I am taking my wife and 13yr old daughter to London for five days in mid December. We arrive in Gatwick and fly out from Heathrow on to Rome. We plan see ing many on the attractions in Kensignton and Westminster. Do I need to rent a car? On other trips I have rented cars in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria but we drove nonstop and took in as much as we could handle. I would like to actually relax (for once) on this vacation and maybe slow the pace. What part of the city would you stay in?

If you are only planning to see the sights in and around London, do not rent a car. The Tube (subway) and train system can get you anywhere you want to go including locations on the outskirts of London such as Hampton Court, Windsor Castle, and Kew Gardens. Day trips by train can get you to Oxford, Bath, and beyond. You do not want to or need to have a car in London. As far as where to stay, we like to stay in South Kensington. It has a real neighborhood feel to it and the tube station has three lines running through it meaning you can get almost anywhere without transferring.

No. For what you describe you definitely do not need (and are better off without) a car. I've driven in the UK several times, including into London, without problems. In and around London the public transportation system gets everywhere you might want to go efficiently and cheaply. In the city itself a car is an added burden.

Don't bother to rent a car, it will be more trouble than useful. London's public transportation is excellent (tube/buses) and there plenty of cabs which you can hail on the street. If you plan a trip to the countryside, take one of the many easy trains and rent a car at the local station 9eg. for Cotswolds: in Oxford or Stratford-upon-Avon; for Kent: in ashford or other towns closer to London).

I agree with the above, in London in particular a car would hinder more then help. Navigating without a car is a breeze in London, and if you plan on seeing a few sights outside of the city there are wonderful escorted bus tours that can take you say, to bath for the day or Stratford upon Avon. We never rent a car in the UK unless we are planning to go to Cornwall or Scotland.

As everyone said you do not need a car in London, it would be much more trouble than it would be worth in the long run. The Tube is marvelous. For day trips the trains are great. The only time we've rented cars in the UK is when we actually traveled throughout the countryside - then you cannot beat having a car but on our many stays in London we've never even felt the need for one.

Lem, <BR> <BR>I guess you've heard it by now: don't rent a car in London. <BR> <BR>Just wanted to comment on your arrival from Gatwick and departure from Heathrow. If you are staying in downtown London, I recommend taking the Gatwick Express train from the airport to Victoria Station (then a taxi to your hotel). On the outbound trip, I suggest a taxi to Paddington Rail Station, then the Heathrow Express to the airport. <BR> <BR>Both of these express trains are the fastest ways to get to/from the airports. I do not recommend using the Tube (underground) to Heathrow because taking luggage on the Tube is not easy. <BR> <BR>For info of the express trains: <BR> <BR> http://www.heathrowexpress.co.uk <BR> http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk <BR> <BR>Hope this is helpful. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>David White <BR>----------------------------- <BR>LET'S TAKE THE KIDS TO LONDON <BR>A Family Travel Guide <BR> <BR>available soon from iUniverse.com publishers <BR> <BR>info: <BR>http://www.KidsToLondon.com

Dittos. "not to rent." Depending on how many are in your party and how much luggage you have to haul to and from the airports, you may want to consider hiring a van to pick you and your party up at the airport and to take you to catch your flight to Rome. When we travelled to London, we used Solar Cars, operated by Alan Sage. His rates were very reasonable. We flew into Heathrow, and I know that rates for hire from Gatwick are a little more expensive so I'm not sure what he would charge. His fax number is +44(020)8874 3228. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Grange Rochester Hotel in Westminster and were quite pleased with our accommodations. It was wonderful to have a 5-10 minute stroll to all the sights in Westminster, Buckingham Palace, etc. And Victoria Station was a short 5-10 minute walk too, so we could catch the tube there. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

Thank you everyone that answered my question.....and no, I am not renting a car in London. I received emails from several Londoners offering many helpful suggestions. Our family can hardly wait to visit your fine city, with such friendly people. By the way, any suggestions on how us Yanks can elect our President? <BR> <BR>Lem