Gatwick airport is located around 30 miles south of London. In your Avis hire car it’ll take you just over an hour to get into the capital, dependent on traffic. Add another 30 minutes if you’re aiming for central London. Scout London’s iconic landmarks—such as majestic Buckingham Palace, the contemporary 310m-high Shard and historic clock tower Big Ben or sail over London’s skyline in the London Eye to take in the lot.

Looking for something family friendly? London has a huge variety of museums and galleries, and most have permanent collections that are free to enter. The Natural History Museum is great for kids and offers unrivalled displays, including the impressive skeleton of Hope the Blue Whale suspended from the ceiling in Hinze Hall. Culture buffs should make a beeline for the British Museum, stacked with relics of bygone civilisations.

Succeeding the Bronze and Iron Age settlers who inhabited the banks of the River Thames around 3,000 years ago, it was the Roman Empire that first sowed the seeds of London’s refined and dynamic culture. Fast-forward a couple of millennia, and the metropolis’ reputation as leading design and world-class gastronomic hub precedes it. The story of the city's expansion can be seen in its architecture, from celebrated old buildings such as Big Ben and St Paul's to modern marvels, such as The Shard and Canary Wharf. Shop the achingly chic flagships along Bond Street, or the more purse-friendly Oxford Street, and chase your spree with something delicious from the thousands of eateries that punctuate the city.

There is so much to see and do in London. We’d particularly recommend spending some time in Greenwich, a delightful suburb in the south of London boasting the Cutty Sark, Greenwich University, the Maritime Museum and a fantastic bohemian market. If you’re looking to explore London by night, head to Soho where you’ll find great bars and clubs, and London’s bustling theatre district. 

Londoners will tell you their city is the greatest city in the world and it’s hard to argue with them. 

With a hire car from Gatwick Airport, the bohemian lanes of Brighton are just a 45-minute drive away. The colourful seaside town is fringed by pebble-strewn shores and dotted with characterful boutique stores and fun drinking dens. Sample battered cod and chips to aptly cap an experience here—or source the British classic from another of the coastal-hugging towns skirting the base of England. The chalky cliffs framing Kent’s attractive coves—including Botany Bay—and the grassy sand dunes rolling out around Sussex are within a comfortable driving distance.

Alternatively, for a glimpse of charming English countryside, there are plenty of historic strongholds easily accessed from Gatwick Airport. Enjoy panoramic views of the tumbling landscapes surrounding the picturesque town of Guildford from the top of the Great Tower, a remnant from the medieval Guildford Castle. Hikers can ramble across the verdant South Downs National Park, easily accessible from Winchester. A destination that’s renowned for its myths and legends, its grandiose medieval cathedral is where King Arthur’s famous round table stands.

With so much of England’s historic south to discover, hire a car with Avis from Gatwick Airport to access all of it.

This hire station is not in the London Congestion Charge zone, but drivers entering central London must have permits when driving within the congestion zones between 7am and 10pm, 7 days a week (look out for the Congestion Charge signs). The charge is payable on a daily basis. The official site has maps and details on how to pay the charge.

Dartford Crossing
You will see notifications about a charge as you pass through the Dartford Crossing. You don’t need to do anything, or pay the fee in advance, as we will make the payment on your behalf. The crossing fee will be charged to the payment card registered to your rental within 14 days of the authority notifying us of the crossing, with no additional costs included.

As a member you will have access to the perks of our priority service straight away. Plus, when you book direct with us you won’t find a cheaper Avis car anywhere else.

Here are some of the benefits that will come your way:

• A €15 voucher for your next trip after one rental.
• Priority service every time - jump the queue with pre-prepared paperwork and your vehicle at the ready. 
• The full Avis App experience - Sign up, download our App and you’re in complete control of your car or van rental. Change or upgrade your rental as you approach a hire location, and choose the exact make and model you want. All at the touch of a button.
• A voucher for a free weekend after three rentals.
• Avis self-service car rental - in some locations, your keys and paperwork will be waiting for you in the car.