Car rental in London

In the UK you drive on the left

This is the first thing to keep in mind. You drive in the left lane, the steering wheel is on the right and the gear stick sits by your left hand.

That's why we almost always recommend an automatic. Getting used to looking the other way at every junction is enough work; if you also have to change gear with your other hand, the first few days feel long. Most rental cars in the UK are manual, so ask for an automatic from your very first message: the desk can't switch you if none are available.

A simple tip that works: for the first few miles, say "left" out loud at every turn and every time you pull out of a gas station. That's exactly when there are no other cars to show you the lane, and when people get confused most.

Where to pick up the car: Heathrow or Gatwick

For almost every trip it's best to pick up at an airport, even if you spend a few days in London first. Heathrow is west of the city, well placed for Oxford, the Cotswolds, Stonehenge or Scotland. Gatwick is to the south, handy if you're heading for the coast or Kent.

Depending on the rental company, the desk is in the terminal or you take a free shuttle to the office where you collect the car. Your voucher shows exactly how to get there.

Picking up in central London is possible, but we don't recommend it: you start in the hardest traffic in the country, on the left, in a car you don't know yet. If you're spending a few days in the city, get around by Tube and pick up the car on the day you leave, at the airport or at an office on the outskirts.

A question we get often: we don't offer meet-and-greet at the terminal door. We only work with official rental companies, which is what guarantees the car is there, the contract is right and you have support if something happens.

What you need to pick up the car

There are three things, and all three are mandatory. Without any of them the rental company won't hand over the car.

A credit card in the main driver's name. The rental company blocks a security deposit. Debit cards, cash and someone else's card are not accepted.

A physical, valid driver's license. A license on your phone, photos or copies won't work. It has to be the plastic card, valid for the whole rental.

A valid passport. The minimum age is usually 19, though it can vary by rental company and category, and drivers under 25 pay a young driver fee. There is no maximum age. That's why we ask your age before quoting.

In the UK an International Driving Permit may be required: if the rental company asks for it and you don't have one, they may not hand over the car. Get it in your home country before you travel and bring it with your license.

Don't drive in London

Central London has the Congestion Charge, a daily charge for driving in the central zone during the day. On top of that, the whole city is an ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone), which charges cars that don't meet the emissions standard.

Neither is paid at a booth: cameras read your plate. They're paid separately, online, and the rental company doesn't pay them for you. If you don't pay within the deadline, an expensive fine reaches the rental company, which charges it to your card weeks later with an admin fee.

Rental cars are usually new and ULEZ-compliant, but it's worth confirming with the rental company at pickup. The Congestion Charge, on the other hand, applies to any car.

The simplest option is not to use the car in the city. London is easy to get around by Tube and bus, and parking in the center is hard and expensive. The car is for everything outside it.

Roundabouts and other rules worth knowing

You'll find roundabouts everywhere, from small village ones to big multi-lane ones. You go round clockwise and you give way to traffic coming from your right, which is the traffic already on the roundabout.

Distances and speed limits are in miles, not kilometers, and there are speed cameras on many roads. The speedometer usually shows both: go by the miles.

Fast roads (motorways) are almost all free. There are a few exceptions, such as the Dartford Crossing east of London, which has no booth either and is paid online. As with the London charges, if it isn't paid, the fine comes later.

In villages and the countryside, roads are narrow, with stone walls or hedges on both sides and passing places to let oncoming cars through. Take it easy and don't rush.

Day trips and road trips from London

From Heathrow, within a couple of hours or less you have Oxford, Windsor, the stone villages of the Cotswolds, Stonehenge and the city of Bath. These are places you only half see by train or on a tour, and by car you explore them at your own pace.

For Scotland, plan it as a trip of several days, stopping along the way, for example in York or the Lake District. You can also drop the car off in another city, such as Edinburgh: the rental company charges a one-way fee, and we include it in your quote.

If you're thinking of crossing to mainland Europe with the car, tell us before you book: not all rental companies allow it and, if they do, it has to be written in the contract.

Which category suits your trip

For two people, an automatic compact is ideal: easy to park and comfortable on narrow village roads.

For four people with large suitcases, ask for an intermediate or a station wagon (estate), which has a longer trunk. Small European cars have smaller trunks than people expect, and it's the most common surprise at pickup.

For groups, a 7 or 9-seat minivan. We guarantee the category, not the exact model: the rental company assigns that at pickup.

The most expensive mistakes

Not paying the Congestion Charge or ULEZ. It's the most common fine in London, and it arrives after you're back home.

Filling up with the wrong fuel. Pumps say unleaded (petrol) and diesel. Before filling up, check the fuel cap to see which one your car takes. If you get it wrong, the repair is on you.

Returning the car without a full tank. The rental company charges missing fuel at a much higher price than a gas station. Fill up near the airport and keep the receipt.

Signing without reading. Extras such as roadside assistance or GPS are sometimes offered at the desk; they're paid there and aren't refundable. Check what was added before signing. If something doesn't match your booking, message us before you sign.