GATWICK AIRPORT CAR HIRE
HIRE A CAR FROM GATWICK AIRPORT
Gatwick is located 28 miles south of London with excellent rail and road links making it extremely accessible. Officially known as London's second airport, it has two Terminals- North and South- from which 70 airlines fly to over 200 worldwide destinations. Gatwick South Terminal charges a minimum of £1.50 to pick-up passengers
By car - London Gatwick is directly linked to the M23 motorway at junction 9 and to the A23 London-Brighton road. The M25 – the London Orbital Motorway - is a 10 minute drive from the airport, connecting it with the UK's extensive road and motorway network.
Reigate, the historic Surry market town, is nearest to the airport. Located the foot of the North Downs, right in the London commuter belt, it is perhaps best known as the setting for one of Sherlock Holmes stories featured in “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes”. It has a long High Street with numerous independent shops, cafés, bars, tea room, delicatessen and restaurants, as well as two supermarkets. There is a castle and two windmills in the town. The popular and attractive Priory Park, with its recreational facilities, is located to the south of the High Street.
The town of Redhill, famed for the arrest of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs in 1963, is 3 miles east of Reigate, along the A25, although the town is certainly better known nowadays for the world-famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally that passes through every year.
Airport facilities - in both Terminals there’s car hire, Bureau de Change, cash machines, information kiosks, luggage trolleys, postal facilities, payphones, toilets, showers, baby changing and baby feeding facilities, airport lounge and a full range of disabled facilities. Left luggage (north Terminal near entrance) and a Conference and Business Centre (7th floor, south Terminal). There are also extensive shopping options throughout both Terminals before and after security, including newsagents, gifts, accessories, books, music, jewellery, health and beauty, as well as Duty Free.
Hotels - there is a comprehensive choice of over 30 hotels to choose from, either on airport and located close to the airport.
GATWICK AIRPORT CAR RENTAL INFORMATION
There are nine main car hire providers in both Terminals at Gatwick. There is also now a bespoke car hire facility on level 1 in the North Terminal where car hire vehicles are all under cover and directly accessed from the Terminal building. Other providers may offer a meet and greet service, but this can attract a surcharge.
Between the providers, you should be able to book the car you require. Vehicles available from most of the operators include small, large, family, luxury saloons, eco-friendly, disable-adapted and one-way hire. 7 and 9 seater people carriers, minibuses and vans are available from some of the operators at Gatwick, but none rent motorcycles, so do check in advance. Child seats, satellite navigation and disabled driver controls can also be organised from most operators.
You may also find that your car hire provider requests an airport surcharge fee, something they are passing on from the airport. Some providers include this in their pricing. With some of the operators you can book a car using your mobile phone. However, unless via a dedicated specific smartphone app, be advised that many car hire firms operate via an 0870 (the most expensive) or 084 telephone premium rate telephone number, which if using a mobile phone, especially on international roaming, can be very costly (see www.saynoto0870.com for alternative standard rate UK STD telephone numbers). While 0800 and 0500 telephone numbers are free from a landline, they are charged to a mobile. You will always get the best deal by booking in advance.
Economy hire and special rates are sometimes available on the day, but often, in order to avail of any special offers or promotions, you should book in advance. This is always useful, as you can often specify the model type you require and complete most of the paperwork in advance, which will save time upon your arrival at the airport. Remember, Gatwick is a busy airport.
Always check the car for any previous damage or scratches before you drive away. Ensure you report any findings to the rental representative, and have it noted down on your rental contract sheet, otherwise you might find yourself being charged at the end of your rental for damage you did not do. And near in mind that you may need to familiarise yourself with the vehicle if it is a different make to your own, more so if you are coming from a country that drives on the right.
And don’t forget your driving licence (both parts if applicable to your country of origin), secondary ID (passport, to prove it’s you) and credit/debit card - and remember, minimum ages apply (different operators have different minimum ages) and the young driver (nearly always applied without exception for under 25’s) daily surcharge may differ for each provider.
Check all documents for any ambiguities and ask if you are not sure, making supplementary notes in front of the rental representative.
