Car Hire Hereford

Car Hire

Hereford is one of the great cathedral cities of middle England, capital of the country of Herfordshire, with a history dating back to at least the time of King Richard I. History lives on in Hereford with the immaculately-preserved Jacobean timber-framed ‘Old House’, which date back to 1621. Today, the town is a bustling centre of local trade with a scenic setting on the banks of the glorious Wye River. Hereford is less than 20 miles from the border with Wales, with the nearby M5 motorway providing a useful link to the rest of England.

Who to Book With
There are several places to book car hire with in Hereford, including the recognised brands of Europcar and Hertz, which boasts several locations all around town. To find the most convenient one of you, it is recommended that you book online in advance and compare prices.

Best Time to go
Hereford, and its surrounding county, is a must-visit destination for literary lovers. The annual Hay-on-Wye festival held just down the road from Hereford sees accommodation booked up in early June; the Ledbury poetry festival also sees swarms of visitors in early July. Throughout the rest of the year, however, you shouldn’t have too many problems finding a place to stay in Hereford.

Need to Know Essentials
To pick up your rental car, you must provide the following documents:

- A driving license or an International Driving Permit that is valid for the UK
- A photo ID, such as your passport
- Proof of the credit card used to make your booking
- Printed confirmation of your booking or a reference number

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving in and around Hereford is easy, since there are several arterial roads that spider out of the city centre, connecting right in the city centre at the spire of the cathedral. If headed east into the rest of England, the best way to go is by taking the A49, which connect with the M50 and runs towards the M5. If headed to Wales, your best route in is the A465.

Hereford is a relatively small place, so you’ll never be too far from the main attractions, wherever you park in town. There are several places to choose from, so check this map provided by the council. Most places charge about £1 for the first hour, with a £4.70 maximum fee for the day.

See our guide to the UK for more information on driving here.

Transport

Travel around Hereford and the county can be achieved using public transport if you don’t have your own wheels. There are two bus stations for both urban and country destinations, or you can catch buses from the stop outside the railway station. Several taxis operate in Hereford, including regular metered black cabs. Getting in and out of Hereford is extremely easy using the National Rail network.

Trains
Hereford is in the advantageous position of being on a north-south rail route between Manchester and South Wales, as well as on the east-west route to London. Services to London Paddington take between three and three-and-a-half hours, with five direct trains every day, and more if you change at Newport Station in Wales. Check the National Rail Enquiries website for more information.

Taxis
Hereford operates two types of taxis, traditional black cabs and private hire vehicles. Black cabs always run on a meter, although are more expensive than their minicab equivalents. There are several minicab firms in Hereford; you can call to book on 01432 343 343.

Buses
There are two types of buses that run through Hereford. For city services around town, catch a bus from the city bus station. Other routes to other places in the county and region leave from the country bus station. You can also catch buses into Wales from the stop outside the railway station. Herfordshire Council provides route maps of the city and country services, or you can use the Traveline website.

Exploring

Hereford is in a joyful part of England, but part of the attraction of being based in the city is good access to some of the extraordinarily beautiful parts of neighbouring Wales. It takes just an hour to reach the heart of the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park. Further natural beauty awaits back in England in the Forest of Dean. Alternately, head west from Hereford to reach the eye-popping Wye Valley.

Recommended Drives

The Brecon Beacons - One of the most marvellous national parks in Britain, just over the border in Wales. Plenty of impressive scenery awaits, especially if you take a hike up the awe-inspiring Pen-Y-Fan Mountain. For the best route from Hereford, take the A465 out of town then connect with the A40 west towards Brecon.

The Forest of Dean - This is an amazing native woodland of England, located just 40 minutes south of Hereford. Take the A49 out of town and then, for the most scenic route, hook onto the A466 towards Monmouth and head east to reach the forest.

Ross-on-Wye - Home of the famous annual literary festival, but this true gem of a village and its rustic charm can be enjoyed at any time of the year. It is also an excellent place to explore more of the absolutely stunning Wye Valley, a dedicated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.