Car Hire Andover

Car Hire

Andover seems like an unassuming destination at first. However, visitors will fall in love with the old-English charm this former market town displays. Resting in the northwestern pocket of County Hampshire, this township contains a selection of alluring sites, such as a bustling pedestrian town centre, the Rooksbury Mill Nature Reserve, a Grade II listed museum and St Mary’s Parish Church. Car hire can assist tourists in getting around the town and reaching surrounding villages like Abbotts Ann and Charlton.

Who to Book With
Enterprise and Avis are the most-globally recognised car rental companies operating in the town. Nevertheless, the market also consists of local car suppliers like Abacus and Silver Lady Hire, which offer reasonably competitive rates and a range of vehicles. Tourists can add to their budget by making bookings online before arriving in Andover.

Best time to go
Andover can get quite cold in the winter months of December, January and February, not to mention drizzly and dark. Therefore, most tourists visit this enchanting township during the warmer summer months, in particular June, July and August. If you visit during the summer, roads are generally safer for driving, but traffic congestion may be an issue at times.

Need to Know Essentials
There are a couple of documents you need to produce when renting vehicles in Andover:

- A valid driving license
- Secondary form of identification that includes address confirmation
- Proof of online reservation
- A valid credit card

Explore our FAQ's page for additional information.

Driving
Andover is relatively easy to explore by car, as the roads in and around the town are always well-maintained and very simple to navigate. However, roadworks are not uncommon around Hampshire, and can lead to traffic delays. Andover’s High Street is open to motorists, but speeds need to be kept to a minimum, as pedestrians and cyclists regularly use the street. Parking is available along curbs, so shouldn’t be a problem for visitors renting vehicles in Andover.

Our guide to the UK has more tips on driving here.

Transport

Like other cities and towns in the county of Hampshire, Andover’s public transportation services are limited to buses and taxis. There is a train station that links to other nearby cities along the Overland train line, but this is the only train transportation service in the town. Local transportation, which includes the bus network, is operated by the Hampshire County Council. Car rental is useful for getting around town and for reaching destinations farther afield.

Taxis
Private taxis are a popular way to get from A to B in Andover. There are several companies offering services in the town, including Dales Private Hire and 1-2 Call Cabs. Andover is not a large destination, so taxis fares are not usually high if travelling to destinations within the township. Many taxi companies operate around the clock, seven days a week.

Buses
The public bus network in Andover is known as Cango, and is a demand-responsive service. This means it doesn’t travel on set routes, but instead uses a booking-regulated timetable. Once booked, buses collect passengers from one of the ‘pick-up stations’ around town. Tourists need to register with Cango before reaching Andover in order to use this service. This company uses both Optare Solo people-movers and Optare Alero minibuses, both of which are comfortable, spacious and safe.

Exploring

Southern England boasts a stunning landscape, complete with rolling hills, national parks, picturesque coastal settlements and historical cities. Aldershot is located less than an hour’s drive from some of the UK’s most precious landmarks, so tourists should take a few daytrips out of the city if possible. The likes of Winchester, the New Forest and England’s southern coast await travellers with rental cars.

Recommended Drives

Winchester - Once the capital of England and still basks in its historical reverence to this day, is a great place to visit. The main site within the city is its massive cathedral, which began construction in 1079. However, tourists can find dozens of other mesmerising landmarks around Winchester, such as the stunning university and the intriguing city museum.

Portsmouth - Located just 30 miles to the south of Andover, allows tourists easy access to the beautiful south coast. Blessed with a range of historic attractions, Portsmouth is a destination not to be underestimated. The likes of the Southsea Castle, its dockyards, and the city’s two cathedrals make for a great daytrip.

Southampton - A port city just a few miles west of Portsmouth. It is relatively modern when compared to other cities across Hampshire as it was largely bombed during WWII. Nevertheless, plenty of daytrip attractions are available, including beautiful central parks, the Sea-city Museum and the historic Bargate.