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Car hire at Heathrow Airport

Hiring a car at Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport (LHW) is the busiest airport in the UK, as well as in Europe, providing international flights and offering great links to other places in the capital. The airport is located 50 minutes away from the centre of London via the M4 and A4, allowing you to head straight into the city and start exploring all that it has to offer.

The airport is in Hillingdon in London, which means you have great links to areas outside of London as well as the city. You can be in Oxford in less than hour if you take the M40, and in Cambridge in an hour and a half by taking the London Orbital Motorway and the A1.

What you need to know

With Heathrow being so busy, there are a lot of car hire companies to choose from when it comes to booking your vehicle. The thousands of people coming in and out of the airport every day also means it is best to book your car in advance. You can do this using Holiday Autos' website, which lays out all of your choices without any hidden costs. This will allow you to find the right car at a price that suits your budget. You can also benefit from free cancellation, as well as 24/7 support.

Where to pick up your car

You can pick up your car upon your arrival at Heathrow, as most car hire companies have desks in the arrivals hall of the terminal. Once you find the company you have booked with, they will instruct you on where you can collect your car from. Some companies have pick-up points at the airport, while others offer a free shuttle bus service to their car collection area. Either way, you can grab your vehicle once you've collected your luggage, allowing you to start your trip straight away.

Best Car Hire Companies Heathrow Airport

alamo
alamo
alamo

Car Hire Reviews Heathrow Airport

  • “The pick-up was easy, it took 5 minutes from arriving at the desk to driving out the car, and the return took even less time. Booking with Holiday Autos was easy and I received the car that I had asked for, just perfect!”
    Diane T

Where to go

Landing at Heathrow Airport means you have plenty of options when it comes to where to go. You can head into the city of London to see some of its landmarks and make the most of its theatre, club and shopping scenes. You may want to drive to Brighton to take in some sea air on the beach and enjoy its varied culture or a trip to picturesque Oxford with its beautiful architecture. You really will be spoilt for choice, so hiring a car is the perfect way to make the most of your time in south-east England.

Nearby Heathrow Airport

Just 20 minutes away via the A308 is the iconic Windsor Castle. The ancestral home of the Royal Family, Windsor Castle offers audio guides that allow you to see the beautiful historical castle from the inside as well as marvel in its architecture from outside. If you're at the castle at 11am, you can witness the changing of the guard before heading to one of the restaurants nearby for an early afternoon tea.

To relax after having to deal with the hustle and bustle of Heathrow, head 20 minutes down the A30 to Savill Gardens. Known as the best ornamental garden in England, Savill Garden is beautifully tranquil. It offers seasonal displays so is great to visit year-round. Exploring Savill Gardens, you'll find out all about its history since it was build in the 1930s and will be able to discover some of its hidden gardens.

Longer drives

An hour and a half away from Heathrow Airport via the London Orbital Motorway and the A23 is the iconic British seaside town of Brighton. With its long beach, historic pavilion and huge range of shops, you'll never be at a loss for things to do. The colourful town draws tourists from around the UK and the rest of the world throughout the whole year, so grabbing an ice cream and walking along the seafront is a great way to spend a day.

Head further south-east to visit the historic city of Canterbury, which is just over an hour and a half away from Heathrow via the London Orbital Motorway. The cathedral city was a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages and it still retains a lot of its ancient charm, including walls built by the Romans and timber-framed houses. You can also visit Canterbury Cathedral, which is hugely iconic and features beautiful architecture that was originally designed in 597 AD.

Top attractions to visit near Heathrow Airport

There is a huge range of attractions to visit close to Heathrow Airport, meaning your trip to south-east England can be hugely varied and interesting. See as many top attractions in the area as you can by hiring a car.

Eating and drinking

The huge choice of places to head to from Heathrow Airport means that you have so many different cuisines to choose from. The city of London is known for its food, with the mix of cultures and Michelin-starred chefs offering some of the best food in the country. You can eat some classic British fare or try something completely new. No matter what you're craving, you'll be able to find the perfect restaurant or bar, whether it's in a super trendy neighbourhood or tucked away down a quiet street.

Things to do

No matter what you enjoy doing, there is sure to be something you want to do in the area around Heathrow Airport. From rollercoasters at Thorpe Park to boat tours in Windsor, there won't be a dull moment once you arrive. Catch a show in the West End, go shopping on Oxford Street, take in the historic sites - such as the Magna Carta Monument - or relax at a spa. You'll probably struggle to fit everything into one trip, even with car hire, so you'll want to head back in no time to make the most of the area.

Sightseeing

There are a lot of iconic places to visit once you've arrived at Heathrow Airport and you can see a lot of them by taking a trip on the London Eye. One of the largest Ferris wheels in the world, the Eye allows you to look out over London, taking in the beauty of the busy city.

If you want to keep your feet on the ground, you can't miss out on the Tower of London. Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London is home to the most beautiful collection of royal treasures called the Crown Jewels. Previously, the tower was used as prison and has a history of torture and death. It offers an insight into England's bloody past that is unlike what you'll get anywhere else.

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