Compare Ayr car hire

On the southwest coast of Scotland, Ayr is a seaside town under an hour’s drive south of Glasgow. Here, it’s all about breezy promenade walks, sunbathing on the beach (when the weather allows) or spending a day at Ayr Racecourse – home of the Scottish Grand National.

Exploring Ayr and its surrounds – like poet Robert Burns’ birthplace in Alloway, which is just outside town – is easiest with a vehicle. Here’s everything you need to know about hiring a car in Ayr.

Car hire companies operating in Ayr include Europcar, Enterprise, Alamo, Ayrshire Vehicle Rental and Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental. The latter is a ten-minute walk from Newton-on-Ayr railway station, while Ayrshire Vehicle Rental is just five minutes from Ayr station.

Driving around Ayr is generally easy but, as with everywhere, it’s best to avoid driving in rush hour. Parking is free for up to two hours on streets in the town centre, the beachfront at Queens Terrace, and at the car parks near Riverside Place and the racecourse. And there are many pay-to-stay car parks around town too.

If you’re driving an EV, you can plug in for free at the car parks at Castlehill Road, in the centre of Ayr, and Cromwell Road, off the northern end of Ayr Beach.

You’ll find the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, on the outskirts of Ayr. It’s less than a ten-minute drive along the B7024 from the town centre. Here, in the cottage of the poet’s birth, is a museum of all-things Burns, including handwritten manuscripts, his portable writing kit and a cast of his skull.

The A77 connects Ayr with Kilmarnock, half an hour to the north (where it becomes the M77 to Glasgow), and the pretty village of Portpatrick, 90 minutes south of Ayr. This southerly route has impressive views of the Firth of Clyde and the Irish Sea along the A77 coastal road.

Stop at the free Girvan’s McKechnie Institute for a glimpse of the Bronze Age and its urns, and the early 16th-century Castle of St John in Stranraer.

For a shorter day trip, take the coastal Ayr Road (A719) to Culzean Castle & Country (half an hour south of Ayr town centre). Stop at scenic Croy Beach for a walk and a paddle before visiting the grand 18th-century clifftop castle, where you’ll find lovely views of the sea and woodlands. Its extravagant swan pond and walled garden, one of the largest in Scotland, are a real treat.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.