Rental Car for Drive from London to Wales and back
 

I will be driving from London (staying around Victoria Station) to Wales and back in July. I really do not want to drive in the city of London. Could I take the tube somewhere out west of the city and pick the car up there?

Why not take the train from Paddington Sta. into Wales and rent there, then take the train back to London?

We have plans to stop at Lacock on the way to Wales.

The only place that makes much/any sense is LHR. It is on the tube, outside of London's worst congestion/congestion charge, right on on the M4 that goes to Wales -- and all the major rental agencies are there so you'dhave your choice.

We will be in London for 4 nights in late July, then will have justairports car service take us to car rental office at LHR, from whence we will go first to Oxford then Shrewsbury, then Conwy (NOT all in one day!). After several more days looping back into England and around that country, we will drop off car at LHR. We found the LHRtoLHR car hire easier and cheaper than picking up in London or somewhere further out than LHR. (We ended up with a good rate with National but there are lots of choices--need to shop for company that works for you but I would second janisj.)

Am I crazy to try to plan a driving vacation in England, Wales, Scotland and maybe Dublin Ireland the end of August for 10 to 12 days? Is it a very long drive from London to Inverness? Is the ferry ride under 2 hours from Wales or England to Dublin? My 16 year old son wants a castle and history tour, and I feel like a fish out of water. Anyone done this trip? Help!

LuvTravelingInEurope: "<i>Am I crazy to try to plan a driving vacation in England, Wales, Scotland and maybe Dublin Ireland the end of August for 10 to 12 days? Is it a very long drive from London to Inverness?</i>"

Yes - a bit crazy. Not counting Ireland you are talking about a month's worth of driving - not 10/12 days. London to Inverness driving (which is a crazy idea in itself unless you take a week just for that) is about 600 miles and 12 hours drive w/o any stops (if you are lucky and don't have any major delays).

Driving in the UK is fine, but w/ 10-12 days -- if you want to spend any time at all in London -- you can have about 6-7 days for your driving tour and that limits how far you can go.

You could see London and Yorkshire, or London and Cornwall/Devon, or London, train to Scotland, and a few days in Scotland, or London, fly to Shannon and have a few days in western Ireland. Something like that.

OR - if you don't want any time in London -- you could visit 3 or 4 areas in any one of those countries.
But definitely not England, Wales, Scotland, and/or Ireland.

Thanks so much! I've been to London, but no where else in the UK. My son really wants to see castles, so we will need to make alot of changes to the trip. Thanks again for your feedback!

I'm going to post my response on your other thread so we don't hijack anneht's.

My advice would be to catch the train out to Luton Airport - hire a car from there and then drive. You could visit Windsor Castle or even Warwick Castle from here on your way. Both are very interesting. Warwick castle is aimed more at children. By picking up a car at Luton, you avoid traffic and it also makes an easy place to return aswell.
Have a lvoely time!

Roanel: "<i>My advice would be to catch the train out to Luton Airport - hire a car from there and then drive. You could visit Windsor Castle or even Warwick Castle from here on your way. </i>"

Luton is not on the way to Lacock/Wales. Plus Windsor is right next door to LHR. Luton makes <u>no</u> sense for the OP's itinerary.

Sorry -- what does LHR stand for?

LHR is London Heathrow.

Another vote for taking a car service from London out to Heathrow & renting your car there. You don't mention what kind of car you plan to rent, but if you're going for an automatic transmission, you have much more chance of getting the size car you want if you rent at Heathrow than if you rent in a smaller town.

Thank you...my blonde moment of the day...LHR...London Heathrow, of course. Great advice! Car Service to LHR, drive to Wales and back by way of Windsor Castle, to LHR and on the way back to TX -- perfect, thanks to all again.

I, too, am renting a car at LHR but not spending any time in London (been there, done that :-) and instead spending 3 weeks driving to Wales, all over England, Scotland and maybe Ireland (although the latter rental cost is twice that of England's). What I'm wondering is if there are any restrictions about taking a car from England to Wales?

Welcome yo Fodors satnba. This thread is over 5 years old . . . Instead of topping an old thread, you will do better if you start a new thread w/ your own personal questions . . .

(and no -- there are no restrictions between England and Wales -- just like between California and Oregon)