Car Hire Perth

Car Hire

Located along the River Tay, Perth is a city in Central Scotland. Other than being the city which gave its name to the capital of Western Australia, Perth is widely known for its significance to the history of Scotland. Scone Palace is located at the same site where an historic abbey once stood. This abbey saw the coronation of a total of 42 Scottish kings. History can also be seen elsewhere in the city at various sites that are easily reached by public transport. To get to off the beaten path attractions that are equally worthwhile, however, driving is the best option.

Who to Book With
Enterprise, Europcar, Alamo, Thrifty and Budget are among the international car hire companies found in Perth. Local car rental outfits such as Turner Hire Drive and Struans Motor Village are also available. When booking a car in Perth, make sure to check rates online, as it is significantly cheaper to book prior to arrival.

Best Time to Go
Mild winters and cool summers characterise the climate in Perth. In high summer, temperatures average around 20°C and rise to about 30°C. This is arguably the best time to visit given the fairly pleasant weather. Those up for a bit of skiing on the slopes near Perth, however, may wish to visit in the winter.

Need to Know Essentials
Car renters will have to show these documents when hiring a car in Perth:

- Photo ID
- A credit card
- A booking print-out marked as confirmed
- A driving permit (International or UK)

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Perth is on the northern end of the M90, which connects the city to the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. From cities in southwest Scotland such as Glasgow or Stirling, the main road to take is the A9. The same road continues north from Perth to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Park-and-Ride facilities are available in Perth, as well as in Scone, for those that want to explore the town centre without a car.

More details on driving in the UK can be found in our guide.

Transport

Transport services from elsewhere in Scotland are widely available, and trains and buses run frequently from Glasgow and Edinburgh. The journey to Perth takes about 1.5 hours. Taxis can be easily hired via phone or queuing up at any of the city's taxi ranks. Hiring a car is recommended if you want to visit the off-the-beaten-track attractions.

Trains
The railway station in Perth runs services operated by First ScotRail. Frequent connections to other cities in Scotland are available given that Perth is on the Highland Main Line, with trains running from either Glasgow or Edinburgh all the way north to Inverness. From Glasgow or Edinburgh, trains run hourly. Perth is around an hour from Glasgow and 1.5 hours from Edinburgh.

Taxis
Local taxi firms, which are aplenty in Perth, operate sufficient services around town. They can be hired via phone or by heading to any of the taxi ranks within the city. There is a taxi rank right outside the Caledonian Cinema, while some local companies include Ace Taxis, A&B Taxis and Taylors Taxis.

Buses
Buses services in and around Perth are mainly run by Stagecoach. A day pass, which you can buy on the bus, affords you unlimited trips. Buses run by Stagecoach also head to surrounding towns, such as Dunkeld and Pitlochry in the north, as well as Crieff and St Fillians in the west. Citylink provides regular services from other major cities in Scotland. The trip from Glasgow or Edinburgh costs about £8.

Exploring

Perth boasts a number of historic sites within town, such as the main church and Scone Palace. After all, it was the capital of the country for a time. Perth also enjoys the perks of being centrally located in Scotland, within easy reach of a number of amazing attractions.

Recommended Drives

Moncreiffe Hill - This is a wooded hill found immediately south of Perth. The fastest route to take from Perth is the A912, heading south and then east. There is a car park on the southeast part of the hill. Moncreiffe Hills is especially beautiful in autumn and spring, and trails are signposted for those that want to head to the top of the hill. Summit.

Glenshee Ski Centre - This is the place to go if you are seeking adventure on the slopes during winter. Located within Cairngorms National Park, the ski centre is about an hour’s drive north from Perth on the A93. There are about 36 runs open to all levels of skiers and snowboarders.

Pitlochry - This is a popular destination in the area of Perth and Kinross, northeast of Perth along the A9. Pitlochry is home to a number of Victorian buildings as well as several scenic walks on and around the many hills of the area.