Rent a car at Heathrow Airport with confidence. Full, fee-free cancellation guaranteed
When you get to Heathrow, all you want is to reach your end destination. When you choose our London Heathrow car hire, 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 serving Terminal 5 has moved to a brand-new location at the Holiday Inn London, Bath Road, UB7 0DQ, an Avis Budget shuttle ride away.
Pick your car collection option
Wherever you’re heading, you can choose how you start your car hire journey with Avis. At certain locations that can be the luxury of our Avis First concierge service, or for Avis Preferred members, bypassing the counter with our self-service key kiosks. There’s always the option of choosing QuickPass for faster pickup with minimal paperwork or you can simply check-in at the desk, where a friendly welcome and best local advice on your trip is waiting.
At select locations, for an additional fee via the booking panel, you can choose our first-class concierge service with Avis First. This fast-track option gets you from the plane and into the driving seat with no counter, queues or paperwork. Your concierge will meet you in arrivals and take you to your car which will be ready and waiting for you in a reserved area close to the terminal exit.
Want to skip the queue without the extra cost? At certain destinations we operate a self-service key collection service option for members of Avis Preferred our free loyalty scheme. Just sign up to join and benefit from our key kiosk collection service as well as 10% discounts on your booking plus a range of partner offers.
To cut the wait to collect your car, get the booking admin done before you travel with QuickPass our free pre-registration service. Just add your driving licence and payment details via our secure portal on the Avis website or app ahead of your trip. You’ll then be able to pick up your keys with minimal paperwork.
You can always choose to simply check in at the desk when you arrive at your destination. Perfect if you’re looking for a friendly welcome and best local advice on your trip, ideal for anyone who’d rather have their questions answered in person before hitting the road.
Avis car hire locations at Heathrow Airport
Top car hire locations around Heathrow Airport
CENTRAL HEATHROW, NORTHROP ROAD, LONDON, TW6 2QA
HEATHROW T5 BUS STOP 25, HOLIDAY INN HTRW 276, BATH ROAD, LONDON, UB7 0DQ
Where to find us at Heathrow Airport
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.
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.
Discover cars to rent at Heathrow Airport
What kind of vehicle do you need? A large SUV for a big family? An eco-friendly compact car to zip around the city? Whatever you’re looking for, Avis car hire Heathrow will have you covered. Our vehicles offer practicality, performance and comfort, so you can enjoy your trip as much as possible. Get in touch for more information about the exact models that are available.
Plan your journey from Heathrow Airport
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.
Top tips for driving in London
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
- There is a congestion charge payable when driving in London
- Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
- 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)
- Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h)
- Rural areas: 60 mph (96 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 135 cm 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.
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 (look out for the Congestion Charge signs). The charge is payable on a daily basis. The official site has maps and full details on pricing, when you need to pay and how to pay the charge.
London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
In a bid to improve air quality, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been expanded to cover all of Greater London. We’re pleased to say that all the vehicles in our fleet meet the ULEZ emissions standards and are exempt from the ULEZ 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.
Winter activities to do in London
London comes alive in winter, with plenty of activities to enjoy whether you're staying local or travelling further afield by car. Make the most of the capital and surrounding areas in the colder months with five top picks.
Eat, drink and be merry at a Christmas market
London hosts countless Christmas markets during the festive season, including Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Southbank, London Bridge, and Greenwich. Embrace the festivities by shopping for gifts, enjoying delicious street food, and warming up with hot chocolate. We also can't forget Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland, which combines all of the above with thrill-seeking funfair rides, shows, and an ice rink.
Go on a Christmas lights tour
From mid-November, London sparkles with Christmas lights. In the centre, you can enjoy a trail around Regent Street featuring the famous 'Spirit of Christmas' angels, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, and Covent Garden. If you want to go a little further afield, drive to Kew Gardens to explore a magical, illuminated after-dark botanical trail. Hobbledown Heath also hosts Santa's Secret Village, with twinkling trails and festive elf shows.
Experience Christmas at Blenheim Palace
Venture to Oxford to see Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Blenheim Palace hosts incredible events year-round, but its Christmas offering stands out. The 2026 theme is Cinderella Inside The Palace, and the whole family can enjoy the palace's interior, with each State Room telling a different chapter of the story. You can also follow the illuminated trail outside, which features over a million lights, and enjoy the Great Court Christmas market and the Great Skate ice rink.
Explore Hever Castle & Gardens
Take a short road trip to Kent, around 1 hour and 15 minutes from Heathrow by car. Here you will find Hever Castle & Gardens, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. This is a great attraction for families, offering exquisite gardens, mazes, miniature model houses, and more. In winter, the moated castle and Italianate gardens transform into an atmospheric festive experience.
Drive along the South Coast
Head down the South Coast and stop off at one of the area's many delights, including Eastbourne, Folkestone, and Whitstable. Enjoy crowd-free spots, take in the scenic views, and warm up with a cosy pub lunch or roast dinner.
Beyond London with your hire car
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.
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.
Staying near Heathrow Airport?
Why choose Avis for your Heathrow Airport car hire?
- Fully flexible
Enjoy fee-free flexible booking with full cash refunds and no vouchers.
- Fully flexible
- Savings on coverage
When you choose Avis Inclusive you can experience total peace of mind with no extras or surprises. Pay one upfront price for free Roadside Assistance Plus and 25% discount on comprehensive zero-excess cover.
- Savings on coverage
- Loyalty benefits
Join our free loyalty programme Avis Preferred, and benefit from priority service, discounts and more.
- Loyalty benefits
- Safety first
From our well-maintained fleet to protecting your data, we take safety seriously. That means before each rental our vehicles are safety checked and cleaned in line with hygiene protocols.
- Safety first
- Faster collection
Save time at the counter by registering your details in advance with our simple and free QuickPass. You could be on the road sooner than you think.
- Faster collection
- VIP treatment
Get priority counter service on collection with Avis Preferred. At our larger locations you can use our Avis app to go straight to your car where the keys will be waiting for you.
- VIP treatment
Heathrow Airport car rental FAQs
How do I collect my hire car at London Heathrow Airport?
If you arrive into terminal 2, 3 or 4 take a short journey on our Avis Budget shuttle to our main rental station where a member of the team will process your booking.
If you arrive into terminal 5, please proceed to bus stop 25 and take a short journey on our Avis Budget shuttle bus to our location at the Holiday Inn London, Bath Road, UB7 0DQ.
Can I return a rental car to the airport?
If you've rented a car from a different Avis hub but wish to return it to Heathrow Airport, a one way fee will apply. Please contact our team to make the necessary changes to your rental and find out the cost of the one-way charge.
Do I need winter tyres to drive in the UK?
No, there is no legal requirement for passenger cars in the United Kingdom to be equipped with winter tyres.