London car hire - is it worth all the trouble?

Ask any Londoner what it's like to drive in the capital and the sentiment is always the same; 'don't bother'. Car hire in London tends to be the preserve of the brave or the foolhardy, and for good reasons. Admittedly taxis are expensive and public transport isn't up to much, but neither outweighs the maze of one-way streets, traffic jams, suicidal van drivers and exorbitant parking fees that you'll face if you hire a car. However if you're still determined it's worth bearing the following in mind:

In a bid to help traffic flow the Mayor of London recently introduced a congestion charge for vehicles in central London between 7am and 6.30pm. The zones are clearly signposted and you have until 10.00pm to pay the £5.00 fee (which can be done over the phone, on the Internet and in most garages.

The capital's 'parking attendants' (otherwise known as 'traffic wardens') are some of the most zealous on the face of the planet, and it's possible to be given a ticket, clamped and towed-away all within a couple of hours. If you don't want the cost of your car hire to go through the roof make sure you keep the meter topped up.

During the rush hour, between 7.30-9.30am and 5.00-7.00pm, London's streets quickly become gridlocked and are best avoided.

On the up-side care rental in London is at least affordable, with prices at the lowest end starting at about £10.00 per day. Rental clauses vary greatly and it pays to read the small print as certain factors, such as unlimited mileage, can make a real difference to the overall hire price.

All of the major international car hire companies are represented in London (such as Alamo, Hertz, and Avis), as well as some of the newer Internet based outfits which offer great value for money. To hire a car in London you generally need to be over 25 (although some hire centers will rent you a car at 21) and have held your driving license for over a year.

More on London City Breaks:
London Weekend and City Break Information > London Tourist Information > Free Things to to do in London > Museums in London > London Short Breaks > London Entertainment> Tower of London > London Dungeon > London Palladium > London Zoo > London West End London Theatres > London Tickets > London Travel Guide > Central London Hotel Guide

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - London Car Hire

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