Car Rental London

Parking in London

• NCP London Bloomsbury Square Car Park (WC1A 2RJ) is close to the British Museum, the West End and Oxford Street. Other NCP parking garages are located across the city, including at the major London airports.
• Minories Car Park (E1 8LP) has more than 300 parking spaces near the Tower of London, including electric vehicle charging bays. 
• On-street parking is available in London and its boroughs, though restrictions usually apply between 8:30am and 6:30pm Monday to Saturday. Details are given on signposts dotted along the street.

Congestion Charges

If you’re planning to drive your car rental in central London, you may need to pay a Congestion Charge. This charge applies at certain times of day, to most vehicles entering the city. Make sure you check before you travel whether you’ll need to pay. You can pay online in advance, on the day or up to three days after you travel.

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) was introduced in London in 2019 to cut emissions and improve air quality. It covers a wider area than the London Congestion Charge Zone, is active 24/7 and costs a flat rate of £12.50 per day. Cars that meet certain emission standards are exempt from the ULEZ charge, including electric vehicles.

Key roads in London

• The M25 London Orbital Motorway is a circular motorway that runs around the outside of Greater London, connecting the capital to Kent, Surrey, Berkshire and beyond to other areas of England.
• The M1 motorway starts in London and heads north towards Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds. 
• The A2 is a major, historic road that takes you from the Old Kent Road in south-east London to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent.

How to get from London to Gatwick Airport

It takes around one hour and 30 minutes to drive the 27 miles from central London to London Gatwick Airport.

1. Follow the A3212 south out of central London
2. Cross Lambeth Bridge, then take the A3036 on to South Lambeth Road.
3. Turn right on to Clapham Road (A3), then left on to the B221 for two miles.
4. Take a right and follow the A23 for around 10 miles.
5. Keep left to continue on to the M23 and follow signs for Gatwick Airport.

How to get from London to Brighton

Best hotels in London

London Marriott Hotel Regents Park

128 King Henry’s Road, NW3 3ST

Less than 10 minutes from the leafy gardens of Regent’s Park, the London Marriott Hotel offers a welcome retreat in the English capital. Effortlessly stylish rooms and suites feature plush pillowtop beds, private balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows. Swim a few laps in the indoor pool or relax in the spa, before booking a table at Carluccio’s Restaurant onsite.

The Tower Hotel

St Katharine’s Way, E1W 1LD

Looking to stay close to the Tower of London? Each room at the Tower Hotel enjoys a first-class view of Tower Bridge or St Katharine Docks. Soak up the city’s beauty as you settle into an Art Deco-inspired room and dine at the hotel’s iconic waterfront restaurant, Vicinity, overlooking the River Thames.

The Bloomsbury Hotel

16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN

Historic yet stylish, comfortable yet convenient – The Bloomsbury Hotel has it all. Housed in a stunning 1930s Georgian building close to Covent Garden and the West End, this upscale hotel places you in the heart of the city. Make the most of luxury guestrooms, a 24-hour gym and the elegant Dalloway Terrace restaurant serving brunch and afternoon tea.

Best restaurants in London

OXO Tower Restaurant

OXO Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, SE1 9PH

Venture to the top floor of the iconic OXO Tower for a seasonal menu, showcasing the best of British cuisine. Enjoy Dorset lobster, Scottish scallops, dry-aged beef and crispy roast potatoes. You can even try their signature afternoon tea, complete with finger sandwiches, sausage rolls and buttermilk scones with jam and clotted cream.

Chishuru

9 Market Row, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LB

Just a short drive from central London, you’ll find Brixton’s renowned West African-inspired restaurant, Chishuru. Their set menu adds a contemporary twist to age-old African recipes, featuring flavor-packed dishes like corn bites in spicy Scotch Bonnet sauce, shito fried rice and plantain ice cream.

Padella

6 Southwark Street, SE1 1TQ

Head to Padella in Borough Market for a helping of fresh pasta, homemade sauce and classic Italian antipasti. The menu changes daily based on the ingredients available, with dishes including fettucine with pistachio pesto, pappardelle with beef shin ragu and ricotta ravioli in a butter and sage sauce.

Best things to do in London

The British Museum

Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG

London is a hub of world-class museums and galleries, and the British Museum is no exception. Discover more than 60 galleries documenting two million years of history, from ancient Greek sculpture and Egyptian sarcophaguses to contemporary African textiles. It’s free to visit too.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park, W2 2UH

Make for the great outdoors with a day out at Hyde Park. This scenic green space offers a range of fun activities the whole family can enjoy. Take a stroll through the Rose Garden, go boating on the Serpentine, visit the memorial fountains and have a picnic in the park.

Borough Market

8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL

Foodies will feel right at home in Borough Market. Dating back around 1,000 years, this historic food marketplace now hosts more than 100 stalls, stands and eateries, showcasing artisanal cheeses, breads, meats and more. Sample a selection of sweet treats and savory delights to experience a true taste of London.