London is one of the best connected cities in the world, so driving in the city centre is often unnecessary. However, car hire makes the most sense when you are leaving London, with many travellers collecting their vehicle at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted and heading straight out to the countryside or coast.
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Driving in London is very different from driving in most other UK cities. In central areas, extra charges can quickly add to the cost of even short trips. The Congestion Charge applies in central London on weekdays, and the Ultra Low Emission Zone covers much of Greater London, which means some older cars may incur daily fees.
Parking is another challenge for visitors. Spaces are limited, prices are high, and finding somewhere convenient can be frustrating. Because of this, many travellers choose not to drive within Zone 1 and use public transport instead. Car hire tends to work best once you are ready to leave the city. Picking up your vehicle at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, or London City Airport lets you bypass inner city driving while still giving you the freedom to explore the countryside, coastal areas, or nearby towns that are not always easy to reach by train.
Car rental prices skyrocketed last year due to high demand and a shortage of new cars. But as more vehicles became available, prices started to drop, though not everywhere. It can be a bit tricky to navigate, and prices may keep shifting for a while. But the good news? Smart travellers can still find great deals on car rentals without sacrificing quality or service. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers to help you compare car rental prices in one place. All prices shown are transparent with no hidden fees, giving you confidence to book your next London car hire. Here’s how you can get the best deal:
Book in advance to get the best deal; don’t leave it till the last minute. September is often the cheapest month to rent a car in London.
Look for options with free cancellation to keep your plans flexible. Secure a great deal today.
Review fuel options. Consider choosing a ‘full-to-full’ fuel policy to avoid extra charges.
Sometimes, booking for an entire month can be cheaper than a three-week rental.
Adding a Sat Nav to your car rental can be pricey, but there are budget-friendly alternatives! Try using a navigation app on your phone. You might be surprised at how much you can save!
Check out both big and small rental cars. You might be surprised by what you find! Compact cars aren’t always the cheapest since they’re always in high demand.
London, England, is home to 5 major airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City, and Luton, along with several smaller ones. Altogether, they make up the world’s busiest airport system in terms of passenger numbers and the second busiest in terms of aircraft movements.
Birmingham Airport and Southampton Airport aren’t usually thought of as London airports, but they’ve been suggested as alternatives because they have direct rail connections to Central London. Birmingham Airport has even noted that once High Speed 2 is completed, it could become an even more convenient option for London travellers.
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Each London airport offers a slightly different experience when it comes to collecting a hire car, and choosing the right one can make the start of your journey much easier. Heathrow is often the most convenient option for drivers heading straight onto the motorway network, with quick access to the M25, M4, and M40, making it ideal if you plan to leave London soon after landing.
Gatwick and Stansted tend to suit travellers heading south or east, including routes towards the coast or across the south of England. Once clear of the airport, driving is usually more straightforward than starting out in central London.
London City Airport is best suited to short trips or quick collections. Its central location makes access easy, but traffic can be heavy at peak times. For longer journeys, many visitors prefer to collect their car at one of the larger airports on the city’s outskirts.
You can cancel your booking through our website’s ‘Manage Booking’ section. Most suppliers allow free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up, but this can vary by provider. If you cancel too close to the pick-up time, a small fee may apply.
If you purchased extra insurance at the time of booking, that will be automatically cancelled too. If you don’t collect your vehicle and don’t cancel in advance, it may be treated as a no-show and you could lose the full amount paid, so always contact us if your plans change.
Yes. You can make changes at any time through the ‘Manage Booking’ section. Updates such as changing driver details, adjusting pick-up or drop-off times, or adding extras like child seats or additional drivers are usually allowed, but are always subject to availability and the supplier’s terms. Any change may affect the total rental cost, so it’s best to make edits as early as possible.
At the rental desk, the main driver will need:
Temporary, digital-only or paper licences are not accepted by most suppliers, so always bring the original physical licence.
Yes, you can change your pick-up or drop-off time in ‘Manage Booking’ as long as the rental hasn’t started. Changes are subject to supplier approval and may affect the total price if you extend or shorten your rental. If your flight is delayed, contact the rental provider directly to ensure the car is held for you and to avoid a no-show charge.
Most rentals are paid at the time of booking, though some suppliers offer “pay on arrival” options. The exact details appear during checkout and on your confirmation voucher. If you don’t receive your confirmation email within 24 hours of booking, check your spam folder or contact us to resend it.
Wherever your travels take you, we’re here to make renting a car in London simple, affordable, and stress-free. Book today and hit the road with confidence.
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