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, People carrier, Premium, Standard SUV |
| Hire locations | 332 |
| Airport locations | 75 |
| Popular agencies | GREEN MOTION , SURPRICE CAR RENTAL , keddy by Europcar, Ace, Sixt |
Cheap car hire in London
| Economy | €13/day |
| Compact | €14/day |
| Intermediate | €16/day |
| People carrier | €60/day |
| Mini | €13/day |
| Premium | €54/day |
| Luxury | €61/day |
| Compact SUV | €17/day |
| Intermediate SUV | €17/day |
| Standard SUV | €26/day |
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 €29 or less
- Book your car hire in London at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport car hire locations in London are around 149% more expensive than airport locations on average
- Compact car hire in London are around 67% cheaper than other car types, on average
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 €41 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 (€13/day), Routes Car & Truck Rentals (€13/day) and SURPRICE CAR RENTAL (€16/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest hire car price was found at GREEN MOTION London Regatta Centre, Dockside Road - In Terminal E16 2QT (12 kilometres from the city centre).
How much is the price of fuel in London?
The average price of fuel in London is €6.76 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between €81 and €108, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in London?
Mini (Fiat 500 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, DRIVALIA, Easirent, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Avis, SURPRICE CAR RENTAL, Dollar and Ace.
Which car hire agencies are at Gatwick airport (LGW)?
Car hire companies onsite at Gatwick airport include Easirent, Europcar, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, Goldcar Rental SP and keddy by Europcar.
Which car hire agencies are at Stansted airport (STN)?
Car hire companies onsite at Stansted airport include GREEN MOTION, DRIVALIA, Easirent, Alamo, Budget, Hertz 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, Easirent, Europcar, INTERRENT, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo, Budget,