Car Hire & Rentals in London

Are you looking to navigate one of the most popular cities in the world, or set off on a road trip into the country? Avis is here to help. With an abundance of locations around London, at airports and train stations, picking up your hire car is easy. Rent a car that best suits your trip using our straightforward booking panel. Hiring a car has never been easier.

In these extraordinary times, Avis continues to prioritise the health and safety of its customers so you can travel with confidence and flexibility. Our precautionary methods include robust cleaning techniques on all our vehicles, with special attention on areas most common to touch—such as door handles, steering wheels, controls and other hard surfaces. We also offer flexible cancellation policies and a fully contactless car rental experience.

Avis makes weekend car hire in London simple. If you’re looking for weekend car hire in London, Avis not only gives you access to a superb range of vehicles, but our car hire branches are conveniently located across the city, as well as at airports and train stations. Simply select the pick-up location in London that suits you best to get you started on your trip.

Avis offers a vehicle for every type of weekend getaway, whether you’re planning a romantic weekend escape, you have a special occasion to attend, or you’re visiting friends or family. Show up in style in a sporty convertible, treat the whole family to a weekend away in a family-sized saloon, or opt for a great value compact economy car, among others. Not only that but you can also benefit from a choice of useful extras, such as unlimited mileage, sat-nav, child seats and the option to include additional drivers.

There are a couple important things you need to know when driving in London. First, while we try to make your driving experience in the city as comfortable as possible, there is still a lot of traffic. The busy streets are full of cars and cyclists, with over half a million cycle journeys across London every day. If you want to avoid the city centre, you can get on the M25, also known as the London Orbital, to circle the outskirts of the city. Part of Zone 1 in central London has a congestion charge due to the heavy traffic as well as a speed restriction of 20mph (31km/h). Second, several London hire locations fall inside or just on the outskirts of the Congestion Charge zone.

Congestion Charge 
Drivers entering central London must have permits when driving within the congestion zones between 7am and 10pm on Monday to Friday, Saturday and Sundays (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.

The UK capital has so much to offer. Park your London rental in the city and explore numerous attractions such as world-class museums, landmarks, shops and a wide variety of restaurants. 

Museums and Culture
London is sometimes described as a city of villages. It's made up of distinct neighbourhoods – from upmarket Chelsea and Hampstead, to decadent Soho and edgy Shoreditch. Many neighbourhoods boast a variety of museums, like the Tate Modern in Southwark or the National Portrait Gallery in Covent Garden. On your trip, make sure to visit the independent bookshops and delicatessens of Notting Hill, as well as see the famous blue door from the movie, in west London. You can also visit east London by taking a cruise boat out to Greenwich to visit the Cutty Sark and Maritime Museum, the Meridian line and the Royal Observatory or simply cruise there on your own in your Avis rental car.

Shopping
Don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of London’s ample retail options from restaurants to street markets. There is the ever-famous Oxford Street for the traditional London experience but there’s much more to the city. Try Old Spitalfields market or Brick Lane in east London for new and vintage clothing, furniture and bric-a-brac; Camden Lock in north London for original designer clothes, one-off artwork and furnishings; and Borough Market in south London for an extensive selection of international foods. If your interest lies in antiques, head over to Portobello Road, West London, on a Saturday and explore the antiquities of one of London’s most renowned streets.

Nightlife
While the capital of the United Kingdom is alive during the day it is no less busy at night. London's Theatreland, centred on Shaftesbury Avenue, is famous worldwide. The city has numerous music venues which frequently attract world class acts and performers. Be sure to make the most of the cultural experiences on offer and enjoy the swift travel experience with Avis while you are in London.

 

• Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
• There is a congestion charge payable when driving in London
•  Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways, however, only overtake on the right side of the road. Overtaking on the left could result in prosecution for dangerous driving. 

• Zebra crossings (black and white stripes on the road) give pedestrians right of way to cross the road

• It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
• Children aged under 12 or less than 135cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size

What do you need to shift? Our new van rental fleet spans small hire vans, perfect for that weekend DIY project; medium vans, well suited to hauling rolls of carpet, heavy floor tiles, or moving the kids to university; and large hire vans to accommodate some or all your wordly goods.

When you need to carry big loads and people, our six-seater van is the perfect answer. It comes equipped with rear parking sensors and cruise control for a relaxed driving experience, and boasts a multi-function display, USB ports and a plush interior. Just the job for a family adventure or a work trip.    

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