Ash UK/US

I am thinking about going back to the UK for a visit at the end of october, I found a decent deal and can fly all 4 of us back for $2620 (2 adults/2kids) anyhow if I go back we will need to rent a car.

Is it cheaper to rent this side of the pond?

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I don't have a UK license, do I really need a International Drivers Permit with a US license?

Ash

Ray

I found it much the same price

National Car rental suited me

an IDP is only ever need if you existing licence is in
a different language to the country your visiting

Ash UK/US

Thanks Ray

Jerseygirl

I've used 1 car 1, Hertz and Avis. I think it's just luck which works out the cheapest. Some on here have said it's cheaper to rent from a location situated outside of the airport...makes sense...although taxi fares will push the cost up.

Yes you can use your US license...no problem.

Ray

airport location are usually 20% higher due to the licence they
have to pay ..in the US it can be 30% higher ...

Haggerwood

Try hotwire they always save me money on car rentals.

Ash UK/US

Is Heathrow airport still a pain to get around? Last time I flew through there (April 2005) there was some construction work going on... what a mess.

Ash

Mandana

Not particularly, but traffic is always heavy around the M25/M4 corridor.

You think that's bad. You haven't seen the I10 in Houston! Now THAT's a mess!

penguinsix

The last two times I've rented in the UK they put a £500 hold on my credit card pending return of the car. My credit card company wasn't expecting this and did a decline, so I had to call them up from the airport and sort it all out.

Might be worth phoning your credit card company before you go and saying "I'm over in the UK and will have these sorts of charges" so you don't get flagged by the fraud folks.

loopylorns

We used Euro car from Heathrow a few weeks back.

They put a 500 hold on CC or if you pay a little extra insurance they dont do this, and yes as penguinsix said deffo notify your card issuer.

rjbhutton

I had the same thing happen about 10yrs ago... good advice to always call the credit card company of cards you intend to use abroad before you go and let them know that you will be traveling to X and the dates... otherwise flags get thrown all over the place and they can't reach you cos, well,... you're traveling!! duh!!

Maz

I always do this before every time I travel abroad, with the two cards I take with me, and have only rented a car on one of these trips. And that wasn't in England, so am clueless about how much it would cost. My parents always pick me/us up, and after that I just rely on public transport.

Ash UK/US

I am talking about the airport itself... last time I flew through there they were doing some work and the place was a mess... I travelled alone with my then 18 month old daughter (no stroller because I checked it, no that was not a smart idea ) all I remember was walking for what seemed like miles through this rat maze toting my daughter, hand luggage and a car seat... as luck would have it I did find an abandoned luggage trolley, I strapped my daughter back in to her car seat and put the car seat on the trolley Needless to say even with my hubby along we will have a stroller for my 2 girls!

I am flying Grand Rapids-Chicago-Heathrow-Teeside so I won't have to deal with the traffic on the M25.

My dad and my sisters boyfriend will meet us at the airport so I probably won't need the rental car till the day after we arrive.

Ash

Ash UK/US

Thats what I used to do too but the last time I was over (18 months ago) we went on a 7 mile bus trip and it cost £5 one way for the 2 of us

Mandana

Ah, sorry, misunderstood. I've actually not noticed TBH - probably because I wasn't walking with a baby, luggage and car seat! With that little lot, I'd have noticed crossing the road!

Mind you, I do remember my Mum loading me down with a dinner service when I travelled to see friends in Canada. Nearly killed me carrying that as hand-luggage as a 17 year old :curse: