Car rental and van hire at Heathrow
Hire a car at Heathrow Airport
When you get to Heathrow, all you want is to reach your end destination. When you choose our car hire service at London Heathrow, we’ll aim to get you on your way as quickly as humanly possible.
Our car main rental station at Heathrow Airport is just a short shuttle bus ride from terminals 2, 3 and 4.
The Avis rental office in Terminal 5 is easily found in the Short Stay car park. Just take the elevator to Level 4 and exit to your right.
Your Avis car hire package at Heathrow Airport includes:
- Avis Price Promise
You'll always get our best prices when booking on this site, or we’ll refund the difference. - Free Cancellation
Cancel with no charge up to 24 hours before pick-up for ‘Pay on Collection’ reservations. - Peace of mind vehicle cover
Comprehensive Zero-Excess cover means no need to pay or claim. - Speedy collection
Jump the queue with pre-prepared paperwork and your vehicle at the ready. - VIP Treatment
In some locations, go straight to your vehicle where the keys and paperwork will be waiting. - Member-only benefits
Unlock money-off vouchers, free weekends, upgrades and inclusive additional driver cover at no extra cost.
Staying near Heathrow Airport?
Landing at London Heathrow Terminals 2, 3 or 4?
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.
From Terminal 3 you can get the shuttle from bus stop 17 and from Terminal 4 it's bus stop 2. If you are landing at Terminal 2 you can take the shuttle from bus stops 7/8.
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.
Rent a car at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5
Landing at Heathrow Terminal 5? Meet us at the Avis rental office easily found in the Short Stay car park. Just take the elevator to Level 4 and exit to your right.
Join our free loyalty programme and enjoy life in the fast lane
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 two rentals.
- 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.
- Keys and paperwork waiting - in some locations, your keys and paperwork will be waiting for you in the
Sign up to Avis Preferred here.
Avis van hire at Heathrow airport - all Terminals
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
Rent with Avis for Heathrow car hire on your terms. Here's what to expect:
- Fully flexible car hire
Amend or cancel your booking for free should your plans change, and get a full refund.
- Price Promise
You'll always get our best prices when booking on this site, or we’ll refund the difference.
- Fully flexible car hire
- Peace of mind vehicle cover
Our Comprehensive Zero-Excess cover product means no need to pay or claim.
- Our safety pledge is our commitment to keeping you safe
We’ve partnered with Reckitt Benckiser, Columbia University and Hip Hop Public Health to ensure we take every step we can to maintain your safety.
- Peace of mind vehicle cover
- Avis Inclusive
Enjoy worry-free rental with our inclusive rental package. For one upfront price, get free Roadside Assistance Plus and zero-excess cover at a 25% discounted rate.
- Digital check-in
Get to your car quickly and safely with our digital check-in service. Reduce your time spent at the counter by providing your details in advance.
- Avis Inclusive
- Avis Preferred tier extensions
We’ve extended our Avis Preferred tier statuses for an additional year, so you won’t lose out on any of the benefits you’ve acquired over time.
- VIP treatment
Get priority counter service with Avis Preferred. And with the Avis app, at our larger locations you can go straight to your car where they keys will be waiting.
- Avis Preferred tier extensions
Plan your trip from Heathrow
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
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. 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.
Pass into Scotland and the golf courses of North Berwick. From Edinburgh it’s a 15 minute hop to hilltop Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by The Da Vinci Code. Glasgow and 16th-century Stirling Castle are nearby. Continue climbing for the Grampian hills, the Cairngorm massif and the jagged west coast.
Discover more …
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.
Don't forget the London Congestion Charge
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.
Driving rules in United Kingdom
Which side of the road?In the United Kingdom, please drive on the left side of the road.
Country driving laws
- 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
Speed Limits
All speed signs will be in mph.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Urban areas: 30 mph (48 km/h)
- Rural areas: 60 mph (96 km/h)
- Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h)
Unless indicated by road signs.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- 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
Please note, it is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.