Car Hire in Essex

Welcome to the Enterprise Essex car rental page. Choose from a wide selection of cars ranging from smaller economy cars to larger SUVs and people carriers

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Car Rental in Essex

Essex provides a contrast of sunny, sandy beaches and lush, country landscapes that provide a little bit of everything, and it pulls off that unique charm that only an English county has. Because it borders an estuary of the Thames to its south, there are numerous water activities in store for tourists and locals. There are many historic venues where families can go out for fun and get some lessons on the county’s heritage. You will find spectacular gardens and green spaces that make your drives across the region worth every minute. Essex has great spots for family-appropriate entertainment, and you can easily arrange a getaway from the bustle of the city. Enterprise Rent-a-Car has services in the county for all types of client needs.

Our Vehicles for Hire in Essex

Our vehicles range from small compact cars to minibuses for larger groups. If you are going to drive the family from one end of Essex to the other, it is best not to cram four or five people into the back seat of a standard car. For extra room, you can opt for a people carrier, saloon or SUV. Not only does a 4x4 provide sufficient room but also has a sturdy build that comes in handy when crisscrossing the countryside. Even though Essex doesn’t receive as much rain as the rest of England, the wet season can make its roads difficult to drive on, and an off-roader may be necessary. A people carrier is a great choice for larger groups, especially as the boot has sufficient space for all of that luggage.

If you need to relocate, hire an extra-large or Luton van to carry your possessions; this will be more practical than trying to fit all your boxes in the back of an estate car. We have a car category for all customer requirements, from those who want to travel alone to those who need transport for a large group.

Attractions in Essex

The otherworldly Discovery Coast in Essex is one place that has to be on your itinerary. With Clacton-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea boasting natural piers and magical beaches, the Essex coastline is the ideal place to laze on the sand and soak up some sun. The Southend Pier is particularly incredible since it is the world’s longest, so a spot to rest is assured. Take a car and drive to the Audley End House and Gardens, where the sprawling countryside will leave you in awe.

If you fancy seeing Britain’s tallest Gatehouse, a tour of the Layer Marney Tower is in order. You can enjoy glorious views of the Blackwater estuary from the top of the tower, while the Colchester Castle reveals the Roman history of the county. A rented vehicle will get you to even more places, such as Colchester Zoo, where over 270 species of animals reside. The daily displays are an excellent idea for family fun. Take time to stop at some of the art galleries in town, such as Firstsite, for some cultural insights into the county.

Places to Visit Outside Essex

Discover what the neighbouring counties have in store. Kent, for instance, is home to the Canterbury Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The county has a varied history, from the beginnings of Christianity in England to shipping. The Kent coastline is also a must-see, especially the White Cliffs of Dover. Suffolk's coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so definitely don't miss this if the time allows for it.

Airport Car Hire

Renting a vehicle from the airport allows you to start your sightseeing schedule right away. In Essex, London Stansted Airport is the primary airport, with flights across Europe, Asia and North Africa. Enterprise has a branch at this airport for your convenience.

Parking and Traffic Information in Essex

When in need of accessing other major destinations, Essex is connected to several main routes that make it very easy. There is the A12 that runs from Brentwood in the south-west and cuts through Essex to Colchester. From this road, various other routes act as links to different regions. You have the opportunity to make your way through diverse rural towns and villages. Essex has garages, street meter spots and parking lots for motorists, and the county provides information centres for parking charges and payment details. You can also ask our branch staff for more information.

Cheap Car Hire

From large people carriers to smaller economy cars, Enterprise Rent-a-Car guarantees cheap rates on car hire from our Essex branch. Our economy cars are renowned for being cheap to hire as well as low running costs with great fuel efficiency. Book online in advance for our cheapest prices, alternatively book in branch and get the car that suits your needs.

Moving house? Moving furniture? Enterprise has vans available at our Essex branches to ensure that you can get a vehicle to suit your needs. From smaller passenger vans to larger commercial vans – give our branches a call or book online to guarantee you a van hire that will suit your needs. Van hire is cheap and easy through Enterprise online or in branch, we promise to provide a vehicle to suit you for as long as you require it.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What do I need to hire a car with Enterprise?
    The essential items you will need to bring to an Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch when hiring a vehicle are a valid drivers licence, valid ID, and a credit or debit card. You will also need to prove you are over 25 years of age, and there may be additional documentation required for international drivers. Learn more about what you need when hiring here.
  2. Do I need insurance to rent a car or van?
    No. At Enterprise you don't need to purchase insurance as we provide a damage waiver within the cost of your hire. You can, of course, take option to purchase additional protection products to reduce the excess further to give you complete peace of mind. Visit our car hire insurance page for further details.
  3. How old do I need to be to hire a car or van?
    All drivers must be a minimum of 25 years old. Only drivers over 30 years old may hire full-size MPVs, premium vehicles/exotic cars and Luton vans. Younger drivers might be interested in Enterprise Car Club. Learn more about age requirements for hiring a vehicle here.
  4. What are the driver's licence requirements for car hire in the UK & Ireland?
    All drivers must present a full valid driving license. If the driving license is written in a language and characters different to those of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit is also required.  Learn more about car hire driving licence requirements here.
  5. Can I hire a car with a debit card?
    We accept payment by either a debit or credit card in the name of the renter. A credit card is required if you are renting a People Carrier, Compact Elite, SUV, Premium, Luxury or Executive vehicle. Learn more about our accepted card payment methods here.

For more FAQs, please visit our FAQ page.