Zip Car in London - Anything we should know before renting one?
 

Does renting a Zip Car in England work the same as it does in the US?

We have a Zip Car on hold for Christmas Day.

If there is anything we must know, please share!

Thank you. :)

Anyone?

Most people wouldn't dream of renting ANY car in London even if it is a car share

Perhaps if you told us how renting a Zip Car in the US works and why you want a Zip Car in London?

I don't know if it works the same way as in the US but we are Americans with a Zip car membership in London. In London, we reserve on line, take our Zip card and touch it to the windshield "box". The car unlocks and then the keys are attached inside. You drive around as you like, return it to the same spot at the end of your reserved period, making sure the gas tank is at least 1/4 full. (There is a separate card on the driver's side visor to purchase gas if you need it.) Gas, parking, insurance all included. I would email Zip car to see if your US Zip card will work or if there is anything different to do so you can use the car in London.

I should clarify, we are Americans, living in London, with a Zip card account we obtained in London. We have used Zip car only in London.

This sounds like Streetcar
www.streetcar.co.uk
Same idea?

And Flex Car, used here in Atlanta and some other U.S. markets.

And Greenwheels in Holland. Not that that is any use to the OP ;)

Thanks for the information, laurie. I do believe it works the same in the UK as it does in the US (at least that is what I hear from my son who has a friend who is a Zip Car member).

alanrow, we are arriving at Heathrow on Christmas Eve (pm) and we can't find a rental car company open and we would prefer not driving in the dark to our flat in Chelsea anyway. The reason for the car is that we are going to Cambridge to to visit family on Christmas Day and since the trains are not running this is our alternative.

Besides, the traffic shouldn't be too bad on Christmas morning -- should it?

Alan's seriously lost it.

There's no traffic in London on Christmas Day. You can practically stop in the middle of a major road, get out and stare in wonder about you, go back to the car for your camera, then snap everything at your leisure - with your car, all the while, in the middle of the carriageway.

And I strongly suggest you do precisely that. The daylight hours between 0800 and 1600 on Christmas Day in London are unique: the place is never that peaceful again - except between 0800 and 1200 on millennium days. But there won't be another of those for 972 years, and it's just possible neither of will be around to talk about it.

Navigate yourself along the river, eastward, as far as the northbound A102. Then put your foot down, but don't exceed 99 mph.

Flanneruk, LOL. :D We might just do that, take a picture of the empty motorway....I think it's a mercedes we reserved...if DH decides to exceed the 99mph, I'll just smack him silly. ;)

Flanner,

Does the time difference also cause a year difference? Just wondering because where you are at the next millennium will occur in 972 years, while for us here in the States it'll be 992 years.

:-)

Don't feel bad, I often forget what year it is, and my name, but never my anniversary...New Years Eve!!! Now what year I got married is a different story...

dave

"Does the time difference also cause a year difference?"

Yup. When I'm typing just before midnight with a brain that's barely working and the hawk-eyed observers are observing at 6.30 pm - too early for them even to have had the first cocktail of the evening.

I'm only familiar with ZipCar in UK, but I'd check their website to see if there are cars close to where you'll be staying. Also holiday time is quite popular so book as early as possible.

I'm rather surprised that you cannot find rental cars at the airport. Surely they must be open on Christmas Eve.

Traffic should be ok driving out on Christmas Day, though the tricky part is finding a petrol station that'll be open. Also check the models (should be there on the website) if thereare many of you or if you need space for luggage. Most are small compacts (like Honda Civic) some Toyota Yaris as well. I don't think most of the models come with sat nav.