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Heathrow Airport
The Airport
Heathrow is London's largest airport and the five terminals at the airport are well connected to the rest of the UK by road and rail. The airport is located 22 kilometers (14 miles) west of central London with terminals 1 and 3 accessible from junction 4 of the M4 or junction 15 of the M25 which circles London. Terminals 4 and 5 are accessible with your hire car from junction 4B of the M4 or junction 14 of the M25. Terminal two is currently being completely rebuilt into a world class complex which is expected to be completed by 2014.
There are drop off points outside all terminals with waiting or parking strictly controlled by both police and airport staff. For picking up passengers with your hire car you will have to avail of the short stay car park which will charge for the time used.
Car Hire Locations
All the terminals at Heathrow have car hire desks or facilities within them. As each supplier operates as a single unit within the airport you can make a generic booking for Heathrow Airport and visit any of the company's desks within any terminal to present your car rental voucher for pick up of said car.
In Terminal 1 the car hire desks are located in the arrivals hall on the ground floor next to the entrance to the Underground and walkway to Terminal 3.
Terminal 3 has the car hire desks on the exit to the taxi rank opposite the left luggage desk.
Terminal 4 provides shuttle bus transport links to the various car hire desks which operate from outside the arrivals area close to the tax rank. Look for the signpost which corresponds to your voucher and company listed upon it.
Terminal 5 again offer shuttles to the car hire locations with all operators picking up from Walrus Road (the second road outside the terminal exit) to the left as you walk out.
Hertz + 44 (0) 870 846 0006
Avis + 44 (0) 844 544 6007
Europcar + 44 (0) 208 564 3500
National + 44 (0) 870 400 4581
Alamo + 44 (0) 870 400 4562
Enterprise + 44 (0) 870 350 3000
Sixt + 44 (0) 844 499 33 99
Other Car Hire Locations
Heathrow Airport has excellent transport links to London and many UK car rental locations. There is access to the excellent London Underground system and like Gatwick Airport has an express train to central London. The Heathrow Express runs every 15 minutes to London Paddington with a travel time of only 15 - 18 minutes depending on which terminal you depart from.
By coach you can travel to over 500 destinations with National Express and other operators with pick up locations at the airport. The local bus system has connections towards west London and the Thames Valley.
Parking
Heathrow airport has many short stay car parking options all designed to be a short walk away from any of the terminals. All are well lit and monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV but prices are higher than other London airports.
Short term parking charges are as follows:
Up to 30 Minutes = £2.50
30 Minutes to 1 Hour = £4.30
1 hour to 1 Hour 30 Minutes = £6.30
1 Hour 30 Minutes to 2 Hours = £8.00
2 hours = £11.00
3 hours = £14.40
4 hours = £17.70
5 hours = £21.90
6 to 9 hours = £31.70
9 to 12 hours = £41.00
Services
Heathrow Airport really is the best for shopping with world famous stores and brands such as Harrods, Tiffany & Co and Gucci available alongside souvenir shops and classic duty free.
For food you again are spoilt for choice with everything from fast food to Gordon Ramsay available for you to try.
The airport offers showers after security in Terminal 4 which also along with Terminals 1 and 5 offer excellent viewing locations for travellers. If you are not travelling but would like to see the plane movements go to the Renaissance Hotel's Club Lounge. Here you can buy a Day Pass which for £20 gives you free drinks all day, internet access and fantastic views of the runways.
There are even beauty spas and massage treatments available within the terminals to while away the hours before a flight.
