Car Hire Gatwick: Quick Guide

car hire gatwick

If you are planning your trip and are looking for car hire Gatwick, let Parkhero help you out. Renting a car is a great way to explore the UK and much more convenient than taking public transport. However, there are so many different car hire options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this short guide we will show you what you can expect for your budget, what sort of cars are available, the companies that operate from the airport and some top tips for car hire at Gatwick.

 

Gatwick Car Hire Options

Gatwick Airport is well connected to the national road network and there are many fantastic destinations within a few hours or less drive of the airport. The south coast and Brighton are just 40 minutes away and the historic city of Oxford is 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive away.

You can pick-up your car directly at the airport and then do not need to worry about planning your schedule to match public transport departures. Simply load your luggage and you can be on your way to your destination in less than an hour! No worries about missing a train or stuffing yourself onto a bus.

Travellers will find a range of different car options available from a host of companies, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt. They each have a desk located in the Arrivals Hall of the North Terminal opposite Boots. If you land at the South Terminal, you can catch the monorail to the North Terminal. It takes just 3 minutes and leaves every 2 minutes, so you don’t need to worry about travelling between the terminals!

If you are planning to spend your trip in London, keep in mind that it is not worth hiring a car. There are excellent public transport links by train, bus and taxi and driving in London can be a nightmare! For more information on the transfers from Gatwick by train or bus, check out blogs.

 

What choice of cars are there to hire at Gatwick?

You have a broad range of car rental Gatwick Airport options with something suitable for every traveller. This includes economy cars, compact cars, estate cars, sedans, SUVs, 4x4s and luxury cars. Each car hire company offers something a bit different and for a comprehensive overview of what is available for your trip, it is best to contact them directly. Keep in mind that if you book on the day, rather than in advance, you are not guaranteed to find the type of car you want.

Alamo Gatwick Airport: +44 (0) 1293 609090

Avis Gatwick Airport: +44 (0) 3445 446001

Budget Gatwick Airport: +44 (0) 3445 446001

Enterprise Gatwick Airport: +44 (0) 1293 609090

Europcar Gatwick Airport: +44 (0) 3713 843408

Hertz Gatwick Airport: +44 (0) 1293 344792

National Gatwick Airport: +44 (0) 1293 609090

Sixt Gatwick Airport: +44 20 7018 8246

 

What to bring and restrictions

When hiring a car in the UK there are few things you will need to bring with you. You will need your driver’s licence and a credit card both in your name together with a form of ID. As you will probably be travelling with your passport, this is more than sufficient, but you can also use a national identity card. It is best to double check with the company you choose before your arrival.

Those with a British driving licence will need to bring both parts of their licence for inspection at the car hire desk.

In terms of restrictions, you will need to keep the following in mind:

  • There are additional costs for customers aged under 26 and most companies will not hire vehicles to customers below 22 years of age
  • For most companies you will need a valued credit card and it will need to be in the name of the person driving the car, but some companies also accept debit cards
  • If you have only recently passed your driving test, you may not be allowed to hire a car until you have had your licence for 12 months
  • If you do not hold a UK driving licence you can use your own national driving licence if this is recognised in the UK. If not, you will need to get an International Driving Permit and present this together with your national driving licence.
  • You have the option of hiring a car with a full tank and returning it empty for an additional charge, but it is more common for you to return the car with a full tank
  • If you have points on your driving licence, you may not be allowed to hire a vehicle and your insurance costs will be higher

 

How much does it cost to hire a car at Gatwick?

Car hire Gatwick prices vary by company but we have put together the list of lowest prices you can expect in the table below. These prices are based on renting a car at the airport, but if you want to save money you can also hire from off-site offices which offer cheaper prices.

 

Time periodSmall carMedium carPeople Carrier
1 Day£50.78£50.78 £133.18
2 Days£63.59£63.59 £166.66
3 Days£75.47£76.24£199.97
4 Days£94.08£94.08 £246.60
5 Days£140.17£140.17£367.54
6 Days£149.38£154.35£391.49
7 Days£160.72£160.72£465.71
1 Week£183.49£183.49£533.38

 

These prices were found using the rentalcars.com fare finder and are based on car hire Gatwick Airport for a week in November 2020 booked a month in advance. The prices are for drivers aged 30 to 65 and there may be additional costs for drivers outside of this age range.

A small car is the smallest car types available at Gatwick for hire and could be a Fiat 500, a Renault Clio, a Vauxhall Corsa or something of a similar size. A medium car has a bit more space and could be a Peugeot 208, a Citroen C3 or something similar. A people carrier is one of the largest car types available and has up to 9 seats. This could be something like a Ford S-Max, Volkswagen Sharan or something similar.

 

About Parkhero

To compare airport car parking, customers in the UK turn to Parkhero. With a simple to use comparison tool, Parkhero makes it easy to find, compare and book great value airport parking across the UK in less than 5 minutes. Whether you are looking for a Meet and Greet service, a Park and Ride service or are looking to park on the airport terrain, we can help you find the best value options.

All you need to do is enter your travel dates in the tool at the top of this page and within seconds the system will present you with all your parking options ranked from the cheapest to the most expensive. You can choose from large national companies, small family firms or even hotel parking depending on which best fits your needs. We make sure you have all the information you need to make your reservation including information about shuttle times, security facilities, the car park location, customer reviews and more. If you need any help, our customer service team is happy to advise you.

Begin your search with Parkhero today and see how much you could save.

 

All of the car hire rates mentioned in this article serve as a guide only. While they were accurate at the time of publishing, prices can and do change regularly. Travellers should ensure that they check the price of their proposed product/service with the service provider before booking.

It is not possible to book hire cars on Parkhero; the information above is provided for reference only, and does not constitute travel advice.

Previous blog posts

Customer Service

Do you have a question or an issue with your booking?

Safe and secure
timo waving