I'm planning to rent a car on the outskirts of London on May 23 and wondering if Heathrow Airport is a good place. I'm looking for a location that wouldn't be too busy yet accessible by the Tube. Any ideas?
Posted by
Fresno, CA
30 posts
Maybe I need to just start a new topic, but how difficult is it to drive within London?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Kristina: In the last year on this website, I can't recall anyone proposing that an American tourist should deliberately and knowingly driving on surface streets within London. Rick says it like this: "In London if you have a car, stow it. You don't want to drive in London." Period.
Posted by
Nottingham, UK
658 posts
If you're heading out of London, never pick up at Heathrow ( the rental companies place a huge surcharge on pick-ups at Heathrow ) try somewhere like Ruislip or Finchley or Chiswick or Sutton or Ilford, depending on if you're heading North, South East or West.
Unless you're idea of a perfect vacation is sitting in traffic jams watching the petrol gauge dial spin rapidly into the red, or you enjoy serious psychiatric breakdowns caused by other agressive road users shouting at you because you were looking for direction signs that made sense. If that does not appeal - for the love of Mike don't drive in inner London.
Posted by
OP
St. Louis, MO, USA
2 posts
Thanks UK, for your answer. According to my rental car agreement, the Location Service Charge is 17 pounds. Considering we have to pay to get to these other places, I don't think it's so bad. But I will doublecheck with Hertz about that charge, thanks.
As for driving in London, forget it. I've only been there twice but I'd never do it. It's like driving in New York City.
Posted by
Ardmore, PA, US
225 posts
In humorous disagreement, driving in NY City is a breeze compared to London.