The rental desks of the car hire Heathrow Airport companies are all found within the arrivals area of the terminal buildings. Directions are available inside the buildings. Hertz, Avis, Europcar, National, Alamo and Budget are some of the main rental companies situated at Heathrow Airport. Although cars can be hired directly from the rental counters, it is best to make an advanced booking from your chosen car hire company’s website. This will ensure your ideal vehicle is ready and waiting for your arrival at the airport. It is easy to book online, simply fill in the required details by choosing your rental pick-up and drop-off locations, the dates between which you will be needing the vehicle, and follow the instructions on the website. Remember to also reserve a child safety seat if you are traveling with young children, or a satellite navigation system to help you navigate the London area. The GPS units offered by most rental companies are of high quality, and will give you turn-by-turn directions to any location. They also come pre-programmed with thousands of points of interest, such as pharmacies, hotels, restaurants, tourist locations etc.
The primary renter is required to be at least 23 years of age, and to have held a valid drivers license in his/her country of residence for at least one year prior to the rental date. An International Driving Permit may also be required for foreign renters. Younger drivers under the age of 25 may pay a higher rental rate than usual, and may also not be permitted to hire from certain vehicle categories. Various car insurances are available for purchase from each car hire company, while other insurances are mandatory. A major credit card in the name of the primary renter is required for payment of the rental, and these cards usually include American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard or Eurocard and Visa. Certain rental companies also have their own charge cards available.
Heathrow Airport is nearby the M25, which surrounds the whole of London and provides easy access to many suburban areas. Other important roads include the M3 and M4. London is divided into six zones which are related to the London underground trains, with Zone 1 including the city center and other well known areas such as Regent’s Park and Piccadilly Circus, and Zone 6 being the furthest of the divided areas. Zone 6 includes some of the underground stations leading to Heathrow. Drivers in London will use the left side of the road, and take note that there is a congestion charge now in place in the center of London. This charge is applicable from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 07:00 and 18:30. Vehicles can be parked at various places in London, and street parking is most often metered. Be careful not to park in residential areas or on double-yellow lines, as you may incur a fine, or worse, have your wheels clamped by a traffic warden. Your vehicle may even be towed away. All occupants in the vehicle should wear seatbelts, and road rules should be obeyed at all times. There are the following speed limits in London: 113 km/h or 70 mph on motorways and highways, 97 km/h or 60 mph on the open roads, and 48 km/h or 30 mph in urban areas.
Vehicles of all shapes and sizes can be hired from the car rental companies. Smaller vehicles ideal for city driving are available, as well as larger sized vans perfect for groups of travelers. Premium vehicles provide excellent transport for business passengers, while convertibles and other sports models are available for more fun-filled rentals. Most companies hire their vehicles by category, and not by specific make and model, however, Hertz and Budget do have a range of vehicles which can be more specifically reserved. Certain companies such as Europcar and Budget also have some ‘green’ vehicles available which are environmentally friendly and light on fuel.
When hiring your vehicle make sure you know whether it uses diesel or petrol. Extra charges will be applicable to clean the engine if you fill up with the wrong type of fuel. There are three filling stations nearby – A Texaco station on the A4 Bath Road, a BP station on Great West Road, or the A30, at Hatton Cross, and an Esso station on the Southern Perimeter Road. Depending on the type of rental you chose, you may need to fill your vehicle’s tank before returning it to the airport. If you have paid in advance for fuel then you may return the vehicle empty. Always return your rented car in the same condition as when you rented it, and make sure that you completed a damage report before you left the airport, depicting all existing damages on the vehicle. You do not want to be held responsible for dents, scratches or damages you did not cause.
Passengers will find the car rental companies offer extremely competitive prices, and many great deals from which to choose. Further information is available within the terminals, at the information desks.
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