In this article, I explain how to rent a car in London airportsto make the most of your arrival!
Here you'll find
- Information on airport rentals
- How to rent a car
- Visit current rates
- Practical information and advice
- My suggestions for excursions
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about renting a car at a London airport, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
London airport car hire : article summary
Why rent a car at London airport?
Driving in London isn't always a pleasure, because of the many traffic regulations quite rigid. However, by renting a car as soon as you arrive at the airportYou'll be able to get out of the capital in no time to explore the pretty towns in the surrounding area.
For travellers planning to a little road trip in the country is ideal!
Of course, even if you're staying in London (in a hotel with parking), the car can come in handy. You can easily take a day trip outside the capitalbetween two must-see tours downtown!
Renting a car at the airport also offers some serious advantages:
- It's less crowded than downtown branches, which speeds up vehicle recovery
- You can enjoy more attractive ratesbecause many competing agencies are located in the same place
- You can avoid downtown congestionif your final destination is elsewhere
London has 6 airports ! You'll have no trouble renting a car when you arrive at either of these locations, at agencies such as Alamo, Enterprise, Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Keddy, Thrifty, Green Motion and Drivalia.
London airport car hire: how to proceed?
Renting a car at London airport isn't complicated, but there are rules and conditions to be aware of. Here's what you need to know to be prepared.
Reserve your vehicle
It's quite possible to turn up at one of the agencies at a London airport to rent a car. But it's risky, because on the one hand, there may be no availability, and on the other, rates, at the last moment, could be very high.
The best thing is to reserve your car in advance. That way, you can compare the rates of different agencies, choose the vehicle best suited to your needs, and be sure to have it on the big day. Our partner offers a practical comparison tool, which allows you to up to 70 % savings. What's more, cancellation is free if your plans change.
Required documents
To rent a car in London, you will need to present :
- A driver's license Valid driver's license. Permits for any additional drivers. Please note that a French driver's license is accepted, but an international license may be required depending on your nationality.
- A identity document (identity card or passport)
- A credit card. If you book online, the card must be the same as the one you used to make the reservation.
Rental conditions
All over 21 can rent a car in London. Please note, however, that 2 years' driving experience is often required to rent a car.
What's more, some agencies apply additional charges for under-25s, depending on the type of vehicle chosen.
How much does it cost to rent a car at London airport?
Car rental rates at London airport vary widely, depending on the season, type of vehicle, length of rental and other factors. Here are the current average ratesfor information only.
What will the average price be in 2025?
Renting a car in London isn't as expensive as you might think. You can expect to pay :
- From €32 to €36 / day on average, in off-peak periods: January, February (cheapest), March, October and November
- From 37€ to 57€ / day during peak seasons: April, May, June, July (the most expensive), August, September and May. December
Added to this will be the price of petrol (around €1.80 / liter in 2025) and any insurance you may wish to take out.
By comparing offers, you can sometimes obtain very low rates (20/day). What's more, prices are often on a sliding scale, which will delight those planning a long stay in the capital.
How to get the best rates?
The best way to find the lowest possible airport rental prices is to compare offers for the dates of your stay. I invite you to use the comparator offered by our partner, to do this easily.
With 18 rental agencies listed and over 3,500 cars available, you should have no trouble finding what you're looking for!
My suggestions for excursions from London airports!
London has a lot to offer, between its superb monuments and its neighborhoods to discover. But it would be a shame to miss out from nearby townsif you have the time. By car, you can easily reach :
- Canterburywith a wealth of things to see and do!
- The city of Oxfordknown for its universitybut has so much more to offer
- Brighton and its pavilionwell worth the detour
- The Chessington perfect if you are travelling with children!
Enjoy the discovery!
What to do in London in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special London guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
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