LGWUpdated October 21, 2026

Car rental at London Gatwick airport

London · United Kingdom

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LGW · Rent a car

Rental companies at the airport

Car rental companies operating at London Gatwick airport (LGW) and where to find them. The airport is 48 km from London. See also the airport guide for general information.

The airport offers excellent car hire options with offices located within the airport grounds, easily accessible on foot from both terminals. Pick-up and drop-off areas are clearly signposted and allow 24-hour out-of-hours returns.

Car Hire Companies

Desk Locations

  • North Terminal: The desks are located in the arrivals area, following the signs for “Car Rental” and Jubilee House. They are a short walk away, passing Jubilee House on your right-hand side.
  • South Terminal: Located on the ground floor of the arrivals forecourt (Level 0). From the arrivals hall, follow the signs for car hire and use the upper forecourt lift to go down to level 0.

Rental Requirements

To hire a vehicle at Gatwick, you will generally need to meet the following requirements:

  • Driving Licence: Must be valid and held for at least one year (some agencies require 3 years). If your licence is not in English or does not include a photograph, you may need an International Driving Permit.
  • Minimum Age: Usually 21 or 23 years old. Drivers under 25 are often subject to a “young driver” surcharge.
  • Identification: A valid passport or national identity card (for EU/UK citizens).
  • Credit Card: A credit card in the main driver’s name is required for the security deposit (excess).
  • Proof of Address: In some cases, a recent utility bill may be requested as proof of address.

Companies, opening hours and desk locations can change. Check with the rental company before booking.

How do we verify this information?

Compare rental cars at LGW

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Tips for renting a car in United Kingdom

  1. Check that your driver's license is valid in United Kingdom. Some countries also ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is only valid together with your national license.
  2. Review what the rental includes: collision damage waiver, third-party liability and the deductible. Most companies also hold a deposit on a credit card in the driver's name.
  3. Learn the local rules before you drive: speed limits, right of way, alcohol limits and tolls.
  4. In United Kingdom traffic drives on the left: the steering wheel is on the right and roundabouts go clockwise.
  5. At pickup, photograph the car (inside and out) and the fuel level, and keep the photos until the deposit is returned.
  6. Know what to do in an accident: who to call, what to document and how to report it to the rental company.

Find the rental desks and parking on the LGW airport map.

Not driving? See other ways to get to and from LGW. Returning the car or picking someone up: parking at LGW.

German Giudici

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Creator of the Aeropuertos del Mundo website network since 2007.