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Car Rental in Fareham: Best Rates & Comprehensive Guide

Explore Fareham and beyond with affordable car rentals. Compare prices and enjoy convenient pick-up options.

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Fareham Car Rental Guide
Renting a car in Fareham gives you the freedom to explore the south coast of England at your own pace. Whether arriving at Southampton Airport (SOU) or picking up a vehicle downtown, our guide helps you navigate the options, avoid hidden costs, and enjoy a stress-free journey.
Southampton Airport (SOU)
Located about 15 miles from Fareham, Southampton Airport offers several car rental companies with desks in the terminal. Convenient for fly-in visitors, with a short drive to Fareham town center.
Fareham Town Center
Conveniently located in the heart of Fareham, downtown car rental offices offer flexible hours and easy access for local renters. Ideal for residents or those arriving by train.

Best Rental Cars for Your Fareham Road Trip Adventure

Explore Fareham and the stunning Hampshire coast with the perfect ride—plus discover other popular picks for your UK getaway.

By Trip Type
Popular Makes

City

Small

Nimble & Easy to Park
5
2
Auto

Fareham's narrow town center streets and tight parking lots make a compact car ideal. Navigating Portsmouth's historic lanes and Southampton's busy downtown becomes stress-free. Americans will appreciate the automatic transmission while driving on the left, and the fuel savings help stretch the travel budget further across the South Coast.

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Countryside

SUV

Ready for Any Adventure
5
3
Auto

The New Forest and South Downs invite exploration beyond the city, where rural roads can be narrow and occasionally uneven. An SUV handles gravel forest tracks comfortably and offers cargo space for hiking gear, picnic supplies, or beach equipment. Higher ground clearance and a commanding view make countryside touring safer and more enjoyable.

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Coastal

Convertible

Top-Down Coastal Cruising
4
2
Auto

Summer along the Solent coast brings warm, breezy days perfect for open-top driving. A convertible transforms scenic drives through the South Downs and along the seafront into unforgettable memories. Mild maritime temperatures rarely get uncomfortable, and the premium feel suits American travelers seeking that classic English countryside experience.

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Essential Rental Hub
Everything you need to know before you drive off. Select a topic to get the full brakdown.
UK Rental Car Accident Guide What To Do About Safety Insurance And QEEQ Support
Learn exactly what to do if you have a rental car accident in the UK, from the first 60 minutes at the scene to reporting the incident to QEEQ and insurers. This guide explains safety steps, who to call, what information to exchange, how to document evidence, when to involve police, how CDW and excess work, and how to complete rental accident reports so you stay protected on your UK road trip.
View details
First Timer's Guide to Refuelling Rental Cars in the UK
A comprehensive guide for first-time renters on how to refuel a rental car in the UK, covering fuel types, payment options, and important tips.
View details
Insider's Guide to UK Car Rentals: Avoid Hidden Costs
Discover how to avoid unexpected charges when renting a car in the UK. This guide covers insurance options, fuel policies, and driver-related fees to help you save money and drive with confidence.
View details

Platform Insights

Car Rental Expert Advice

By QEEQ Platform Expert Team

Expertise Metrics

Platform Recognition

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023&2024

Booking Volume

Review Quality

10,000+ verified 5-star reviews

Market Experience

Data Authority

Expertise Verification

QEEQ data verified against local official data sources

Key Expert Insights

Platform Analysis

"Fareham town centre dominates pickups at 42%, rail stations capture 31%, Southampton Airport 18%, with airport proximity driving 38-42% of location choices."

Booking Patterns

"Economy cars declining to 28-35% while SUV/4x4 bookings grow 12-15% YoY; peak season drives 50-65% higher demand; 38-42% book 14+ days ahead."

Customer Pain Points

"36-46% of negative reviews cite hidden fees as leading pain point, with airport surcharges adding 15-22% to base rates."

Data Sources

  • QEEQ internal booking databse
  • Hampshire County Council Tourism Statistics 2024
  • Civil Aviation Authority UK Airport Statistics
  • BVRLA Rental Outlook Report 2025
  • VisitBritain Tourism Statistics 2024
  • BVRLA Consumer Advice Report 2024
  • Which? Car Rental Survey 2024

Fareham UK Driving Guide: Speed, Rules and Tips

Everything you need to know about driving in Fareham, Hampshire — from UK speed limits and drink-driving laws to fuel prices, car hire costs, and rental insights.

LANGUAGES

English

CURRENCY

GBP

DRIVE ON

Left-hand side

COUNTRY CODE

+44

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL PRICE

$57 per day

AVERAGE CAR RENTAL LENGTH

7 days

SPEED LIMIT WITHIN TOWN

48 km/h (30 mph, with select 20 mph / 32 km/h zones)

SPEED LIMIT OUT OF TOWN

96–112 km/h (60 mph single carriageway, 70 mph dual carriageway and motorway)

ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF BAC

0.08% (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

AVERAGE GAS PRICE

$2.02/L

LOWEST / HIGHEST GAS PRICE

$1.41/L - $2.53/L

TRAVELER RATING

8.5 / 10

Fareham Car Rental & Driving FAQ

Key answers for US visitors on UK road rules, fuel, parking, and rental fees in Hampshire

Can I drive in Fareham with my US license, or do I need an International Driving Permit?
Yes — your valid US license is accepted in the UK for stays up to 12 months, so you can legally drive the day you land in Southampton or Heathrow. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not legally required for US citizens, but nearly every major rental company in the UK (Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Europcar) strongly recommends carrying one alongside your home license. Order it from AAA before departure — the cost is $20 and it's valid for one year. Also bring your passport. Without a license printed in English (or a valid IDP), the rental desk can refuse to hand over the keys.
Driving on the left is intimidating — what are the biggest mistakes American visitors make around Fareham?
The car is right-hand drive, so you'll be shifting with your left hand and looking the 'wrong' way at junctions. Three mistakes to avoid in the Fareham area: (1) misjudging roundabouts — traffic comes from your RIGHT, not your left, so yield before entering, (2) drifting into the wrong lane at multi-lane junctions like Quay Street and the M27 Junction 11 interchange, and (3) overtaking on the left along the A27 — strictly illegal. Red lights mean stop — there is NO right turn on red anywhere in the UK. Tip: stick a Post-it on the steering wheel saying 'KEEP LEFT' for the first two days.
I'm 23 — how much is the 'young driver' surcharge in the UK?
Most rental companies in the UK require the driver to be at least 21; some premium models, vans, and 9-seaters require 25+. If you're under 25, expect a 'young driver surcharge' of £20–£35 per day (around $25–$45), usually capped at £150–£200 per rental. Enterprise and Sixt are friendlier to younger renters than some luxury brands. Drivers over 70 may face a similar fee or extra insurance scrutiny, though there is no upper age limit in UK law. Always book the surcharge online direct — the counter rate is almost always higher than the prepaid quote.
How much does petrol cost in Fareham, and what happens if I forget to refuel?
UK fuel is among the priciest in Europe — unleaded petrol (the green pump, labeled E5 or E10) and diesel run about £1.40–£1.55 per litre, roughly $7.00–$7.80 per US gallon. Stations in Fareham include Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Shell along the A27, all open 6am–10pm. Most rental cars are petrol; check the fuel cap before pumping. Forget to refuel on return? Agencies charge £2.50–£3.00 per litre as a 'refueling service fee' — a 60–100% markup. Pre-paid fuel bundles look convenient but are usually worse than a 5-minute stop at a nearby station.
Where can I park in Fareham town center, and how much will it cost?
Fareham town center uses Pay & Display machines that take coins, contactless cards, and the RingGo app (no printed ticket required). The main council car parks — Market Quay, Osborn Road, and the Multistory next to the shopping centre — charge £1.00–£1.50 per hour, free after 6pm and all day Sunday. Don't park on single or double yellow lines; the Penalty Charge Notice starts at £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days). The M27 Junction 11 park-and-ride is free and ideal if you want to skip the town centre traffic entirely.
Are there tolls or congestion fees between Fareham and London?
Driving around Fareham and Hampshire is toll-free — the M27 and A27 have no charges. But if your road trip includes London, budget extra: the Congestion Charge zone is £15/day, and the ULEZ (most of Greater London) adds £12.50/day for cars that don't meet Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel standards. Most US rental cars fail ULEZ unless you specifically book a ULEZ-compliant model (usually marked 'ULEZ' on the listing). Also watch for the Dartford Crossing on the M25 — £2.50 per crossing, payable online by midnight the next day or you'll get a £70 fine.

QEEQ Platform Awards

Recognized globally for excellence in car rental booking services and customer satisfaction.

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2025

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2025

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2024

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2024

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2022

Asia's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2022

Best Business Partner Award of ABG 2023 & 2024

Best Business Partner Award of ABG 2023 & 2024

Business Excellence Awards 2024

Business Excellence Awards 2024

The Magellan Awards in Car Rental Service Category

The Magellan Awards in Car Rental Service Category

The Travolution Awards for Best On the Road

The Travolution Awards for Best On the Road

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