faster collection
- VIP treatment
Get priority counter service on collection with Avis Preferred. At our larger locations you can use our Avis app to go straight to your car where the keys will be waiting for you.
- VIP treatment
Exeter Airport car rental FAQs
How do I collect my hire car at Exeter airport?
When you land at Exeter Airport, head from the Arrivals hall to our desk. One of our members of staff will process your booking, and then you may proceed to collect your vehicle at the Car Rental Centre.
Can I return a rental car to the airport?
If you've rented a car from a different Avis hub but wish to return it at Exeter Airport, then you must arrange your return prior to the commencement of your rental agreement. If you return your car to Exeter Airport without specifying in your rental contract, a fee will apply.
Do I need winter tyres to drive in the UK?
No, there is no legal requirement for passenger cars in the United Kingdom to be equipped with winter tyres. However, most of our cars in our Exeter rental hubs will have winter tyres available.