Once you have arrived at London Heathrow airport there are a number of ways you can continue your journey on to your destination including public transport, taxis, hotel transfer shuttles and both self drive and chauffeur driven rental vehicles. Hiring a car is a great way to get around the UK, and offers much more freedom for travellers to explore the country and areas of interest at their own convenience.
Terminal 5 on Heathrow Airport
There are eight car hire outlets based on site at Heathrow airport including Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz and these offer a wide choice of vehicles from economy cars through to SUVs, so you should find the right car to suit your travel needs.
Rental Requirements
You will need to be over the age of 21 years in order to hire a car in the UK (this age limit may be more for specialist vehicles) and you will also need to have a full, clean drivers license and a valid credit card. You will also need the correct insurance cover, and this can be provided through your existing auto insurance company, your travel agent or with the hire car company directly. It is not mandatory to take out a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) policy alongside your main auto insurance in the UK, but this can be a good idea if you can afford it as it CDW will cover your for repairs and loss of earnings should the hire car be damaged during the term of your hire, regardless of whose fault it is.
Which is your favorite car to hire from Heathrow airport
Booking in Advance
If you book online in advance you can make some great savings with most of the leading hire car companies, and this will also ensure that you get the car you want (and if it is not available for any reason when you arrive you will be entitled to a similar model or an upgrade at no extra cost). If you book in advance you can also save a lot of time and hassle at the counter, as all you will need to do is show your drivers license, credit card and insurance details and you can pick up the keys and get going straight away.
Hire Car Use
With all of the main hire car companies based at Heathrow you can arrange to use your car outside of the UK mainland for trips to places like Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal, but you will need to confirm this with your hire car company first before you leave and amend your breakdown cover and insurance to cover you for trips outside of the UK mainland. Some specialist vehicles may be restricted from leaving the country such as luxury sports cars.
