We are flying into Gatwick and plan to spend about 12 days touring the UK before returning to London for 4 days. Any recommendations about where to get the car? The plan is to head to the Cotwolds district first. Should we get the car at the airport or pick it up in a different location and return it before heading to the city? Thank you for the help.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I have rented in England and find it easier to just rent at the airport. Follow the route out to the highway and head to the Cotswolds. If you have your own gps just download the maps and bring it .
Posted by
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Same for us - we always get a car at the airport.
Posted by
205 posts
A lot of Americans do like to hop off transatlantic flights and straight into hire cars to drive on the wrong side on Europe's busiest roads. Only a relatively small number have serious accidents so I guess it is an option. Specify an automatic or you won't get one. Or you could just reduce the risk of death by taking public transport to The Cotswolds and hiring a car there.
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1075 posts
I do hope that you're not considering driving on the "other side" on unfamiliar congested roads, straight after a transatlantic flight?
I know this unfortunate person hadn't just got off a long flight but it just illustrates the differences between driving in the UK versus US.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7767693.stm
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1075 posts
Some Cotswolds driving videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW6GvTFLQWo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwHAp6idJBE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9IGb6FKfQg
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks for the concerns. I actually am experienced with driving in the UK - lived in Scotland for a couple of years. It has been many years, but I must admit when tired now I sometimes I question if I'm driving on the correct side here (in the states). Now for my husband, I don't let him drive in the UK. Too scary in the US for him to drive, my heart can't imagine him trying to drive there. ;-) This trip I'm just working at being careful with our budget and want to really think things out. I love the train yet a lot of the places I want to visit again need a car to get there.