London car hire
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London car hire information
| Pick-up location | London |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Mini, Premium, Standard |
| Hire locations | 335 |
| Airport locations | 75 |
| Popular agencies | GREEN MOTION , Sixt, Europcar |
Cheap car hire in London
| Economy | $16/day |
| Compact | $15/day |
| Intermediate | $18/day |
| Standard | $19/day |
| Mini | $15/day |
| Premium | $76/day |
| Luxury | $81/day |
| Compact SUV | $17/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $26/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in London
- The English capital is an extremely busy city, which means driving around central London can be incredibly stressful. But, while public transportation is the best option when discovering the city center, a hire car is the perfect option for those looking to leave London and explore the English countryside or coastal towns such as Brighton.
- London has five airports: London City (LCY), London Stansted (STN), London Heathrow (LHR), London Luton (LTN), and London Gatwick (LGW). At City Airport, car hire counters are located next to the main terminal building. At Heathrow Airport, car hire companies have desks in all the arrivals terminals. At Gatwick, you'll find car hire desks in both the North and South terminal. Stansted Airport's car hire companies operate from the Airport Car Rental Village, which is outside the terminal building (free shuttle buses that will drop you off there depart from the terminal forecourt every 10 minutes). The Car Hire Center at Luton Airport is accessed via the free APCOA shuttle bus, which you can catch at Bay 1A.
- The main thing you have to know about driving in the United Kingdom is that traffic runs on the left-hand side of the road. If you're brave enough to drive around the city center, beware that the streets are constantly bustling with tourists. Take into consideration that certain areas in the city are subject to the Congestion Charge, which means you must pay £11.50 (approximately $14.70) per day if you drive in said zones between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., which is applicable Monday to Friday.
- Driving during London's rush hour can easily add 40 minutes to an hour to your travel time, so avoid going into and out of central London between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., and again in the evening, between 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Roads leading to the city's many airports are often busy during these times as well, so take that into consideration if you're driving back to the airport.
- 25% of our users found a car hire in London for $33 or less
- Book your car hire in London at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Mini car hire in London are around 69% cheaper than other car types, on average
London car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about hiring a car in London
What type of car is recommended for driving in London?
A mini or compact car is the recommended option in London for travelers who don't require much space for passengers or luggage, as they are easiest to drive and park around the city.
What’s the speed limit in London?
The speed limit in the UK is 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour) on urban roads with street lighting, 60 mph (97 kph) on single roadways, and 70 mph (115 kph) on dual roadways and freeways. However, in some parts of inner-city London, speed limits are set at 20 mph (32 kph).
Where are the best places to park in London?
Street parking can be both extremely hard to find and pricey in central London. However, parking in The City of London, the central district, is free after 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, after 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and all day on Sundays. Most street parking spots will be metered, and depending on the areas, it can cost anywhere between £1 and £5 per hour (approximately $1.30-$6.40).
How much does it cost to hire a car in London?
On average a car hire in London costs $46 per day.
What is the cheapest car hire company in London?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at GREEN MOTION ($15/day), Europcar ($43/day) and Sixt ($76/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest hire car price was found at GREEN MOTION Holiday Inn M4J4, 239 Sipson Road UB7 0JU (23 kilometres from the city centre).
How much is the price of fuel in London?
The average price of fuel in London is $10.72 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between $129 and $171, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in London?
Mini (Seat Mii or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in London.
Which car hire agencies are at Heathrow airport (LHR)?
Car hire companies onsite at Heathrow airport include GREEN MOTION, Hertz, DRIVALIA, SURPRICE CAR RENTAL, Europcar, Easirent, Sixt, Routes Car & Truck Rentals, Budget and Avis.
Which car hire agencies are at Gatwick airport (LGW)?
Car hire companies onsite at Gatwick airport include Hertz, Europcar, Easirent, Budget, Goldcar Rental SP, Dollar and keddy by Europcar.
Which car hire agencies are at Stansted airport (STN)?
Car hire companies onsite at Stansted airport include GREEN MOTION, Hertz, DRIVALIA, Easirent, Alamo, Budget, National and keddy by Europcar.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Heathrow airport (LHR)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Heathrow airport to off-airport locations include GREEN MOTION, Hertz, Europcar, Easirent, Sixt, Alamo, Budget, Avis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Gatwick airport (LGW)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Gatwick airport to off-airport locations include GREEN MOTION, Hertz, Europcar, Easirent, Sixt, Alamo, Budget, Avis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Stansted airport (STN)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Stansted airport to off-airport locations include GREEN MOTION, Hertz, Europcar, Easirent, Sixt, Alamo, Budget, Avis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National.
How can I find car hires near me in London?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in London?
A Mini car hire in London costs $33 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in London?
An Economy car hire in London costs $34 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in London?
An Intermediate car hire in London costs $43 per day, on average.
What is the most popular car hire location in London?
In London, cars are most frequently hired at SURPRICE CAR RENTAL Unit 6 Sovereign Ct 633 Sipson Road (22 km from city centre ).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in London?
On average a car hire in London costs $325 per week ($46 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in London?
On average a car hire in London costs $1,393 per month ($46 per day).
London car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
6.9
Okay
179 reviewsCleanliness
8.1
Comfort
7.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
6.5
15 locations in London
Locations in London
Filters
Reviews
6.0 Okay
Sept 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2022
6.0 Okay
Jan 2022
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
We rented the car for 9hrs, put 230 miles on it and it cost us over $400 for a Vauxhall Corsa. VERY expensive.10.0 Wonderful
Aug 2020
Pros:
I still have my car rental. Not sure why I am receiving this email now.10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2020
Pros:
It was a bit slow but not a problem.Cons:
I don't remember what car I got but, it wasn't what we asked for. It was another "similar" car that they always give a renter.Easirent
4.7
Mediocre
191 reviewsCleanliness
5.9
Comfort
6.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
4.8
Value for money
4.9
17 locations in London
Locations in London
Sofitel Hotel (North Terminal)
+44 129 383 9700