Renting a car in England

Than you, all. If I do decide on the airport dropoff, I would lean towards Heathrow just because it's no so far south. Or, does Gatwick's small size really make up for it being further south?

When we did it, we dropped the car at the airport and took the tube into London. We just didn't see a need to fight traffic into the downtown area. The airport is set up for easy returns. We dropped it off, they shuttled us over to the airport, we bought a day pass for the tube, and we were off to London. It could not have been easier. Our friends picked their car up right in the heart of London. They have a couple of funny stories about trying to find their way out. if you do choose to drive into London, pick an easy to find location. I probably would choose to drop at the airport again. (It can be more expensive to pick up a car at the airport, but I have never been charged extra for dropping of at one.)

No, drop it off at Heathrow. It is pretty easy to find the tube. What area are you going to from the airport? If you are headed to Victoria Station area, you will have to change lines. Change at the Hammersmith stop. You just have to cross the platfrom. Some of the other stops you can change lines to get to V.S. involve climbing up and down stairs in crowds to switch lines. Hammersmith is the best choice. Have a great trip.

I would suggest to drop the car off in St. Albans which is 27 miles north of London. You then could take the train into London.

Tara,

Heathrow would be a better choice than Gatwick, as you'll be coming from the north. The suggestion to drop the car in St. Albans (or other nearby location) is worth considering.

Happy travels!

We've dropped our car at Heathrow many times and then made our way to London - quite easy; however, I agree with the others - find a spot to the north where you can drop it and save yourself some time.

We have picked up cars at Heathrow after a stay in London on previous trips.
Last time we dropped of a rental car in Oxford and then took the train into London from there. You need to find out if you rental car company has a drop off location in a place like Oxford, St. Albans's, York, etc. Our Avis rental car drop off in Oxford was hard to find but walking distance to the train.

London isn't as bad to drive in as some people make it out to be. Though it can be hard sometimes to find street names when the signs are posted on the sides of buildings, on fences, etc. and sometimes not at all. Having a GPS would make it a lot easier in that regard. If you don't have that, I would get a good London map; London A to Z is the best, but maybe too much for just the bit you'll need it. If it were me, I'd drop the car in London and taxi to St. Pancras.

Used Enterprise a couple of years ago from Perth to Manchester and found their drop off charges very reasonable.

Enterprise has several locations in Edinburgh and has an office in St Albans so you could drop off it off there.

We dropped our car off in Oxford then took the train to London. We were able to catch the 1 PM Eurostar. We had picked up car at Heathrow. I don't recall any drop charges.

Thanks so much for your replies, everyone. My husband is willing to drive it into London; I'm the nervous one. So, we'll flip a coin, I guess! We'll have a GPS, so if we do drive into the city, I suppose that will help. Thanks again!

Yes, thank you for letting me know the amount. The congestion fee seems less than taking the tube or the train for the two of us if we drop off outside of London, although dropping off in town would be more hectic. But, just taking a taxi from the rental car place to St. Pancras seems simpler.

Tara, remember if you drive into London you will have to pay the conjestion fee of £8, if its not paid the fine will be between £60-£180.