Being the port that HMS Titanic started its maiden journey from, Southampton’s marine past and present is definitely worth diving into. Visit the SeaCity Museum to learn about the famous ocean-liner’s history through interactive displays, or spend the day lounging and watching sailboats in the sun, on the modern banks of Southampton’s Ocean Village. The city is also a great place to set out on day trips into the south coast’s vast offerings of nature and leisure. Rent one of our great car rentals and explore the beautiful heathland of New Forest, take a ferry into the Isle of Wight or man the walls at Hurst Castle.
If you’re flying into Southampton Airport, you can find our car rental branch office opposite the terminal. Just follow the signs guiding towards car rentals. The airport is a short 15 minute drive on the A335, that takes you right into the city center. If you’re in the city already, you can find rentals in our Southampton Central Docks branch, the East Southampton branch in Bitterne, our Totton West Southampton branch and a short drive north from the airport in the Eastleigh branch by the fire station.
The essential items you will need to bring to an Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch when renting a vehicle are a valid drivers license, valid ID, and a credit or debit card. You will also need to prove you are over 25 years of age, and there may be additional documentation required for international drivers. Learn more about what you need when renting here.
No. At Enterprise you don't need to purchase insurance as we provide a damage waiver within the cost of your rental. You can, of course, take option to purchase additional protection products to reduce the excess further to give you complete peace of mind. Visit our car rental insurance page for further details.
All drivers must be a minimum of 25 years old. Only drivers over 30 years old may rent full-size MPVs, premium vehicles/exotic cars and Luton vans. Younger drivers might be interested in Enterprise Car Club. Learn more about age requirements for renting a vehicle here.
All drivers must present a full valid driving license. If the driving license is written in a language and characters different to those of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit is also required. Learn more about car rental driving license requirements here.
We accept payment by either a debit or credit card in the name of the renter. A credit card is required if you are renting a People Carrier, Compact Elite, SUV, Premium, Luxury or Executive vehicle. Learn more about our accepted card payment methods here.
For more FAQs, please visit our FAQ page.
The tragic maiden voyage of world-famed HMS Titanic started in Southampton’s port. The SeaCity Museum near Watts Park is a must-see for anyone interested in the ship’s story and maritime history of England. It’s filled with interactive displays and even features replicas of the Titanic’s interiors for you to enjoy. If you fancy seeing how inhabitants of the city lived during the Tudor times, take a short walk towards the waterfront and you’ll find yourself in Southampton’s historical district right behind the still-standing Old Wall. There, you can visit Tudor House – a restored Tudor mansion with remains of a 12th century Norman home. Not far from this gem, you will find the Medieval Merchant’s House and its restored innards that show what life looked like in 14th century Southampton. To catch some fresh air after, head town to the Ocean Village and relax by the marina with some food in one of the nearby waterfront eateries.
Southampton’s coastal location and the fantastic road network surrounding the city, make it a great hub for setting out on day trips from. Enjoy a walk through the 440 acres of parkland and down the course of River Itchen in Itchen Valley Country Park, or see over 170 exotic and endangered animals in Marwell Zoo. If you love unscathed nature, you simply must visit New Forest National Park, created in 1079 by William I the Conqueror as royal hunting grounds. Its pink-flowered heathland stretches over rolling hills for miles and the ancient forest makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale. It’s famous for its free-roaming wild horses that you will surely come across during a drive or hike on the seemingly endless trails. For car lovers, the south-eastern part of New Forest is home to the Beaulieu National Motor Museum – a display of over 250 vehicles and the World of Top Gear, where fans of the show can see iconic vehicles from the TV show.
When driving around Southampton and the surrounding area, there a few key things to remember: