Car Hire at Belfast International Airport
Belfast Airport is located about 16 miles North West of Belfast city centre so you may find hiring a car, either self drive or chauffeur driven, the best form of transport for getting you and your luggage to or from the airport. Hiring a vehicle means you can get to or from the airport quickly and easily.
There are 7 car hire companies on site at Belfast International airport offering a range of competitive car hire deals and discounts. It is usually cheaper if you book your car hire in advance with some providers offering cheaper prices when you prepay. Some providers also provide 25% cheaper prices when you book online. If you only require a one way car hire you will find this is provided by Europcar, National and Alamo. For more information see One Way car hire.
At Belfast International Airport the car hire providers’ desks are located at the link from the main concourse through to departures.
Direct Bookings
| Provider | Phone | Website | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | + 44 (0) 8445 810 147 | www.avis.co.uk |  |  | |
 | + 44 (0) 8713 849 847 | www.europcar.co.uk | | ||
 | + 44 (0) 8713 841 086 | www.alamo.co.uk | | ||
 | + 44 (0) 8713 841 140 | www.nationalcar.co.uk | | ||
 | +44 (0) 8444 993 399 | www.sixt.co.uk |  | | |
 | + 44 (0) 8708 448 844 | www.hertz.co.uk | | ||
 | + 44 (0) 2894 423 332 | www.budget.co.uk | |
Car Hire Centre
If you are looking for the provider with the cheapest car hire options at Belfast International Airport then you should consider using a comparison site. Comparison sites gather information from all car hire providers to calculate who has the cheapest car hire offer. They are useful if you are looking for a cheap car hire but not recommended if you are looking for the best car hire option.
Car Hire Centre
The Car Hire Centre is an online comparison site that can provide you with information on the cheapest car hire at Belfast International airport in seconds.
If you would like to speak to someone directly from the Car Hire Centre please call +44 (0)844 816 0099.
holiday autos
holiday autos is a price comparison site comparing the price of rental cars, vans, mini buses and campervans.
holiday autos
holiday autos offers low cost vehicle hire so you are guaranteed a low price.
Map of Belfast Internationl Car Hire Locations
Information for Under 25's
In the UK the minimum age to drive a car is 17, however, most car hire providers will not allow customers to hire a car until they are over 21. However, all providers have different regulations regarding the minimum age to hire a car with them. The majority of car hire providers allow car hire if you are aged between 21 and 75. However, drivers under 25 often will be charged an additional daily fee which providers refer to as a Young Driver’s Surcharge. The amount charged varies for each provider. More details for each provider with regards to their young driver’s surcharge fees can be seen at the bottom of the page.
You may also discover the age requirements vary depending on the type of vehicle you hire. Small group cars have lower restrictions than large groups such as prestige car groups which can have minimum age restrictions of more than 30 years old. During the process of booking your car hire you will have to complete your age before the booking process is completed. This will mean you will be informed if you are not old enough to hire a car somewhere in the booking process. You cannot lie about your age as to hire a vehicle you will need to show your driving license as proof of your age.
Documents Needed
To hire a vehicle you will need to present both your plastic driving license card and your driving license counterpart. This is to prove who you are, check your age, check you are qualified to drive and finally that you do not hold any driving offenses that would prevent you hiring a car. A photocopy of either part of your driving license will not be accepted.
Non European Union members will need to provide their International Driver’s license. All car hirers will also need to present some form of ID as well as their driving license, passports are recommended and you should have them with you as you are at the airport.
Insurance
Buying insurance tips
Although your car hire policy will probably include collision damage waiver and theft waiver this is not insurance. All this means is that if you have an accident or the car is stolen the car hire provider will cover some of the costs, however, they will still charge an excess. This may not seem too bad and quite reasonable, until you realise car hire providers are entitled to charge you up to £2000 in excess. This is why you should really buy a car hire excess insurance policy when you hire a vehicle. This cover will cover any excess you have to pay and can be as little as £4.75 per day. Insurance4carhire provides car hire excess insurance at a reasonable price. You can purchase either a daily or annual policy to cover any car hire you plan. If you hire vehicles regularly throughout the year you should consider an annual policy.
For more information about why you need car hire excess insurance and the offers available please visit Insurance4carhire.For more car hire information and tips please visit the Car Hire Centre.
Tips
When you hire the car you should do the following:
- Check your hire vehicle for damage before you leave the airport forecourt.
- Make sure your car hire provider documents any damage already on your vehicle before the hire starts.
- Return your car full of fuel to avoid excessive fuel charges.
- Familiarise yourself with the road laws and regulations at your car hire destination.
Further car hire advice.
Airport Surcharge
Belfast International Airport will charge the car hire providers to use their facilities. Car hire providers will often pass on this charge to their customers. You will either be asked to pay the additional fee upon arrival at the airport or it will be included in your car hire policy. You should check with your provider their policy with regards to Airport Surcharge fees.
One Way Hire
Because Belfast International airport is located far from Belfast hiring a car to either get you to or from the airport may be most suitable for you. Most car hire providers let you collect your car from an airport or local branch and drop it off at a location suitable for you. The car hire providers Alamo, National and Europcar all offer this service from £49 so you can drop your vehicle off at any destination in Ireland at no additional fee. Europcar provide this service to visitors of the Belfast International Airport Guide at a reduced rate of £45. To take advantage of this deal please click on the Europcar banner:
Belfast International Airport Car Hire Providers
Below you will find more information about each individual provider located at Belfast International Airport including provider extras, regulations on the minimum age to hire a vehicle with each provider and contact details if you require additional features to be added to your vehicle.
Provider Extras
This table shows which extras are provided by each car hire provider at Belfast International Airport. To request any of these extras please contact the provider at least 48 hours before your hire is due to start to check availability.
| Child Seats | Satellite Navigation | Hire via Phone App. | Disabled Driver Hand Controls | Entertainment systems | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | | | |  |
 | | | | | |
| | | | | |
 | | | | | |
 | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Opening Hours
Europcar at Belfast International Airport is open Sunday-Friday from 7.30am to 11.30pm in the evening. On Saturday the branch at Belfast International Airport is open from 7.30am until 10pm. To collect a vehicle outside these times you may have to contact Europcar.
Minimum age of hire
To hire a vehicle with Europcar you must be aged over 21. If you are aged 21-22 years old you will have to pay a Young Driver’s Surcharge of about £13 per rental day. Young drivers may be restricted as to which vehicles they are permitted to hire.
Cost of additional driver
You can add drivers to your rental with Europcar for an additional charge of £4.99 per day. You can add additional drivers while you are processing your booking or contact Europcar before your rental is due to start and add drivers but this may mean paying for this additional fee upon arrival at the airport.
*Airport Connect
Airport Connect is a one way hire provided by Europcar from £49. Europcar provide an exclusive deal for visitors to the Belfast International Airport Guide making the price £45 which can be accessed here.
Services for disabled drivers
Europcar will add features to your car hire to assist with your driving at no additional charge. To find out what features they will add please call 0870 384 1087 or email Reservationsuk@mail.europcar.com.
Opening Hours
National provide a meet and greet service at Belfast International Airport. This service is available Sunday-Friday from 07.30am to 11pm and on a Saturday from 7.30am-10pm.
Minimum age of hire
To hire a car with National you will need to be aged over 21. Any customer planning on hiring a car aged between 21-24 will be charged an additional fee called a Young Driver’s Surcharge. This fee is usually added to your hire policy and charged per day.
Cost of additional driver
National allow you to add additional drivers to your car hire booking for te additional fee of about £6.50 per rental day.
HireRewards
If you hire vehicles on a frequent occasion you should consider joining National’s loyalty scheme called HireRewards. By joining the scheme you will receive 10% discount on all rentals and a whole range of other benefits.
Airport Connect
Airport Connect is a one way hire service National offer. From £49 you can pick your car up from any National branch and drop it off at a different location.
Drivers with disabilities
If you need facilities to assist with your driving you should contact National 48 hours before you hire is due to start so they have enough time to fit the equipment you need. To find out more about this service please email mobility@nationalcar.com or call (888) 273-5262.
Opening Hours
Alamo offers a meet and greet service at Belfast International Airport on Airport Road. This service is provided Sunday-Friday 07:00-23:00 and on a Saturday 07:30-22:00.
Minimum age of hire
The minimum age to hire a vehicle with Alamo is 21 and you may only be allowed to hire certain small vehicle groups Drivers between the age of 21-22 will pay a young driver’s surcharge of £14.77 and drivers aged 23-24 will pay a young driver’s surcharge of £10.43 per day.
Cost of additional driver
If you would like to add additional drivers to your booking with Alamo you should contact them in advance. The cost of an additional driver is about £6.50 per day.
Airport Connect
Airport Connect is a one way service provided by Alamo to get you to the airport, from the airport or between airports. From £49 you pick up your car hire from any UK Alamo branch and drop it off at a different UK branch.
What to do out of hours
The opening hours for Hertz at Belfast International Airport are as follows: Mo-Fr 0700-2400, Sa 0700-2130, Su 0730-2400. If you require car hire outside these times please refer to the Rental Qualifications and Requirements section on their website.
Minimum age of hire
Hertz offer car hire for anyone aged over 19 and even offer student discounts for their young customers. However, all customers aged under 25, including students, will be charged a Young Driver’s Surcharge fee of £15.75 per rental day plus VAT. The maximum charge for Young Driver’s is £157.50.
Cost of additional driver
The cost of an additional driver with Hertz is £9 per rental day but the maximum charge is £90 per rental.
Services for physically challenged drivers
Hertz will add additional features to your hire vehicle to assist physically challenged drivers at no additional fee. Please call Hertz on 0870 840 0084 at least 24 hours before your rental is due to start to ensure they have enough time to fit the features.
Opening Hours
Avis at Belfast International Airport is open Sunday-Friday between the hours of 07:30-23:30 and on a Saturday from 07:30- 19:30. They also provide an out of hours return option, details on request.
Minimum age of hire
To hire a car with Avis you must be aged over the age of 23. Drivers aged 23-25 may be charged a Young Driver’s Surcharge fee of £12.93 per rental day. The maximum charge for a hire is £120.93. Cost of additional driver.
Cost of additional driver
Additional drivers can be added to your booking for the price of £9 per rental day.
Disabled Driver Options
Avis customers can request to have specialist equipment such as Lynx hand controls added to their hired vehicle. If you require such equipment please call 08445 81 81 81 at least 48 hours before your hire is due to begin.
Opening Hours
At Belfast International Airport, Sixt is open 7 days a week from 7.30am until 10.30pm.
Minimum age of hire
Drivers over the age of 21 are permitted to hire a car from Sixt.
Price of a Satellite Navigation System
If you are unfamiliar with your rental destination you should consider hiring a Satellite Navigation system from Sixt for only £8.40 per day.
One way hire
One way rentals are a great way of getting to or from the airport. One way rentals with Sixt start from £60 per day.
Cost of an additional driver
£5.22 per day is the starting price for additional drivers with Sixt.
Opening Hours
Budget at Belfast International Airport is open 7 days a week from 7.30am to 11pm.
Minimum and maximum age of hire
The minimum age to hire a car with Budget is 23 years old and the maximum age of hire is 75 years old. Drivers aged 23-25 will be charged a Young Driver’s Surcharge of £12.93 per rental day. Drivers aged 70-75 will be charged a Senior Driver’s Surcharge of £12.93 per rental day.
Cost of additional driver
To add an additional driver to your booking you will be charged £9 per rental day.
Disabled Driver Options
Budget will add hand controls or other facilities to your hire to assist with your driving. To request additional features or find out more information please call 0844 544 3407 at least 48 hours before your booking is due to begin.
*10% off early bookings
Rentals must be for the UK and booked at least 6 weeks in advance. For full terms and conditions see the Budget website.