Compare Newquay car hire

Newquay is a fairly small town that’s easy to navigate by car and the perfect place to base yourself if you want to explore more of Cornwall. There are several roads leading out of the town on to the A3075, which is the main road that links Newquay to nearby villages and attractions along the coast.

Driving around Newquay itself is fairly straightforward, though there are a few one-way roads to be aware of – notably the central Bank Street-East Street thoroughfare through the town centre. If you’re spending the day at Fistral Beach or another of the town’s sandy stretches, it can be easier to park in one of the town’s larger car parks and walk. In busy summer months and during big swells, the main Fistral Beach car park gets very busy unless you arrive very early, and is best avoided.

Parking in Newquay is generally easy to come by and you’ll find most of the car parks are pay-and-display. If you’re looking for on-street parking, watch out for resident-only parking zones or areas where you can only park for a restricted amount of time. Many car parks run by the Cornwall County Council are free after 4pm.

Padstow

Driving time: 30 minutes

Nicknamed 'Padstein' thanks to the significant presence of celebrity Rick Stein, Padstow has long been the unofficial foodie capital of Cornwall. The town is around half an hour's drive from Newquay and, as well as having various excellent restaurants, is a typically charming Cornish town, with quaint, winding streets and a pretty harbour dotted with colourful boats.

St Ives

Driving time: 50 minutes

If Padstow is foodie central, then St Ives is undoubtedly Cornwall's art capital. It’s not only home to the Tate St Ives, which houses rotating exhibitions from various British artists, but also the impressive Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden. St Ives is also a good bet for spotting local marine life – book on to a boat trip to Seal Island to see its resident Atlantic grey seals.

Tintagel

Driving time: One hour

If you’re a fan of fables and fairy tales, plan a trip to Tintagel. Legend has it that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table lived in the village’s majestic castle, which stands precariously overlooking the Atlantic. As well as visiting its ruins, you can explore a number of other attractions related to the legend, including Merlin’s Cave, which can only be entered during low tide.

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.