Discover London by Hire Car
London is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating metropolises in the world. With 7.5 million inhabitants, the city on the Thames is both the cultural and economic centre of Great Britain and, moreover, of immense importance in global terms.
At first sight of the skyline of the unique cosmopolitan city, the Tower Bridge, Big Ben and, for some time now, the London Eye, the largest Ferris wheel in the world until 2006, immediately catch the eye. And the surrounding countryside is also worth exploring. For your trip by hire car, we have put together a few tips.
Receiving the hire car
At both London airports, finding the hire car companies is not a problem. If you land at Gatwick, you will find most of the rental stations in one of the two terminals. Just follow the signs or ask at the information desk.
At Heathrow Airport, you’ll find many rental agencies by the car parks near the terminals. Check with the information desk to find out where your rental company is located. At both airports, however, you should make sure that your rental company is actually located in the airport before renting the car. There are also rental companies whose stations are only close to the airport. Then you have to wait for a shuttle that takes you to the right station. And that can take up valuable travel time.
Finding the right hire car
In England there is left-hand traffic. Therefore, we recommend to reach for an automatic car. Then you can fully concentrate on the road traffic and do not have to also look for the gears with the left hand. You can find more tips on driving on the left here.
Hire car prices
It is usually quite cheap to hire a hire car in London. However, in such a big city, there can always be a shortage of hire cars. And then the prices rise. You are on the safe side if you book the car in time and use our practical price comparison. This way you will always get a good deal
hire car price comparison London
Insurance
In the unfamiliar left-hand traffic, a small accident can happen quickly. Protect yourself well and book a comprehensive insurance without deductible. With the liability you should pay attention to the coverage amount.
Since an accident with personal injury can cost them dearly, the sum insured should be at least one million euros. If you are unsure whether the coverage sum of your rental company is sufficient, you can provide additional protection with a so-called Mallorca policy. Talk to your insurance company.
age limit
Most rental companies will only rent to drivers who are at least 21 years old. Drivers under 25 are often subject to an additional fee. Check your rental company’s terms and conditions before renting.
Accessories
Notify your rental company in good time if you need accessories such as child seats or navigation equipment. This will ensure that the desired items are available when you pick up the vehicle.
Free kilometers
If you only want to explore the immediate area around London, you can also sign up for a rental agreement with limited mileage. But if you want to go across the island, you should definitely book a car with unlimited kilometres to rule out high additional costs.
Customer Review Hire Car
Some customers complain that hire car companies had tried to sell them additional insurance that they had already booked. Make sure your car is adequately insured at the time of booking. And then refuse to take out any additional insurance on the spot.
Also get your rental company to confirm in writing any dents or scratches on the car when you hand it over. This will ensure that you are not held liable for any damage that you did not cause when you return the car. To avoid accidentally booking with a black sheep among the rental companies, we recommend additionally reading the reviews on this portal.
Safety Hire Car
Actually, you can expect to get a safe hire car in London. However, you should always test the lights on your vehicle before your first drive. Don’t forget the indicators and brake lights either. And do a little brake test in the parking lot of the hire car company
Remember the tank regulation
Be sure to book with a rental company that hands over the car with a full tank and takes it back with a full tank. This is the only way to avoid misunderstandings.
Bail
If you book with a rental company that actually charges the deposit due to your credit card and transfers it back when you return the car, it may take a while to get the money back in your account. Rather, book with a rental company that just blocks the amount and releases it when you return the car.
Sights in London
Buckingham Palace: Discovering the Queen’s Residence
A large proportion of the incomparable, historic buildings are located in London’s City of Westminster district, where Queen Elizabeth II’s dreamy residence, Buckingham Palace, is also located.
Big Ben: Distinctive Chimes
Just a few minutes’ walk from here is the neo-Gothic style Palace of Westminster with its 98-metre high bell tower, Big Ben. Unmistakable is its 15-minute-long chime on the hour.
Tower of London: Home of the Crown Jewels
On the north bank of the Thames lies the Tower of London, built as far back as the Middle Ages. While it once served as a prison, it now houses the fabled Crown Jewels, which can also be viewed there.
St. Paul's Cathredral: Fantastic Views
In the City on London stands the imposing St. Paul's Cathedral with its famous whispering dome. Despite being 34 metres in diameter, every whispered word can be heard in the gallery of the headquarters of the Anglican Communion, on the other side of the dome. From the top of the church, the Golden Gallery offers a fantastic view of the royal city.
Madame Tussauds: celebrities in wax
Of London’s many museums, the British Museum and Madame Tussauds’ wax museum are particular attractions in the capital.
Suggestion for a first tour with the hire car
Wimbledon: In the Mecca of tennis
Perhaps you first set off to the Mecca of tennis and drive the hire car to Wimbledon. In three quarters of an hour you will be there. In Winbledon you will find a typical English town and of course the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, where the Wimbledon Championships are held every year on the classic grass courts.
Royal Botanical Gardens: enjoying magnificent nature
Nature lovers can continue from Wimbledon to the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew. In existence since 1759, this magnificent park has been continually expanded and beautified. The gardens are open from 30 March to 25 August from 9:30am to 6:30pm. On weekends, the opening hours are extended by one hour. From August 26 to October 25, you can visit until 6:00 pm. From October 26 to February 6, it closes at 4:15 pm. And from February 7 to March 28, it will be open until 5:30pm. Admission is 15 British pounds.
Windsor Castle: Royal castle of gigantic proportions
You can visit one of the Queen’s residences if you steer the hire car to Windsor Castle at the end of the trip. You will be there in half an hour. At Windsor Castle, you can visit parts of the oldest and largest castle that has always been inhabited. Founded in 1078 as a wooden castle, the castle became more and more extended and more and more magnificent. George IV’s most magnificent chambers, known as the Semi-State Rooms, can only be visited from October to March.
But the rest of the castle also makes visitors’ eyes glaze over. Incidentally, when the RoyalArms Standard is hoisted atop the castle, the Queen is at home. During her absence, the Union Jack flies. Windsor Castle is open from March to October from 09:45 to 17:15. Last admission is at 16:00. From November to February you can visit the castle until 16:15. Last admission is at 15:00. Regular admission costs 18.50 British pounds. If the when the State Apartments are closed, you pay only 10 pounds. It will now take you an hour by hire car to return to London, where you can reflect on the day’s experiences.
Exploring England by Hire Car
Only a short flight separates us from the British Isles and yet much is completely different here. That begins already with the takeover of the hire car. The steering wheel is on the wrong side. Obelix would now say: “The British are crazy”. With our tips you will get through England safely and without any problems.
Receiving the hire car
Most travelers pick up their hire car at one of the airports in London. At Gatwick, most hire car stations are located in one of the two terminals. Follow the signs or ask at the information desk. At London Heathrow, car rentals can be found in the car parks near the airport.
At Stansted, some hire car agencies are located right by the terminal. Others are just near the airport and are served by a shuttle, which can lead to longer waits. And with the other London airports, you should also find out exactly where your rental company’s station is located to avoid spending valuable travel time waiting for a shuttle.
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