Shetland car rentals

Driver's age: 25-65

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Cheap car hire in Shetland

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Small car
Small
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Medium car
Medium
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Large car
Large
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Luxury car
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Van car
Van
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SUV car
SUV
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Commercial car
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Pickup truck car
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Booking Insights

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Shetland car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Shetland with confidence.

How far in advance should you book a rental car in Shetland?

You should book your rental car in Shetland around 48 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Shetland?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Shetland is April at an average cost of $142/day. November is the most expensive month to hire a car in Shetland when prices are $172/day on average, which tends to be 88% above the yearly average hire price for Shetland.

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Shetland car rental price comparison by vehicle type

Find the right rental car in Shetland by comparing prices across vehicle types.

Small cars

$139 - $163

All Car Types

$159 - $203

How much does it cost to rent a small car in Shetland?

How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Shetland?

How much does it cost to rent a large car in Shetland?

How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Shetland?

Small car rentals in Shetland typically cost around $149 per day. The best time to book is April, when prices average $139 per day which is about 7% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 15% cheaper than the average rental in Shetland, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

Medium car rentals in Shetland typically cost around $206 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average $181 per day which is about 13% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 16% more expensive than the average rental in Shetland offering a good balance of space and value.

Large car rentals in Shetland typically cost around $248 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average $200 per day which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 30% more expensive than the average rental in Shetland, but offers more comfort for longer trips.

SUV rentals in Shetland typically cost around $134 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average $119 per day which is about 12% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 23% cheaper than the average rental in Shetland, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.

Good to know

Most popular agency

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

Avis
Small
$138/day
$137/day

Top tips for hiring a car in Shetland

  • There are a lot of single-track roads in Shetland, so consider hiring a compact economy or standard vehicle, which are both popular choices to explore the islands. If you’re travelling as a group, or as a larger family, we recommend choosing a 4x4 vehicle, which has additional space for passengers and luggage. For the biggest choice of car hire companies, we recommend hiring a car in Lerwick, where you can also find a ferry port where a lot of people arrive in Shetland. If you are arriving from Sumburgh Airport (LSI), you can also hire a car close by to the airport.
  • In Shetland they drive on the left side of the road, like mainland Scotland. It’s compulsory for all passengers and the driver to wear their seat belt in the hire car at all times. It’s also illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving, you are allowed to use your mobile device hands-free, however, we recommend always pulling over to use your mobile phone, when it’s safe to do so. If you’re travelling with young children, it’s a legal requirement for them to use a car seat if they are under 12, or under 135 cm. These can be added to your booking easily with your chosen car hire company in Shetland.
  • Although you may be able to arrange this in-person, you cannot hire a car from the Shetland Islands and take it to mainland Scotland when booking online in advance. If you want to travel beyond the Shetland Islands to other UK locations, you’ll need to take a ferry, which is why we do not recommend taking your hire car with you. The best option is to return your hire vehicle before you leave the islands, and hire a new vehicle after your ferry journey, this will also save you money.
  • 25% of our users found rental cars in Shetland for $137 or less

FAQs about hiring a car in Shetland

  • Should I hire a car in Shetland?

    Hiring a car is the best way to explore Shetland at your own pace. Whilst there are some bus services on the islands, you’ll be limited by the timetables and may have to make multiple changes in order to visit popular attractions. It’s easier than you think to drive around the Shetlands, with 500 miles of roads, no traffic jams, or traffic lights, plus many of the islands are connected with road bridges. We recommend using your hire car to explore Lerwick, Northmavine, Unst, Yell, South Mainland, Central Mainland and West Mainland.

  • What is driving like in Shetland?

    Driving in Shetland is a great experience as there is beautiful scenery all across the islands; however, it’s important to watch your speed at all times. There are lots of single-track roads throughout the island, as well as farm animals or wildlife on some rural roads. There are passing places along the roads that are only wide enough for one car, and they are usually clearly signposted, so as long as you drive slowly, you’ll not encounter any issues. If the passing place is on the other side of the road, always stop opposite it so the other cars can pass, rather than crossing into the wrong side of the road. If you are driving slowly and taking in the scenery and there is a faster car behind you, it’s common courtesy on the islands to pull into a passing place to let them pass.

  • How old do you have to be to hire a car in Shetland?

    Although you can technically hire a car from 21 years and older in the UK, you may find age restrictions in the Shetlands to be slightly higher. If you are under the age of 25, it’s always worth checking beforehand. Leading brands, like Europcar and Avis, require you to be 22 years old and 23 years old respectively to hire a car on the Shetland Islands. You also will have had to have held your driving licence for at least a year before the hire date and it must be valid for the full hire period.

  • How much does it cost to hire a car in Shetland?

    On average a car hire in Shetland costs $138 per day.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Shetland?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Shetland?

    On average a car hire in Shetland costs $968 per week ($138 per day).

  • How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Shetland?

    On average a car hire in Shetland costs $4,148 per month ($138 per day).

Car rental directory

  • keddy

    keddy by Europcar car hire locations in Shetland

    8 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in Shetland

    5 Locations

  • europcar

    Europcar car hire locations in Shetland

    5 Locations

  • routescartrk

    Routes Car & Truck Rentals car hire locations in Shetland

    4 Locations

  • easirent

    Easirent car hire locations in Shetland

    2 Locations

  • firefly

    Firefly car hire locations in Shetland

    2 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in Shetland

    2 Locations

  • free2move

    Free2Move car hire locations in Shetland

    1 Location

  • shouqi

    Shouqi car hire locations in Shetland

    1 Location

Car rental locations in Shetland

Everything you need to know for your car rental in Shetland

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