Best hire car company for your English Premier League Football Trip
Introduction
Planning an English Premier League Football Trip? The right hire car can make all the difference in ensuring your journey is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Whether you’re traveling between cities to catch multiple matches or exploring the sights around the stadiums, having a reliable car is essential. Here’s your ultimate guide to the top hire car companies that can enhance your Premier League experience.
Top-Rated Hire Car Companies
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Known for its excellent customer service and extensive network of locations, Enterprise offers a wide range of cars to suit your needs. Whether you need a compact car for city driving or a larger car for group travel, Enterprise has you covered.
Additionally, Enterprise has so many locations spread across the UK, that means you will always have one close by. As a result of this, this makes Enterprise a real winner when it comes to hiring a car in one place and leaving it in another.
So if you want to fly to London and spend a few days travelling around before heading to watch an English Premier League game at Manchester United’s Old Trafford or Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium, Enterprise will give you the flexibility to pick the car up in London and head up to the North of England without worrying about bringing it back to the place you collected it in the first place.
Hertz
Hertz is renowned for its reliability and diverse fleet. With numerous pick-up and drop-off points, including major airports and city centres, Hertz ensures convenience and flexibility for your trip.
Additionally, Hertz has a collection of some of the nicest cars you would ever hope to hire. As such, you could really give your Football Trip a status boost by hiring a car which will catch heads and potentially act as a conversation starter in the pub before the game.
Be careful though, don’t blow your entire budget on your travel to the game!
Avis
Avis stands out for its premium service and car selection. They offer everything from economy cars to luxury cars, making it easy to find the perfect car for your Football Trip.
Avis offers a user-friendly online booking system where you can choose your car type, rental period, and any additional services. It’s advisable to book in advance to secure the best rates and availability, especially during peak travel seasons.
In the UK, Avis typically requires drivers to be at least 21 years old, although this can vary based on the car category. Drivers under 25 may incur a young driver surcharge.
Avis is known for its reliable customer service, offering 24/7 roadside assistance and support.
Europcar
Europcar offers an intuitive online booking platform where you can select your preferred car, rental dates, and any additional services. Booking in advance is recommended to secure the best rates and availability, especially during peak travel periods.
Europcar provides a diverse fleet of cars to cater to different needs, from small economy cars ideal for city driving to larger cars like SUVs and vans for family trips or transporting goods. Luxury cars and eco-friendly options, including electric and hybrid cars, are also available.
Europcar has an extensive network of rental locations across the UK, including major airports, city centres, and train stations. This widespread presence ensures convenient pick-up and drop-off points.
In the UK, Europcar generally requires drivers to be at least 21 years old, although the minimum age can vary depending on the car category. Drivers under 25 may be subject to a young driver surcharge.
Finally, if you are going to be in the UK for some time, it is worth noting that Europcar is one of the better companies when it comes to longer term rentals, so if your Football Trip extends beyond the matchday weekend – Europcar may be the best option for you!
Sixt
Sixt is a German company that has been around for over a century. Albeit with a couple of exceptions, it tends to favour German manufacturers, or those that fall under the Volkswagen Audi Group banner, including Skoda and SEAT, for the majority of its rental cars.
It also has Lucky Dip and Mystery Premium rental options for those who are prepared to trust their luck in terms of getting any one of a range of cars, but generally, Sixt is a good choice if you like a well-presented, very recent model hire car.
Sixt has a great selection of new cars, so if you want the comfort of modern technology or you want some of the modern tech to take the hassle out of driving in an unfamiliar country, Sixt may have just the car for you, equipped with the technology you need to help you enjoy and make the most of your Football Trip.
Car Selection and Pricing
Economy Cars
- Description: Small, fuel-efficient cars that are ideal for city driving and short trips.
- Examples: Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa
- Features: Low rental cost, excellent fuel economy, easy to park, suitable for solo travellers or small groups.
Compact Cars
- Description: Slightly larger than economy cars, offering more space and comfort while still being fuel-efficient.
- Examples: Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus
- Features: Moderate rental cost, good fuel economy, comfortable for small families or groups.
Intermediate/Standard Cars
- Description: Mid-sized cars that offer a balance between space, comfort, and efficiency.
- Examples: Vauxhall Insignia, Toyota Avensis
- Features: More interior space and trunk capacity, suitable for longer trips and small families.
Full-Size Cars
- Description: Larger cars that provide ample space and comfort for passengers and luggage.
- Examples: Ford Mondeo, BMW 3 Series
- Features: Spacious interiors, higher comfort levels, ideal for families or groups with more luggage.
Luxury Cars
- Description: High-end cars offering superior performance, comfort, and features.
- Examples: Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6
- Features: Premium interiors, advanced technology, and features, ideal for special occasions or business travel.
SUVs
- Description: Sport Utility Cars that offer higher seating capacity, more cargo space, and off-road capabilities.
- Examples: Nissan Qashqai, Land Rover Discovery
- Features: Versatile seating configurations, higher driving position, suitable for families, and outdoor adventures.
People Carriers/MPVs
- Description: Multi-purpose cars designed to carry more passengers, typically seating 7-9 people.
- Examples: Ford Galaxy, Volkswagen Sharan
- Features: Ample seating and cargo space, ideal for large families or groups travelling together.
Electric and Hybrid Cars
- Description: Eco-friendly cars powered by electricity or a combination of electric and petrol engines.
- Examples: Nissan Leaf (electric), Toyota Prius (hybrid)
- Features: Reduced emissions, lower running costs, ideal for environmentally conscious travellers.
Convertible Cars
- Description: Cars with a retractable roof, offering an open-air driving experience.
- Examples: BMW 4 Series Convertible, Audi A3 Cabriolet
- Features: Stylish design, enjoyable driving experience, suitable for leisure travel.
Sports Cars
- Description: High-performance cars designed for speed and agility.
- Examples: Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type
- Features: Superior acceleration and handling, ideal for enthusiasts or special occasions.
When hiring a car in the UK, it’s important to consider the purpose of your rental, the number of passengers, the amount of luggage, and any specific requirements such as off-road capabilities or luxury features.
Rental Policies and Insurance Options
Flexible Rental Terms
Look for companies that offer flexible rental terms, including one-way rentals and the ability to extend your rental period without hassle.
Avoid overpriced insurance at the rental desk
When collecting your hire car, the sales team will often try to get you to take out insurance from them and while it may save you time, this will come at a cost.
Should you want the best deal for your insurance, it is best to shop around online and purchase from a third party.
Do not feel pressured to take out insurance from the hire car provider and the hire car company should not try to pressure you into doing this either.
Plan ahead and get the best deal for you and an extra benefit of this is that you have more time to enjoy your Football Trip!
Age and License Requirements
As outlined above, when hiring a car in the UK, you need to be aware of the age and licence requirements of each hire car company. Most require drivers to be at least 21 years old with a valid driver’s licence, but requirements can vary so check ahead to make sure you will be accepted or to make sure they are not going to charge you a fortune as a young driver.
Customer Service and Extras
24/7 Customer Support
Reliable customer support is crucial, especially if you encounter issues on the road.
Check reviews online before deciding which hire car to go for. The last thing you want is to spend your valuable time arguing with Customer Service about an issue that could have been prevented or at least sorted out much quicker.
Easy Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Choose a company with multiple pick-up and drop-off locations near airports, train stations, and city centres.
This will mean you do not have to drive out of your way to hand the car back miles away from where you need to be.
Online Booking and Mobile Apps
Make your rental experience seamless with online booking and mobile apps. These tools allow you to reserve, modify, and manage your rental with ease.
Many hire car companies have this sort of thing these days and for good reason, it can often take the hassle of having to carry around paperwork because it is all in their app!
Extra Services and Perks
GPS Navigation
If you are travelling to the UK for your Football Trip, you may not wish to simply go to game and then sit in your hotel.
Instead, you may wish to see the sights that the UK has to offer or just see what other activities you can do relating to your favourite club.
Either way, having a good navigation system is key to ensuring you are not wandering aimlessly looking for the club shop or the stadium itself.
Most hire cars these days will come equipped with an in built navigation system but it is also true that these systems can become outdated and may not recognise certain changes to the road layout. The last thing you want is for your in-built navigation system to think you are driving through a river because it has not been updated since a bridge was built over it!
Child Seats and Accessories
If you’re traveling with children, you are likely going to need some form of Booster or Child Seat.
Similar to the insurance discussed above, you may find that looking online before you travel will mean that you can find the cheapest place to hire what you need.
As with anything, the hire car companies may not necessarily be the cheapest so plan ahead and ensure you save as much of your money for your Football Trip as possible.
Loyalty Programs
If you are planning on making Football Trips a regular thing, then you may be best served by opting into one of the many loyalty programmes that hire car companies have.
By doing so, this will allow you to take advantage of discounts, upgrades, and other perks.
Who knows, they may see you are a loyalty programme member and upgrade you to that Ferrari you had always dreamt about!
Final Thoughts
Selecting the best hire car company can significantly enhance your English Premier League Football Trip. By considering top-rated companies, car selection, rental policies, customer service, and extra services, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.
Whether you’re a solo traveller or part of a group, these hire car companies offer the convenience, flexibility, and reliability needed for an unforgettable Football Trip. Plan ahead, choose wisely, and get ready to hit the road for an exciting English Premier League experience.
