Car Hire Crewe

Car Hire

Crewe’s heritage lies with the railroads, a fact evidenced by the many museums and exhibitions dedicated to this theme, and something of which the locals are very proud. While a tour of the city’s numerous historical sites is certainly quite fascinating, much of Crewe’s appeal lies in its perfect positioning. The city is surrounded by stunning countryside and remarkable villages where life seems to move at a slower pace than usual. Living in these villages may not be appealing to fast-living city types, but a daytrip from Crewe certainly is. Stop at local pubs, sample homemade cheese and breathe in the fresh country air. But first, rent a vehicle from one of several reputable agencies in the city.

Who to Book With
Travellers will be able to find most of their favourite car rental companies in Crewe, usually located around the central railway station and at selected locations in the central business district. Online booking is a useful option, offered by most rental companies and definitely a good idea during peak season when cars tend to get snapped up quite quickly.

Best Time to go
The city sees a rise in tourist numbers during the summer months of July to September. As the numbers rise, so do the prices, so those planning on visiting the region during this time should make sure to make all bookings far in advance.

Need to Know Essentials
Without the following important documents, you will probably not be able to rent a car:

- A form of photographic ID like a valid passport
- Proof of deposit and the credit card used when making the booking
- A valid British driving licence or an International Driving Permit

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving in Crewe is not altogether necessary, at least in the city centre, as most areas can be navigated on foot. That said, travellers interested in branching out to areas beyond the small city would do well to organise a rental car for their excursions. The roads both in and out of the city are in a good condition, so drivers should not have any problems.

Parking in the city needs to be paid for, except on Sundays when all parking is free of charge. There are large parking garages on the outskirts where drivers can leave their cars and then use public transport to reach the city centre. All parking areas in the city are open between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00. Vehicles parked outside of these hours will incur a fine.

You can read more about general driving in our guide to the United Kingdom.

Transport

Crewe operates a small but reliable public bus system. Unfortunately, while there are several regional routes in East Cheshire, there is not local metro line in Crewe. The city centre is quite compact, however, so travellers should be able to make their way around on foot without too much trouble.

Buses
Operated by Arriva, the bus network in the city is extensive, with routes travelling both within the city centre and to its surrounds. Tickets can be purchased from bus stations or from the drivers themselves. Different categories of ticket can be purchased, including daily, weekly and monthly passes.

Taxi
Taxis can easily be flagged down from the side of the road. If no taxis are in sight, they can be found waiting outside of major transport hubs and at local taxi ranks all over the city. Alternately, private taxis companies can always be enlisted to provide personal pick-up services. Such companies include Crewe Cabs and D & D Taxis.

Exploring

Crewe really does work best when it is used as a base from which to do some independent exploring. Luckily for travellers, the areas that surround the city are fascinating, filled with untouched villages and great cultural sites. And think that all of this is only a couple of hours away by road!

Recommended Drives

Crewe Heritage Centre - Those interested in learning more about the history of the city should head here. Built in 1987 to celebrate one of the country’s greatest railway towns, visitors can find everything from large railway exhibits to information on the history of the town’s favourite watering holes.

Barthomley - Crewe is surrounded by many daytrip-worthy villages, and one such village is Barthomley. Located only a few kilometres from the city centre, the village is a typical countryside settlement. Travellers can have a few pints in the local pubs, visit the local museum and, best of all, interact with residents who have lived here their entire lives.

Potters Barn - Located about 14kms outside of Crewe in Sandbach is the popular Potters Barn, an original and fully functioning pottery factory. Here, visitors are able to see how traditional pieces of pottery are made and also have the chance to make a few items themselves.