AVIS location LHR

[simongr]

Due to some slight plan changes I now need to go to Bath on Saturday afternoon just before my LHR-DXB-LHR mileage run (I wouldn't call this trip a behemoth unless it really was a monster ).

I have booked an Avis hire car from LHR. My plan is train Paddington -> LHR (using HEX code I have First class for price of Standard), pick up car, drive to Bath and back, drop off car at LHR and head to flight.

In doing the car booking there is no indication of a terminal for Avis. I am flying out of T4 on BA so want to make this as smooth as possible.

So the question is - where the heck is the Avis pick up desk at LHR - do I have to go to arrivals at T4 and get the keys then find the car?

Cheers

S

P.s. Yes I don't do things the easy way do I - this was meant to be a "me time" trip with no family visits or driving around the country...

 

[NM]

The Avis rental car centre is just outside the airport. They have shuttle busses that pcikup from outside the arrivals section of all terminals. Just follow the signs.

 

[philbritzio]

Simon,

Avis hire car at LHR is actually off the airport.

Simply follow the signs inside the terminal for the hire car shuttle bus stops. Catch the Avis bus and they will take you there.

After handing the car back, they will drop you back at the Terminal.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

it's a shared area in the middle of the airport with a drop-off bus, so you drive into the airport and follow the signs to hire car drop off

it is reasonably quick, and the buses are frequent

 

[NM]

it's a shared area in the middle of the airport with a drop-off bus, so you drive into the airport and follow the signs to hire car drop off

it is reasonably quick, and the buses are frequent

Its not in the middle of the airport. Its outside the western side perimeter of the airport. If you drive through the tunnel towards terminals 1-2-3, then you have gone too far.

 

[simongr]

Thanks all for the quick responses.

I guess I will get off the train at the first terminal I get to and pick up the keys there. Unless there is a faster way from one of the terminals to the car collection?

I am trying to fit a lot in on the saturday (need to get to the Tumi store in Picadilly and a comic shop and the filofax shop) so any time savings will be grand

 

[Dave Noble]

Thanks all for the quick responses.

I guess I will get off the train at the first terminal I get to and pick up the keys there. Unless there is a faster way from one of the terminals to the car collection?

I am trying to fit a lot in on the saturday (need to get to the Tumi store in Picadilly and a comic shop and the filofax shop) so any time savings will be grand

Have you considered renting the car in London and then just driving out to bath and dropping the car off at LHR rather than taking a train out to LHR, shuttling to the AVIS location and then heading off. You will avoid airport surcharges, the HEX fees and get to Bath quicker. The A4/M4 is perfectly reasonable ona saturday afternoon

Alternatively, if you're just visiting Bath and don't need a car whilst there, then take the train; takes 90 minutes to get to Bath and 1st class on GWR is v pleasant ; on the way back, get off at Reading and hop on the RAILAIR link. Unless you actually need the car in Bath, this would be my recommendation. Trains from Paddington to Bath Spa run at 00 and 30 past the hour and returning leave Bath Spa at 18 and 43 . 1st class single Paddington to Bath is GBP23 for an Advance Fare and GBP16 for the 1 hour journey from Bath back to Reading.

Dave

 

[simongr]

I had thought about that but assumed the "not dropping off at same location" might incur a higher charge.

I am just checking out the cost now of doing as you suggest.

Just trying to work out whether the time to get to the Mayfair Avis location and then out of London might be more than getting train to LHR - I am five mins walk from Paddington and 20 mins walk from Mayfair :-|

 

[Dave Noble]

I had thought about that but assumed the "not dropping off at same location" might incur a higher charge.

I am just checking out the cost now of doing as you suggest.

Just trying to work out whether the time to get to the Mayfair Avis location and then out of London might be more than getting train to LHR - I am five mins walk from Paddington and 20 mins walk from Mayfair :-|

There should be no drop off charge for that. it will definately be better to pick up at Mayfair imo. If trying to save some time, get a cab to Mayfair which would be cheaper than the HEX fare. even with a 5 min walk to PAD, there is still a few minutes going to be spent waiting for the HEX to depart

I still recommend skipping the whole driving milarky and taking a train tho.

Dave

 

[simongr]

Just tried to get a quote for this and there is a "one-way" charge

One-Way Fee (One-Way Fee is subject to tax in certain locations. This tax is not reflected in the Estimated Total)

25.00

Looks like it is HEX.

I shouldn't be too far behind the eight ball and I can always up the average driving speed slightly

 

[Dave Noble]

Do you have to use AVIS? Hertz doesn't have a one way charge from London to Heathrow. A Group D car from Hertz on Edgware Road at Marble Arch with unlimited mileage costs GBP58 including taxes and CDW. Just up the road and hop on the A40 and head west; will be passing by Heathrow in about 30 minutes

Dave

 

[simongr]

I guess I jsut default to using them through habit. The price I have for Avis is GBP51 - not much of a difference and Marble Arch is closer.

I will have a ponder on this today.

Cheers

S

 

[Dave Noble]

I guess I jsut default to using them through habit. The price I have for Avis is GBP51 - not much of a difference and Marble Arch is closer.

Avis is GBP51 plus GBP14.50 for the HEX though so is more expensive than Hertz at GBP58

Just checked. If you use the Qantas Frequent Flyer CDP number ( 297302 ) , the Hertz rate for a group D drops to GBP52.51 including taxes

Dave

 

[simongr]

Unless you had already paid for your HEX ticket....

 

[rjphin]

Don't forget the Hertz at Marble Arch is just inside the congestion zone...

(I hired from there last weekend)

 

[simongr]

Thankfully this is a Saturday rental so the Congestion charge doesnt apply

I was a little concerned last monday morning when I went back to Avis for some lost property and people were paying the congestion charge - I hadnt been prompted at all to pay it. I had assumed that weekends were exempt and thankfully they are

 

[Dave Noble]

Unless you had already paid for your HEX ticket....

Not hard to get a refund.

Assuming you have purchased an Open Standard ticket then it should be refundable with a small admin charge. ( there are only a few fares offered on the HEX so it is likely that you have an open ticket)
Ticket terms and Conditions ( rules for Standard Open Single )
Ticket terms and Conditions ( rules for Standard Open Return)

Dave

 

[Mal]

Hex tickets also remain in the system for 6 months after you purchase them (assuming purchase via credit card)

https://www.heathrowexpress.com/content.asp?SID={FFA80D6B-C6C9-4DC5-88F6-BA97E9117EF0}&pageid=80

 

[Dave Noble]

If you and your colleagues are using HEX a few times a year, I would consider getting a carnet in the future. get a book of 12 tickets for the price of 11 and just pull a ticket when its needed. The tickets are valid for 1 year

Dave

 

[simongr]

Not hard to get a refund.

Assuming you have purchased an Open Standard ticket then it should be refundable with a small admin charge. ( there are only a few fares offered on the HEX so it is likely that you have an open ticket)
Ticket terms and Conditions ( rules for Standard Open Single )
Ticket terms and Conditions ( rules for Standard Open Return)

Dave

Already done - I knew it was best to change before you wore me down completely.

Hertz next stop