London City Airport car hire

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Car hire near London City Airport

If it's easier for you, there are lots of car hire pickup locations in London from R 209.

The most popular car rental companies in London City Airport

London City Airport car hire: Facts on the fly

Average daily priceR 1,608
Most popular carCompact, 4-5 doors
Cheapest price foundR 256
Cheapest month to rentMarch
Providers at London City Airport17
Most popular providerBudget
Best time to book3 weeks before

Choose from the best car hire companies near London City Airport

Driving in London: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
You’ll need a valid licence and possibly an IDP.
To drive in London, you’ll need a driving licence held for at least a year. If it’s not in English, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required. Most car hire companies also ask for a passport and credit card.
Navigating city driving
Expect one-way streets and left-hand driving.
Driving in London means handling narrow roads, bus lanes, and one-way systems. Use navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze to avoid restricted zones and live traffic hotspots.
Tolls, emissions zones and charges
Central London has tolls and emissions charges.
The Congestion Charge and ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) apply in central London. Not all rental cars are exempt, so always check. Most fees can be paid online or in the TFL app. Some routes include toll roads.
Parking your car in London
Parking is limited and often expensive.
Many parking areas in London are residents-only or require pay-by-app. Look for multi-storey car parks, park-and-ride options, or hotels with parking. Avoid red routes, bus lanes, and loading zones to dodge fines.
Finding fuel or charging points
Fuel is available — EV charging needs planning.
Petrol stations in London are common but pricier in central zones. For electric vehicles, use Zap-Map or PlugShare to find EV charging stations in London. Some require local apps or cards — check access before your trip.
Local driving style and tips
Traffic moves fast and cameras are everywhere.
London drivers are direct and fast-paced, especially during peak hours. Give way at zebra crossings, take care at roundabouts, and avoid yellow box junctions. Traffic cameras are widespread and fines apply for hire cars.
Find London City Airport car hire deals

How to get the best car hire deal in London City Airport

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy after you've touched down in London City Airport. 

How to find a cheap car hire deal in London City Airport (LCY)

  • Just arrived in town? Grab a cheap London City Airport rental car and start your adventure for around R 1,608 a day. From short drives to cross-country jaunts, we'll match you with a rental that works for you.

  • R 256 is the cheapest daily price offered for a rental at London City Airport.

  • Planning a longer stay in London? Grab a weekly rental from R 1,228 and make room for more adventures.

  • Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding a cheap LCY car hire. Book about one week before your departure date to score the best price.

  • Check out the offers available from Green Motion, Europcar and Keddy By Europcar. They're the most popular providers at London City Airport.

  • Whether you go with Green Motion or another supplier, double-check the coverage on your London City Airport car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as an optional extra.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to land a good deal if the provider needs to move vehicles between sites. Find the best available rates for a car for hire in LCY by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Avoid any unexpected fees by booking a car hire in London City Airport with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.

  • Hit the highway without watching the miles and racking up additional fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you explore further.

Best value car hire options right now

  • In the number-one spot for value is this company, with prices averaging R 720 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around R 2,567, this provider follows in second place.

  • The third option also stacks up well on price. Hop into one of their rentals for roughly R 1,983 a day.

  • The Compact rental category is a dependable choice if you can't decide what kind of wheels you need. It's also the car type that's booked the most at LCY.

Compare car hire types from London City Airport (LCY)

  • Small: These cheap London City Airport rental cars may be small in size, but they come with big advantages. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to drive, great on mileage, and just the thing for city driving.

  • Medium: A dependable choice when you want something that's easy to drive but with a few more features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra space compared to smaller cars.

  • Large: Offering greater driving comfort and enhanced tech features, this LCY car hire option includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: SUVs are made for plans that change mid-journey. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and winding backroads alike.

  • Van: Featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in London City Airport is built to handle heavier loads and bigger groups. They're roomy, reliable, and ready to tackle whatever task lies ahead.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the cost you'd have to pay if your LCY car hire is damaged or stolen. While not mandatory, it helps cover you in a tough spot. Just remember that policies differ from one provider to another, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.

  • Upgrade your ride with handy extras like a navigation system or mobile Wi-Fi. These add-ons can make your trip easier and more enjoyable when you rent a car in London City Airport.

Good to know

  • Generally, you have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in the United Kingdom. Younger drivers aren't always turned away — just be prepared for extra fees or rules. Check the companies' terms and conditions before you book.

  • Add a car seat to your LCY car hire reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Regulations change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their size and age is always the safest choice.

  • You'll be asked to provide some documents when you pick up your ride. As a general rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds for the excess (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and additional photo ID. Your booking will confirm exactly what's required.

  • If you're new to driving in the United Kingdom, remember that traffic here keeps to the left side of the road.

  • Local speed limits can vary, but it's typically around 40kph in urban areas and 100kph or so along highways. Always go by the posted signs.

  • In the United Kingdom, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you think you'll be drinking, pass the keys to someone else or find a safe alternative way to get around.

Drive smarter from the start

  • With a LCY car hire, you're in charge when it comes to where you go. If central London is your first port of call, it's around 11 kilometres west of the airport and a trip of about 25 minutes.

  • Driving from London City Airport to the centre during peak hour can take up to 1 hour 5 minutes.

  • One of the busiest times to be out on the roads in this destination is around 5pm. Make driving smoother by avoiding rush hours in general.

  • If you don't need a set of wheels as soon as you land, consider picking up a car hire in London instead of at the airport. Simply collect your ride when it works for you and avoid paying for unused rental days.

  • For even more choice, browse the car hire options at London Heathrow Airport or car rentals from London Gatwick Airport. These airports also connect to London.

Hit the road: Where to drive from London City Airport (LCY)

  • Before leaving town, do some sightseeing around London first. Highlights such as The British Museum and Westminster Abbey are the perfect warm-up for the rest of your trip.

  • Reading should be on your itinerary if you're eager to visit Reading Abbey Ruins and Reading river cruise Thames. This city is about 72 kilometres west of LCY.

  • Or pick up your London City Airport car hire and take off to Luton. Roughly 56 kilometres northwest of the airport, The Walled Garden and Cowslip Meadow Nature Reserve are popular attractions that are well worth the trip.

  • Stretch your journey and road-trip it to Cardiff, around 225 kilometres west of LCY. Make your first stop Cardiff Castle, then head to St. Fagans National Museum of History.

Hiring a car at London City Airport: FAQs

On average, car hire from London City Airport is around R 1,608 per day.
No. It's a little higher than United Kingdom's average daily car rental price, which is around R 587.
There are lots of car hire companies to choose from at London City Airport - including Fox - Rent A Car, Easirent, Surprice, Aura Car Hire, Green Motion, Drivalia, Budget, Hertz, and Avis.
Currently, the lowest price for car hire at London City Airport we found is R 256. And the cheapest rate for car hire nearby is from R 209. It can often be cheaper to hire a car from somewhere near to London City Airport, especially if there's an extra airport pick-up fee. But when you consider the cost of travelling from London City Airport to the pick-up location, and back again at the end of your stay, collecting your wheels as soon as you touch down might still work out more economic, faster and easier.
Yes – you can hire a car when you touch down in London City Airport and drop it off in another location, which can save you time and money.
The most popular according to travellers is Keddy By Europcar, with a 4.8 rating for things like cleanliness, customer service and value. The cheapest company is currently Green Motion.
Currently, it looks like Green Motion has the cheapest car hire deal in London City Airport – for R 380 per day. Drivalia also has car hire deals from R 411 per day.
Although you can often find a cheaper car hire deal away from London City Airport, remember to consider: extra cost of public transport, a taxi to your hotel, or on to that pickup location on top of that price.
Yes. We understand that plans can change last minute, or you might even find a better car rental deal from London City Airport. That's why we highlight the rental cars you can book now and cancel later when you search.
Yes, van hire is available at London City Airport from R 484 per day.
When you rent a car near London City Airport, most major providers require you to be at least 21 years old. Some companies charge an extra fee if you're under 25, so make sure you check before booking.
You can book car hire at London City Airport in three simple steps. First, explore the range of available cars, from family-friendly SUVs to small compact cars. Next, narrow down your choices by comparing features like fuel policy, mileage and customer reviews to find the best deal. Then, once you’ve found the perfect car, you’ll be redirected to the provider’s website to book, with no extra fees.
The documents you need to rent a car at London City Airport vary depending on the car hire provider. In most cases, you’ll need a valid driving licence, photo ID and a credit card. You can check with the car hire provider when you book.
Finding the best car hire deal at London City Airport is quick and easy with Skyscanner. First, explore the range of available cars, from family-friendly SUVs to small compact cars. Next, narrow down your choices by comparing features like fuel policy, mileage, and customer reviews to find the best deal. Then, once you’ve found the perfect car, you’ll be redirected to the provider’s website to book, with no extra fees.