Car Hire Heathrow
Airport car hire is a service that many international travellers opt for when visiting the UK, and for that reason, the options in care hire Heathrow Airport has to offer is huge, with many companies ready to do business with tourists and provide them with adequate transportation for their holiday. The problem is with so many on offer it can be difficult knowing who to choose.
The ten car hire companies available to choose from at Heathrow are:
Europcar
National
Alamo
Avis
Easirent
Sixt
Season Car Hire
Enterprise
Hertz
Budget
All of these companies can be easily found within the airport but they each provide different services so it is worth considering exactly what you want and shopping around. This guide has taken each operator of care hire Heathrow offers, and the most asked questions on the subject, to provide a helpful comparison so you can decide which of the ten businesses is most suitable for your needs.
What type of vehicles are on offer?
Seven out of the ten companies listed provide the basic range of small, large, family and luxury cars, with the exception of Alamo and Budget – who do not provide the luxury option – and Season Car Hire, who use the alternative categories of Luxury, Sport and 4×4. In addition to these four options, some companies also provide extra types of car. Enterprise offers people carriers, Easirent give the option of both people carriers and vans, and Sixt also have vans as well as mini-buses. An eco-friendly option is also provided by Europcar, National, Sixt, Hertz, Avis or Easirent because they all provide this option.
What type of airport service is provided?
The option of one-way hire is provided by all of the ten companies, and in many cases this is the only option they will give you. There are, however, a few companies that will provide extra airport services. Online Check-in is available with Easirent, Hertz and Sixt to make the process more convenient, Easirent also provide a meet and greet service – as do Season Care Hire – and Hertz also have the benefit of a Self Service Express Checkout.
Are their any additional extras with the vehicles provided by these operators?
Additional extras can be found with many of the provider’s vehicles, for example car seats and satellite navigation comes as standard with most models, however Easirent is the only service to provide an entertainment system. Phone App Hire is being embraced by many companies, with Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Hertz and Budget all offering this option. Finally, disabled driving controls are available with all operators except Sixt, Season Car Hire and Alamo.
Are there any restrictions and charges for young drivers?
Young drivers wishing to hire a car may find themselves restricted or having to pay additional costs. The limits and charges vary depending on company, so here is a list of what to expect per provider.
Europcar – age limit of 21 and surcharge up to 22, but also a limit of 25 on prestige cars
National – age limit of 21 and surcharges up to 24
Almo – age limit of 21 and sliding scale of charges, but also age limit of 30 on some premium cars
Sixt – age limit of 21, surcharge and luxury car limit up to 23, but discounts for NUS card holders
Hertz – age limit of 19 and surcharge up to 25, but student discount available
Season Car Hire – dependant on vehicle type
Avis – age limit of 23 and surcharge up to 35
Budget – age limit of 23 and surcharge up to 25
Easirent – age limit of 23
Enterprise – age limit of 23 but also limit of 25-30 on some models
What else should drivers be aware of when hiring from these companies?
The most important thing to consider with any car hire Heathrow offers is probably the extra charges. As you can see these can be added on with surcharges for young drivers, but there are also charges for additional drivers and they will more than likely add the airport surcharge onto your bill. A good way to avoid paying extra is to ensure the tank is refilled when you return the car and that you inspect the vehicle for damage before you leave so you are not charged on your return. Insurance is another factor to think about when hiring a car, Collision Damage Waivers and Theft Waivers may be part of the deal but they are not insurance. Finally, be sure to have both a valid driver’s license and passport to hand as you will be asked for both.
How much will this cost me?
The cost of hiring a car depends greatly on the model, time period and, as you can see, the age of the driver. There are too many factors to consider here, so the best way to check the potential cost of hiring a car is to check out the providers directly. An easy way to do this is to visit Heathrow’s own site, which has links to all its providers and any additional information you may need. By visiting the operator’s own site can could potentially find online deals and rates to reduce the overall cost.
Hopefully this guide has clarified some of the issues surround the types of car hire Heathrow Airport offers, and has provided enough information on each of the ten companies to allow you to find the one that is best for you.