Car Rental Heathrow Airport

Car rental from Heathrow Airport means you're connected to London and all major surrounding towns by a comprehensive network of motorways (highways). Heading east on the M4 from Heathrow will lead you straight into the centre of London and everything from West End shows to royal palaces.

Be aware that there is a congestion charge in operation between 7am and 6pm, from Monday to Friday in central London. Our local team can advise you on how to pay it, should you want to head into the very heart of London.

London’s Orbital Road, the famous M25, grants access to every part of the city through a series of junctions. From Heathrow Airport it’s a straightforward 25-minute drive in your rental car up the M25 to the Harry Potter Studios near Watford. For family fun and adventure, take the M4 to LEGOLAND and Windsor Castle, a 15-minute drive from Heathrow.

Follow the M40 to reach Oxford and its esteemed university in less than an hour. Carry on from here in your rental car along the A40 to the Cotswolds for a taste of quaint English village life.

If you’re starting a tour of the UK at Heathrow Airport it’s simple to get to the great northern cities of Manchester and Liverpool by following the M40. Carry on up the M6 to reach Carlisle in the beautiful Lake District and cross the border into Scotland to visit lively Glasgow or the Gothic wonders and thrilling cultural life of Edinburgh.

Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for the driver and all passengers in the UK. Most cars in the UK are manual (stick shift) and we also offer a variety of automatic vehicles for your comfort and convenience. Speed limits are 70mph (113 km/h) on highways, reducing to 60mph (97 km/h) and 50mph (80 km/h) on smaller roads and in built-up areas. You will be driving on the left-hand side of the road and passing on the left.

Heathrow is the UK’s largest airport and car rental is a great way to quickly access the always lively centre of London to see iconic palaces, museums and attractions. Exploring the south-east and south-west of England will reward you with idyllic villages, family activities and pretty university cities.

Things to do in London

In central London the options are almost limitless. Take in a West End theatre matinee; dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant or hip Soho bistro; explore the ancient treasures of the British Museum; or try and spot the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Take in a game of soccer at Wembley or laugh it up at a comedy club, while the city also offers brilliant entertainment for children and families. A highlight is the Tower of London, where its famous resident ravens circle over buildings where the nation’s history was shaped over hundreds of years. Learn the mysteries and stories with a Beefeater tour, then ogle the crown jewels and Henry VIII’s vast battle armour.

Harry Potter studio tour

With medieval turrets, craggy crenulations and thick stone walls, Windsor Castle is everything you want a castle to be. From its construction in the 11^th century to its survival through the turmoil of the English Civil War, the walls of this royal home whisper history. For family days out, there are activities to keep kids happy like building your own castle or an organised treasure hunt.

Another great attraction is LEGOLAND Windsor. This theme park is dotted with giant Lego brick masterpieces at every turn. Watch a swashbuckling pirate show in between hair-raising roller coasters and LEGO-themed rides. Younger visitors will enjoy the Duplo-themed Splash Park – if you’re bringing toddlers, pack some swimwear.

You’ll feel like a wizard with a trip to Hogwarts at the Warner Bros Studios near Watford. This is a Harry Potter fan’s dream with interactive props, sets, costumes and creatures from the films. Step down Diagon Alley or into the Great Hall. You'll get the chance to learn how on-screen magic was made with a behind-the-scenes look at the special effects used in the Harry Potter movies.

The Cotswolds

Just an hour and a half’s drive away is the beautiful Cotswolds. Thatch-roof cottages and colourful village gardens bursting with flowers characterise the small towns in this rural retreat. Driving through the Cotswolds can sometimes feel like entering the past, far away from the hue and cry of city life.

Oxford

Oxford’s dreamy spires and grand university buildings are within easy reach. Wander the narrow, cobbled streets and spend hours perusing cozy bookstores. A free walking tour of the ivy-clad colleges and atmospheric quad lawns is available through Oxford Walking Tour, with a focus on the colleges as filming locations for Harry Potter and the halls that inspired CS Lewis, author of the Narnia books.

Whether you’re heading straight into London for business or leisure, you’re in search of somewhere to spend quality family time, or you want to escape it all in the English countryside, car rental from Heathrow Airport is the perfect way to start your trip to the UK.