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London Heathrow · LHR

London Heathrow airport car hire, from £22/day.

Compare live LHR prices from 900+ rental companies in one search — full price upfront, free cancellation, and none of the fuel or insurance add-ons at the desk.

Compare Heathrow deals
Free cancellation on most bookings Full price shown upfront
LHRLondon Heathrow, ~14 miles west of central London
T2–T5Four terminals (Terminal 1 is closed)
From £22per day for a compact, booked ahead
Drive leftThe UK drives on the left-hand side
The guide

Hiring a car at London Heathrow

Heathrow is the UK's busiest airport and one of the most competitive places in the world to hire a car — every major company operates here, which keeps prices keen if you compare before you fly. The catch is the rate you're shown at the counter on arrival is rarely the best one, and it's where the fuel and insurance add-ons appear. Comparing in advance lets you lock the lowest total with free cancellation.

Where you collect the car

Heathrow has four terminals — 2, 3, 4 and 5. Follow the "Car Hire" signs from arrivals. Some suppliers have desks inside the terminal; others are a short, free shuttle ride or covered walk to a nearby car hire centre. Your confirmation lists the exact location and pickup steps for your supplier, so check it before you land.

What it costs

Compact car hire at Heathrow starts from around £22/day, against a global average of about £28/day in 2026. Booking 3–6 weeks ahead typically saves 25–40% versus walk-up prices, and rates spike over summer and UK bank holidays — so reserving early with free cancellation is the cheapest, lowest-risk approach.

Driving from Heathrow

Remember the UK drives on the left. Heathrow sits just off the M4 and M25 motorways for easy access west, north and to the coast. If you're heading into central London, budget for the Congestion Charge and the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) daily charges — most modern hire cars are ULEZ-compliant, but confirm with your supplier and pay any charge via Transport for London to avoid a penalty.

Save the most at Heathrow

  • Book early — 3+ weeks out, with free cancellation, then rebook if the price drops.
  • Choose "full-to-full" fuel — collect and return the tank full; never pre-pay for fuel.
  • Skip the counter insurance upsell — third-party excess cover runs £4–£8/day versus £15–£25 at the desk. See our insurance notes.
  • Match pickup & return times — hire is billed in 24-hour blocks.

For the full playbook, see our money-saving tips and price guide by region.

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From £22/day · free cancellation · 900+ companies compared

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Good to know

London Heathrow car hire — FAQs

How much does car hire at London Heathrow cost?
Compact car hire at Heathrow starts from around £22/day, with the global average about £28/day as of 2026. Booking 3–6 weeks ahead typically saves 25–40% versus walk-up counter prices. Rates spike over summer and UK bank holidays, so booking early with free cancellation is the cheapest approach.
Where do I collect a hire car at Heathrow?
Heathrow has terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Follow the "Car Hire" signs in arrivals. Some suppliers have desks within the terminal; others are reached by a short, free shuttle bus or walkway to a nearby car hire centre. Your booking confirmation lists the exact pickup location for your supplier.
Do I need to worry about the ULEZ or Congestion Charge?
Heathrow is outside central London's Congestion Charge zone, but if you drive into central London you may incur the Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) daily charge. Most modern hire cars meet ULEZ standards — confirm with your supplier, and pay any Congestion Charge via Transport for London to avoid penalties.
Is it cheaper to hire off-airport near Heathrow?
Off-airport branches near Heathrow are sometimes cheaper because they avoid airport concession fees, but they add shuttle time and can be less convenient after a long flight. Comparing both on- and off-airport suppliers in one search shows whether the saving is worth it for your trip.
Can I pick up at Heathrow and drop off elsewhere?
Yes. One-way hire between UK airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick is widely available. Within the UK many companies charge little or no one-way fee, while some apply a surcharge — the fee is shown upfront during the search so you can compare.