Car and Van Hire in Cambridge
Whether you need a reliable car for the week or a van for a large job, Practical's Cambridge branch on Fen Road has you covered. Choose from medium and large cars or short wheelbase, long wheelbase, and Luton vans with tail lift, all bookable online with flexible short and long-term hire.
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Why choose Practical for Car and Van rental in Cambridge?
Wide range of rental cars
Medium and medium auto cars through to large models, all fitted with Isofix. Suited to city driving, family trips, or longer journeys.
Van hire for every job
Short and long wheelbase vans through to Luton models with tail lift, for anything from a light load to a full house move or business delivery.
Competitive rates, no hidden fees
Some of the most competitive daily and weekly rates in Cambridgeshire. Straightforward pricing with no unnecessary extras. Book online to secure the best rate.
Flexible hire terms
Rent by the day, week, or month. Long-term flexi-leasing from 28 days to 12 months available for both businesses and private individuals.
Well located for London Stansted Airport
Our Fen Road branch is conveniently placed for those travelling to and from London Stansted Airport. Contact us to discuss collection options.
Trusted, local service
Independently run by a local team, well-maintained vehicles, no fuss, and helpful support from booking to return.
Things to Do in Cambridge?
Cambridge is one of England's most iconic university cities, known for its historic colleges, riverside charm, and centuries of academic heritage. Beyond the world-famous university, it's a city of independent shops, green spaces, and easy access to the wider East Anglian countryside, making it an ideal base whether you're here for a day or a longer stay.
Kings College Chapel
A masterpiece of late Gothic architecture and the spiritual heart of King's College. Its soaring fan-vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows are among the finest in the country, and the chapel choir performs regular services open to visitors. Tickets can be bought on the door, but booking ahead avoids queues in peak season.
Punting on the River Cam
A quintessential Cambridge experience, gliding past college backs, ancient bridges, and willow-lined banks. Choose a self-punt for an active outing or a chauffeured tour for a more relaxed ride with running commentary. Trips typically run from the city centre or Grantchester, with routes to suit different time budgets.
Fitzwilliam Museum
The University of Cambridge's principal museum, home to an outstanding collection of art and antiquities spanning ancient Egypt to Impressionist painting. Entry is free, making it an easy addition to any itinerary. Look out for the regularly changing temporary exhibitions alongside the permanent galleries.
Day trips from Cambridge
Ely, with its striking cathedral and riverside market town charm, is just 15 minutes away by train. Newmarket, the historic home of British horseracing, is around 20 minutes by rail, while the university town of Bury St Edmunds and the Suffolk countryside are within easy reach for a full day out. A hire car makes it simple to explore the surrounding fenland villages and countryside at your own pace.
Driving tips in Cambridge
City centre & traffic restrictions
Cambridge's centre has narrow medieval streets, many (including King's Parade and parts of Bridge Street) restricted to buses, cyclists, and permit holders during the day. Through-traffic should use the inner ring road (Queen's Road, Trumpington Road, Lensfield Road). For our Fen Road branch, approach via the A14 or Milton Road rather than the centre. There's no ULEZ or congestion charge currently, though a road-charging scheme has been proposed, so check for updates before travelling.
Parking in Cambridge
Central parking is limited and mostly short-stay/permit-controlled, so Park & Ride sites (Trumpington, Babraham Road, Newmarket Road, Milton, Madingley Road) are a popular option, with bus links into the centre. For driving in directly, multi-storeys are available at Grand Arcade, Queen Anne Terrace, and the Grafton Centre; check live space availability via the county council's website. Our Fen Road branch has on-site parking for collections and returns.
Onward travel from Cambridge
The A14 links Cambridge east to west, connecting to the A1 and onward to the Midlands, while the M11 runs south to London and Stansted Airport in around 40 minutes. The A11 heads northeast toward Norwich and the Suffolk coast, and the A428/A421 provide a route west to Bedford and Milton Keynes. Cambridge is also a major rail hub with fast links to London King's Cross and one-way hire from here is a practical option for those travelling onward by train.
Cambridge Car and Van Hire FAQs
Find answers to the most common questions about our car and van hire services in Cambridge
To hire a vehicle from Practical, you will need to provide a valid driving licence together with two acceptable proofs of your current address.UK driving licence holders will also need to provide a valid DVLA Share Code, allowing us to check and verify their driving record before the rental begins. Additional identification, payment or security requirements may apply depending on your circumstances and the vehicle being hired. We recommend checking with your chosen Practical location when making your booking.
Driver age requirements depend on the type of vehicle you wish to hire and how long you have held a full driving licence.
Small & Medium Cars – UK Licence Holders
Aged 23–24: You must have held a clean, full driving licence for a minimum of 2 years.
Aged 25–75: You must have held a clean, full driving licence for a minimum of 1 year.
Large Cars – UK Licence Holders
Aged 25–75: You must have held a clean, full driving licence for a minimum of 1 year.
Vans & Commercial Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes – UK Licence Holders
Aged 23–24: You must have held a clean, full driving licence for a minimum of 2 years.
Aged 25–72: You must have held a clean, full driving licence for a minimum of 1 year.
Eligibility can be affected by driving convictions, endorsements and individual insurance requirements.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, please contact your local Practical Car & Van Rental location with your age, driving licence details and the type of vehicle you require. The team will be happy to confirm your eligibility before you book.
Yes. Practical offers flexible car and van rental, from one day hire through to weekly and longer-term rentals. Whether you need a van for a house move, a car while your own vehicle is off the road, transport for a trip or an additional vehicle for your business, your local Practical team can help you find a suitable rental option.
Yes. Our range of rental vans is ideal for everything from moving a few boxes or pieces of furniture through to a complete house move. Depending on the individual location and vehicle availability, our rental fleet can include small vans, short wheelbase vans, long wheelbase vans, extralong wheelbase vans and larger Luton-style vehicles. If you're unsure what size you need, contact your local Practical branch and the team can help you choose the most suitable van for your move.
Yes. Practical provides car and van rental solutions for businesses of all sizes, from sole traders and local SMEs through to larger organisations with vehicle requirements across multiple locations. We can assist with short term rentals, longer term requirements and corporate vehicle hire. If your business regularly requires rental vehicles, speak to your local Practical branch about your requirements and the options available.
Yes, additional drivers can usually be added to your rental, subject to the relevant age, driving licence, identification and insurance requirements. Please provide the details of any additional drivers when making your booking or speak to the rental location before collecting your vehicle. All additional drivers must be approved before they are permitted to drive the rental vehicle. Charges may apply.
Yes. A security deposit will be required in addition to payment for the vehicle hire.
The amount of the security deposit can vary between Practical locations and may also depend on individual circumstances, including the driver's age, driving history and any licence endorsements or convictions. The deposit amount and payment requirements will be confirmed by your renting location. We recommend checking the security deposit required when making your booking so you know exactly what will be payable when you collect your vehicle.
Yes, in many cases you can still hire a vehicle if you have points or convictions on your driving licence. We can generally accept drivers with up to 6 penalty points for minor endorsements. In certain circumstances, drivers with up to 9 penalty points for minor endorsements may also be eligible to hire, subject to approval. Major driving endorsements or convictions may be accepted once 5 years have passed from the date of conviction, subject to the applicable insurance requirements.
Eligibility can depend on the type, number and date of any endorsements or convictions, as well as the vehicle you wish to hire. If you have any points, endorsements or convictions and are unsure whether you are eligible, please discuss these with your renting Practical location before booking. The team can check your circumstances and confirm whether they are able to provide a vehicle.
Overseas travel may be possible with prior agreement from the Practical rental location. This will depend on the vehicle, destination, insurance arrangements and the individual rental location. You must advise the Practical location of any planned overseas travel before collecting the vehicle so that the necessary insurance, documentation, permissions and any additional requirements can be arranged. Charges will apply.
Please do not take a Practical rental vehicle outside the UK without prior authorisation.
Yes. Customers holding a foreign driving licence may be able to hire a vehicle from Practical, provided they meet the relevant eligibility and insurance requirements. Generally, you must have been resident in the UK for less than 12 months and be able to provide suitable identification and proof of address confirming your identity and where you are currently staying or living in the UK.
If the details on your driving licence are not shown in English, you may also need to provide an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in your home country before travelling to the UK. Please provide details of your driving licence and circumstances when making your booking so that your local Practical location can confirm your eligibility before you collect the vehicle.
We're located at Unit 7, The Cottage Industrial Estate, Fen Road, Cambridge, CB4 1UN. Parking is available on site for customers collecting or returning a vehicle. Speak to the team when you arrive if you need directions to the right area.
Yes, we offer a meet and greet service at Cambridge City Airport and Stansted Airport by appointment, as well as an out of hours option for early or late arrivals. Please contact us in advance to arrange your pickup time and confirm any details.
Yes, though Cambridge's historic centre has narrow streets and restrictions on some roads during the day, so many visitors prefer to park at one of the Park & Ride sites and take the bus in. If you plan to drive in, keep an eye out for updates on any future road-charging proposals for the city, and allow extra time for navigating the one-way system around the centre.
Areas We Service Cambridge
Our Cambridge branch on Fen Road covers the city and the wider Cambridgeshire area. Can't find your town or village? Give us a call - if you're nearby, we can most certainly help.