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-   -   Which London Europcar location? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/which-london-europcar-location-440073/)

ChicagoDallasGirl Sep 25th, 2008 04:49 PM

Which London Europcar location?
 
Europcar called today to tell us they cancelled our (June) reservation as the Kensington location through which we booked is closing.

So, we need to rebook. Our nearest tube stop will be Notting Hill Gate.

Which Europcar office would be best, 7-23 Bryanston or 12 Semley Place?

They are equidistant to our apartment, but I'm curious which is best logistically speaking, i.e. ease of gettng there by tube or taxi, traffic, etc.

TIA,
cdg

PatrickLondon Sep 26th, 2008 02:06 AM

I could look it up on http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk

but I wouldn't to deprive you of the fun....

ChicagoDallasGirl Sep 26th, 2008 05:23 AM

Thanks Patrick. I'm familiar with this handy feature, but was hoping for an on-the-ground perspective...

Mimar Sep 26th, 2008 06:13 AM

So will the OP have to pay the congestion charge?

To avoid the heavy in-town traffic, I'd suggest picking up a car somewhere on the edge of London. Just where depends on her destination.

PatrickLondon Sep 26th, 2008 06:47 AM

Semley Place is in the back end of Victoria, and therefore hardly equidistant from Notting Hill Gate (by comparison with Bryanston St, which is much closer by both tube and one of several buses to Marble Arch).

Both of these locations are within the congestion charge zone, as is a large chunk of Notting Hill. According to the Europcar website, their nearest location outside the zone is a long-ish walk from Fulham Broadway tube station - if you were looking to avoid the charge and had to take luggage, it would be a taxi-ride that would cost more than the charge anyway.

ChicagoDallasGirl Sep 26th, 2008 07:03 AM

Prior to posting my query, I Google mapped both and it showed the two locations being 2.9 and 3 miles from our apartment. That's pretty close to equal in distance to me.

We'll either tube it to Bryanston, or perhaps take the advice to pick up the car farther north en route to Derbyshire.

Thanks for your help.

janisj Sep 26th, 2008 09:58 AM

I suppose I could look it up but it would be nice if you posted which "Bryanston". There are several in London (place, Sq, St, etc.) But assuming you mean B. Street - then it is just by Marble Arch which is much more convenient to your flat and is no where near 2.9 miles from Notting Hill. I'd say it is about 1.5 miles or a skosh more. Or is it some other Bryanston??

Also, where are you headed after you get the car? If it is to the west out of London - from Marble Arch would be very much easier. It is quite close to the Westway/main road out to the Motorway.

janisj Sep 26th, 2008 09:59 AM

Oh sheesh - I see you are headed up north. You DO NOT want to pick up a car at Victoria for sure . . . . .

ChicagoDallasGirl Sep 26th, 2008 02:24 PM

Thanks janis. I did not see more than one Bryanston when I mapped it. Google went straight to Bryanston Street and didn't offer options (for place, way, square etc.) which it usually does when there are multiple roads with the same name. Considering that, and seeing as how I've never been to London, one can hardly expect me to have known there was more than one Bryanston.

In any case it's 'street,' according to Europcar.com.

I'm a tad baffled at the tone of the responses I've gotten. They seem a bit harsh, or perhaps I'm just being a ninny with my hormones raging and all. But, I thought my OP was clear as possible after having done my own search, as I know how outraged some regulars get on this forum in response to posters who haven't bothered to do their homework.

Anyway, thanks all for your feedback.

janisj Sep 26th, 2008 03:01 PM

Some info to help you out:

• Whenever you talk about roads in London to be safe, <u>always</u> include the &quot;street&quot; &quot;place&quot; &quot;square&quot; or whatever. And even that won't always solve the problem. The SW7 or EC1 helps. London is huge most street names are used multiple times.

• If you are heading north from London, you don't want to pick up a car anywhere near Victoria Station. The Bryanston St location will be ever so much easier. You jump on the A40 which becomes the M40 to the M25 then M1 (or you could catch the M1 at Staples Corner)

Maybe it is the hormones :) - I didn't read much in the way of &quot;tone&quot;. If you meant my &quot;I suppose I could look it up&quot; - I meant I might have looked up all the Europcar locations and then I'd know for sure where you were talking about.

Whatever - IF your flat is anywhere near Notting Hill Gate station - Bryanston Street is much closer than 2.9 miles. Where exactly is the flat?

ElendilPickle Sep 27th, 2008 03:21 PM

I just realized we picked up our car last year at the Auto Europe Bryanston St. office.

Just take the Tube or a bus to Marble Arch. It's very easy to get on the A40 from there.

Lee Ann


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