Car hire in London, United Kingdom

Compare car hire from trusted providers

Book car hire with confidence

Save big on car hire in London

Find a cheap car hire deal

Search for London car hire near you

Choose from 450 pick-up spots

Select your London pick-up location

There are 450 car hire providers in London. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Driving in London: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
You’ll need a valid licence and possibly an IDP.
To drive in London, you’ll need a driving licence held for at least a year. If it’s not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required. Most car hire companies also ask for a passport and credit card.
Navigating city driving
Expect one-way streets and left-hand driving.
Driving in London means handling narrow roads, bus lanes, and one-way systems. Use navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze to avoid restricted zones and live traffic hotspots.
Tolls, emissions zones and charges
Central London has tolls and emissions charges.
The Congestion Charge and ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) apply in central London. Not all rental cars are exempt, so always check. Most fees can be paid online or in the TFL app. Some routes include toll roads.
Parking your car in London
Parking is limited and often expensive.
Many parking areas in London are residents-only or require pay-by-app. Look for multi-storey car parks, park-and-ride options, or hotels with parking. Avoid red routes, bus lanes, and loading zones to dodge fines.
Finding fuel or charging points
Fuel is available — EV charging needs planning.
Petrol stations in London are common but pricier in central zones. For electric vehicles, use Zap-Map or PlugShare to find EV charging stations in London. Some require local apps or cards — check access before your trip.
Local driving style and tips
Traffic moves fast and cameras are everywhere.
London drivers are direct and fast-paced, especially during peak hours. Give way at zebra crossings, take care at roundabouts, and avoid yellow box junctions. Traffic cameras are widespread and fines apply for hire cars.
Find London car hire deals

The most popular car rental companies in London

Choose from the best car hire companies in London

Hiring a car in London: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyGreen Motion
Most popular carCompact, 4-5 doors
Average daily price266,651FC
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in London

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your London car rental search.

Book now, cancel later

We clearly highlight car and van hire options in London that have free cancellation. So you can bag the best deal with total flexibility to change your plans if you need to.

Rent a car in London for a whole month

Want to hire a car for almost a month? Often, car rental companies in London avoid costly admin in between pick-ups by hiring out cars for longer periods. So see if monthly car hire is cheaper than the three weeks you need it for by selecting 30 days.

Compare fuel policies

To save money on topping up the tank as you take off in London, look out for deals with a 'full to full' fuel policy, as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

Skip the queues

We call out keyless pick-up when you search for cars with us. No keys to pick up, means no queues. Just turn up at your preferred London car hire location, hop in and hit the road.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in London will set you back around 266,651FC per day or 321,387FC per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in London is an intermediate van or truck. The most popular is Compact, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in London are currently Green Motion and Budget.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in London is currently May.
On average, around 321,387FC. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in London is 260,197FC.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in London for a whole month is 3,353,559FC. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore London, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in London that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of London.
Most places – London included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is 74,424FC per day. The average price per day is around 240,754FC.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Surprice as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in London.