Car Rental in London 🇬🇧
Rent your vehicle at Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted airports from €40/day. Explore England at your own pace.
Why rent with Elynor Tours in London?
UK-Ready Vehicles
All our vehicles have right-hand drive (British left-hand traffic). Automatic gearboxes available to help you adapt.
All Airports
Available at all 5 major airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City. Quick pick-up on arrival.
Driving Advice
Complete guide to driving on the left, understanding the congestion charge, and avoiding fines. French-speaking support 7 days a week.
📍 Where to pick up your car in London?
✈️Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- ✓Largest UK airport — 5 terminals (T2, T3, T4, T5)
- ✓Desks in every terminal
- ✓Free shuttles to rental centres
- ✓Open 24h/day, 7 days/week
- ✓25 km from central London (M4 motorway)
✈️Gatwick Airport (LGW)
- ✓2nd largest UK airport — North & South Terminal
- ✓Ideal for southern England
- ✓45 km south of London
- ✓Quick access to Brighton, Canterbury, south coast
✈️Stansted Airport (STN)
- ✓Low-cost hub (Ryanair, easyJet)
- ✓55 km north-east of London
- ✓Access to Cambridge (30 min)
- ✓Often the most affordable rates
🏙️Other Pick-up Points
- ✓Luton Airport (north of London)
- ✓London City Airport (Docklands)
- ✓Train stations: King's Cross, Paddington, Victoria
- ✓City centre (not recommended — prefer airports)
⚠️Important: Avoid driving in central London if possible. The congestion charge (£15/day), heavy traffic and very expensive parking make the car impractical in the capital. Use the tube/bus in London, and take the car for day trips outside the city.
🗺️ Best day trips from London
🎓 Oxford & Cambridge
Distance: 100–130 km (1h30)
Route: M40 (Oxford), M11 (Cambridge)
Visit two of the world's most prestigious universities. Historic colleges, libraries, punting on the Cam, unique student atmosphere.
🗿 Stonehenge & Bath
Distance: 150–180 km (2h)
Route: M3 then A303
The mysterious megalithic site of Stonehenge (5,000 years old) and the magnificent spa city of Bath with its Roman baths and Georgian architecture (UNESCO).
🌾 The Cotswolds
Distance: 120–150 km (2h)
Top villages: Bourton, Bibury, Stow
Idyllic rural region with honey-stone villages, flower-lined cottages, rolling green hills and traditional pubs. Postcard England!
🏖️ Brighton & South Coast
Distance: 85 km (1h30)
Route: M23 then A23
Trendy seaside town with its oriental Royal Pavilion, Victorian pier, pebble beaches and alternative neighbourhoods. Extend to the Seven Sisters cliffs.
⛪ Canterbury
Distance: 100 km (1h30)
Route: M2 then A2
Medieval city with its Gothic cathedral (seat of the Anglican Church, UNESCO), cobbled streets and Norman ramparts. Perfect for a cultural day out.
👑 Windsor & Eton
Distance: 40 km (1h)
Route: M4 (junction 6)
Windsor Castle (the world's oldest and still-occupied royal residence), the Changing of the Guard, and the prestigious Eton College across the Thames.
💡Road trip tip: British motorways are free! No tolls like in France. Perfect for exploring the country with no extra costs. Only a few bridges/tunnels are paid (Dartford Crossing: £2.50).
💰 London Car Rental Rates 2025
| Category | Examples | Price/Day | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Vauxhall Corsa | €40–55 | City break, 1–2 people |
| Compact | VW Golf, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra | €55–70 | Couples, road trips |
| Saloon | Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 | €85–110 | Comfort, business |
| SUV | Nissan Qashqai, VW Tiguan, Range Rover Evoque | €75–100 | Families, countryside |
| 7-Seater | Ford Galaxy, VW Sharan, Seat Alhambra | €90–120 | Large families, luggage |
| Premium | Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF | €130–180 | Luxury, prestige |
✅ Included in our rates:
- • Third-party liability insurance
- • Unlimited mileage
- • 24h roadside assistance
- • Airport taxes
- • Automatic gearbox available (+€10/day)
💡 Available options:
- • GPS: €10/day
- • Baby/child seat: FREE
- • Additional driver: €10/day
- • Young drivers (<25): €15–20/day
- • Full insurance (€0 excess): +€18/day
🚗 Tips for driving in London and the UK
🚗 Drive on the Left!
Adjustment required: In the UK, you drive on the left (steering wheel on the right). The first few hours demand concentration. Tip: follow the flow of traffic. Roundabouts go clockwise (opposite to France). Automatic gearbox recommended to ease the adjustment (+€10/day).
💷 London Congestion Charge
Urban tax: £15/day to drive in central London (zone 1, Mon–Fri 7am–6pm, Sat–Sun 12pm–6pm). Pay online at tfl.gov.uk BEFORE midnight. £160 fine if unpaid! Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): additional £12.50/day for older vehicles.
🛣️ Free Motorways
Good news: All motorways (M1, M4, M25, etc.) are FREE. No tolls like in France! Only some tunnels/bridges are paid: Dartford Crossing (M25): £2.50, Severn Bridge (Wales): free since 2018. Speed limits: 70 mph (112 km/h) on motorways, 60 mph (96 km/h) on roads.
⛽ Fuel in the UK
Fuel is more expensive than in France (approx. +15%). Petrol: ~£1.50/L (~€1.75), Diesel: ~£1.60/L (~€1.85). Motorway service stations are more expensive. Card payment at the pump. Tip: fill up at supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's) to save money.
🅿️ Parking
Strict parking rules in the UK. Yellow lines: Double = no stopping, Single = restricted. Public car parks: £2–5/h. Park & Ride recommended for visiting London (outlying parking + tube). In towns, use covered car parks. Fines are very high (£60–100).
🚦 UK Highway Code
- • Give way to the right at roundabouts (clockwise)
- • Imperial units: speeds in mph, distances in miles
- • Drink-drive limit: 0.8 g/L max (England/Wales), 0.5 g/L (Scotland)
- • Mobile phone: banned at the wheel (£200 fine + 6 points)
- • Seat belt compulsory for all passengers
💡 Elynor Tours Tip
Important recommendation: Do NOT drive in central London if you can avoid it. Pick up the car at the airport and head directly to your destination outside London (Oxford, Bath, Cotswolds, etc.). Use public transport in the capital (Tube, bus, Oyster Card). Take the car back to the airport at the end. You will save time, money and stress!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Car Rental London
How much does car rental in London cost?⌄
Prices start from €40/day for an economy car, €55/day for a compact, and up to €180/day for a premium vehicle. Automatic gearboxes cost about €10/day extra and are strongly recommended for adapting to left-hand driving.
Where can I pick up my rental car in London?⌄
You can pick up your vehicle at the 5 main airports: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), and London City (LCY). Also available at major train stations (King's Cross, Paddington, Victoria). We recommend picking up at the airport rather than in the city centre.
Is driving in London difficult?⌄
Driving on the left requires adjustment, especially in the first few hours. In London itself, traffic is heavy, parking is scarce and expensive, and the congestion charge (£15/day) applies in the centre. We advise against driving in London: take the tube/bus in the capital and use the car for day trips outside the city (Oxford, Bath, Cotswolds, etc.).
What is the London Congestion Charge?⌄
It is a £15/day charge (Mon–Fri 7am–6pm, Sat–Sun 12pm–6pm) to drive in central London (zone 1). It must be paid online at tfl.gov.uk BEFORE midnight on the same day. £160 fine if unpaid! Some older vehicles must also pay the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone): +£12.50/day.
Do I need an international driving licence to rent in London?⌄
A valid French or EU licence is sufficient. Since Brexit, French licences remain valid in the UK (no change). For licences issued outside the EU, an international driving permit is required (+ original licence). The driver must be at least 21 years old (young driver surcharge €15–20/day for under-25s).
What are the best day trips from London?⌄
Popular destinations include Oxford and Cambridge (1h30), Stonehenge and Bath (2h), the Cotswolds (2h), Brighton and the south coast (1h30), Canterbury (1h30), and Windsor Castle (1h). For a longer weekend, head to Scotland (Edinburgh 7h), Wales (Cardiff 3h), or Cornwall (5h).
Guides and other destinations
Nervous about driving on the left? Read our complete guide to renting a car abroad for all our practical tips.
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