Car Hire Bolton

Car Hire

Found near the West Pennine Moors, just over 12 miles from Manchester, Bolton is surrounded by stunning landscapes and scenery, and offers visitors phenomenal daytrips. For this reason alone, it is a key holiday destination for nature lovers and cyclists, but the town also has attractions of its own. Here, travellers can visit the town’s museum and art gallery, wander through its famous fish and vegetable market, and swallow up delicious pasties, a local specialty. Bolton is filled with historical buildings, many of which are listed buildings. Organising car rental in Bolton gives visitors the freedom to get out of the city and explore further without having to worry about bus schedules.

Who to Book With
Top car hire suppliers including National, Alamo and Europcar have branches in Bolton for visitors wishing to self-drive. The majority of car rental offices can be found on Thynne Street, near the railway station, and although this street is easy to get to, it is wise to arrange a car online ahead of time.

Best Time to Go
Bolton can be enjoyed year round though the summer time tends to be the busiest time of year and when visitors may see a spike in rates. Winters here are mild with little snow, while summers are cool and experience an average temperature of around 26°C.

Need to Know Essentials
When picking up your vehicle, the following will need to be shown:

- Your UK driving licence
- Identification other than your driving licence
- The credit card used when the reservation was made
- Booking confirmation

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Bolton is not prone to heavy congestion outside of regular morning and evening rush hours so getting around by car straightforward. Parking is simple to find in Bolton as the town provides both on-street parking and car parks. On-street parking in Bolton’s town centre operates on a pay-and-display ticket system between 08:30 and 18:00, and is free at other times of the day. Parking in some areas is restricted to permit holders; signs indicate these spaces clearly.

See more guidelines on driving here in our guide to the UK.

Transport

The TFGM Bolton Metroshuttle, which has 15 bus stops, is the best option for getting around the town centre. TFGM also provides additional bus services to locations outside of Bolton town centre. Many visitors also enjoy cycling around Bolton as the town has designated bicycle lanes both on the roads and next to footpaths.

Trains
Both Northern Rail and First TransPennine Express offer railway services from Bolton railway station, which is actually a combined railway/bus station. The station links Bolton to Manchester, Wigan, Blackpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as Manchester Airport. The Bolton Interchange, as it is named, is located in the south part of the town centre, within a five-minute walk of the town hall.

Taxis
Taxis are plentiful in Bolton, with ranks scattered throughout the town. A couple of reputable firms include Bank Street Jo Baxi and Metro Taxi though all taxis in Bolton are licensed and safe. Taxis here run on metres, with the initial rate being around £1.70 and then a charge for each mile driven. Fixed rated are used for airport transfers, with a ride from Bolton to the facility roughly £20.

Buses
The Bolton Metroshuttle is a free double-decker bus that circles the town centre between 09:00 and 17:00, passing by Bolton Interchange, the University of Bolton, Market Place Shopping Centre and other key locations. Arriva and First operate bus services out of Bolton’s town centre to other locations in Greater Manchester.

Exploring

Bolton is well served by national routes and local roads, making it a breeze to get in and out of and to make excursions. In fact, there is so much to see outside of the town that many visitors use it as a base for touring or as an alternative to the chaotic city of Manchester. With the West Pennine Moors at its doorstep and the Irish Sea coastline less than a one-hour drive away, Bolton truly is a gem thanks to its fantastic location and its great opportunities for daytrips.

Recommended Drives

Peel Tower - Located in Bury is a great place for walking and enjoying fresh air. The tower sits on the top of Holcombe Hill and boasts panoramic views of Manchester and the Peak District, as well as places further away.

Lake District National Park - This is a magnificent national park found north of Bolton off of the M6 motorway. It is one of the UK’s most visited parks, boasting spectacular scenery and being a haven for walkers and hikers alike. There are 16 lakes in total and all are accessible by road.

Southport - This is a popular resort town and a great place for those looking to spend a day at the beach or to play a round of golf. It is also a great location for shopping, romantic walks or strolls through the lovely botanical gardens.