Car hire - London

From traditional landmarks that immediately resonate with anyone who has ever seen them, to the fantastic urban sprawl that almost defines modern business lifestyles, London is one of the very best and most popular cities to visit in the entire world.

With history abound in the city centre, mixed with fantastic restaurants, clubs, and even beautiful green spaces, London like no other city has truly got everything. Visitors will never find themselves without something to do in the English capital, and there really is something for everyone.

Diversity defines London, with more than 270 nationalities represented in the city, and when you come on holiday to the city, diversity can define your trip as well, and it's best to embrace that chance to truly mix your visit and do a bit of everything in London to make the perfect holiday.

Driving in London itself is not the most highly recommended of activities. Within the city, roads are congested and it can take a long time to get from A to B, making it a better option to take the Tube. However, there's still plenty of reason to have a hire car when you visit the city, with many things to see and do both in the city and further afield.

London is brilliantly served by motorways, with all of the major roads heading into the city and linking it to all of the big cities across the UK, which makes hiring a car a perfect option for truly seeing England and all it has to offer.

Before you even come to London, the best option is to book your car hire via Holiday Autos, where you can compare prices from more than 1,500 operators. We work with both major firms and local companies, so you know that we work to find you the very best prices around. Our website is simple to use, and we offer you the chance to amend your booking, or cancel, at any time, completely free of charge.

London is served by two major international airports, and no matter which of these you fly into, you'll be able to find your car easily upon arrival.

London Heathrow (LHR) is one of the biggest, and the busiest, airport in the world, so you know that there are plenty of options for picking up your hire car. When you arrive, regardless of which of the five terminals you come into, you'll find well signposted directions to the car hire desks, which are located in the arrivals section of each of the terminals.

If you are flying into Gatwick Airport (LGW), the car hire desks are a little further out, but are very convenient. Whether you come into the North or South terminals, you will need to make your way outside, where you can find the car hire desks near the entrance for a number of companies. Even more conveniently, if you've booked in advance with Holiday Autos, you'll be able to pick up your car on the road, allowing you to get driving towards London even sooner.

After you've picked up your keys and got your hire car, all that's left to do is to decide where to go in London. Millions of people visit the city every year with good reason, and Holiday Autos gives you the chance to experience just why this is the case.

Whether your top choice is to head to the major landmarks such as Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Wembley, or to hit the famous retail hotspot that is Oxford Street, your opportunities are now limitless, and it's a good idea to plan out what you want to do so you can see as much as possible when you're visiting, both in London itself and in surrounding areas.

When you're in London and have a car to hand, you can enjoy some of the best sights nearby. Look towards Southend on Sea, for example, where you can discover what has become known as London's weekend playground. Here, take in the fairground rides, pier and miles of sandy beach, or head to the beautiful fishing village of Leigh for something totally different.

Elsewhere, you could also take the drive to Cambridge, just over an hour away from London. Packed with culture, history and architecture, why not take the time to visit one of the most famous old universities in the world? You can also enjoy a punt ride, or simply take a walk around the streets and soaking up the amazing old buildings that make Cambridge what it is.

Hiring a car in London from Holiday Autos means you have the chance to get out there and see something a little different, finding places that are totally different to London a little further afield. For example, you might want to head from the capital to the country's second city, Birmingham. About two hours from London, Birmingham has plenty to see, from fantastic theatres and Victorian architecture to the bustling Bullring shopping centre. It's well worth a day away from London to take in one of the fastest rising and most happening cities in the whole of England.

Elsewhere, why not take the chance to hit the beach? What could be further away from London? Just two hours from the city centre, you can find the south coast town of Brighton with ease, and from here you can find something very different to London. Take in the beautiful sights across the English Channel on a clear day, enjoy an ice cream on the beach with family, or take the time to hit the famous pier, where you can find arcades and some other fantastic attractions.