Compare London car hire

Home to world-famous attractions such as the Tower of London, massive galleries like the Tate Modern and quirky experiences like afternoon tea bus tours, London promises fun-filled, action-packed days.

And if you fancy escaping the city for a bit, there’s lots to discover on the capital’s doorstep – especially if you travel by hire car. Visit the bohemian seaside resort of Brighton, stroll Cambridge’s historic streets and hike in the Cotswolds’ rolling hills.

Simply pick up a hire car from one of many car rental outlets in London or from one of the city’s major airports.

London isn’t short of car hire companies, with plenty of big-name providers in central London and further out. Wherever you’re staying, chances are you’re either a short walk or a brief bus or tube ride away from one of them.

Compare and book in advance to get the best deal on your hire car in London, as picking up on the day tends to be pricier, with fewer cars to choose from. Most car rental companies in London provide out-of-hours drop-off times too, which is handy if you need a little more flexibility.

Car hire providers in central London include:

• Avis: +44 344 544 8886
• Europcar: +44 371 384 5952
• Hertz: +44 843 309 3049
• Sixt: +44 207 018 8246

For day trips, take the M4 towards Windsor, the M40 to Oxford or the A23 south to Brighton for a seaside escape.

London is home to six airports and you can hire a car from each one.

London Heathrow (LHR) — one of the world’s busiest airports — has a wide selection of hire cars to choose from, with providers like Avis, Enterprise, Europcar and Hertz situated across multiple terminals.

London Gatwick (LGW) is home to major car hire companies like Alamo, Budget and Hertz. Car rental desks can be found in the lower forecourts of both the North and South terminals.

London Stansted (STN) and London Luton (LTN), which are both north of the city centre, serve as key entry points for low-cost airlines. Here you’ll find car rental desks like Europcar, Budget and Sixt all close to the main terminal buildings.

Just minutes from the centre, London City Airport (LCY) caters to business and short-haul travellers, with quick access to Avis, Europcar and Hertz car hire desks in the terminal.

Driving in the capital is doable but it can be difficult. London has a complex network of roads that’s easy to get lost in, and road works are common. Traffic levels fluctuate throughout the day, with many roads jam-packed during morning and evening rush hours.

You’ll also find yourself sharing the roads with a wide range of vehicles, from lorries, vans and buses to taxis, scooters and bicycles. London is a city of walkers, so it’s important to watch out for pedestrians, too.

Driving in London can be stressful, so it’s worth checking out the speed restrictions on your route ahead of time, and always planning extra time for trips in and out of the city.

If you’re driving in central London, keep an eye out for the Congestion Charge Zone. It costs £15 per day if you enter the zone on Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm. Most hire companies don’t cover this charge, so you’ll need to pay separately by phone or online.

Parking in London is also a challenge, with spaces filling up quickly in popular areas. Some streets operate permit-only parking, while others are pay-and-display. London’s larger car parks are often your best bet, especially near shopping districts and attractions.

• Min. age required to hire a car: 21-25, depending on your provider
• Which side of the road: Left
• Credit card requirements: Credit or debit cards are usually accepted

Any additional requirements: Driver surcharge may be payable if you’re under 25

You’re in the right place for a cheap deal on car rental in London. With our powerful search tools, you can compare top rental deals all in one place.

Whether it’s a mini-sized motor for two or a spacious people carrier for family holiday adventures, finding the best deal for you is fast, free and easy with TravelSupermarket.

TravelSupermarket works with more than 20 leading car hire providers as well as brokers to bring you the widest range of car hire options, from pick-up locations that suit you. Compare economy cars for a few pounds a day or book luxury models from the likes of Mercedes. Filter by transmission type if you like, or choose what kind of fuel policy suits your trip.

We feature amazing deals on minibus hire too, as well as super prices on automatic car hire, one-way car hire and long-term car hire.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.