Rent a car at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom

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About the London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom

About London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the busiest airport in the United Kingdom and one of the most important air travel hubs in the world. Located about 15 miles (24 km) west of Central London, Heathrow offers extensive connections to destinations across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond. Renting a car at London Heathrow Airport is a great option for travelers planning to explore England’s countryside, coastal cities, or historical landmarks beyond London.

Airport facilities and services

Heathrow features five terminals (numbered 2 through 5), each offering high-end amenities such as duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, currency exchange, ATMs, and free Wi-Fi. On-site hotels include the Hilton London Heathrow Airport and the Sofitel at Terminal 5, perfect for early departures or late arrivals.

Transportation to and from the airport

Public transport includes the Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station, the London Underground (Piccadilly Line), National Express coaches, and local buses. However, for travelers looking to visit regions like Oxford, Stonehenge, the Cotswolds, or the South Coast, car rental offers unmatched flexibility.

How to rent a car at London Heathrow Airport

Car rental companies are located near the terminals, with most operating from dedicated buildings accessed by shuttle. Free shuttle buses run regularly from each terminal to the appropriate rental location. Top providers include Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, and Alamo. Booking in advance through Rentcars secures better prices, quicker service, and access to add-ons like child seats, GPS, and full insurance coverage.

Driving tips from London Heathrow Airport

  • Drive on the left: In the United Kingdom, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road.
  • Speed limits: 30 mph (48 km/h) in urban areas, 60 mph (96 km/h) on single carriageways, and 70 mph (113 km/h) on highways (motorways).
  • Tolls: Most roads are free, but some bridges, tunnels, and congestion zones (like in Central London) may charge fees. Check with your rental provider for payment options.
  • Fuel stations: Available near the airport and throughout the motorway system. Most are self-service and accept credit/debit cards.
  • Navigation: GPS or Google Maps is highly recommended, especially to manage roundabouts, local driving rules, and city restrictions.

Why book your car rental at London Heathrow Airport with Rentcars?

Rentcars makes it easy to compare offers from top rental companies at London Heathrow Airport. With secure online booking, multilingual support, and transparent pricing, Rentcars helps you start your UK journey with confidence — whether you're heading to London, the English countryside, or embarking on a scenic road trip across Great Britain.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom

When to book a rental car at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom

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Average rental day price in the last 30 days

US$ 38.15

Most popular car rental models at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom

  • Mercedes-Benz Vito (Van)
  • Ford Focus (Compact)
  • Fiat 500 (Mini)

Best rated rental companies

  • Alamo
  • Enterprise
  • Europcar

Car rental companies at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom

    Car Rental Requirements in the United Kingdom

    • Minimum Age

      In most countries, the minimum age required to hire a vehicle is 25.

    • Driver’s License

      Each driver must present a full, valid and original national driver's license held for minimum of 2 years. If your license is not in a language used in your destination country, an International Driver's Permit to accompany your national driver's license is highly recommended. Some rental companies and government agencies require that you present an IDP. It is the renter's responsibility to present both their IDP and Driver's License when picking up the vehicle. For more information, please reach out to the Rental Company.

    • ID or Passport

      Each driver must present a valid and original photo ID or passport.

    • International Credit Card

      The renter must present a personal credit card, valid in the country of pick-up with enough funds to put a hold for a security deposit. Third-party credit cards will not be accepted. The car rental company is solely responsible for approving the provided credit card. Online prepayment does not exempt the renter from providing a valid international credit card during vehicle pick-up. The rental company will place a hold in the amount of the security deposit and, when applicable, any additional local fees not covered in the prepaid voucher on the card provided at the rental location.

    • Prepaid Booking Voucher

      You must present a printout of the Booking Confirmation Voucher at the rental location. This document officially confirms all agreed upon services, payment conditions, rates, discounts, as well as vehicle availability within the group selected.

    • Important Information

      Car rental companies reserve the right to refuse service to underage or unlicensed drivers, those with poor credit history or individuals otherwise considered liabilities by the rental company.

    What to know before renting a car at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom

    • How much is it to rent a car at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom?

      The lowest price found at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom is US$ 8.84 per day.

    • Which rental company is the best rated at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom?

      The car rental company best rated by our customers at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom is Alamo.

    • Which car model is the most rented at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom?

      The most popular car rental model at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom is the Mercedes-Benz Vito.

    • What is the average car rental daily rate at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom?

      In the last 30 days, the average daily rate was US$ 38.15.

    • How many car rental locations are there at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom?

      at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom there are 20 locations at 13 car rental companies.

    • Which categories are available for rent at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom?

      Van, Compact, Mini, Minivan, Economy, Full Size, Cargo van, Standard, Premium, Midsize, SUV, Special.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CAR RENTAL

    Proteções do veículo

    Vehicle Protection

    Rental car protections usually have the abbreviations CDW and LDW and protect the vehicle from robbery and damage in the event of collisions or accidents.

    Proteções à terceiros

    Third-Party Protection

    The protections against third parties have several abbreviations, such as ALI, SLI and others. In general, they protect the vehicle from third parties involved in collisions with your rental car.

    Caução

    Security deposit

    To pick up the car you must leave a security deposit, also called a pre-authorization. The amount is "blocked" on the renter's credit card and "unlocked" after the return of the car on the same conditions.

    Opcionais

    Optional items

    It is possible to add optional items to your reservation, such as GPS, child car seat or booster seat. Take advantage of those items so you don’t have to worry about it later!

    Condutor adicional

    Additional driver

    If someone else is sharing the wheel with you, they need to be added to the car rental agreement as an additional driver and meet the same documentation and minimum age requirements as the main driver or renter.

    Quilometragem

    Mileage

    Check if your reservation has free mileage or not. Free mileage means you can ride as much as you like with the rental car and you will not pay extra depending on the ride.

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