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Explore the Highlands with an Inverness Airport car hire
Sitting astride the River Ness (of Loch Ness fame) and packed with incredible history and architecture, Inverness is a picturesque and fascinating place to visit. Many are drawn here by the legend of the Loch Ness Monster and are pleasantly surprised by the city and its charm. Underneath the quaint exterior, it’s also fast-growing and attracting both tech and traditional industry.
Inverness Airport car rental locations
You can pick up your Inverness Airport rental car in the airport terminal or with a brief free shuttle ride to the National depot.
What you should know for your Inverness car hire adventure
Inverness Airport guide
Inverness Airport (INV) is located 9 miles northeast of the city, offering flights to and from UK destinations and some in continental Europe. It has a single terminal and there is a Highland Aviation Museum directly adjacent to the airport, open on weekends and public holidays.
Inside the terminal building, visitors will find a range of shops and eateries as well as car hire facilities. Outside there are car parks and public transport connections. Free WiFi is available in the terminal.
Driving your car rental in Inverness
Staying safe on the roads of Scotland is the key to a fantastic road trip. With some knowledge of local customs and road rules, you can enjoy a journey that’s memorable for all the right reasons and none of the wrong ones.
Take a look at our tips below and do some of your own research—you’ll soon be prepared to hit the road to explore Inverness.
- Don’t forget to drive on the left in the United Kingdom. If you’re arriving from a right-hand driving country, this may take some time to get used to.
- Distances will always be posted in miles. Speeds will be posted in miles per hour.
- All occupants of the vehicle must wear a seatbelt or appropriate child restraint. This is mandatory not just with rental cars but also with camper van hire.
- Scotland in general—and the Highlands in particular—has many narrow country lanes. Drive carefully and move as far left as possible to pass oncoming vehicles.
- Drive slowly and carefully in adverse conditions. In the wintertime, the Highlands are often snowy. You may wish to ask your rental provider about winter tyres.
- You’re likely to come across many roundabouts, which can be confusing for the uninitiated. Always drive around them in a clockwise direction, and give way to any vehicles already circling the roundabout.
- Pack plenty of warm clothes and spare food and water in case of a breakdown in a remote location. You should always have a mobile phone with you too, for the same reason.
- The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers in the UK is 0.08%.
- Looking to park your car hire? Inverness Airport offers both short and long term parking options to visitors. In the city centre, on-street parking is monitored by metres so always double-check before you park your hire car.
- Take the flyers being given away at the rental counter! Oftentimes there are freebies and discounts, like for restaurants or fuel or short stay car park, quite handy for travellers.
Destination ideas for your car hire road trip from Inverness
Inverness serves as a gateway to the stunning Scottish Highlands, and for this reason, a car rental from Inverness Airport is a must-have. A short drive in any direction will see you amongst breathtaking mountain peaks, wild landscapes, beguiling small villages, and of course the many windswept castles.
Beyond Inverness city centre and the Highlands there’s all of Scotland to explore —and beyond that, all of Great Britain. Visit wonderful UK cities like Aberdeen, Edinburgh, or Newcastle in your rental car. You could even get on a car ferry to Sumburgh on the island of Shetland and enjoy a place that few travellers will ever see.
If you’re sticking closer to Inverness for all or some of your trip, take a look at our ideas below.
Inverness Castle and central city attractions
This architectural delight can be found right in the city centre, at the end of the western pedestrian zone. Built in 1847, it is not as old as many of the other buildings in Inverness—and although you can’t go inside, it is worth seeing. You can go inside the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery at the base of the castle, and then walk along the river to see the equally lovely Old High Church on Bank Street.
Culloden Moor
This is one for the history buffs: the site of a tragic and bloody battle of the Jacobite Rising of 1745. It’s located just 6 miles east of the city and has a visitors centre, a low-lying concrete building which matches the bleak nature of the place. The centre is very informative and the moor itself very evocative.
Cairngorm Mountain
You can reach the mountain and its ski/resort town within an hour with a car rental from Inverness. Winter sports are a favourite activity here, and in the summer there is so much to do and see in the Cairngorms National Park—castles, distilleries, hiking tracks, mountain biking, fishing. We recommend spending a weekend in the area!
Loch Ness
Few visitors to Inverness will leave without a trip to Loch Ness. This is the body of water with the largest volume of all in the UK. On its shores are several lovely small towns, scenic Urquhart Castle, historic Fort George, and the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition where you can learn all you need to know about the infamous Nessie. There are many tour companies offering excursions on the loch.
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Frequently asked questions for car hire at Inverness Airport
What choice of cars are there to hire at Inverness Airport?
There is a range of vehicles available to hire at Inverness Airport (INV), from economy and compact cars to luxury cars, people movers, and SUVs. Rental cars are provided by trusted International brands like Avis, National, Enterprise, and local players like Arnold Clark car hire.
How do I find the best car hire deals at Inverness Airport?
To narrow down the Inverness Airport car hire that suits your needs, search by entering your details into the panel at the top of the page. You can use the filters to make a shortlist of cars that fit your price range, feature requirements, and brand preferences.
What documents do I need to provide to hire a car at Inverness Airport?
To book and pick up a rental vehicle, you will require a valid credit card and full driving licence under the name of the driver. For some cases you need to secure IDP or International Driver's Permit if your driving licence is not issued by the UK government. You should bring all rental confirmations and any other relevant documentation to the depot when you pick up the vehicle.
What is the average cost to rent a car in Inverness?
Daily costs for Inverness car hire airport deals can range from as low as GBP£45 for an economy car during the colder months, or as much as GBP£300+ for a luxury vehicle in the peak summer. However, it is highly recommended to take into consideration more factors other than the vehicle class and the rental rates, when finalising your booking.
What is the cheapest price for a car hire in Inverness?
You can find a cheap car hire at Inverness Airport for as little as GBP£45, depending on the season and vehicle class.
Can I return my hire car Inverness Airport to a city or place different from the pick up location?
Yes. Many car rental Inverness Airport providers allow one-way rentals. Places which have airports or called airport locations, like Aberdeen and Edinburgh, are most likely available as return / drop off locations for your rental cars. Using our search widget here, you may select a different drop off location, to see which deals are available for one way rentals.