Has anyone rented a car from Kings Cross station to leave London on a Sunday in June? We will be going to Watford Junction that day and it looks easier to get there from Kings Cross than go all the way to Heathrow (4 of us) and pick up a car there. I know that driving in London is not a good idea but wondered if a Sunday would make any difference? After going to Watford, we will spend the night in Windsor and then on to Bath.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Maybe taking the tube to Watford and getting the car there would be better, if indeed car rental places are open on Sundays.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33851 posts
Advantages: on Sunday there is no Congestion Charge worry. If you have a sat nav you can go straight up Finchley Road, could even stop at the Abbey Road zebra crossing, then shoot up the A41 from Swiss Cottage and round the bend by the Tesco Extra just before Staples Corner and on to the M1, getting off at Bushey or Watford. Disadvantages: If you don't have sat nav the A41 can be confusing. Staples Corner can be very confusing. Getting into the right lane before Staples Corner can be confusing. The right lane around Swiss Cottage can be difficult if there are too many buses. If there is cricket at Lords traffic can be bad.
Take a valium or two before driving around Kings Cross. All in all, its not too bad.
Posted by
OP
Little Rock, AR
42 posts
Thanks Nigel. It still sounds scary! We do have a sat nav, but I will seriously study maps before deciding to change my car reservation at Heathrow.
Posted by
OP
Little Rock, AR
42 posts
Thanks Norma. I hadn't thought of renting a car at Watford Junction. That might be the best solution. Do you know if the train station there is large enough for rental car offices?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33851 posts
There is good news, and there is bad news. The good news is that Watford is certainly big enough for car hire locations. There is a Hertz and an Enterprise very close to WFJ station, and several more other car hire firms quite close. There does not appear to be an Avis nearby. The bad news is that you want them on a Sunday. I have called round for you and they all, if open on Saturday, close after lunch on Saturday, and they are all, not surprisingly, closed on Sunday. You will find the smaller London locations closed on Sunday too. The larger ones will be open, at least for part of the day. Airport locations will be open. If you wind up getting your car at Heathrow, it is pretty easy to get to Watford. Out the airport, onto the M4 extension, M4 away from London, right turn onto M25 northbound, off at the M1 towards London, one exit.
Posted by
OP
Little Rock, AR
42 posts
Nigel- thank you so much! You have saved me lots of work. I am glad to know that it is not too hard to get to Watford from Heathrow, considering all other factors.