Some Croydon car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend always be aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Croydon.
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a no-deductible option to your Croydon car hire.
Car hire in Croydon is the way to go if you don’t want to be reliant on public transport in this outer London borough. You’ll also be able to use it to get to some of the most prominent tourist attractions in the area, such as Crystal Palace Museum, just over 3 miles away from central Croydon. Bear in mind that you’ll still be in a very busy urban area, which is another thing that makes Croydon car hire a good idea – you don’t want to be tied to the schedules of crowded trams and buses. With a car, you’re free to explore other attractions like Bethlem Museum of the Mind or the South London Botanical Institute, about 2.5 and 5 miles away respectively.
There are two London airports near Croydon, the closest of which is London Gatwick, about 10 miles away. The other option is London City Airport, about 16 miles distant. You’ll find car hire choices are plentiful at both airports, with a wide selection of car hire companies that you can book through KAYAK, including all major brands like Hertz, Avis and Europcar. Their parking areas are spread around the airports, and some have kiosks within the Arrivals terminal areas. Gatwick Airport provides free shuttles between these areas, so if you arrive at Gatwick North Terminal, you can catch a shuttle to the South Terminal very easily. At London City Airport, all the car hire kiosks are in the main terminal.
While Croydon is pretty far south of London, it’s worth being forewarned that the traffic can become very congested. You should pay particular attention to the trams in the town, as they are the main form of public transport – avoid driving on what seem like temptingly open roads, as these are actually tram lines. Be careful not to drive in the numerous bus lanes either. Also exercise caution at Lombard roundabout, as its constant traffic stream and many exits require concentration.
Although this London satellite town is a gateway to rural Surrey, it can certainly hold its own when it comes to big-city traffic congestion. The rush hours are at standard times, but worst around 08:00 and 17:00. You should specifically avoid Fiveways junction at rush hour, as locals know well that the traffic can often scarcely move here at these times. In the mornings, try to avoid Brighton Road – it can add up to an hour to your travel time otherwise. Remembering these few things will make car hire in Croydon a more pleasant and efficient experience.
Book your car hire in Croydon at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Mini car hires in Croydon are around 39% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Croydon
If you’re intending to spend most of your stay in Croydon itself, we recommend you tailor your hire car selection towards the smaller, more practical models. Fortunately, you can book a wide variety of economy and compact cars. This will not only pay off in time-saving, but will also help prevent you wasting too much petrol in Croydon’s traffic. If you’re intending to stay to the south of Croydon where the city blends into more rural areas, you could hire an MPV, 4x4 or larger sedan.
Speed limits in Croydon can be confusing to visitors, as they vary often and change quickly. Make sure you keep a close eye out for speed limit signs. In most areas the speed limit is 30mph, but on many roads it is reduced to 20mph. Be wary of the numerous speed cameras too.
It’s best to avoid parking anywhere in the centre of Croydon, as parking tariffs can be steep. You can expect to pay just over £13 for anything between 4 and 24h. You can get cheaper rates early in the morning, but due to the congestion this can sometimes be difficult. Instead, take advantage of the 30-minute free parking on London Road or in the area stretching from West Croydon Station to where Sumner Road begins.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Sixt (€48/day) and Europcar (€103/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest hire car price was found at Sixt Unit 34, Factory Lane CR0 3RL (2 kilometres from the city centre).
The average price of fuel in Croydon is €6.37 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between €76 and €102, depending on the car size.
Mini (Fiat 500 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Croydon.