Car Hire Middlesbrough

Car Hire

Middlesbrough combines a fascinating past with the ideal location for exploring Northumbria, Humberside and Yorkshire regions of northern England. Many visitors opt for a pleasant day amid the city’s attractions which include well-kept Victorian architecture, excellent views from the ‘Mini Matterhorn’ and a captivating museum dedicated to the life of Captain James Cook. However, the more adventurous should not miss the opportunity to grab a car hire and set out for the likes of beautiful North York Moors National Park, Northumberland National Park and dozens of great seaside locations along the North Sea.

Who to Book With
Middlesbrough visitors can hire cars from the likes of Alamo, Sixt, Europcar, Avis and Enterprise, all of which have rental outlets in or near the city centre; most firms are located within a stone’s throw of A66. Those flying into Durham Tees Valley airport can rent from Europcar, Alamo and National outlets inside the passenger terminal. Advance bookings are always recommended, as they generally provide cheaper rates.

Best Time to go
As with almost any destination in the UK, Middlesbrough’s busiest travel season is during the warm and prolonged days of summer. Additional peaks occur over bank holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Book online in advance if you’re planning to travel to Middlesbrough during these times to save a headache later on.

Need to Know Essentials
Present the following documents upon arrival at the car rental counter in Middlesbrough:

- Your driver’s license
- The credit card used for booking your car hire
- A booking confirmation number

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Getting to and from Middlesbrough by car is an enjoyable experience, as the region’s countryside offers exceptional scenery. Most arrive by car via A19 from the north or south, or by cutting over on A66 from the A1(M) motorway to the west. However, the centre of town, as with many of Britain’s oldest urban centres, is quite dense, making parking an exceptionally difficult task at times. If you’re checking out city centre attractions, do yourself a favour and walk between them.

That being said, car hire in Middlesbrough is still highly recommended for visitors, due to the surrounding scenery, notably the Cleveland Hills, the North Sea coast and a trio of great national parks.

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

Transport

Public transport in Middlesbrough is not exceptionally well developed. The city’s bus network is limited to a number of destinations in the Teeside area. Rail passengers will find good connections to elsewhere in Britain, but there is no Metro system within Middlesbrough. Visitors are advised to walk or cycle between points within the city, though for day trips afar you’re better off with a car hire.

Trains
Middlesbrough Railway Station is located on Zeltand Road between A66 and the A178 bridge (Ferry Road). Here, travellers can board direct TransPennine Express and Northern Rail trains to a number of regional destinations including Darlington on the East Coast Main Line. Additional direct departures include Leeds, York, Saltburn, Redcar and Newcastle as well as Manchester airport. Enquire with National Rail for ticketing and schedule information.

Buses
Buses services in Middlesbrough are operated primarily by Arriva and Stagecoach. Be sure to visit Connect Tees Valley for a helpful journey planner and lots of other useful information. The city’s main bus station is located on B6541/Newport Road. From here, passengers can travel by local bus to Newcastle, Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool and Whitby, among several others. Likewise, National Express coach services are available to numerous destinations throughout Britain.

Taxis
Taxis are an efficient way to get around Middlesbrough, though are fairly costly. Private firms operating here include Boro Taxis, Marton Taxis and Euro Cars. Alternatively, you can always grab a Hackney Carriage from the street or from official ranks at major transport hubs including the railway and bus stations, as well as at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Exploring

Middlesbrough’s location in the Tees Valley makes it a great base for regional side trips. From here, visitors can easily reach a wide variety of outdoor attractions ranging from lovely beaches to stunning hills and mountainous areas. Below we’ve provided a couple of ideas for heading out during your visit.

Recommended Drives

North York Moors National Park - This makes for a fantastic outing and is located less than an hour away from central Middlesbrough by rental car. This great location combines a number of historical sites with ancient wooded areas and a stunning portion of the North Sea coastline.

Hartlepool Golf Club - Alternatively, make the short drive up to Hartlepool for a day of golf amid tremendous seaside views at the Hartlepool Golf Club. The drive should take around 30 minutes and will lead you through gently rolling farmland before reaching the coast.

Northumberland National Park - Another of the region’s best outdoor locations is Northumberland National Park. This fantastic unspoilt location boasts a collection of dramatic hills and cliffs as well as stunning rural valleys stretching all the way to the border with Scotland. Allow two hours for the drive from Middlesbrough.