Car hire in Birmingham - get to know the Midlands

Birmingham is one of Britain’s largest and most populous cities. While London steals all other cities show, you will be pleasantly surprised by a wealth of attractions that Birmingham has to offer. Lovely waterways, art galleries and an emerging gastronomic scene make Birmingham increasingly popular with tourists.

Rent a car in Birmingham for the best experience and more freedom on your trip. Auto Europe is a world-famous car hire broker with access to a vast fleet of rental vehicles from all major suppliers. With us, you can choose between various car classes and car hire companies in over 24,000 destinations. Moreover, our prices are always lower than when booking directly with a car hire company. We guarantee the best price on the market!

Whether your visit to Birmingham is for work or pleasure, find out more about the city, its attractions and the road rules in the UK in our guide below and let us arrange the best deal for you!

How is the traffic in Birmingham?

Being the second largest city in the UK, Birmingham often experiences traffic congestion and bottlenecks especially during rush hour. Opt out from driving your car hire in Birmingham early in the morning and late in the afternoon in order to avoid numerous commuters to the city. Some drivers find driving in Birmingham challenging and its roads quite heavily used which is no wonder as it is served by several motorways connecting it with London, Liverpool, Manchester and Lancaster.

Where can I park my car hire in Birmingham?

As with every big city, finding a parking space in Birmingham depends on the neighbourhood and the time of the day. During summer, due to intense tourism, the parking options in the city centre and popular neighbourhoods may be scarce. We recommend multi-storey parking garages and larger parking facilities near coach and railway stations. Paid on-street parking is also available, although more difficult to find as these bays fill up quickly. With plenty of multi-storey car parks and numerous on-street parking spaces, parking should not be difficult. Download the City of Birmingham app and see all available slots in real time on your smartphone. Currently the cheapest, the car park in the Pershore Street is open 24 hours. The most famous car park is Bullring Moor Street.

Birmingham Airport

Only 6.3 miles southeast of the city centre lies Birmingham Airport serving about 12 million passengers annually and connecting the city with 140 destinations around the world. Pick up your car hire in Birmingham upon landing for more convenience.

Birmingham Airport (BHX)
Address: Junction 6 of the M42 via the A45
Official website: Birmingham Airport Website
Phone number: +44 (0) 871 222 0072

What to do in Birmingham

Among the top sights in this British city is the famous library, a chocolate and custard factory, museums and art galleries as well as a historic neighbourhood.

• Cadbury World: Dive into the chocolate world in Cadbury! This museum is a dream come true with a fantastic mix of history, facts, interactive exhibits and delicious Cadbury chocolate that will appeal to the whole family. You will need to pre-book the tickets per telephone or online, where you can save an additional 5% on the entrance! After having fun at numerous attractions, relax at the Cadbury Café over a cup of hot chocolate with cream!


• Back to Backs: One of the most atmospheric and historic places in the city, Back to Backs is a restored court with terraced houses built back-to-back in the 19th century. A tour in Birmingham Back to Backs is not only informative, but also emotionally moving as it gives insight into the life of the working class of Birmingham in the past.


• Aston Hall: At Birmingham’s Aston Park you will find this imposing manor house built in the 17th century, now preserved as a building of special cultural significance. The beautiful villa with lovely gardens and exquisite interior is open for visitors all year round and it is located only three miles from the city centre.


• Winterbourne House and Garden: Part of Birmingham’s heritage, Winterbourne House and Garden are an exquisite example of art and architecture from the Edwardian Era. Learn more about the history of the villa and its owners inside and spend a wonderful afternoon in the beautiful lush garden surrounding the house. Plan your visit ahead and try to attend a concert in the garden, which hosts various music events.


• Museums: Birmingham has some of the most iconic museums and galleries in Great Britain. Depending on your sphere of interest, opt for a visit to the science museum, the museum of the jewellery, fine arts, Royal Air Force Museum or many other remarkable places.

Best day trips with my car rental in Birmingham

Located in the heart of England, Birmingham is a great starting point for day trips around Midlands. With our affordable offers for car rental in Birmingham, you will be able to spend more money on entertainment, travelling and sightseeing without drilling a hole in your pocket.

Stratford-upon-Avon

This is where all things Shakespeare take place! The famous picturesque market town is more than eight centuries old and, being Shakespeare’s birth place, it abounds in attractions related to one of Britain’s greatest poets. Join a walking tour with a professional guide to find out more about Stratford-upon-Avon.

Warwick Castle

Another historic place on the river Avon that even children will love! Discover medieval dungeons, secret passages and towers. Relax in the lovely Rose Garden and watch a show with birds of prey. You will have an amazing fun-packed time for the whole family.

Oxford

Step back in time on a day trip to Oxford! Choose one of the many guided tours – a university and city tour, a pub tour or Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland of Oxford tour – whatever tickles your fancy! By all means go and visit the Botanical Garden if you are in Oxford during summer. This remarkably lush garden is a true oasis on a hot summer day!

Geographic Information & History

Birmingham lies at the very heart of England in the Midlands about 110 miles northwest from the capital London. Originally, the area where modern Birmingham lies used to be a forest. The historic Forest of Arden still has some traces in oak parks and various neighbourhood names ending in “–ley” which, in Old English, meant clearing of the woodland.

In Birmingham you can enjoy mild summers with average temperatures in July being 15.7°, while the coldest month in a year is January with an average temperature of 3.2°. An average summer in Birmingham comes with plenty of rainfall and so does December, being the wettest month.

This modern and lively city started out as a Saxon village. In the 12th century the King granted Lord de Birmingham the right to hold a weekly fair. Gradually, merchants, buyers and craftsmen started settling down in the village, which consequently developed into a small but busy medieval town. For around four centuries Birmingham remained a market town with population under two thousand. A real population growth occurred in the 16th and 17th century thanks to regular town fairs, specialised markets, wool and metalworking industry. The geographic position of the city was particularly good for the metal industry. Birmingham experienced growth in many aspects throughout the 19th century. Thanks to a new sewer system, the town became more sanitary. Hospitals opened along with various institutions and pastime attractions such as parks, museums, libraries and public baths. Today Birmingham counts more than one million citizens in addition to a large student and commuter population.

How to get around Birmingham

Birmingham is covered by a large network of buses, trams and trains, serving not only the city, but also a larger metropolitan area. Buses are a convenient and affordable means of transport. You could buy a ticket that is valid for one whole week to save some money. If you are buying a ticket on the bus, please bring the correct amount as drivers carry no change.

Trains connect Birmingham with numerous towns and villages in the Midlands as well as with London Marylebone Station. In the city, there are three main railway stations, Birmingham New Street being the closest to the city centre. This is also a hub for many services that connect Birmingham to other parts of the UK.

Useful links

Tourism Information