Car Hire London

• Battersea
  145 Battersea Park Road, SW8 4BX
• Euston/St Pancras Train Station
  88 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BP
• Gatwick Airport (South Terminal)
  Gatwick South Terminal, RH6 0NY
• Heathrow Airport T2-4
  Northrop Road, TW6 2QA
• Heathrow Airport T5
  Heathrow Apt T5 Bus Stop 25, Holiday Inn Htrw 276 Bath Rd, UB7 0DQ
• Kensington, Avis Prestige
  18 Petersham Mews, SW7 5NR
• London City Airport
  London City Airport, E16 2PX
• London Victoria Coach & Railway Station
  10-12 Semley Place, SW1W 9QL

Wherever you’re heading, you can choose how you start your car hire journey with Avis. At certain locations in London 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.

Go straight from plane to car with Avis First

At select locations, for an additional fee via the booking panel, you can choose our first-class concierge service with Avis First. This fast-lane 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.

Self service collection

Want to skip the queue without the extra cost? At certain destinations we operate a self-service key collection service 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.

Cut the queues with QuickPass

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.

Check-in at the desk

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.

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. Only overtake on the right side of the road. Overtaking on the left could result in prosecution for dangerous driving
• 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 miles per hour (mph).

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers, here are some guidelines:
Urban areas: lowest 20 mph (31 km/h, for congested city centres like central London) and usually 30mph (48km/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 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.

If you want to learn more about driving in London, see the full UK Road Rules guide.

London truly comes alive during the winter months, with plenty of activities to enjoy whether you’re staying local or travelling further afield by car. Here are five ways to make the most of the capital and surrounding areas during the colder months.

Eat, drink and be merry at a Christmas market

London is home to countless Christmas markets during the festive season, including Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Southbank, London Bridge, and Greenwich. Here you can embrace the festivities by shopping for gifts, eating some delightful street food, and warming up with a 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 where you can explore a magical after-dark illuminated botanical trail.

Experience Christmas at Blenheim Palace

If you venture to Oxford, you’ll come across the stunning Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Blenheim Palace is known for hosting incredible events all year round, but one of the most stand out is its Christmas offering. The theme for 2026 is Cinderella, and the whole family will be able to enjoy the interior of the palace with each State Room telling a different chapter of the story. You can also enjoy the illuminated trail outside featuring over a million lights, the Great Court Christmas market and the Great Skate ice rink.

Visit Hogwarts in the Snow

Just one hour north of central London via the M1 is the famous Warner Bros. Studio Tour, home to The Making of Harry Potter. Perfect for Potterheads, it features authentic sets, props, and costumes from the film series. In the winter months, the movie sets get a literal winter coat including ‘snow’ over the Hogwarts castle model, a campfire in the Gryffindor common room, and a dressed up Great Hall, ready for the Yule Ball.

Drive along the South Coast

Sea air in the winter is great for the soul. Head down the South Coast and stop off at one of the area’s many delights including Eastbourne, Folkestone, and Whitstable. Make the most of the crowd-free environment and embrace the scenic views. You can always warm up with a cosy pub lunch or roast dinner.

Weekend car hire in London

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 van hire in London

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 worldly goods.

If you fancy a day trip out of the centre of London, why not head off in your London car rental to one of these destinations close by?

Windsor

A little over an hours’ drive from London, via the M4, is the riverside town of Windsor. Visit the magnificent Windsor Castle, the family home of British kings and queens for almost 1,000 years and an undeniable piece of British history. Take a stroll along the Long Walk to the Copper Horse statue for great views of the castle and surrounding area. Cross the town bridge over to Eton for a stroll along the high street, lined with medieval buildings and inns, and catch a glimpse of the famous school, founded by King Henry VI in 1440.

Henley-on-Thames

Famous for the annual Henley Royal Regatta, Henley is a picturesque town you can spend hours exploring. Go for afternoon tea and cruise along the river bank watching the boats sail by. From Central London it’s about an hour and 30 minutes’ drive, via the M4. A relaxed 37-mile trip in a comfortable Avis hire car.

Stonehenge

If you’ve never seen Stonehenge, the site is certainly worth a day trip from London. Shrouded in mystery and intrigue, the origins and significance of Stonehenge are largely unknown. Was it a burial ground, a place of ritual or worship? Take a wander around the iconic site and decide for yourself. Located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, Stonehenge is about a 90-mile drive from London proper. Combine the trip with a visit to the nearby town of Bath – a city in Somerset renowned for its Roman-built baths and revered for its heritage, archaeology and outstanding examples of ancient engineering.

Eager to mosey through the British countryside and delight in all that London’s surrounds have to offer? With an Avis hire car in London the road is your oyster.

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

Popular Attractions

It wouldn’t be a trip to London without a visit to the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Luckily, many of London’s hot spots are conveniently car-friendly. If you’re planning to visit the King at Buckingham Palace, you can park at the safe and secure Q-Park Victoria – just a short walk away from the palace itself. Or if royal jewels pique your interest, The Tower of London is only a short, scenic walk away from secure underground parking via The Circle. Parking at Q-Park Westminster is also perfect for hitting a few hot-spots at once: take in the iconic Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, Downing Street and Whitehall in one go. 

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 treasure 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 also 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.

• Fully flexible
  Enjoy fee-free flexible booking with full cash refunds and no vouchers.

• 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.

• Loyalty benefits
  Join our free loyalty programme Avis Preferred, and benefit from priority service, discounts and more.

• 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.

• 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.