Europe > United Kingdom > Coventry (CVT)
The Car or no Car advice for Coventry can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Coventry ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Coventry ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Coventry?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚶♂️ Coventry City Centre: Compact, cultural, and easy to explore
Coventry is far more walkable than people expect. The modern city centre, the two cathedrals, and the Herbert Art Gallery all sit close together. You can also walk easily to the Transport Museum, the Belgrade Theatre, and the university areas. Buses cover every suburb, and services are frequent because Coventry is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, even though it maintains a distinct identity and feels separate from Birmingham.
If your plans focus mainly on central attractions, such as the ruins of the old cathedral or the new precincts around Broadgate, a car simply isn’t necessary.
🚆 Trains: Fast, frequent, and ideal for wider exploration
Coventry’s rail links are one of its strongest advantages. Trains run:
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To London Euston in under an hour
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To Birmingham International for the airport in about 10 minutes
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To Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, and the Black Country, with continuations further north towards Manchester and Glasgow / Edinburgh.
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To Leamington Spa, with connections to Warwick, and Stratford-upon-Avon
Because these lines are quick, reliable, and frequent, many visitors use Coventry as a base for sightseeing across the Midlands.
🚗 When renting a car makes sense
Although Coventry itself is easy without a car, driving becomes useful when you want to explore rural Warwickshire or head into the Heart of England beyond the railway network.
A rental car helps for:
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Visiting historic houses such as Compton Verney, Charlecote Park, or Stoneleigh Abbey
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Exploring villages around Kenilworth, Southam, and Alcester
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Reaching rural walking trails in the Avon Valley
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Travelling to Coventry’s outskirts for business or family visits
You can rent a car in Coventry city centre, although the choice is more limited. For a wider range of vehicles, it is often easier to pick up your rental from Birmingham Airport, which has a large consolidated car-rental centre and excellent onward connections back into Coventry.
🛬 Airport access: Practical and straightforward
Even though Coventry Airport does not operate commercial flights, the city is very easy to reach from nearby gateways:
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Birmingham Airport (BHX) — the main international hub for the region
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East Midlands Airport (EMA) — useful for low-cost European flights
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London airports — viable because of the fast London–Coventry rail line
This makes Coventry convenient for visitors who want strong transport links but prefer a calmer city base.
🧭 Conclusion — Should you rent a car in Coventry?
Should you rent a car in Coventry? Yes, if your plans take you into rural Warwickshire, country houses, or smaller towns beyond the main public transport network. However, if you stay within the city or rely on its excellent rail links, you can easily manage without a car.