Renting a car in England
 

We will be in England in June. We want to rent a car for a day to drive to the Southern part of the country. We will be staying at Hyde Park Hotel and have the following questions:<BR>1. Is there a rental car company that will drop the car off at the hotel for us at a specified time and get us back to our hotel when we are done?<BR>2. Is an American drivers license valaid to drive a rental car, or do we need something different?

Hi Connie;<BR> You might want to check with the hotel you are staying at about renting a car for 1 day.<BR> My husband goes back every 3 years to visit his family, and has only ever needed his Canadian Drivers License to rent cars.<BR> We are leaving on the 25th of April for 16 days and renting a car for the whole time. I'll let him do the driving as he grew up driving on the left side of the road.<BR> Have a great trip.

Your Stateside license is all that is required.<BR><BR>Many, if not most, rental agencies will deliver a car to your hotel. BUT are you sure that is what you want to do. London is a massive city, with really frantic traffic, many narrow streets, and just a nigtmare if you do not know your way around. I drive in London when I must -- I lived in the UK for five years and know it VERY well -- but I avoid driving in central London if it is at all possible.<BR><BR>If you are headed south (Kent or East Sussex) your best bet is to take the LGW express train and pick up your rental car at the airport. Then when you return it, catch the train back to the city center. The train takes about 30 mins - if you try the same drive it will take a lot longer.<BR><BR>(If you are going southwest instead -- Hampshire or Wiltshire the same plan is best - but use LHR instead)

a practical question about how are the pedals and stick arranged in a right-hand drive car: <BR><BR>is the gas pedal on the right or left? and the clutch?<BR><BR>is first gear at the top right of the shift pattern or top left as is it in US cars?

The position of the gas/break/clutch pedals is identical worldwide. Shift patterns for reverse and 5th gears vary from make to make (as they do in the States) but 1st is at the top left.

Is it possible to pick up a rental car near Waterloo station? We would like to drive to Bath and return the car to somewhere near Waterloo and then take the Eurostar to Paris. Is this possible? Thanks for your replies.Laurie

Laurie: Sure you can - but please read my comments for Connie's question. They go double for you. The drive from Bath to Waterloo would be VERY difficult. Rent the car at LHR and drop it there. Then you can take the train to Waterloo (with a change) or hire a driver to take you to Waterloo. <BR><BR>Driving in London - especially in the center around Waterloo -- Think driving in Manhattan or San Francisco - then multiply the traffic by 3 and then flip the car and be on the "wrong" side. That will give you an idea of how difficult it would be. <BR><BR>Driving in the countryside is a joy - but driving in London can be a Nightmare. UNLESS it is early on a Sunday morning.

well, at least I won't have to quickly relearn everything about driving. ;) thanks connie!

What agencies have any of you used.<BR>Any "bargains"? I am quite willing to drive an un A/C stick.

Connie,<BR><BR>Others have issued the "Don't drive in London" warning, and I agree. Depending upon where in southern England you are heading, you could take train from Victoria station to Gatwick Airport and pick up a rental car there, since it is quite a bit south of London. You could also take the train to Brighton, or some other southern location and pick up a rental car....

I was told it's smart to rent an automatic in the UK instead of a stick so that you don't have to learn to shift with the left hand. <BR><BR>Any thoughts on this from someone who's "been there, done that"?<BR>

Most folks on this board strongly recommend renting an automatic. But I always rent a stick and have absolutely no problem. If you are competent shifting right handed, you will be fine left handed. Remember - you are not doing any power shifting, or racing. Simple shifting is very easy. It is weird actually - I am totally useless left handed but can shift easily. I honestly believe having to think about shifting helps you remember to "keep Left!". When you drive an automatic your mind tends to go into auto pilot and you may drift into old habits. Plus the savings pays for a lot of extra nights/special meals/etc.<BR><BR>But if you can afford the extra for an automatic and the thought of shifting absolutely freaks you out - then spend the extra (LOTS EXTRA) for an automatic..

What agencies are you using to rent from? All the major in the US are represented. Do they locations in town, as opposed to airports, and are these more convenient?<BR>

Oh I forgot to add that unless you're a very good driver like me, you should really have someone else in the car either to navigate for you or to make sure you keep to the left on the narrow roads.<BR><BR>I've driven all over the world so I really have no problem in the UK but most Americans encounter problems at some time or another.

Pleas Notice -- the previous post (10:28 AM) WAS NOT FROM ME! I always use my real e-mail address and twice someone has posted nasty messages claiming to be me. If whoever you are doesn't like my suggestions, just ignore them.

My husband and I rented a car for 5 days during March. We picked up the car at Heathrow (it was closer to our hotel) and returned the car to Gatwick (since that was where we were leaving from). This put us on the edge of the city so we avoided the London traffic. We use a company called Nova rent a car. The car was actually through Alamo and we got a very good deal. If you do a search with nova you should be able to find them. There prices were much cheaper than Auto Europe.<BR><BR>Good Luck and have fun...<BR>Missy

Connie,<BR><BR>two additional thoughts:<BR><BR>--I've found that British Airways Holidays seem to have some of the most competetive rates this year (better than the quotes I got from AutoEurope, for example). BA uses Hertz, and Hertz has locations all over the UK. <BR><BR>--I agree that you may want to consider renting an automatic, even though it is more expensive, to ease the transition to left-hand driving<BR><BR>KEEP LEFT!

If you have British Airways flight tickets don't rent a car thru their Travel Shop at Victoria Station London. We had to return our car early and though we paid them for extra insurance they would not refund any money. Finally gave us a voucher for half of the $600.

Most of the major rental car companies have locations near Hyde Park at Marble Arch and Victoria Station. If unfamiliar with London driving, you might consider catching the Gatwick Train at Victoria Station, 30 min train ride. Pick up car at Gatwick then and easy drive to the South, East or West. It can sometimes take 1-2 hours just to get out of London even if you know exactly what you're doing. Good Luck

Driving is a real thrill in England. Have fun!

I am visiting London right now! My advice- DON'T DRIVE!! They are crazy here. One of the tour guides told us the trick is "Those who dare wins"! We have had no problem going anywhere with public transportation or tours. We think it's hard enough learning how to cross the street non the less drive. <BR>Good Luck!

I disagree<BR><BR>Maybe in London driving seems crazy but as a tourist you are crazy to attempt driving in the city. Once you are out of town I find the British drivers to be the best around. I find it a pleasure to drive around the countryside there. The Brits are the most technically correct drivers you will ever find. When I first started driving in the UK I only wish there was a sign on my rental car that said "Hey, I'm an American and don't know what I am doing, Watch Out !!.<BR><BR>If you want crazy try an large city in Italy.<BR>

Try http://www.aardvarktravel.net/cgi-bin/at/atsearch.cgi?Terms=uk+car+rental&Range=All<BR>

I second (or third maybe?) the suggestion to take the Gatwick express to Gatwick Airport and then rent a car from there. but book it here! Its much cheaper-and automatics are not that much more expensive. My wife and I did the exact same thing - we left London to Gatick on the train, then rented a car and drove to Eastborne and Brighton, with no problems. I don't suggest driving in London, but I'm sure you've heard that many many times. cheers!