London car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in London
The best car rental companies in London are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from £28/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in London
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£31/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£33/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£29/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £200Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£34/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £200Min age 23Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£32/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £200Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From£28/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From£30/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From£35/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £200Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From£27/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from £200Min age 23Free cancellationAirport
From£27/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in London
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | £28 | Fiat 500 | 4 |
| Compact | £31 | VW Golf | 5 |
| SUV | £46 | Nissan Qashqai | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | £63 | Ford Galaxy | 7 |
| Luxury | £89 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in London
Airport — London Heathrow (LHR)
On-site desks in Terminals 2–5; 24/7 shuttle to some off-airport lots.
Downtown — Central London
Desks near King’s Cross, Victoria and Marble Arch.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | £18–35/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | £10–14/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | £30–90 | Different drop-off location |
| Congestion Charge | £15/day | Driving in central London zone |
| ULEZ (non-compliant car) | £12.50/day | Older vehicles in the emission zone |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in London
- Drive on the left; most rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly.
- EU/US/most visitors may drive on their home licence for short stays; no IDP required for the UK.
- The Congestion Charge is £15/day in central London (Mon–Fri + weekend afternoons).
- The ULEZ emission zone covers all London boroughs; modern rental cars are usually compliant.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
- Parking in central London is scarce and pricey — many visitors pick the car up on the way out of the city.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in London
What is the minimum age to rent a car in London?
Most companies rent from age 21, though some premium categories require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of £18–35/day.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in the UK?
No. Visitors from the EU, US and most countries can drive on their home licence for short stays. You must have held the licence for at least one year.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft with an excess often above £1,000. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly £200–250 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
Is there a congestion charge I should know about?
Yes — driving in central London costs £15/day (Congestion Charge), and older cars may also owe the £12.50/day ULEZ charge. Most rental cars are ULEZ-compliant.
Can I do a one-way rental (different drop-off)?
Yes, most suppliers allow it within the UK for a fee of roughly £30–90. Cross-border to the continent is more restricted.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Heathrow (LHR) has in-terminal desks in Terminals 2–5, and there are central London desks near King’s Cross, Victoria and Marble Arch.
What is the cheapest car type in London?
Economy cars (e.g. Fiat 500) start around £28/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan starts around £63/day.
Nearby trips
