Car hire in Southampton
1 office in Southampton · airport pick-up · United Kingdom
Southampton is the great port of southern England, the historic departure point of the Titanic and today a regular port of call for cruise ships. More than a destination in itself, it is a superb gateway: our hire desk is at Southampton Airport, well connected to the M27, the motorway that runs the length of the coast.
Here a car is all but essential, because the best sights are scattered all around: the New Forest with its free-roaming ponies, medieval Winchester, Stonehenge and the beaches of the Jurassic Coast. They are short drives in opposite directions — impossible to string together by public transport on a single trip.
Search cars in SouthamptonWhy hire a car in Southampton
- The New Forest National Park begins ~30 min away: its villages and lanes among wild ponies are best explored at your own pace.
- Ideal before or after a cruise: collect at Southampton Airport and drop off after a few days touring the south.
- Stonehenge, Winchester and the Jurassic Coast all lie within an hour's radius, each along a different road.
Day trips near Southampton
- New Forest — Heathland and woods where ponies and donkeys roam free through villages like Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst, around 30 minutes away via the M27.
- Winchester — England's former capital, with one of Europe's longest cathedrals and a compact medieval centre, around 25 minutes away.
- Stonehenge and Salisbury — The world's most famous stone circle and the cathedral with the tallest spire in the country, around 45 minutes away.
- Bournemouth and the Jurassic Coast — Seven miles of sandy beach and, further west, the cliffs of Dorset, around 40 minutes away via the A31.
Where to pick up your car
- Aeropuerto de Southampton
- Andover
Final prices in euros · book without paying · free cancellation up to 72 h before.
Frequently asked questions
Is hiring a car worthwhile if I arrive in Southampton on a cruise?
Very much so: port calls usually leave time for the New Forest or Winchester, and if your voyage starts or ends here, a few days touring Dorset and Hampshire make far better use of the area than any organised excursion.
Can I visit the Isle of Wight with the hire car?
Yes — car ferries sail from Southampton and Lymington on short crossings. Book your vehicle's space in advance in summer and check that your rental agreement allows taking the car across to the island.
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