Car Rental
at London Airport

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the leading car rental companies at London Airport, 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 deductible (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 rental 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 rental experience with full protection and peace of mind throughout your trip at London Airport.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking at London Airport 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 at London Airport 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 rental 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)

The pickup process at London Airport depends on which terminal you arrive in.

• Terminals 2, 3, and 4: Car hire desks are located inside the terminal in or near the arrivals area. After collecting your baggage, follow the Car Hire signs to reach the desk and complete paperwork. Shuttles to the off-site rental car lot depart from Level 5, Island 4 (doors 505 to 513 East and 504 to 512 West).
• Terminal 5: Car hire desks are in the arrivals hall. After completing paperwork, take the free shuttle from Bus Stops 26 and 27 to the off-site Car Rental Center on Northern Perimeter Road. The shuttle runs every 5 to 10 minutes and takes 5 to 7 minutes.

The Car Rental Center on Northern Perimeter Road is where you collect your vehicle. Allow 90 to 150 minutes from landing to driving away, as immigration clearance, baggage claim, paperwork, and the shuttle all add time. Bring your driver's license, passport, and a major credit card in the main driver's name with the name printed on the card.

To collect your rental car at London Airport, you must present the following physical documents at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

• Original, unexpired driver's license in the main driver's name.
• Passport or valid government-issued photo ID.
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted.
• Booking confirmation or printed voucher (required for certain rentals).
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from abroad).

For drivers whose license is not in English and not issued by an EU or EEA country, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended. If your license uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an IDP is required. In the UK, many visitors can drive on a valid foreign license for up to 12 months, but always verify official guidance before your trip to London Airport.

The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original license. It is not a standalone document.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not always mandatory at London Airport, but it is strongly recommended in several situations.

• If your driver's license is not in English and not issued by an EU or EEA country, an IDP is recommended.
• If your license uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an IDP is required.
• Paper licenses from certain countries may also require an IDP under UK rules.

In the UK, many visitors can legally drive on a full, valid foreign license for up to 12 months depending on their status and country of origin. However, individual rental companies at London Airport may have their own requirements at the counter, so carrying an IDP removes any risk of being denied the vehicle.

The IDP must be obtained in your home country before traveling. It is a translation document only and must always be presented together with your original license. It is not valid on its own.

Yes, there are several toll and road charge systems that can affect drivers picking up a rental car at London Airport.

• London Congestion Charge: If you drive into central London, a daily charge of GBP 13.50 to GBP 18 applies. Rental cars are not exempt, and the charge is often added directly to your rental bill by the operator.
• M6 Toll: If you travel north toward the West Midlands, this 26-mile motorway toll applies. A car using all three zones pays GBP 10.30; two zones cost GBP 8.30. The system is cashless and uses number plate recognition.
• Clean Air Zones and Low Emission Zones: Depending on your route and vehicle, additional urban charges may apply in certain cities.

Tolls and congestion charges are the driver's responsibility unless your rental agreement states otherwise. Always ask the counter representative about toll payment options before leaving London Airport. If you use a rental company's electronic toll program and decline it, you may still be charged tolls at the highest undiscounted rate plus an administrative fee.

All bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you claim back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your rental. Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle with your rental agreement and toll receipts.

Yes, a major credit card is required to rent a car at London Airport. The card must be in the main driver's name with the driver's name physically printed on the card, and it must be presented as a physical card at the counter. Digital wallets, virtual cards, and prepaid or debit cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold.

At London Airport, the rental company will place a temporary authorization hold on your card at pickup. For the UK, this hold is typically GBP 300 to GBP 400 for standard vehicles, though the exact amount varies by rental brand, vehicle class, and location. The hold reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the rental ends, which can take up to 15 business days.

• Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined.
• Notify your bank of your travel plans to prevent fraud blocks on in-person authorizations.
• Ensure your card has sufficient available credit to cover both the hold and any expected charges.

Even if you prepaid your booking online, you must still present a physical credit card at the London Airport counter for the deposit hold.

All bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses you for tolls paid during your rental at London Airport, up to 5% of your total booking value.

This is especially useful at London Airport because drivers heading into central London face the Congestion Charge (GBP 13.50 to GBP 18 per day), and those traveling north may encounter the M6 Toll (up to GBP 10.30 per journey). These costs add up quickly and the cashback helps offset them.

• You still pay tolls normally during your rental.
• After returning the vehicle, email [email protected] within 30 days.
• Include your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid.
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number.
• Refunds are issued to your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after approval.

Example: If your booking total is US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. If you paid US$18 in tolls, you receive US$18 back. If you paid US$40, you receive US$25 (the cap). Late submissions after 30 days of returning the car at London Airport are not accepted.

Yes, the London Congestion Charge applies to rental cars collected at London Airport. There are no exemptions for hire vehicles.

The charge applies when you drive into central London within the designated zone, and costs GBP 13.50 to GBP 18 per day depending on the time and vehicle. Rental operators often add this charge directly to your rental bill, so you may see it appear as a post-rental charge even if you were not aware of it at pickup.

• The charge applies Monday to Sunday during operating hours in the central London zone.
• Rental cars are billed via number plate recognition, so no manual payment is needed at the time of driving.
• The rental company passes the charge to you, sometimes with an administrative processing fee.

If you are picking up at London Airport and do not plan to drive into central London, the Congestion Charge will not apply to your journey. However, if your route takes you through the zone, Budget for this cost in advance. Always ask the counter representative at London Airport about how congestion charges are billed and whether any processing fees apply on top of the base charge.

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

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the gauge and odometer.
• Use the correct fuel type. Petrol and diesel vehicles are common in the UK, so confirm which your rental requires before leaving London Airport.
• 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.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, the rental company may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refueling service fee. Fuel prices in the Heathrow area of London Airport are broadly in line with the UK National average, so there is no significant airport premium at the pump.

For after-hours returns at London Airport, leave the fuel receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge as evidence.

Most bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which covers you and up to 5 passengers during your rental at London Airport and throughout your trip.

• Medical coverage for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses during your stay.
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident.
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline.
• Flight cancellation insurance.

This benefit is particularly relevant when renting at London Airport, where you may be driving on unfamiliar roads such as the M4 or M25, on the left-hand side of the road, and potentially into central London. If you are involved in an incident and need legal or medical support, the assistance line is available 24 hours a day.

To reach assistance, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free or collect) or contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: this benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It also does not cover damage to the rental vehicle itself (that is handled by CDW or LDW) or third-party liability to others (covered by LIS or SLI). Always review your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your London Airport rental.

Yes, driving on the left is mandatory throughout the UK, including all roads accessed from London Airport. This is one of the most important adjustments for visitors arriving from countries where traffic drives on the right.

• The driver's seat and steering wheel in your rental car will be on the right side of the vehicle.
• Take a few minutes in the London Airport rental car lot to familiarize yourself with the controls, mirrors, and seating position before pulling out.
• At roundabouts, which are common near London Airport and on UK roads generally, traffic flows clockwise and you give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
• The M4 motorway connecting London Airport to central London and the M25 orbital motorway are high-speed roads where staying in the correct lane is critical.

Speed limits in the UK are posted in miles per hour. The standard limits are 30 mph in urban areas, 60 mph on single carriageways, and 70 mph on motorways and dual carriageways. Speed cameras are common on motorways and A-roads near London Airport, and fines are issued automatically by number plate recognition.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your rental at London Airport, either as part of your rate or by paying a fee at the counter.

Some rates include one additional driver at no extra cost. Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads Additional driver free of charge. If it is not listed, a daily fee applies depending on the rental brand.

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per rental day plus taxes, capped at US$65 plus taxes.
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per rental day plus taxes, capped at US$189 plus taxes.
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day plus taxes.

The additional driver must be present at the London Airport counter at pickup with their own valid driver's license and any required International Driving Permit. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement. Anyone who drives the vehicle without being listed on the agreement will not be covered by CDW, LDW, or liability protections.

If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a rental branch to update the agreement. This cannot typically be done by phone or chat alone.

By law, all rental vehicles in the UK, including those collected at London Airport, must include third-party liability insurance. This is included in the rental price and covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people while driving.

Beyond the mandatory minimum, your booking may also include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), which reduces your financial liability for damage to the rental vehicle itself. Check your booking confirmation to see what is included and whether a deductible or excess applies.

• CDW or LDW covers collision damage, theft, and vandalism to the rental car, subject to any deductible shown on your agreement.
• Third-party liability (LIS or SLI) covers damage or injury you cause to others. In the UK this is included by law.
• CDW and LDW do not cover tires, the undercarriage, the roof, or personal belongings.
• Coverage applies only to drivers named on the rental agreement at the London Airport counter.

If you are involved in an incident while driving from London Airport, contact the rental company immediately using the number on your rental agreement. Report the incident to local authorities if required and gather photos, location details, and any police report number. Delayed reporting can affect your coverage.

Rental companies at London Airport will generally hold your booking for up to 24 hours from the original scheduled pickup time, so a short delay due to a flight arriving late should not cause you to lose your reservation.

• If your delay is less than 24 hours, your booking will be held. Make sure you arrive during the counter's operating hours, as hours vary by brand. Hertz operates 24 hours at London Airport, while other brands such as Sixt operate from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM and may require confirmation for pickups outside those hours.
• If your delay is greater than 24 hours, contact support via WhatsApp at +1 (786) 999-8312 or email [email protected] as soon as possible. Changes are not guaranteed but the team will assist where possible.
• Arriving outside regular operating hours may result in additional fees charged directly at the London Airport counter.

If you are using an after-hours key drop service for returns at London Airport, confirm this option with your rental company in advance. You remain responsible for the vehicle until staff have inspected it, so photograph the exterior, interior, fuel gauge, and odometer with timestamps before dropping the keys.