Your One-Way Car Hire from London to Manchester with SIXT
Driving from London to Manchester is a common business route and is frequently travelled by thousands of commuters each day. Be it for business or a city break, the journey from London to Manchester is relatively short and straightforward. The distance between these two economic giants is around 200 miles and the trip can be completed in approximately three and a half hours.
If you are planning to make this journey with no intention of returning by car, our one way car hire are an ideal solution. They are perfect if you’re relocating to Manchester, heading off on a one-way road trip adventure across the UK, or continuing your journey by another mode of transport, such as train or plane, once you arrive.
We have many branches throughout London where you can pick up your hire car and get your journey underway, then simply drop it off at one of our convenient locations in or around Manchester, like Manchester Airport.
How to Reserve a Car Rental One Way
Booking a car rental one-way with SIXT is quick and easy:
1. Start your booking by entering your pick-up and drop-off locations.
2. Choose your rental dates and select the vehicle category that suits your needs.
3. SIXT will automatically show you availability details.
4. Complete your booking online and get ready for a smooth pick-up and drop-off experience.
Why choose a specific car category?
One-way Convertible Hire
Embark on an unforgettable journey from London to Manchester with a SIXT one-way car hire. Travel north through gentle English countryside, passing charming towns and lively cities along the way, before arriving in one of the UK’s leading centres for culture, music, and sport. Enjoy a smooth and comfortable trip between these two major cities, with the flexibility to collect your car in London and conveniently drop it off in Manchester, without the need to drive back.
One-way SUV Hire
Choose from SIXT’s broad range of SUVs for your one-way trip from London to Manchester by car. An SUV is a great option if you’re travelling with family or friends, carrying extra luggage, or simply want a higher driving position for better visibility on the motorway. The generous boot space and comfortable interiors make longer stretches on the M1 and M6 more enjoyable, while the added stability and performance are ideal if you decide to take more scenic routes through the countryside.
One-way Luxury Car Hire
Transform your drive from London to Manchester into a premium experience with a luxury car hire from SIXT. Rather than it being just another journey up the motorway, you can enjoy superior comfort, style and performance from the moment you set off. Choose from an exclusive range of high-end vehicles, including sports cars. A luxury hire is ideal if you’re travelling for a business engagement, attending a special event, planning a romantic getaway, or simply want to indulge in something more exclusive.
FAQs
The price of a one way car hire from London to Manchester with SIXT depends on:
- Dates and duration of the hire
- Vehicle category (economy, SUV, premium, etc.)
- Demand and seasonality
- Any extras you add (additional drivers, child seats, protection options)
Your total price will show clearly during the booking process, including any applicable one way fee. A price breakdown is shown under "Price Details". To get the best rate, book as early as possible and be flexible with car category where you can.
To find the lowest price for one way car hire London to Manchester with SIXT, consider:
- Book early: Prices often increase closer to the pick‑up date.
- Be flexible with pick‑up and drop‑off branches: Sometimes a different branch in London or Manchester can be cheaper.
- Choose a smaller vehicle class: Compact or economy cars usually cost less than SUVs or premium models.
- Check for promotions: SIXT often runs UK‑specific offers and app‑only deals.
- Best price option: Select the "Best Price Option" to save more money in comparison to the "Stay Flexible" Option.
Yes! SIXT offers flexible cancellation options. Select "Stay flexible" to cancel free of charge anytime before pickup time.
SIXT operates multiple branches in and around London, including major London airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City, as well as central London and key city locations near main train stations or business districts.
For one-way car hire from London to Manchester, you can typically pick up a vehicle at a London airport or city branch and drop it off at a SIXT location in Manchester. These usually include Manchester Airport and city branches.
Exact available combinations will be shown in the booking engine or app when you select “different return location.”
Enjoy the drive from London to Manchester
If you have extra time and your journey is not rushed, then you may wish to take a couple of pit stops whilst driving from London to Manchester. Before switching to the M6 you may wish to take a detour to visit the metropolitan city of Birmingham – home to the Bullring, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, and birthplace of heavy metal. Further along the route you could veer west and visit the lovely city of Liverpool – a major English city settled on the waterfront and home town of the Beatles!
From London to Manchester by car with SIXT
Explore more of England as you travel from London to Manchester by car, enjoying the freedom and convenience of a SIXT one-way car hire. There’s no need to worry about a return journey. Simply collect your vehicle from a SIXT branch in London and drop it off at your chosen location in Manchester.
Covering approximately 200 miles, the drive from London to Manchester by car usually takes around 3.5 to 4 hours in light traffic. While it’s perfectly suited to a straightforward motorway journey, driving allows you to take a more relaxed approach, with the option to stop and discover parts of the Midlands and the North of England along the way. With flexible one-way rental options and several convenient pick-up and drop-off points in both cities, planning your route is easy. Choose from a broad range of premium vehicles at SIXT. Whether you’re travelling directly or turning the drive into a road trip, SIXT makes your journey from London to Manchester by car flexible and enjoyable.
The drive from central London to Manchester takes around 4–5 hours of drive time and is roughly 200–220 miles long, depending on your exact starting and ending points. From London, join the M1 motorway heading northbound, then merge onto the M6 northbound around the Midlands. Continue following the M6 and then join the M60 or M602/M62, depending on your route, to reach Manchester. Although this is a fairly straightforward motorway journey, there are plenty of opportunities to break up the trip with stops in historic towns and scenic countryside along the way. You will be able to drop off your car rental at Manchester Airport.
- Oxford: Oxford lies just west of the most direct London–Manchester route and makes a classic detour of about an hour from London via the M40. The city is famous for the University of Oxford, whose historic colleges such as Christ Church and Magdalen span centuries of architecture. You can tour many of them, stroll through quads, and visit the Bodleian Library. The compact centre is very walkable, with riverside paths along the Thames (Isis) and Cherwell, plus museums like the Ashmolean if you want a longer stop. Parking options in Oxford are in Gloucester Green car park, Oxpens car park and Worcester Street car park.
- Stratford-upon-Avon: Stratford-upon-Avon, in Warwickshire, sits a short detour west of the M40/M42 corridor and is often combined with a London–Midlands–Manchester drive. The town is best known as William Shakespeare’s birthplace, and you can visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and other Shakespeare-related houses managed as visitor attractions. The centre itself has well-preserved Tudor timber-framed buildings and riverside walks along the River Avon, making it a pleasant place for a few sightseeing hours and a meal break.
- The Cotswolds: The Cotswolds area lies to the west of the direct route but is a popular choice for a scenic driving detour between London and the North. This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is known for its rolling hills and honey-coloured stone villages such as Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold, and Bourton-on-the-Water. Many visitors specifically drive through this region to enjoy viewpoints like Dover’s Hill and to experience traditional English market-town atmospheres before continuing north toward Manchester.
*SIXT one-way car hire is subject to availability at participating SIXT locations in the UK. This offer is subject to change without notice and all rentals are subject to SIXT standard terms and conditions. For the complete allowances with your rental car, please reference the rental services information.
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