We are 3 (Mom, Dad, 13 yr old daughter) that are going to rent a cottage between London and Birmingham, not too far from Stratford-U-A. We will arrive early morning on the Eurostar and after doing the London Eye, want to hit the road northward. My last experience driving in England was in a minivan (all they had left in automatic) was not fun, with the narrow roads and fat car. This time we will try to reserve a manual transmission small car. We are thinking that taking a train out of London and renting a car in Milton Keynes, Luton or somewhere north would make the experience less unpleasant by avoiding the drive in and out of London. We would pick up a car late afternoon on Tuesday March 22nd and will fly out of Heathrow the afternoon on Monday March 28th. Am I making something out of nothing? Is the cure (train out of and into London) worse than the disease (picking up and dropping off in London/Heathrow)?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Getting in and out of Heathrow with a car is not hard at all. You'll be heading toward Stratford with only a couple of turns and it's all freeway until you get about to Warwick. Of course you still have to get out to Heathrow to pick up the car - - which might be less taxing than leaving from St Pancras if you don't like the idea of driving in the city. Doing it that way (pick up and drop at Heathrow) would eliminate one change-of-mode-of-transportation shuffle.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
We usually do what you are contemplating. we had a rental car agency in Guildford (West of Heathrow) that was convenient to get to by coach/train without going into London
Posted by
washington
837 posts
Let me suggest Sixt at Heathrow. It is right across the street from Hatton Cross station. Or, you could go to Heathrow and take their shuttle. It is really easy out and back in. They have great rates and plenty of automatics (I know that you said you are going to go manual this time, although last time you chose a minivan just to get an automatic).
Posted by
Ojai, CA
591 posts
Something I have done several times is to take the train from Paddington Station to Oxford and rented the car there. Avis is located right behind the Oxford station; you can book with Avis, or might get a better deal with AutoEurope who in the past has used Avis at the Oxford location. From there you should be within an hour of your cottage.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33832 posts
Like the plan, don't like the specifics. Collecting a car in London or London area in "late afternoon" plunks you down in the height of the rush hour. Is that a good idea? There are car rental places in Stratford and the train ride from Marylebone Station in London is very pleasant. Again, if you travel at rush hour the train will be crowded.
Posted by
OP
Eugene, OR
53 posts
Thank you all for your responses. There are several good ideas and things to think about. Like rush hour. In a big city. This helps a lot.