Car Hire Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Pick up a Gatwick Airport car hire and cruise into bustling London to tour iconic sights such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and the Globe Theatre. With Airport Rentals, you can get a great deal on car rentals at Gatwick Airport quickly and securely. Take the hassle out of renting a car and plan your trip to London instead.

Find a cheap car hire at Gatwick Airport (LGW) with Airport Rentals

We are committed to making it easy to hire a car at London Gatwick Airport. All you need to do is put in some details into our search widget, including your travel dates, pick up location and return location, and you will find a list of rental cars from trusted brands. You can then compare prices and vehicle types and choose the option that's best for your trip.

Booking about a week in advance often leads to better car hire deals. May is typically the cheapest month for car hire in Gatwick, but securing your vehicle early is particularly important during major events like the Notting Hill Carnival. With increased demand, availability can become limited, and the influx of visitors can make London’s roads busier. To avoid complications and potentially save money, it's wise to book your rental car at London Gatwick Airport well ahead of such events.

Car hire companies at London Gatwick Airport

Airport Rentals partners with both on-airport, meaning the car hire company is located at the airport, and off-airport, meaning the rental location will be a short shuttle ride away from the airport.

On-airport options at London Gatwick Airport include major car hire companies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise Rent A Car, Europcar, Hertz and National. For those seeking off-airport alternatives, Green Motion provides an option with convenient shuttle services to and from the terminal.

A wide variety of car types at London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

No matter the type of vehicle you're after, you'll find the perfect car to suit your needs. Families arriving for a holiday can easily locate spacious SUVs and people carriers, ensuring a comfortable trip. If you're looking for a budget-friendly two-door hire car for zipping around town, compact cars would be a great option. Business travelers seeking a more prestigious ride will also find a variety of suitable options within the extensive fleet.

Picking up your rental car from London Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick Airport is the United Kingdom's second busiest and largest airport, serving over 43 million passengers every year. There are two terminals, North Terminal and South Terminal, which both have car hire locations. You can find information on which terminal you need to collect your car from before and after you book.

North Terminal pick up location

If you are arriving at the London Gatwick Airport North Terminal, you can follow the signs to the lower forecourt. You will walk past Jubilee House on your right to find the rental counters.

South Terminal pick up location

If you are arriving at Gatwick's South Terminal, you can also follow signs that will take you to the lower forecourt on level 0. When exiting the lift, the car hire company counters will be on your right.

Off-airport pick up

Head to the free shuttle service waiting area, which is located at bus stop 9 if coming from the Gatwick South Terminal, and bus stop 12 if coming from the North Terminal. The shuttle runs continuously during opening hours.

Car rental location map

Returning your Gatwick Airport car hire

If you rent cars at London Gatwick Airport, the vehicles must be returned to the designated car park location for your chosen provider. Double-check your rental agreement for any specific instructions on car rental return, including operating hours, fuel terms or related charges. Returning the vehicle early may lead to a re-calculated fee based on the days used, and late returns may result in extra charges. After the vehicle is inspected upon return, you’ll need to pay any remaining balance for adjustments or additional fees.

Finding your way around Gatwick and London

Keep these tips in mind when driving your hire car in and around Gatwick.

• London Gatwick Airport is within an hour drive south of London, depending on traffic conditions. From the airport, head east on Airport Way to merge onto the M23 towards London. You can then follow signs to the city. Note that there are tolls on this route.

• In central London, congestion charges apply to most vehicles. Drivers entering Central London are required to have permits if they plan to drive within designated congestion zones. These zones are marked by Congestion Charge signs, and the charge is applied on a daily basis. To ensure compliance, drivers should visit the official website, which provides comprehensive information, including maps of the congestion areas, pricing details, and guidance on when the charge applies. Also, ask your LGW car hire supplier about this upon vehicle pick up.

• One-way streets are common so you should always double-check before turning onto a road. The traffic light sequence in England goes: red - yellow - green - yellow - red. At roundabouts, give way to your right. Drivers will often flash their lights if they are letting you into traffic.

• It is expensive and challenging to park in downtown London. We recommend that you find a parking garage online near your car hire destination beforehand, or park your vehicle near train stations and just use public transportation. You may also utilise an online platform or smartphone app to pre-pay for a spot in a parking garage / car parks.

• Speed limits are typically set to help drivers maintain safety and flow on different types of roads. On highways and expressways, the speed limit is generally 70 mph, providing a faster pace for longer journeys. Country roads often have a speed limit of 60 mph, balancing the need for speed with the potential for narrower or winding paths. In urban areas, where pedestrian activity and traffic are higher, the limit is usually set at 30 mph to enhance safety for everyone. Being aware of these limits is essential to staying within legal boundaries and avoiding fines.

Things to see and do in London

London is packed with iconic sights and activities. Here are some highlights:

• Walk the famous sights: A trip to London means you must hit the well-trodden tourist route around the palace and government buildings. From Constitution Hill to the gates of Buckingham Palace, on to Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Downing Street and Westminster. Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey and London Bridge all await you here.

• Camden Town: Do a little shopping and a little people watching when you visit this town famed for its market. The experience is a whacky and wonderful way to introduce you to some of the most colourful personalities of Jolly Ol’ London.

• Piccadilly Circus and surrounds: This bright and bustling section of London is like a British version of New York’s Times Square. Giant video display boards flanked by lanes and alleys full of pubs, restaurants, performers, stalls, and everything else you could think of will keep you well-fed and occupied as you stroll from one street to the next.

• Explore London's cultural and historic hotspots: Venture into the heart of London's cultural and historic scene by exploring its renowned museums and landmarks. The British Museum offers an impressive collection of art and artifacts from around the globe, while the Tate Modern showcases contemporary art in a converted power station. For a touch of royal history, a visit to the Tower of London provides a glimpse into the city's medieval past and a chance to see the Crown Jewels. Nearby, the Shard's observation deck offers stunning panoramic views of London. Whether you're interested in art, history, or architecture, London's cultural and historic sites offer something for every traveler.