London car rentals from $21/day

Anyone who rents a car within the United Kingdom will need a valid driving license, as well as a form of ID such as a passport. Visitors must also provide proof of return travel to their country of origin, as well as details of their accommodation. In addition, a checking or credit account is required to cover the security deposit and pay for the car rental itself.

London is quite literally a melting pot for designer cars, from homegrown greats, from Bentley to Rolls Royce and European imports that range from Ferraris to snug Renaults. If it’s your first time here, the smaller the better as the narrow roads of London can be quite a challenge to navigate when they get busy. In order to fit in (literally), Minis are a great option, as are compact options like a Fiat 500.

All of London’s major airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead, and Luton – have car hire companies onsite. Popular choices include Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Avis, and Virtuo, among many others. All offer car pick-up and shuttle services at your leisure, and depending on the time or rental, incur an additional collection fee.

Yes. There are several places to rent a car in London within the city and in local boroughs. Check our handy tool to find the closest car rental service to your hotel.

Anyone thinking of renting a car in London must get insurance. The city is known for its busy roads and fast-paced lifestyle. Most, if not all car hire companies require drivers to take out insurance but check the fine print as the level of protection differs from company to company.

Despite government efforts to reduce congestion on London’s roads, driving remains a popular way of getting around the city. As a result, the roads are often very busy, especially around the morning (6 am to 9 am and evening rush hours 4 pm to 7 pm). If you’re driving into central London, the daily congestion charge fee must be paid before you head in. This covers everything within the ring road from Marylebone across to Shoreditch and down to Victoria and more.

Fully electric vehicles and select energy-efficient hybrids are exempt from all low-emission zone charges, so you might be able to save some money in the long run if you choose to rent an electric vehicle.

The rules of the road differ depending on what part of the city your car finds itself in, so it’s well worth planning your route before you set off to avoid any unwanted charges. Why? London councils have the power to enforce all sorts of common offenses, such as no left, right, or U-turns, with traffic cameras.

It’s also worth noting that you drive on the left in the UK, so take plenty of time to adjust to the new rules of the road.

When it comes to finding a spot to park that is relatively close to your destination can be a bit of a challenge. Make sure you have downloaded prior to your London visit, one of these apps to help you find a parking spot: Appy Parking, Parkopedia, RingGo, and JustPark.

Apart from finding a good parking spot, there are strict rules about where drivers can leave their vehicles and where they can’t. Markings and signs are good indicators.

Apart from Stopping or parking on red routes is prohibited, unless otherwise stated, and any sat nav the car has installed alerts the dos and don’ts along the way. In addition to the red routes, parking on double yellow lines at any time is a big no. Single yellow lines can be parked on at certain times of the day. Parking is allowed on designated dashed white lines, but drivers must follow the rules of the corresponding ‘pay and display signs. Failure to do so will result in you getting a hefty parking ticket.

It’s also worth noting that you cannot park on these lines if they are reserved for permit holders. It is also illegal to park on the pavement in London, and in some London boroughs like Islington or Westminster, those driving diesel vehicles will be charged an extra parking surcharge.

In addition to road markings, several hotels offer valet car parking spaces, and there are several car parks dotted throughout the city if you choose to leave your vehicle parked for the day. Beware, this can be very costly, though, and sometimes work out even higher than what you paid to rent the car in the first place.

There are plenty of gas stations dotted throughout the city, especially in suburban areas. Shell, BP, and Texaco are some of the big brands to look out for, alongside branded UK supermarkets like Sainsbury’s and Tesco, which generally offer the best prices.

The average price of fuel throughout the capital is currently set at £1,47/l (around $1.83) for petrol and £1,66/l (about $2.06) for diesel engines. Those driving an electric car or hybrid vehicle should know that there are multiple charging stations dotted around the capital. EV charging points can be found by searching for one via the Greater London Authority website.