Explore the City without any Time Constraints on a Rental Car
If you are someone who is generally more comfortable exploring cities on their own without any timelines, renting a car is a great option for you. There are many convenient ways you can rent a car in London, starting from Heathrow Airport. London’s biggest airport, Heathrow, offers multiple car rental options at all of its terminals. Arriving passengers can find offices of various rental car companies at different locations within the airport. Passengers can also pre-book a rental car before their arrival so that they can pick up the car immediately as soon as they arrive. Moreover, you can also choose a vehicle that suits your budget and other requirements such as the size of the car, luggage capacity, etc.
Heathrow Rental Car Locations
Rental cars are available at all 4 Heathrow Terminals at different locations. Travelers can either book a car upon arrival or book in advance through the online portal. Here are the rental car offices at Heathrow Airport.
| Terminal | Location |
|---|---|
| Heathrow Terminal 2 | Level 1: Arrivals and Departure, Level 0: Bus Stop 8, near onward traveler |
| Heathrow Terminal 3 | Near Arrivals, Level 0 |
| Heathrow Terminal 4 | Near Arrivals, Level 0 |
| Heathrow Rental Car Terminal 5 | Bus Stop 25, Level 0, Bus Stop 26, Level 0, Bus Stop 27, Level 0, Near Onward Travel, Level 0 |
What do you need to Rent a Car in London?
Before renting a car, drivers must be aware of UK road rules and regulations. Moreover, you cannot rent a car if you do not provide the following documents at the rental car desk.
Driving License
International drivers must provide a valid international driving license to rent a car in the UK. The license must have at least 6 months of validity to get approval for renting a car. It should also be a photocard license preferably to be accepted at the counter. If your license is in a different language than the one spoken in the country you are renting a car in, you must provide a translated license.
Proof of Identification
Overseas drivers must present a valid national ID card or passport to rent a car. The validity of the documents should be at least 6 months to be accepted. Drivers must check these requirements before traveling to avoid last-minute issues.
Proof of Address
Visitors to the UK must also provide proof of accommodation in the UK to rent a car. It should be a verified and valid document to prove where you will be staying throughout the rental period.
Proof of Travel Itinerary
Visitors to the UK must also provide proof of travel dates in and out of the UK. Valid airline tickets are necessary for international drivers to rent a car in the UK.
Age Requirements
The minimum age for renting a car in the UK is 25. If you are under 25 years of age, you are charged an extra fee every day to use the car. Age restrictions also differ according to the vehicle type with certain vehicles not available to drivers under 25.
Valid Credit Card
A valid credit or debit card issued in your name is necessary for payment at the rental car company's office. Make sure you speak with your bank beforehand to open international payments for debit cards.
UK Road Rules & Regulations
If you are new to driving in the UK, you must be aware of certain rules and regulations to avoid any complications. Your rental car company will most likely explain these to you but in case they don’t here is what you need to know about UK driving rules.
- Driving in the UK is done from the left-hand side of the road. International drivers are requested to adjust and prepare for the road accordingly.
- 30mph speed limit (48km/h) in congested areas.
- 60mph speed limit (96km/h) on single carriageways.
- 70mph speed limit (112km/h) on dual carriageways and motorways.
- Failure to abide by these rules leads to serious road offenses and heavy penalty charges.