Car Hire & Rentals in Heathrow Airport [LHR]

London Heathrow lies 14 miles (23 km) west of Central London. The second busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, and the busiest in Europe, Heathrow serves as the primary hub for British Airways and it is also the primary operating base for Virgin Atlantic. 

Our main Heathrow car rental station is located within the airport perimeter and is open 24/7, so you can collect and drop-off your hire car at any time. To make your journey as easy as possible, we also have a fleet of dedicated Avis Budget shuttle buses which will whisk you to and from Terminals 2, 3 and 4.  

We have a wide range of cars and vans available, please click here for our car fleet and van fleet.

Returns

All cars, regardless of which terminal you picked up from, should be returned to our main base at Northrop Road, TW6 2QA (for your GPS) just off the airport's North Perimeter Road.

Exit the M4 at Junction 4, follow the signs to Heathrow and head towards Terminal 4. You'll soon see signs for Avis Car Rental return.

Need to rent a van from Heathrow airport? 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 worldly 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.    

Discover Avis UK van rentals
 

From Heathrow Airport, it’s only a 12-mile drive into Central London and its iconic art and architecture, lavish parkland, unstoppable design, rich theatre and sensational music.

After visiting a selection of London’s approximately 30,000 shops, 6,000 restaurants, 7,000 pubs and encyclopaedic list of heritage attractions, you may be ready for adventures further afield.

Beyond Heathrow Airport
Motor for just over an hour up to the tearoom-filled villages of the Cotswolds and steer right for the ancient academy city of Oxford.

Visit Windsor, just 10 miles away (22 minutes' drive away). After visiting Windsor Castle, it's time to take the Long Walk. From this regal, tree-lined avenue Red Deer are easily spotted, even posing for photographs on occasion.

Or set off due south to explore the wild moors and surfer-friendly bays of the southwest. En route, take in Bath, a spa destination since Celtic times, or cross into Wales for the second-hand bookshop capital of the world, Hay-on-Wye, or Swansea’s sublime, sandy neighbour Rhossili.

Head north from Heathrow for the Minsters and small town charm of Yorkshire, or Wordsworth country nestled in the lush Lake District. Further north, uncover the stunning Northumberland coast.

We know getting the small details right can make a big difference, so here are some trusted travel tips to help you enjoy your journey from Heathrow.

Driving in the UK
Want a quick guide to the rules of the UK roads? We’ve unlocked them for you.

Don’t get lost …
To make your journey even easier, we can include a sat nav with your vehicle so you can relax.

Finish with a smile
Heathrow Airport is clearly signposted from all major motorways. Simply exit the M4 at Junction 4b, following signs to Heathrow. For Terminal 5 head towards the short stay park (not car rental returns) and follow signs for fast track/business parking. We’ll see you on the fourth floor.

Return your rental when it suits you
At Heathrow Airport, you can return your hire car or van out of hours, because we understand flights run through the night. Just tell us in advance.

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.

• Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
• Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
• There is a congestion charge payable when driving in London
• Zebra crossings (black and white stripes on the road) give pedestrians right of way to cross the road

• Urban areas: 30 mph (48 km/h)
• Rural areas: 60 mph (96 km/h)
• Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h)

• 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