Top 10 Best Car Rental Companies in Exeter

Why You Need a Car in Devon

Exeter itself is walkable, and its rail and bus connections are reasonable by regional standards. Step outside the city, however, and public transport thins out quickly. Dartmoor's villages are served by infrequent services, many of the best coastal spots sit at the end of narrow lanes, and the National Trust properties, gardens and country pubs that define a Devon trip are largely inaccessible without private transport.

For visitors this makes car hire close to essential for anything beyond a city break. For residents, short-term rental fills gaps left by a household's own vehicles: a van for a house move, a larger car for a family trip, or a replacement while a vehicle is off the road. Exeter's rental market has grown to serve both groups, with depots at the airport, around the city and along the Marsh Barton and Sowton commercial estates.

The Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Exeter

1. Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The largest operator in the UK market with multiple Exeter locations. Enterprise is known for its pick-up service, wide vehicle range from small hatchbacks to vans, and consistently strong customer service. Its insurance replacement business means it is well practised at fast, flexible arrangements.

2. Hertz. An international brand with airport and city presence, offering a broad fleet including premium and electric vehicles. Its loyalty programme and one-way rental options suit travellers combining Devon with other UK destinations.

3. Avis. A long-established operator with an airport desk and a reputation for efficient collection and return. Strong on corporate accounts, with clear terms and a well-maintained mid-range fleet.

4. Europcar. Offers cars, vans and minibuses with flexible rental periods and frequent promotional rates. Its van range makes it a practical option for house moves and equipment transport as well as leisure hire.

5. Sixt. Distinguished by a fleet that skews towards premium German marques at rates often competitive with standard brands. Popular with business travellers and anyone who wants a more enjoyable car for a long Devon drive.

6. Budget Car Rental. Focused on value with straightforward terms and a dependable economy and compact range. A sensible choice for cost-conscious travellers who want a recognised brand.

7. Thrifty Car and Van Rental. Combines competitive pricing with a strong commercial vehicle offering, including Luton vans and tippers. Well used by local trades and small businesses in the Exeter area.

8. Westcountry Vehicle Rentals. A regional independent with local depots, offering personal service, flexible terms and often a more accommodating approach to young drivers and unusual requirements than national chains.

9. Exeter Van and Car Hire. An independent operator serving the trade and domestic market with competitive daily and weekly rates, minimal bureaucracy and good knowledge of local delivery requirements.

10. Co-wheels Car Club Exeter. A pay-by-the-hour car club with vehicles parked at locations around the city. For residents needing occasional short journeys rather than a full day's hire, it is substantially cheaper than traditional rental and includes fuel and insurance.

What to Check Before Booking

Insurance is where most disputes arise. Standard rentals include basic cover with a significant excess, often over a thousand pounds. Rental desks will offer excess reduction at a daily rate that adds up quickly; an annual standalone excess insurance policy purchased independently is usually far cheaper for anyone hiring more than once a year.

Read the fuel policy carefully. Full-to-full is the fairest arrangement and the easiest to verify. Pre-purchase fuel options almost always cost more than filling up yourself. Check mileage limits, since some cheaper rates cap daily mileage in a way that is easy to exceed on a Devon touring holiday.

Confirm additional driver charges, young driver surcharges for under-25s, and whether a credit card in the main driver's name is required for the deposit. Debit card policies vary significantly between operators.

Choosing the Right Vehicle for Devon

This matters more here than in most parts of Britain. Devon's rural lanes are narrow, frequently single-track, and bordered by high banks and stone hedges with limited visibility. A large SUV that feels reassuring on the motorway becomes a liability when reversing a quarter of a mile to a passing place.

For most visitors a small or medium hatchback is the practical choice, offering easy manoeuvring, cheap fuel and enough space for two or three people's luggage. Families needing more room should consider an estate rather than a large SUV. If you plan significant motorway mileage, a diesel or hybrid will reduce running costs.

Electric vehicles are increasingly available and charging infrastructure across Devon has improved considerably, though coverage on Dartmoor and in remote coastal villages remains patchy. Plan charging stops if hiring electric for rural touring.

Driving in and Around Exeter

The city has a one-way system that rewards using a satellite navigation system, and parking in the centre is predominantly pay-and-display or multi-storey. Park and ride sites on the city fringe are an economical way to avoid central traffic.

On the moor, be prepared for livestock on unfenced roads, including ponies and sheep that will not move for a horn. Speeds should be low, and fog can reduce visibility dramatically with little warning. On coastal routes, summer traffic can be heavy and village parking fills by mid-morning.

Final Thoughts

Car hire transforms a Devon trip from a city break into a proper exploration of one of England's finest landscapes. Book early for summer, choose a smaller vehicle than instinct suggests, sort excess insurance independently before you travel, and photograph the car thoroughly at collection and return. Those four habits eliminate most of the problems people encounter with rental.