ENJOY $15 OFF BASE RATES
When you spend $175 on 3+ days
Location Information
AIRLINE PASSENGERS: Exit the terminal through the left doors and follow the signage for car rental which is located a short walk away approx. 3 to 5 minutes. The car rental centre is located in a separate building away from the main terminal.
Please note that the airport is currently undergoing major renovation so the exact walkway from the terminal to the car rental building is likely to change and be modified at short notice by the airport
LOCAL RENTER: Follow signs for A13 Docklands and the City Airport. Once entering airport, follow signs to short term car park, and head towards Avis bays.
PREFERRED SERVICE: N/A
OUT OF HOURS: Park car in Avis Car Hire Returns. Make note of mileage, fuel reading and time of arrival on document wallet. Put keys inside document wallet and take paperwork out . If airport is still open, leave the keys at the airport information desks. If closed, you must press the buzzer at the door of terminal to summon security. Leave the keys with security.
R RETURN HRS: MON-FRI 0700-2045, SAT 0700-1230, SUN 1200-2045
Our London City Airport car hire branch is conveniently located only a few minutes' walk from the DLR and in close proximity to all major motorways, as well as top attractions like the O2 and the Excel Centre Docklands.
The Avis desk is located in the Car Rental building outside the Terminal. This can be found by leaving through the main entrance and turning left. Avis is the first desk once you are inside the car rental building.
Returning your Avis hire car: Following signs for A13 Docklands and City Airport.
If you are returning your vehicle to us outside of our opening hours, then please park the vehicle in the long stay car park located behind the car rental centre, and in an available space located in the first 2 rows on the right hand side of the carpark.
Make a note of your mileage, the fuel reading and date of time of arrival on the document wallet. Put the keys inside the document wallet and take paperwork out. A Key Drop box is available in the Avis Returns Cabin (White Colour Small Cabin with Avis/Budget Signage – Red/Blue Colour) on the Hartmann Road next to the car rental cabin.
If the airport is still open, please leave the keys at the Airport Information Desks. If closed, you must press the buzzer at the door of the Terminal to summon security and leave the keys with security.

When you spend $175 on 3+ days
Save up to 30%
Get a Free upgrade on select vehicles
The moment you arrive, we’ve got you covered. Whether you fancy a cute compact for an urban jaunt, an elegant saloon for a business trip or a spacious people carrier for a family holiday, your perfect vehicle awaits.We’ll pack all the extras you need to get the most from your venture – from sat nav and super-fast mobile Wi-Fi, to our tailored range of child seats. And, you don’t have to drive full circle: why not make the most of one way car hire?
London City Airport is located less than 10 km from the iconic sights and attractions of London’s city centre. If you are heading into the capital, exit the airport onto Hartmann Road and then follow signs for the A1020, A1261 and A1203 which will take you towards London Bridge, the City of London and the West End. The A4200 will bring you up to north London, or use Southwark Bridge to cross the River Thames and take the A3 towards south London.
London’s Orbital Motorway, the M25, encircles most of London and is the best way to cross from one side of the city to another, without needing to go through the city centre. If you are heading away from London, the M20 will take you south-east towards Southampton, the M4 goes west towards Bristol and the M1 is the key route for northern destinations.
Keep in mind that in central London there is a congestion charge at peak traffic times and some roads in and around London have tolls. Parking is plentiful and you’ll find both metered parking and long- and short-stay car parks throughout the city.
London City Airport 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.
Which side of the road?
In the United Kingdom, please drive on the left side of the road.
Country driving laws
Speed Limits
All speed signs will be in mph.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
Unless indicated by road signs.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is 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.
Not only is London City Airport conveniently placed for central London, but its close proximity to the M25 connects it to many of Britain’s major motorways. So, if you’re planning to drive to destinations further afield, you’ll have quick access to many places.
Brighton is a must-visit destination, less than a two-hour drive south of London. Once you arrive, park up and put your best foot forward—it’s time to explore the city’s shopping, café culture and gorgeous seafront.
Just one hour straight up the M11 brings you to the historic city of Cambridge with its centuries-old buildings, famous university and charming pubs. Or if a country retreat is more your thing, a journey west along the M40 brings you to the unique beauty of the Cotswolds. From here you can drive on to Bristol to discover its cultural scene, or go sightseeing in Bath.
The M20 brings you directly down to Dover and the ferries for mainland Europe, while the M1 connects you to the north for destinations including Manchester and Leeds.
Avis Preferred: Our customer loyalty programme rewards our loyal customers with a series of benefits. We know your time is precious, and that’s why we prepare your paperwork in advance. When you come to our branch, you just need to show your driving licence – we won’t ask for your autograph. Sign up online before you travel – the programme is completely free.
Breakdown assistance: A breakdown in one of our vehicles is highly unlikely but our breakdown assistance service means you can tackle any journey worry-free.
Optional extras:
Child seats: If you’re travelling with children, make sure you book child seats when you reserve your vehicle.
Satellite navigation: Driving in London can take a bit of getting used to, but with our satellite navigation system it needn’t be stressful. Make sure you’re on the right road from the word go by requesting this service when you make your booking.
When you land at London City Airport, head from the Arrivals hall to our desk. One of our members of staff will process your booking, and then you may proceed to collect your vehicle at the Car Rental Centre.
If you've rented a car from a different Avis hub but wish to return it at London City Airport, then you must arrange your return prior to the commencement of your rental agreement. If you return your car to the airport without specifying in your rental contract, a fee will apply.
No, there is no legal requirement for passenger cars in the United Kingdom to be equipped with winter tyres.
Damage Waiver
In most cases, Damage Waiver is provided with the vehicle as standard. If it is included, it will be stated on your Rental Agreement Form (and in your booking confirmation).
Damage Waiver reduces the amount you pay for each clearly separate incident of damage if the vehicle is damaged (or the amount you pay to replace any keys, accessories or vehicle documents that are lost, stolen or damaged).
The amount you pay for each clearly separate incident of damage will be the lower of a) the applicable cost payable under the Theft, Loss, and Damages Policy; or b) the excess stated on your Rental Agreement Form.
Normally GBP 7.76 per day.
Northern Ireland:
Normally GBP 10.12 per day (If not included as standard)
Super Damage Waiver (SCDW)
An excess reduction product which reduces your damage waiver excess to zero (or, if higher, the amount shown on your Rental Agreement Form)
Normally between GBP 6.21 and GBP 30.28 per day.
Northern Ireland:
Normally GBP 22 for car groups A, B, C and N and GBP 24 for car groups D, E, F, and I.
Theft Protection waiver (TP)
In most cases, Theft Protection waiver is provided with the vehicle as standard. If it is included, it will be stated on your Rental Agreement Form (and in your booking confirmation).
Theft Protection waiver reduces the amount you pay if the vehicle is stolen during the rental period.
The amount you pay will be the lower of a) the applicable cost payable under the Theft, Loss, and Damages Policy; or b) the excess stated on your Rental Agreement Form.
Normally GBP 2.59 per day.
SuperTheft Protection waiver (STP)
An excess reduction product which reduces your theft protection excess to zero on cars and GBP 250.00 on vans.
Normally between GBP 1.53 and GBPP 7.46 per day.
Windscreen Protection
This protection reduces the amount you pay to zero if the windscreen is damaged while you're renting the vehicle. Having windscreen protection also means you won't pay a Damage/Loss/Repair Processing Fee.
Normally between GBP 5.00 and GBP 6.50 per day
Roadside Assistance Plus
This product provides roadside assistance without any additional costs being charged if you break down as a result of vehicle failure you have caused. Examples include
Mainland UK:
GBP 6.00 per day (charged for a max 13 days to cover rental up to 28 days).
Northern Ireland:
GBP 9.28 per day
Protection packages - Zero/Reduced Excess includes Super Damage Waiver, Super Theft Protection, Windscreen Protection
Normally between GBP 29.99 to GBP 42.99 per day
Protection packages - Complete Protection includes Super Damage Waiver, Super Theft Protection, Windscreen Protection and Roadside Assistance Plus
Normally between GBP 39.99 to GBP 52.99 per day