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Heathrow Airport is the largest airport in the UK, handling more than 70 million passengers a year. Situated to the west of London, it makes an ideal place to collect your Heathrow hire car and to discover all that England has to offer.

Flying into London Heathrow Airport (LHR) means you're perfectly placed to head anywhere in the UK...


There are a number of well-known car hire branches at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) including Argus, Auto Europe, Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Rentalcar and Sixt – the branches are spread out across Heathrow’s terminals.

Locally you will find royalty, history and sports at Royal Windsor, and both Maidenhead and Henley are on the banks of the iconic River Thames. 

Hire a vehicle, however, and you can go anywhere you want thanks to the M25 circular motorway which is close by.

Heathrow Airport is one of the UK's busiest airports, with international flights arriving from all around the globe on a daily basis. And if you get the chance to stay in the area for a few days then car rental is a great idea. Heathrow car hire is really easy to organise as you will find all the major car hire brands located at all the airport terminals. There is plenty of choice too, from small vehicles perfect for navigating nearby London to high-end luxury vehicles which will allow to you travel in style. If you fancy something a bit different, why not choose a 4 x 4 or a fun convertible to make the most of the sunshine?

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Find answers to your questions

Driver requirements

What age do I need to be to hire a vehicle in Heathrow?

In nearly all cases, you need to be at least 21 years old to hire a car in the UK. There may be some exceptions, but you can expect a minimum age of 21 to hire a car with most companies at Heathrow. You'll also need to have held a full licence for at least a year.

What do I need to hire a vehicle in Heathrow?

Whoever you hire a car with at Heathrow, you'll need at least a valid driving licence and a credit or debit card. Some car hire companies at Heathrow will also ask for another form of ID (such as a passport) and/or proof of address. Some companies will also ask for a DVLA check code.

Do I need car hire excess insurance in the UK?

You don't need excess insurance to you hire a car at Heathrow. However, it can be a good idea to take out a policy so that you don't have to pay the excess if you do have to make a claim. It's often cheaper to take out a separate policy for excess rather than buy it as an add-on at the desk.

Can I rent a car with a debit card in Heathrow?

Yes, you can use a debit card or a credit card to rent a car at Heathrow. Most companies will accept either whether you book in advance or at the desk. You'll usually get a better deal by booking online.

Which rental companies are available at Heathrow?

Heathrow is the UK's major airport, so there's a huge range of car rental companies on-site, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt.

Is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport or off site in Heathrow?

Picking up your hire car at Heathrow airport is the most convenient option, which means that choosing to collect your car off-site is usually cheaper.

Can you rent a car in Heathrow and drop it off in another city?

Yes, you can rent a car in Heathrow and drop it off somewhere else. Not all car rental companies offer this option, but many do – just see what options are available when you select drop-off location.

Can you rent a car the same day in Heathrow?

Yes, you can book car hire at Heathrow and collect your vehicle the same day. You can go straight to a desk when you get there, but you'll usually get a better deal by booking in advance online.

Can I hire a vehicle at 21 years of age in Heathrow?

Yes. Although some hire companies may have a minimum age of 25 to hire a car at Heathrow, most allow you hire if you are aged 21 and have held a full driving licence for at least a year. Most companies will class you as a 'young driver' if you are aged under 25, which usually means you’ll incur an additional fee.

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