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Car rental in London - Endless attractions
One of the world’s top tourist destinations, London is the capital city of England, and the United Kingdom. The largest metropolis in Europe, it is awash with attractions, monuments and charm. From the Houses of Parliament to Tower Bridge, Tower of London to the ever-popular Sky Garden - there’s endless things to see and do. Shop in Oxford Street, Regent Street or Bond Street. Head to trendy Camden Town, Notting Hill or Greenwich.
After you have taken in all that London has on offer - consider a car rental in London to broaden your visit. The home counties are just a jump away by car and mix quaint picturesque towns with lush countryside. With our one-way car rental you can collect your car in London and leave it somewhere else. Enjoy Essex with its seaside towns, Kent - regarded as the Garden of England, Sussex, Surrey and many more. Visit the Roman spa town of Bath, Canterbury, Oxford, Cambridge and other world-renowned English towns or cities.
London is a city that perfectly merges the new with the old. From old Victorian, Georgian and Elizabethan architecture, to modern skyscrapers and shopping centres. With what may seem a pub on every corner, a bar, a charming coffee house and with vibrant lush large parks always nearby - London will form a lasting impression. Other points of interest include the numerous London bridges, Covent Garden, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, London Dungeon, London Experience, Tate Modern, Carnaby Street, Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre and many football stadiums belonging to legendary clubs like West Ham United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
Auto Europe is a broker with over 60 years of car rental related industry experience. With more than 28,000 destinations across 190 countries to choose from, customers are never too far from a convenient location. Through our trusted partners we provide a large fleet of vehicles to choose from, competitive rental rates and regular deals to save you money. From standard car rentals to luxury car rentals and motorhome hire - we have you covered. If you haven’t used our service before we recommend reading the car rental reviews in the UK section.
For more information on renting a vehicle in London, click on the car rental related topics listed below:
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Where to pick up a car rental in London
With no fewer than five international airports and numerous main train stations - there is sure to be a convenient location for you to collect your vehicle. As one of the busiest cities in the world - London is well connected locally, nationally and internationally. London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, London City Airport and London Luton are well serviced by some of the top rental car suppliers. Likewise, Waterloo Train Station, London Bridge Train Station, King’s Cross Train Station, Paddington Train Station, Victoria Train Station, Stratford Train Station and many others, also provide excellent collection points for your car rental in London.
London International Airports
London Heathrow Airport is the largest in the United Kingdom and the second-busiest airport in the world. Welcoming around 80.1 million passengers annually, this mega hub is well-connected via the London Underground. The airport consists of five terminal buildings, but only 4 are currently in use. It also currently has two runways. The airport is located in the suburbs, West of London.
London Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in London. It consists of two main terminals that are linked via a monorail. The airport is served by public transport, including Gatwick Express. Gatwick Airport is located 47 kms south of London in West Sussex. In as little as 15-minutes, visitors can drive along the M23 towards London. This airport is also the hub for EasyJet.
Located in the home county of Essex is London Stansted Airport. It is around 60 kms northeast of London. The airport currently consists of one main terminal and is the hub for Ryanair. Annually it welcomes around 26 million passengers. Visitors can easily reach London via the Stansted Express Train, or by driving along the M11. Journey times vary but can be as little as 50-minutes.
Luton Airport is located in the home county of Bedfordshire, just 55 kms northwest of London. It welcomes around 16 million passengers yearly - which makes it the fourth busiest. This airport primarily deals with low-cost and charter flights across Europe. It is well-connected via local transport to London. Visitors can board the train, catch a coach or rent a car for easier access to the surrounding area.
Lastly, London City Airportis a small airport consisting of one terminal and one runway. Due to its strategic location right near Canary Wharf - a financial district - London City Airport has cemented its position as a business travel hub. It has fast and reliable transport links into the city via the DLR. This airport is around 10 kms from the city centre, and by far the best connected of all for business travellers.
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Website: www.heathrow.com
Address: Longford TW6, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 0844 335 1801
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Website: www.gatwickairport.com
Address: Horley, Gatwick RH6 0NP, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 0844 892 0322
Stansted Airport (STN)
Website: www.stanstedairport.com
Address: Bassingbourn Rd, Stansted CM24 1QW, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 0844 335 1803
London City Airport (LCY)
Website: www.londoncityairport.com
Address: Hartmann Rd, Royal Docks, London E16 2PX, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 0158 240 5100
Luton Airport (LTN)
Website: www.london-luton.co.uk
Address: Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LY, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 0158 240 5100
London Train stations
Many visitors arrive in London via international rail links from Eurooe towards one of the many London Train Stations. EuroStar High-speed rail links exist between many of London’s central train stations and France, Germany, Brussels and Holland. Stratford International Train Station, Paddington Train Station, King's Cross Train Station, Waterloo Train Station, London Bridge Train Station and London St. Pancras Train Station are just some of the many popular pick-up locations for car rentals.
Car rental suppliers are located either within the train terminals, or a short walk away from the terminal buildings. Many local, national and international car rental suppliers have also opted for providing their car rentals within train stations due to their popularity. Before arriving, you should check the office location and prepare your documentation.
Book with the best car rental suppliers in London
With over 65 years of car rental industry experience, Auto Europe is well positioned to offer you exceptional car rental deals, together with a great customer experience. Through our long-standing trusted partners, we provide convenient locations across London and into its home counties. Avis, Budget, Sixt, National, Green Motion, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz and many more industry renowned suppliers are available. Utilise our secure online booking engine to search, compare and book your next car rental. Our useful filters will also help you narrow down your search so that you can find the very best car rental deal for your budget.
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If you haven’t found the supplier you need, or the deal that suits you - contact our reservation team to discuss your requirements. We are on-hand to deal with any car rental related questions that you may have about renting a car in London.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in London
We have put together this useful FAQs section to help answer some of the most asked questions about renting a vehicle in London. If after having read this section, you still have questions or concerns, please get in touch with our reservation team.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in London?
Yes - a valid credit card under the main driver’s name is required for collecting the vehicle in London. This credit card will be used to hold a security deposit of an amount stated within your voucher. The deposit will be released back onto the same credit card once the vehicle has been returned and is confirmed to be in the same condition as when it left. Debit cards are not accepted for deposit purposes by suppliers. Some suppliers may accept them but only if additional insurances are taken out.
Only physical credit cards are accepted by the supplier for deposit purposes. Digital credit cards and prepaid are not accepted. All major credit cards are accepted such as Mastercard and Visa. To check the deposit amount and which payment methods are accepted for your specific booking, please click on the blue “i” info icon next to your rental rate. Alternatively, please consult your car rental voucher’s terms and conditions post booking. If you fail to provide a valid credit card for any reason, or if your card is declined due to insufficient funds - the supplier may refuse to release the vehicle. No refund is provided in such cases of original rental rate.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in London?
Your base rental rate already includes the minimum legally required insurance for driving in London. This is Limited Liability Insurance - with or without excess - Theft Protection and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). Although these insurances will cover your rental period, it does not cover all eventualities nor the whole vehicle. For added security we encourage you to take out our Full Protection Cover during the booking process.
Our Full Protection Coverage will protect your rental against greater eventualities and parts of the vehicle. A small daily charge is added to your booking which is based on vehicle category, location and duration of the rental. Fr information on excess amounts, insurances and coverages please click on the blue “i” info icon next to your booking rate. Alternatively, consult your car rental voucher’s terms after reserving.
It is common practice and industry standard to offer additional insurances during your pick-up. These locally offered insurances are optional and for the most part if you have already taken out our Full Protection Coverage - it won’t be needed. Local insurances include but are not limited to Travel Insurance, Roadside Assistance, Super CDW, Personal Effects Insurance (PEI), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) and others. These are fully optional, and no refund will be provided by Auto Europe should you opt into these insurances locally. Auto Europe does not recommend, profit or manage these products.Find out more by reading our car rental coverage section.
How is the traffic in London?
London has a very large population, and daily many more commute into the city for work. With a high level of tourism throughout the year, London surprisingly deals with this well. The M25 is a motorway that encircles all the London boroughs. The A406 is likewise a ring-road but is located further inside the city. The M23, M11, M1, M4 and many other motorways link the suburbs to the city. These intersections can become busy at times, especially during rush-hour and on weekends. With your car rental in London an extra layer of freedom is provided. The ability to visit places outside the city but within the metropolitan area is a bonus. Many shopping centres such as Bluewater are located in Kent, just outside the M25.
In an effort to reduce congestion within the City of London, a daily congestion charge was introduced. Here, entry and exit points into the city are monitored via CCTV, and vehicles who enter are charged. A big letter ‘C’ is painted on the road surface as you enter the area. Likewise, signposts warn you also. ULEZ zones are also in operation. These restrict vehicles based on their emissions. These two efforts help to minimise congestion around London as much as possible. However, like all major cities, London does suffer from some congestion.
For live traffic information consult the Transport for London (TfL) updates. Here you'll find delays and any road closures.
Where can I park my car rental in London?
Parking in London is difficult to come by. On-street parking around outer boroughs can be found, however, many roads are resident only or pay-&-display. Many supermarkets and shopping centres have their own free car parks. Traditional metres also exist - these may have a maximum stay. Parking in inner boroughs and in the City of London is very difficult to find. Central London especially is very expensive to park in.
When parking, make sure you read any road signs that may have restrictions on parking. Resident only, unloading and loading bays, disabled parking and many others, are just a handful of restrictions to look out for. Parking garages do exist but can be costly. However, they are secure and often located near places of interest. We would highly recommend using the Underground (metro) service. London Underground is an excellent network, simple to navigate, cost-effective and will easily take you to all of London’s attractions. Avoid rush hour for a more pleasant metro experience.
Do I need to pay a congestion fee when driving my car hire in London?
Yes - London has adopted a daily Congestion Charge but only for vehicles who drive into an area that is covered. The fee is paid daily, with payment being valid for the day in question. This means that you can freely drive in and out of the congestion charge area once you have paid for that day. Current congestion charge areas include St. James's, Waterloo, Borough, Central London, Clerkenwell, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Charing Cross, London Bridge, Holborn, Finsbury, Bloomsbury, Soho, Mayfair, Westminster, and parts of Southwark, Lambeth, and Marylebone.
It is simple to see when entering such an area. Firstly, a large red letter ‘C’ is painted on the road surface to notify drivers. Secondly, sign posts are located at the entrance warning of restriction and operational times. And thirdly, several CCTV cameras are located overhead that record number plates as they enter and exit these areas.
Payment can be made either online on the TfL website, at a Payshop or on the TfL App. Payment must be made up to midnight on the day you entered the area. Payment received up to three days later will incur a surcharge. Payments received thereafter will incur a penalty fee. We highly recommend checking out the London Congestion Charge website for more in depth and up-to-date information. Operating times are between 07:00 to 22:00 daily, except Christmas Day.
Please note that some vehicles may be charged extra when entering a Congestion Charge zone. This is because they may be subject to Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) or Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) surcharges. This will depend on vehicle type and its emissions category.
Can I rent a motorhome in London?
Renting a campervan in London is often a good idea due to the ease of getting into the countryside. London is a wonderful city to explore, but with a motorhome you can explore its equally interesting and charming home counties. Many seaside towns are a short drive away from the city, including some iconic cities such as Cambridge, Canterbury and Oxford. Our campervans are modern, well-equipped and ideal for a leisurely break.
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