A weekend away is one of the best reasons to hire a premium car. The drive becomes part of the trip, the luggage fits, and you set off when it suits you. Here's how to plan a weekend drive out of London, from choosing the car to bringing it back on time.
Choose the car for the weekend
- A saloon for two people and a comfortable motorway drive. See saloon hire.
- An SUV for a family, a group or plenty of luggage. See SUV hire.
- A performance car when the drive is the point. See performance car hire.
Book the right dates
Book from the day you'll collect to the day you'll return. There's no minimum hire. If you think you might stay longer, book the dates you know and request an extension through your account if plans change.
Start in East London
Our depot is in Hainault, East London, outside the Congestion Charge zone. Starting there means you can head out of London without driving through central London's charging zone. From East London, routes north and east out of the city are an easy start.
If you'd rather start from home, ask about delivery and collection to your address, available at extra cost.
Getting out of London
- Avoid the peaks. Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings are the busiest times to leave and return.
- Check your route for roadworks and closures before you set off.
- Mind the charges. If your route crosses central London during charging hours, the Congestion Charge applies. The ULEZ applies across all London boroughs.
On the road
Your customer experience manager is your contact for anything that comes up during the weekend, and our support line is open from 8am to 8pm. If something happens on the road, make sure everyone is safe first, then call us.
Coming back
Plan to return with time to spare for the inspection. At return, the car is inspected with you and photographed, and your security deposit is released: half after a clean check-in and the rest 14 days later.
If you're running late, tell us as soon as you can. Late returns may be charged as set out in your hire agreement.
A simple weekend checklist
- Your driving licence.
- Your DVLA check code added to your booking.
- Your hire agreement signed online.
- The balance paid before you drive away.
- A route that avoids peak times and charging zones where possible.
- Time to spare for the return inspection.
Make it an occasion
A weekend away is often a celebration: an anniversary, a birthday or a long-awaited break. See weddings and occasions for occasion hire, depending on the vehicle.
Ready to plan your weekend? Choose your dates on our cars page.