Car Hire at London Heathrow Airport
We fully appreciate that the thought of hiring a car can be confusing, time consuming and sometimes expensive! That’s why we have compiled the ultimate guide to hiring a car at Heathrow; from which providers you can choose from to what fees you may be subject to.
As well as the above, we’ll also discuss the age requirements, which documents you’ll need to provide and the added extras you’ll need to consider before you pick up your car from Heathrow.
Why hire a car?
Rather than relying on public transport to get you around on your trip, a hire car offers flexibility and comfort at your disposal; pop the sat-nav on and off you go in your air-conditioned vehicle! Make the most of your time on the British roads travelling to visit the local beauty and tourist spots or simply have the convenience of your own transport for food shopping and seeing the family.
Need another reason to hire a car? When you take into consideration all the costs involved with public transport; taxi fares, train passes and tube tickets, hiring a car for a week is likely to be much cheaper.
The car rental providers at Heathrow Airport can be found within the arrival area of each terminal.
Car Hire Insurance
Car Hire Centre
We mentioned that hiring a car can be time consuming and sometimes pricey; Car Hire Centre helps smooth the process.
Use the form on the left to fill in the details of your trip, and Car Hire Centre will help you find a good deal, no matter what you’re after. With data provided by RentalCars, there will be a car and a price to suit you!
Map of Heathrow Car Hire Locations
You will find a rental desk for each provider in the arrivals concourse in your terminal. The branch however may be a short distance away, usually by free shuttle courtesy of the providers. The map details the locations of each branch and in the details about each provider further down the page, we’ll tell you how to reach them!
Information for Under 25s
Documents Needed
Tips
- The first thing you should do when you receive your hire car is to thoroughly inspect it, inside and out. Check for scuffs and scrapes, dents, chips and even burn marks to the upholstery. The provider should be more than happy to allow you time to do so, and you should make sure they note down any pre-exisiting damage on the car’s paperwork, which both parties should sign.
Why is this so important? You want to cover your own back and not be blamed and subsequently charged for damage that you didn’t cause.
- Always check the fuel policy of your rental car; Full to Full? Full to Empty? Pre paid with a partial refund? Each have their pros and cons so make sure you do your research. In a nutshell, if they provide you with a full tank of fuel (which you pay for upfront at the time of hire) make sure you know whether you need to return the tank empty, full again or if you can be refunded for any unused fuel.
- Finally you should make sure you are aware of the road laws and regulations in place at your car hire destination. For example, the national speed limit differs for each country; some meausre their speed in kilometers an hour and some measure speed on miles per hour. On top of this, in the UK and Australia drivers drive on the left hand side of the road and most other countries in the world drive on the right hand side. Car Hire Centre has more car hire advice to assist you when hiring a car.
Airport Surcharge
One Way Hire
Heathrow Airport Car Hire Providers
Compare the providers
Open 24 hours a day, On AirportBook Now
Europcar has been providing vehicle rental for over 60 years. With branches across the world you should be able to find a suitable vehicle for your required destination. Europcar aim to provide you with the best vehicle hire at a low cost.
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Minimum Age21; Drivers between 21-22yrs will be subject to the YDS of around £13 per day Additional DriverAdd an additional driver from £4.99 per rental day, depending on vehicle type Disabled DriversWith at least 48hrs notice, Lynx Hand Controls can be fitted to the vehicle should you require them. Please contact the team on 0870 384 1087 to arrange |
Terminals 2/3/4: 5am-Midnight On AirportBook Now
Sixt offer a wide range of high quality vehicles for locations worldwide. Sixt aim to provide their customers with the highest standard of service available at every one of their locations.
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Minimum Age21; Drivers under the age of 25 will be charged an additional YDS fee of £36 per day Additional DriverAn additional driver can be added for a nominal fee; at Heathrow, this is £12 per day. Disabled DriversWith at least 48hrs notice, Hand Controls can be fitted to the vehicle. |
24hrs a day, 7 days a week On AirportBook Now
Hertz aim to be the most customer focused vehicle rental company on the market. They are the largest car rental company in the world and have been providing rental vehicles for over 80 years.
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Minimum AgeDrivers under the age of 25 will be subject to the Young Drivers Surcharge, starting at £33.60 per day from Heathrow Additional DriverYou can add an additional driver for £13 a day. Disabled DriversAt their Heathrow location Hertz can provide left or right handed controls on request. Please call the team on 0870 840 0084 to arrange, giving at leats 48hrs notice. |
24hrs, 7 days a week On AirportBook Now
Avis aim to provide you with the best and most comfortable vehicles available. Avis have multiple locations across the UK. You can collect your car from the Avis branch at Heathrow Airport and return the car to any one of the UK locations.
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Minimum Age23; Drivers aged under 25 will be charged an additional Young Drivers Surcharge of £37.70 per day Additional DriverAdd an additional driver from £22.40 per rental day, depending on vehicle type Disabled DriversAvis can provide you with an adapted car, given they have 48hrs notice. Please call their reservations team on 0808 284 0014 to book |
Additional InfoThe main pick up location is next to Terminal 5; if you are flying to or from Terminals 2/3/4, you can use the shuttle bus that takes you direct to T5. Or for £19.99, you can opt for the Fast Track service from T2 in which your hire car will be waiting curb side for you |
Terminal 2/3/4: 24hrs a day, Mon-Sun On AirportBook Now
Budget is one of the largest rental brands in the world. Budget aim to offer vehicles at great value for money.
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Minimum Age23; Young Drivers Surcharge of £32.50 is applicable to those under 25 Additional DriverAdd an additional driver from £12.99 per day, depending on vehicle type Disabled DriversHand controls can be fitted to the car. Simply call 0808 284 4444 to arrange. |
5am-Midnight, On AirportBook Now
Enterprise provide car hire for both business and leisure and they are available and recognised worldwide.They have also been voted number one in customer satisfaction eleven times in a national survey of car rental brands
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Minimum Age25; drivers under 25 will not be able to hire a car with Enterprise. Additional DriverAdd an additional driver for £10 per day Disabled DriversHand controls can be fitted to the car. Simply call 0808 284 4444 to arrange. |