London by car
Do NOT, under any circumstances, rent a car to get around London. If you are renting one to leave the city, however, read on for tips.
London is not a fun city in which to drive.
The confusing street plan. The roundabouts and one-way streets. The Congestion Charge zone. The fact that they drive on the left.
London is also not a city in which you rent a car just to get around. To North Americans unused to relying on public transit, this can be a surpirse, but locals really don't drive if they can avoid it. Traffic is confusing. Parking is nigh-impossible. Public transportation is excellent.
- DRIVE ON THE LEFT. It's amazing how, at first, you will manage to forget this 90% of the time you get back into the car. Also remember that right turns are now the tricky, wide, have-to-wait-your-turn ones. Furthermore, the U.K. has many roundabouts (traffic rotaries), and navigating those " backwards" can play mind tricks on you until you get used to them.
- Beware the London Congestion Charge. The city of London currently charges you £11.50 per day to drive in the city center between 7am and 6pm, Mon-Fri. (It's to encourge more people to use public transit.) » more
- Honestly, rent a car only to explore beyond London. This does mean (sometimes), you will unfortunately have to navigate the city streets upon departure or arrival—but not necessarily. You can just arrange to pick up your car in the first town you intend to visit beyond London (Oxford, Bath, whatever) and then take public transit (train or bus) to get there.
Just remember the experience of Clark W. Griswold in National Lampoon's European Vacation, (excellent travel documentary) constantly forgetting to drive on the left, causing traffic accidents, and getting stuck for hours in an roundabout, unable to exit. "Look kids! Big Ben! Parliament!"
- Autoeurope.com - Wholesale prices on rentals (and short-term leases) from major rental companies. You end up picking up the car at the local Avis, Hertz, Europcar, or whatever office; you just pay less than the rack rate from those companies.Partner
- Rentalcars.com - Comparison shop the rates at multiple rental companies all at once.Partner
- Momondo.com - Comparison shop the rates at multiple rental companies all at once.Partner
- Europebycar.com - Offers both short-term rentals and short-term leases, making it easy to compare prices on a single site.
- Priceline.com - Actually finds good prices on U.K. rentals.Partner
- Vayama.com - aggregatorPartner
- Gov.uk - Official UK governmental rules of the road, guides to road signs and their meaning, and more
- Amazon.com - A link to get road maps of Great Britain.Partner
- Slowtrav.com - Nice article introducing all of the quirks of driving in the United Kingdom—not just how to drive on the left, but roundabouts, highway types, speed cameras, and handy tips.
- Orcutt.net - Almost comically in-depth blog entry—with loads of links—about driving in the U.K. This guy went way above and beyond what's necessary when planning to drive on his British vacation, but it is about the most complete explanation of being on the British road from a Yankee's point of view as you'll ever find. Some good tips.
- Cclondon.com - All about the infamous "congestion charge" you have to pay if you happen to drive in central London.
- Theaa.com - The British version of AAA provides, among other things, a monthly gas prices chart and a map of traffic incidents and slowdowns.
- Parkopedia.co.uk - live parking maps
- Parkopedia.co.uk - Search for lots, garages, and other public parking options.
- Parkatmyhouse.com - Like Uber for parking, a "sharing economy" site allowing individuals and private entities to offer parking, often just a space or two but for far than garages and lots (plus it is reserved in advance and gauranteed).
Related
Seeing the best of Britain beyond London on sidetrips, excursions, and guided day trips
More on cars and driving
The hotel garage will often be far costlier than a nearby public garage or other parking option
Except for the driving on the left thing, British road rules are similar enough to North American ones that you'll get by fine; here are the important differences
How to arrange for a short-term lease on a brand-new car—cheaper than a rental for longer periods, and far better insured
Camping is a great way to see Britain, but you needn't be tied down to tent pegs; RV rentals are as easy in Europe as they are here at home
There are hundreds of road signs blocking your view on British roads and—more importantly—telling you how to get where you're going
You do not need a IDP for the U.K., but if you are traveling on to the Continent, consider getting one
A good road map can save you time and help you discover places and things not in your guidebook
Stay in the slow lane (the leftmost one) on a U.K. highway unless you are actively passing another car
How to get the most out of renting a car in the U.K. with the lowest cost and least hassle
