I fly into Heathrow and will be visiting relatives in London, Solihull, Nantwich, Bristol, etc. I would like some car rental advice. Should I get a car at the airport and drive in to London, or should I take train to London , do my visiting there, and wait to rent until i'm ready to leave the city? I'm a pretty savvy driver---is it tough to navigate in London? Or tough driving in the city? Thanks for any help.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
London covers a big area. Whereabouts do your relatives live? We live in an outer London suburb and have a car but only use public transport to, around and from central London. Apart from the frustration of driving in heavy traffic, there is also the matter of the Congestion Charge (£8 per day on weekdays to enter the central zone) and the difficulty and cost of parking.
Posted by
Dallas
1022 posts
It isn't as tough to drive in London as some people make it out to be, however a car can be a burden and of no benefit. I would wait until it's time to head out of London to get the car. I recommend a GPS and a large scale AA atlas for navigation and trip planning.
Posted by
Sydney
275 posts
I would not recommend driving within London. One difference between London and US cities which I do not see mentioned often here, is that most US city street layouts follow a grid pattern, whilst London (and most European cities for that matter) does not. So it is more difficult to navigate. So I would say take the train in London, then do car rental outside London.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
I quit driving in central London years ago and I'm savy as hell about everything in the world. I'm also cool and good looking,. Do what Linda said.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33834 posts
Actually driving in London depends if you are north or south of the river. I drive north of the river all the time, and I know it like the back of my hand. Always avoid the congestion charge, and you need to know where to park safely and for free or cheap. Sorry Linda, don't go south of the river if I can avoid it. I can't abide the South Circular. Of course, out in suburbia, and in Surrey and Sussex (E&W) and Kent, no problems at all..... (tongue in cheek for Linda... ;-)
Posted by
Arlington, WA
993 posts
Ed, It's 1:15 here on the West Coast and you just gave me my first laugh of the day.
Beverly, What are the chances of you visiting your relatives at the end of your trip. That way you can collect your car at the Airport and drop it off there before you go into London thereby avoid driving in Town. Having said that, when I travel with my husband, we go to London first and when we're ready we collect our car at Enterprise (he likes Enterprise) on the Edgeware Road and he always manages to get us out of town without mishap.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33834 posts
Solihull easy to get to by train from Euston to Hampton in Arden or Birmingham International; even easier from Marylebone to Dorridge, Widney Manor, Solihull, or Olton. Nantwich harder, via Crewe from Euston. Bristol has two stations. If the rellies collect you from the station you might not need a car. Then again, without a car you would miss the thrill of the M6.