We're staying near Kensington Gardens in London the day we arrive (through Gatwick.) We want to rent a car to tour around south England for 4 days before returning to the same hotel near Kensington Gardens. I can't find a car rental shop near the hotel. Is it best to TUBE somewhere downtown to get a car or should we train to Heathrow to rent? We'll be picking up and dropping the car at the same spot. Thanks!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
"south England" covers a lot of territory. There are car pick up points all around the outskirts of London which you could reach by Tube that are outside the central congestion zone. What direction will you go first when you pick up your car?
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2784 posts
It was be better if you rent a car by Gatwick tour the south of England (like Tim says that covers a lot of territory) drop of the car then go into London. If you take a car into London you have to pay a congestion fee which is $11.00 a day if you don't pay that day and pay the next day it goes up to $16.00. There are several places by Gatwick where you could rent a car.
Posted by
OP
Ex expat
38 posts
Thanks for the input. To clarify, we'll fly into Gatwick early Friday morning, cab to our hotel, drop our bags, sightsee around London, spend the night. We'll get up the next day PICK UP A CAR and head for Stonehenge/Avebury, Cotswolds, Ironbridge Gorge, then back to London to DROP THE CAR and stay 3 more nights. Staying in London at the beginning and end of our trip will let us store our 8 extra bags for free (we're moving back to the USA.) Sounds like airport rentals cost more so we should look for something closer to Kensington Gardens?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The Auto Europe site shows a pickup point at 1 Orchard Rd near Kew Gardens in Richmond which is well west of central London. You could get there by taking the Tube to the Richmond station, a two-minute ride on a South West train to North Sheen, and a short walk.
Or just pick up a car at Heathrow as originally planned and pay the surcharge.
Gatwick to London: I seriously doubt that all of your luggage will fit in a taxi unless it is a minivan. And the fare will be around £100. I suggest that you consider a car service. Just Airports has MPV Transporters and offers a good discount for paying cash.