If your trip to Ipswich is all booked but your itinerary is looking a little empty, let us give you a helping hand.Stop by Ipswich Regent Theatre. It’s one sight you’ll usually find on most travelers’ to-do lists. Chantry Park and Portman Road are also nearby and worth a pit stop.

If you’re searching for day-trip inspiration, we can help out. Situated 16 miles away, Colchester is worth the drive. Colchester Castle Park should be toward the top of your list here. Colchester Town Hall and Colchester Golf Club are awesome attractions too. Don’t miss Clacton-on-Sea either! Just 19 miles away, Clacton Pier, Clacton-on-Sea Beach and Walton Pier are essential stops here.

If you’re planning to do some serious networking in the convention centers of Ipswich, it’d be smart to book a rental car. That way, you can go for a spin, check out some surrounding attractions and be sure that you’ll make it there on time. You’ll most likely be heading to one of these places:

• Wherstead Park (2 miles away).
• Trinity Park Conference and Events Centre (3 miles away).

Avoid paying through the nose for a rental car by following our recommendations:

• Research as many different cheap car rental companies as you can (we make that chore child’s play!)
• Sign up for our Price Drop Alert and be informed immediately when prices fall for your location
• Include both airport and non-airport pickup and drop-off office locations to be sure you’re bagging the absolute best price around
• If your dates are not set in stone, see if you can get a lower price by modifying the days in your search
• So you don’t end up paying a late fee or an extra day, try to keep your pickup and drop-off times as similar as possible
• Oftentimes companies reward you for prepaying — keep an eye out for these penny-pinching offers
• Book as soon as your vacation dates are finalized. The early bird catches the worm!

Sure, you can explore Ipswich without a rental car. But with loads to see and experience here, having one would certainly make your trip more convenient and fun. If you plan to head out of town and into nature, opt for a rental car with a bit of power. A full-size or mid-size SUV will take you to the area’s rocky coastlines in roomy comfort. Going to spend most of your time in the city? A smaller car like a compact or mini is the way to go. Driving through narrow laneways and squeezing into tight parking spots will be a piece of cake in one of these.

Sometimes the journey is more significant than the destination, which makes finding the right car important. If you’re planning an epic road trip around Ipswich, a safe and sturdy SUV could be the best solution. If you want the cheapest possible price and plan on sticking mostly to the city, an economy car is a clever pick. All you have to do is decide what will suit you best, load up the car, and start clocking up those miles.

From its expressways to its alleys, discovering Ipswich will be a breeze with a rental car. But before you veer into the fast lane, here’s what you need to know about driving around this city:

In Ipswich, motorists drive on the left side of the road. This means the steering wheel is on the right-hand side. If you’ve rented a ride with a manual transmission, you’ll have to get used to shifting gears with your left hand.

It’s relatively easy to find somewhere to park in Ipswich, although it can be a challenge to secure a spot in the busier areas. Staying at a hotel with a parking lot is a smart move.

As with many cities, the roads are usually busier in the hours before and after work. However, thanks to its smaller population of roughly 178,800, traffic gridlock isn’t a huge issue in Ipswich.

Most residential areas in the city of Ipswich have a 30mph speed limit. Outside these built-up areas, the speed limits generally range between 30mph and 70mph.

Normally, one of two things will happen. Your car rental company may bill the amount of the fine to your credit card. This is the usual practice. Or it may supply your contact information to local law enforcement agencies so the fine is sent directly to you.

It’s against the law to use your cell phone while driving around Ipswich, and you could also be fined for just holding a phone if you’re in control of a vehicle. That said, using hands-free or Bluetooth functions is permitted, as long as you stay focused on the road.

In Ipswich, it is a criminal offence to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of more than 0.08%. If you’re in the mood for a few drinks with lunch or dinner, you’d be wise to leave your rental car behind.

You aren’t permitted to turn on a red light in Ipswich. When you come across one, enjoy a mindful moment or two until the signal turns green.

Subject to a small number of exceptions, seat belts must be worn when the vehicle is in motion in Suffolk.