Budget Car Rental
in London

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the leading car rental companies in London, including Budget, 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 Budget rental experience with full protection and peace of mind throughout your trip in London.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your Budget 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 Budget 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 Budget 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 Budget 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, you will need several physical documents to collect your Budget rental car in London. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• A valid, original driver's license in the main driver's name
• A passport or government-issued photo ID
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card (for the security deposit hold)
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

If your driver's license is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For licenses in English or using a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required. Many visitors can drive in London on a full, valid foreign license for up to 12 months, depending on their status and country of origin.

All documents must be physical originals. Name mismatches between your license, passport, and credit card are a common reason for delays at the Budget counter in London, so make sure everything matches before you travel.

Yes, a major credit card in the main driver's name with the driver's name printed on the card is required at the Budget counter in London. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or digital wallet payments are not accepted for the security deposit hold.

At pick-up, Budget will place a temporary authorization (hold) on your card. For London rentals, this hold is typically around GBP 300 to GBP 400 for a standard vehicle, though the exact amount depends on the vehicle class, rental duration, and location. This hold reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the rental ends, which can take up to 15 business days.

• Bring a physical card with your name printed on it
• Ensure your card is enabled for international and in-person transactions
• Set a travel notice with your bank to prevent fraud blocks
• Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined

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

Yes, London operates a Congestion Charge zone in central London, and it may apply to your Budget rental car depending on where and when you drive.

The London Congestion Charge applies to vehicles entering the central zone during charging hours. If your Budget rental begins in or near a zone where this charge applies, the cost will be added to your rental as required by local regulations. London also operates a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which cover a wider area of the city.

• Congestion Charge: applies to central London during designated hours
• ULEZ: covers most of Greater London and applies around the clock
• LEZ: targets heavier vehicles across a large part of London

Tolls and urban driving charges are the driver's responsibility unless otherwise stated in your rental agreement. Always confirm with the Budget counter in London which charges apply to your specific vehicle and planned route, and ask how these fees will be billed. Keeping records of any charges during your rental will help if you need to review your final invoice.

Yes, all bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Budget rental in London.

London has several road-use charges that may apply during your rental, including the Congestion Charge for central London and the M6 Toll if you drive north toward the West Midlands. Any eligible toll costs you pay out of pocket during your Budget rental period can be submitted for cashback.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after returning your London rental:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed Budget rental agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for the booking

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. The cashback cap is 5% of your total booking value, so if you paid US$18 in tolls on a US$600 booking, you receive US$18 back; if you paid US$50, the refund is capped at US$30.

Several road-use charges and toll systems can apply when driving a Budget rental car in and around London.

• London Congestion Charge: applies to vehicles entering central London during charging hours
• Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): covers most of Greater London and operates 24 hours a day, every day
• Low Emission Zone (LEZ): a wider zone targeting higher-emission vehicles across Greater London
• M6 Toll: if you drive north from London toward the West Midlands, this 26-mile motorway toll applies. A non-account holder driving a standard car pays GBP 10.30 for all three zones or GBP 8.30 for two zones
• Dartford Crossing: the tunnel and bridge crossing the Thames east of London operates as a cashless pay-later system called Dart Charge

Most UK toll roads, including those near London, are fully cashless and use number plate recognition or electronic billing. Payment is either made at the time of crossing or billed after your journey. If you do not pay a pay-later toll during your Budget rental period, you may receive a fine as well as an additional charge from the rental company.

Always ask the Budget counter in London about toll billing procedures for your specific vehicle before you drive away.

Yes, Budget car rentals in London follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

At pick-up, check the fuel gauge with the Budget agent and take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel level. Make sure the starting fuel level is recorded on your rental agreement. If the tank is not full at pick-up, the recorded level becomes your return target.

• Use the correct fuel type (petrol or diesel) as shown in the vehicle documentation
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the Budget return location in London so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• For after-hours returns, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge

If you return the Budget vehicle in London with less fuel than recorded at pick-up, you may be charged for the shortfall at the partner's refueling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refueling service fee. Returning the car full is always the most cost-effective option.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget rental in London, 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 your rate does not include this, Budget charges a daily fee for additional drivers. For Budget (part of the Avis Budget Group), the fee is typically US$13 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum charge of US$65 plus taxes for the rental period.

Requirements for adding a driver at the London Budget counter:

• The additional driver must be present at pick-up with a valid driver's license
• They must meet the minimum age requirements for London rentals
• For Budget, the additional driver should be at least 25 years old at the time of pick-up
• If their license is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet, an IDP is required
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement

Only drivers listed on the Budget rental agreement in London are covered by the rental protections. Anyone who drives the vehicle without being named on the contract may void your coverage.

Yes, by law all rental vehicles in the United Kingdom, including Budget cars in London, must carry third-party liability insurance, and this coverage is included in the rental price.

Third-party liability (also referred to as LIS, ALI, or SLI) protects you against bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people while driving the Budget rental car in London. This is a legal requirement across the UK and the European Union, so you will not need to purchase it separately as you might when renting in the United States.

• Third-party liability is included by default in all Budget London rentals
• It covers injury or property damage to others, not damage to the rental vehicle itself
• Damage to the Budget vehicle is covered separately by CDW or LDW
• Your own injuries would require Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) if purchased

Even though liability is included, you may still want to review whether the included limit is sufficient for your needs and whether adding Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) makes sense for your London rental. Always confirm the exact coverage terms on your Budget rental agreement at the counter.

Yes, most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be especially useful if something unexpected happens during your Budget rental in London or while driving in the UK.

This benefit is included at no extra cost and covers up to 5 passengers on your booking. Core benefits typically include:

• Travel insurance with medical coverage for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses
• Legal assistance in case of a road accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

If you need assistance during your Budget rental in London, for example after a road incident or a medical situation, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• Phone: +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free or collect)
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your location in London, and a brief description of the situation. Always contact assistance before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorization.

Please note this coverage does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It also does not cover damage to the Budget rental vehicle (that is CDW or LDW) or your personal belongings.

Yes, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to your Budget rental car in London if a covered incident occurs.

CDW typically covers damage to the rental vehicle caused by a collision, theft, or vandalism. However, a deductible (also called an excess) may apply unless your booking confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. In some European countries including the UK, Budget may offer a Super CDW option that reduces or eliminates the deductible.

CDW does not cover:

• Third-party liability (injury or damage to others), which is handled separately by the included liability insurance
• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, roof, or keys unless a specific add-on is purchased
• Damage caused by prohibited use such as driving under the influence, off-road use, or unauthorized drivers
• Incidents not reported promptly to Budget

Before driving your Budget rental in London, take photos of the vehicle from all angles and confirm any pre-existing damage is noted on the rental agreement. If an incident occurs during your London rental, prioritize safety, contact local authorities if needed, and notify Budget immediately using the number on your rental agreement. Delays in reporting can affect your CDW coverage.

Yes, one-way rentals with Budget in London are possible, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location.

When you search for a Budget rental with a different return location, the booking system will calculate whether a drop-off fee applies and display it under the "To pay at destination" section during checkout. This fee is set by Budget and varies based on the route, distance, vehicle class, and season.

• Returning to another London location or a nearby city may or may not carry a fee depending on the specific route
• Longer one-way routes, such as London to Edinburgh or London to Manchester, typically carry a drop-off fee
• Cross-border one-ways (for example, London to continental Europe) may be restricted or require special authorization from Budget
• Premium or large vehicle classes often carry higher repositioning fees

The drop-off fee cannot be prepaid and is not covered by No Extra Charges© Coverage unless it was not disclosed during booking. If the Budget counter in London charges a fee that differs from what your confirmation shows, keep all paperwork and contact support after the rental ends. Always review the "To pay at destination" section of your confirmation before picking up your Budget vehicle in London.

Finding the Budget counter in London depends on which location you booked, as Budget operates at London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), and several city locations across London.

At London Heathrow, rental car counters are not located inside the arrival terminals. You will need to take the Heathrow Express or a dedicated rental car shuttle bus from your terminal to the Heathrow Car Rental Centre, which serves all major brands including Budget. Follow the "Car Rental" signs from the arrivals hall to reach the shuttle stop or transit link.

For city locations in London, your booking confirmation will include the exact address of the Budget branch. Bring the address with you and confirm the branch opening hours in advance, as city locations may have different hours than airport counters.

• Check your booking confirmation for the exact Budget location address and operating hours
• At Heathrow, follow airport signage to the Car Rental Centre shuttle or transit link
• At Gatwick, Budget is located in the South Terminal; follow car rental signs from arrivals
• If you arrive after hours, review your confirmation for after-hours pickup instructions

If you cannot locate the Budget counter in London, use the airport information desk or courtesy phones near the arrivals area for assistance.

Budget counter hours in London vary by location and can change on public holidays, so it is important to confirm the hours for your specific branch before you travel.

At major London airports such as Heathrow, Budget typically operates extended hours to accommodate flight arrivals. City branches in London generally have shorter operating windows. Your booking confirmation will show the hours for your selected Budget location.

• Budget will hold your reservation for up to 24 hours after the scheduled pick-up time if your flight is delayed
• If your delay is less than 24 hours, Budget in London will keep your booking; arrive during service hours
• If your delay exceeds 24 hours, contact support as soon as possible to discuss your options
• The standard grace period on return is 30 minutes; returning later than this may result in charges for an additional hour or day plus a late fee

For after-hours returns at London Budget locations, check your rental agreement for key-drop instructions and understand that liability for the vehicle may continue until the branch formally checks it in. Always refuel before returning the Budget car in London and keep your fuel receipt in case of any dispute about the fuel level at return.