Car Hire Wales

Hiring a car in Wales is a great way to see the various sites of this small but packed country. While you could drive from Cardiff in the south to Anglesey in the far north in around four hours, there’s days worth of destinations to visit here.

Cardiff International Airport is situated on the southern tip of Wales, close to Barry Island, a popular holiday destination. Join Tredogan Road and the A4226 to drive from the airport to Cardiff city centre, where you’ll find plenty of parking options.

Outside of Cardiff, Wales is awash with lush landscapes. The A470 is a snakelike dual carriageway that can transport you past the famous Welsh Valleys to the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The M4 motorway is the main route between Cardiff and England. It also reaches west to Swansea and along to the surrounding coastal towns, such as Porthcawl and Llanelli.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a gem of South Wales – use the A40 to begin a road trip into the wilds. Or choose the A487, a gorgeous coastal route near Aberystwyth. This university town is also served by the mountainous A44.

Drive from Aberystwyth to Snowdonia by heading north on the A487 before taking the A470 past glistening lakes and jagged highlands – Eyri, in Welsh. For Snowdon, follow signs for Nant Gwynant. Some of the best car parks are located in the quiet village of Llanberis.

If you’re arriving by sea from Ireland, hire a car in Holyhead and take the A55 (North Wales Expressway) between Holy Island and mainland Wales.

Road signs are given in both Welsh (Cymraeg) and English, so look out for words like araf (slow) and ildiwch (give way). In Wales, like in England, people drive on the left, with over taking on the right.

Proud and picture-perfect, Wales is brimming with culture and packed with great things to do. Discover the unexpected side to England’s neighbour with car hire in Wales.

Experience cosmopolitan Cardiff

Cardiff is the beating heart of Wales, where a medieval castle sits on the banks of the River Taff and the Wales Millennium Centre stands tall on the fringes of glamorous Cardiff Bay.

The marina has become something of a cultural hub, with opera shows, luxury hotels and comedy clubs tucked between the government buildings and conference centres. Dewi Sant is the city’s impressive shopping centre.

Hire a car to experience a roaring rugby game at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium or to visit iconic attractions in after business meetings.

Hike in the Brecon Beacons

Just over 30 miles from Cardiff, the Brecon Beacons National Park is a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors.

Stop off to learn about the industrial heritage of the South Wales Valleys at Big Pit National Coal Museum, or simply drive into the fresh air and incredible moorland around Pen y Fan Mountain.

Visit historic market towns such as Hay on Wye, which is famous for its annual literary festival. Then tour the heritage attractions in your rental car.

There are a number of prehistoric sites, including Iron Age hillforts, as well as ruinous crags left by the Romans. Tretower Castle is more recent but still unbelievably picturesque. Visit the village of Talgarth to step inside a real 13th-century court.

Relax by the sea

The Welsh coastline is home to some of the best beaches in the United Kingdom. It spans more than 1,600 miles, including the Isle of Anglesey and Holy Island. Car hire is a great way to find treasures off the beaten track.

Penparcau Beach and Rhosneigr are some of the best beaches near Aberystwyth. The former is overlooked by a fort, while the latter has won the Green Coast seaside award for its broad, soft beaches and great conditions for watersports.

Traeth Cymyran Beach is a haven near Holyhead, where yellow sands are backed by dunes. Other highlights of the Welsh coast include remote Porthdinllaen, Rhossili Bay in Gower and Mwnt in Ceredigion.

Take on Snowdonia

The queen of any Wales itinerary, Snowdonia is a true bucket-list destination. The pinnacle is Mount Snowdon, standing 1,085 metres (3559ft) above sea level.

Climbing Snowdon is possible for anyone of moderate fitness – there’s even a cafe and gift shop at the summit. But even its foothills are beautiful, featuring glassy lakes.

As ever in Wales, historic fortresses are never far away. Conwy Castle is one of the region’s top attractions, set by the River Conwy on Snowdonia’s northern edge. Harlech Castle, an imposing fortification at Gwynedd, is another favourite. Both structures date back to the English invasion of Wales more than seven hundred years ago.

Don’t miss Llechwedd, a former slate quarry that has been transformed into a visitor centre illuminated in show-stopping colours. Choose the deep mine tour to get the full, otherworldly experience.

Small but perfectly formed, this charming country is home to an exciting range of attractions. Hire a car to see Wales from all angles.