Explore Yorkshire & The Dales

Car Hire at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA)

Premium car rental desks serving the main terminal. Pick up your vehicle and drive straight onto the A658 towards Leeds, Harrogate, or the Yorkshire Dales.

Leeds Bradford Car Hire Fleet Overview

Best Value

Economy

from £14.50/day

Vauxhall Corsa or similar. Easy parking in Leeds City Centre.

Hybrid

from £19.50/day

Toyota Yaris Hybrid. Perfect for exploring Harrogate and York.

Zero Emission

Full Electric

from £28.50/day

Tesla Model 3. Fast charging across Yorkshire.

Family Estate

from £26.50/day

Skoda Octavia. Fits 4 large suitcases for rural road trips.

SUV

from £33.00/day

Nissan Qashqai. Ride high through the Yorkshire Dales.

Executive

Luxury

from £51/day

BMW 5 Series. Perfect for business trips to Leeds or Bradford.

7 Seater

from £44/day

VW Sharan. Group travel straight from LBA arrivals.

9 Seater

from £67/day

Ford Transit. Carry the whole touring group to Whitby.

Global Suppliers at Leeds Bradford

Authorized partnerships with global brands stationed at LBA Airport.

Avis Leeds Bradford Hertz Leeds Bradford Alamo Leeds Bradford Enterprise Leeds Bradford Sixt Leeds Bradford Europcar Leeds Bradford Thrifty Leeds Bradford Budget Leeds Bradford

All-Inclusive LBA Protection

Drive out of Leeds Bradford with absolute confidence. Every booking automatically includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Third-Party Liability, and Theft Protection.

We ensure total transparency: the rate you book covers your essential insurance needs and includes 24/7 UK-wide breakdown assistance as standard.

Car Hire Desk Access

All rental providers at Leeds Bradford Airport are located in the dedicated Car Rental Centre. A frequent, free shuttle bus connects the terminal forecourt directly to the rental facility, saving you a walk with heavy luggage.

For terminal maps and live flight information, we recommend checking the official Leeds Bradford Airport website.

What Our Leeds Bradford Customers Say

Verified reviews from travelers who rented directly from Leeds Bradford Airport.

"Fantastic service at Leeds Bradford Airport. The car rental centre was just a short shuttle away, and we were heading to Harrogate in minutes."

David M.

"Very smooth pick-up process. Used the car to drive into the Yorkshire Dales for the weekend. Highly recommend an SUV for the rural roads!"

Lucy H.

"Best prices I found for an LBA rental. The car was ready and waiting with no hard sell at the desk."

Robert M.

"Returning at 5 AM was a breeze with the drop box, and the early shuttle to the terminal took just a few minutes."

Sophie T.

"Absolutely no hidden fees. The price I saw online was exactly what I paid at the Leeds Bradford desk."

James W.

"The car broke down which was surprising as it was brand new, but I guess nothing is perfect! However, I was very happy with the support. The car change over was very quick and professional. Thank you Sarah for the great customer service."

Mark D.

"Very straightforward access onto the A658 straight out of the airport heading to York. The premium vehicle selection is top-notch."

Michael B.

"Modern fleet and efficient customer support. Got me out of the airport traffic in record time heading down to Leeds."

Elena R.
Leeds Bradford Arrivals Guide

Essential Driving Guide out of Leeds Bradford

Landing at LBA? Familiarise yourself with these vital rules of the road before exiting the airport in your rental.

Navigating the A658 & A6120

Leaving Leeds Bradford Airport places you on the A658. Heading northeast takes you directly towards Harrogate. Heading south connects you quickly to the A6120 (Leeds Outer Ring Road) for access to Leeds City Centre or connecting to the A1(M) and M62.

Manual vs. Automatic

Manual transmission (stick shift) is standard in the UK. If you are planning to navigate the famously winding, steep, and narrow rural roads of the Yorkshire Dales, we strongly recommend filtering for an automatic vehicle when you book for a more relaxing drive.

Clean Air Zones (CAZ)

Bradford operates a Clean Air Zone, however, private passenger cars are completely exempt from charges. Leeds previously planned a CAZ but has since scrapped it. Most of our LBA fleet is Euro 6 compliant anyway, ensuring you avoid any potential future emissions fees.

Speed Cameras & Smart Motorways

The A1(M) and M62 often act as "Smart Motorways" with variable speed limits displayed on overhead gantries to control traffic flow. These are strictly enforced by average speed cameras. Remember, all speeds are in Miles Per Hour (mph).

Returning the Car (Fuel)

If you have a 'Full-to-Full' fuel policy, there is a petrol station conveniently located right on the A658 in Yeadon just before you reach the airport terminal approach. Fill up here to avoid expensive refuelling penalty charges.

Rural Yorkshire Driving

If you are heading into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, be prepared for extremely narrow lanes bounded by dry stone walls. Always pull over into passing places to let oncoming traffic by, and be highly vigilant for cyclists, walkers, and loose sheep.

Current UK Fuel Costs

UK fuel in Yorkshire is sold by the litre. Prices are currently averaging around £1.45 upto £1.60 per litre. We advise choosing a 'Full-to-Full' fuel policy to control your own refuelling costs when exploring.

*As this is a volatile and ever-changing item, these prices were last updated on: .

Explore Yorkshire

Popular Drives from Leeds Bradford Airport

Because LBA is centrally located in West Yorkshire, it serves as the ultimate gateway to historic cities, the Dales, and stunning countryside. Here are the top scenic drives our customers take after picking up their rental.

Leeds City Centre

Distance: 8 miles (25 mins via A660)

Head directly southeast to explore the Royal Armouries and premium shopping at Victoria Gate.

Child-Friendly? Yes! Kids will love the interactive exhibits at the Royal Armouries Museum.

Pro Tip: Park in the Trinity Leeds multi-storey for central access to the shops and museums.

Harrogate & Royal Baths

Distance: 12 miles (25 mins via A658)

Drive north into the elegant Victorian spa town famous for its manicured gardens and Betty's Tea Room.

Child-Friendly? Great for exploring the beautiful Valley Gardens.

Pro Tip: Use the Victoria Car Park in the town centre for easy access to the main attractions.

York City Centre

Distance: 30 miles (50 mins via A59)

Head east to the historic walled city, York Minster, and the famous Shambles.

Child-Friendly? An absolute must. Features the incredible JORVIK Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum.

Pro Tip: The city centre is mostly pedestrianised. Park at the Askham Bar Park and Ride on the outskirts.

Yorkshire Dales (Skipton)

Distance: 20 miles (40 mins via A65)

Drive northwest into the stunning hills, valleys, and ruined castles of the Dales.

Child-Friendly? Perfect for a day out exploring Skipton Castle and its medieval dungeons.

Pro Tip: The A65 is a beautiful driving road but can get very busy with tourists on sunny weekends.

Haworth & Brontë Country

Distance: 16 miles (40 mins via local roads)

Drive west into the rugged moors to discover the historic village that inspired the Brontë sisters.

Child-Friendly? Kids will love riding the Keighley and Worth Valley heritage steam railway.

Pro Tip: The cobbled Main Street in Haworth is exceptionally steep; wear sensible shoes.

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

Distance: 22 miles (40 mins via A61)

Visit the magnificent ruins of the largest Cistercian abbey in the country, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Child-Friendly? Excellent for wide open spaces, feeding the ducks, and huge water gardens.

Pro Tip: Run by the National Trust, there is plenty of free parking available on-site for visitors.

Harewood House

Distance: 8 miles (20 mins via A658)

A stunning 18th-century country house featuring incredible art collections and a Himalayan Garden.

Child-Friendly? Yes, the huge adventure playground and penguin enclosure are massive hits with children.

Pro Tip: Located just a few miles from the airport, it’s a perfect half-day trip.

Malham Cove

Distance: 30 miles (1 hr via A65)

Head deep into the Dales to see the massive curved limestone cliff formation famously featured in Harry Potter.

Child-Friendly? The walk to the base of the cove is relatively flat and suitable for families.

Pro Tip: The main National Park car park fills up fast on weekends; try to arrive before 10 AM.

Leeds Bradford Car Hire Frequently Asked Questions

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