Car Hire in London

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the leading car hire companies in London, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate offers additional benefits that no other company can match:

• Full vehicle coverage with no excess (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your hire period
• Premium travel medical assistance, covering up to GBP 100,000 for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this at no extra cost, guaranteeing you a unique car hire experience with full protection and peace of mind throughout your trip in London.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in London are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in London charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

Yes, a congestion charge applies when driving a hire car in central London during operating hours, and it is your responsibility as the driver unless otherwise stated in your hire agreement.

London operates a Congestion Charge zone covering central areas. If you drive within this zone during charging hours, the cost will be added to your hire as required by local regulations. This charge is separate from any toll roads you may use elsewhere in the UK.

London also enforces a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Depending on the vehicle assigned to you, additional emission-related charges may or may not apply. Confirm with the hire desk at pick-up whether your specific vehicle meets the required emission standards for the zones you plan to enter.

To avoid unexpected charges after your London hire ends, check which zones your planned routes pass through before driving. If the hire company bills these charges on your behalf, an administrative processing fee may also be added on top of the zone charge itself.

To collect your hire car in London, you must bring all of the following physical documents to the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

• Your original, unexpired driver’s licence in the main driver’s name.
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. For licences in Latin-alphabet languages, an IDP is recommended but not strictly mandatory in most cases. Confirm official UK guidance for your specific licence origin before travelling.
• A major credit card physically printed with the main driver’s name, for the security deposit authorisation hold. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit.
• Your passport or valid government-issued photo ID.
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher if required by your rate.
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the UK).

In London, many visitors can drive on a full, valid foreign licence for a period that depends on their residency status and country of origin. Check official UK government sources to confirm your entitlement before your trip. Name mismatches between your licence, passport, and credit card are one of the most common causes of problems at the London hire counter, so verify all documents match before you travel.

Most toll roads in the UK, including those near London, operate as fully cashless systems using electronic payment or number plate recognition. There are no cash booths on the majority of these roads.

Key toll roads and charges relevant to drivers based in London include:

• The London Congestion Charge zone in central London, billed by zone entry.
• The M6 Toll in the West Midlands, a 26-mile stretch with rates of GBP 8.30 for two zones or GBP 10.30 for all three zones for a standard car without an account.
• Various tunnels and bridges across the UK that use number plate recognition and bill after your journey.

For hire cars, tolls are the driver’s responsibility unless your hire agreement states otherwise. If you use a cashless toll road and have not enrolled in a toll programme, the hire company will typically bill the toll at the highest undiscounted rate plus an administrative processing fee.

Some hire partners offer a pre-paid toll service for a fixed daily rate. Ask about this option at the London counter if you plan to use toll roads frequently. Always confirm the billing method with the desk at pick-up to avoid surprise charges after your London hire ends.

Yes, all bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your London hire, including the London Congestion Charge and any other UK toll roads you use.

Here is how it works:

• You pay tolls normally during your London hire, whether billed by the hire company or paid directly to the toll authority.
• After returning the vehicle, email [email protected] within 30 days with your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, a copy of the hire agreement signed at pick-up, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid.
• The refund is the lesser of the actual tolls paid or 5% of your booking total. For example, if your booking total is US$500, the cap is US$25.
• Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after approval.

Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number. Late submissions received after 30 days of vehicle return are not accepted. This benefit applies to toll charges only and does not cover fines, parking tickets, or administrative fees.

Yes, a major credit card in the main driver’s name, with the driver’s name physically printed on the card, is required at the London hire counter to cover the security deposit authorisation hold. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or digital wallet cards are not accepted for this purpose.

At pick-up in London, the hire partner will place a temporary authorisation hold on your card. For UK locations, this hold is typically around GBP 300 to GBP 400 for a standard vehicle, though the exact amount varies by hire brand, vehicle class, and location. This hold reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends, which can take up to 15 business days.

Tips to avoid problems at the London counter:

• Notify your bank before travelling that you will be making an in-person authorisation in London to prevent fraud blocks.
• Bring a backup credit card in your own name in case your primary card is declined.
• Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the London counter for the deposit hold.
• The card must match the name of the main driver on the hire agreement.

The standard fuel policy for London hire cars is Full-to-Full. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

Follow these steps to avoid fuel charges on your London hire:

• At pick-up, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and gauge.
• Use the correct fuel type. Putting the wrong fuel in the vehicle is not covered by the fuel policy and may generate significant charges.
• Before returning the car in London, refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive.
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address as proof in case of any dispute.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, the London hire partner may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refuelling service fee. Returning the car full is always the most cost-effective option for your London hire.

By law, all hire vehicles in London and across the UK must carry third-party liability insurance, and this coverage is included in the hire price. This means you are covered for bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people while driving your London hire.

Beyond the mandatory third-party liability, your booking may also include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), which reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire vehicle itself. A deductible or excess may still apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. Check your booking confirmation to see exactly what is included in your London rate.

Important coverage distinctions to understand:

• CDW/LDW covers damage to the hire car, not to other vehicles or people.
• Third-party liability covers injury or property damage you cause to others.
• Neither covers your personal belongings or your own injuries. Separate add-ons (PAI, PEC) exist for those.
• CDW/LDW does not cover prohibited use such as off-road driving, driving under the influence, or use by an unnamed driver.

Review your hire agreement at the London counter to confirm all coverages are active before driving away.

Yes, most bookings include travel assistance through Terrawind Global Protection, which can be especially useful if you experience a medical emergency or other covered incident during your London hire or while travelling in the UK.

Core benefits typically included are:

• Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers.
• Legal assistance in case of an accident.
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline.
• Flight cancellation insurance.

To reach assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call the toll-free number +1 888 980 9992 or contact via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001, or email [email protected]. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important eligibility note: this travel assistance benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It is designed for travellers visiting London and the UK from other countries. Pre-existing medical conditions are also excluded from the medical benefit. Check your London booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your London hire, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a daily fee paid at the counter if it does not.

Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads "Additional driver free of charge" to see whether your London rate includes this benefit. If it is not included, the daily fee varies by hire partner.

Requirements for adding a driver in London:

• The additional driver must be physically present at the London counter at pick-up.
• They must present a valid driver’s licence and, if their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit as well.
• They must meet the minimum age requirements for the London hire location.
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement.

Only drivers named on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW and third-party liability. If someone drives the London hire who is not listed on the contract, coverage may be void and additional charges could apply. If you need to add a driver after pick-up, visit a branch in person to update the agreement.

To find your hire car counter at a London airport, locate the operating brand shown on your booking confirmation and follow the car hire signage within the terminal.

London is served by several airports, including Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), and City (LCY). Counter locations and processes differ by airport and by hire brand. At larger London airports such as Heathrow, hire counters are typically located in a dedicated hire car area or consolidated facility, which may require a short shuttle or transit ride from the arrivals terminal.

Steps to find your counter at a London airport:

• Confirm the operating brand on your booking confirmation (for example, Avis, Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, or another partner).
• Follow signs for "Hire Car" after clearing arrivals at your London airport terminal.
• If a shuttle is required, go to the marked shuttle stop and look for the bus displaying your brand’s logo.
• If the counter appears closed or you cannot locate it, use the airport information desk or courtesy phones near the hire area.

Allow extra time after landing at a London airport, especially during peak travel periods, as shuttle cycles and counter queues can add to your pick-up time.

Yes, one-way hires are possible in London, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location, the hire partner, and the vehicle class you choose.

When booking a one-way hire from London, the drop-off fee is shown during checkout under the "To pay at destination" section. This fee is not prepaid and is paid directly at the counter. It is separate from fuel, tolls, and taxes.

Common patterns for one-way hires from London:

• Returning to another London location (for example, airport to city centre) may carry no drop-off fee or a small one.
• Returning to a different UK city typically incurs a drop-off fee that varies by distance and vehicle class.
• Cross-border one-ways from London to another country may be restricted or carry higher fees. Confirm with the hire partner before booking.

If you need to change your return location after booking, contact support as soon as possible. Changes to the drop-off location after booking may reprice the hire and recalculate the drop-off fee. Always verify the fee shown on your London booking confirmation matches what the counter presents at pick-up.

At the London hire counter, the partner will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card as a security deposit. For most standard vehicles in London, this hold is typically around GBP 300 to GBP 400, though the exact amount varies by hire brand, vehicle class, season, and specific location.

Key things to know about the London deposit hold:

• It is a temporary authorisation, not a charge. Your available credit is reduced by the hold amount until your bank releases it after the hire ends.
• Only a major credit card physically printed with the main driver’s name is accepted. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted.
• Banks control how quickly the hold is released after drop-off. This can take up to 15 business days, and sometimes longer.
• Premium or speciality vehicles at London locations may require a higher hold than the typical range.

To prepare for your London pick-up, notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent the authorisation from being flagged as suspicious. Bring a backup credit card in your own name in case your primary card is declined. Even if you prepaid your hire, the deposit hold is still required at the London counter.

Pick-up and drop-off hours for hire car counters in London vary by hire brand and specific location. Not all London counters operate 24 hours, and hours may be reduced on public holidays.

Important points about counter hours in London:

• Your hire agreement and booking confirmation will show the operating hours for your specific London pick-up location. Always check these before your arrival.
• If your flight arrives late at night or very early in the morning, confirm in advance whether your London counter will be open at that time.
• Hire companies will generally hold your booking for up to 24 hours from the original pick-up time if you are delayed. If your delay exceeds 24 hours, contact support as soon as possible.
• After-hours returns at London locations may be available at some branches. Follow the key-drop instructions provided in your hire agreement and understand that liability for the vehicle continues until the hire company formally checks it in.

If your counter in London is unexpectedly closed, use the courtesy phones near the hire area or contact the number listed on your hire agreement. Planning your London arrival time around counter hours helps avoid unnecessary delays at pick-up.