Hire car options from Richmond (London)

[opusman]

Looking at staying in Richmond for a few nights in May before picking up a hire car. Just wondering if anyone has done this and has a good suggestion for how to best manage this. Currently I'm thinking going back to LHR to collect it may make the most sense (would avoid having to drive out of central London) but does anyone have any better ideas?

Prefer Avis but open to others.

 

[kelvedon]

I did exactly the same thing a few years ago. I don't think Avis have an office in Richmond, I used Eurocar.
Richmond is outside the congestion charge zone but you'll probably cop a one way drop off charge, which is usually 40-60GBP if you pick up there and return it to LHR.
Avis at LHR is a huge operation, so plenty of cars from either their main depot on the north side of the airport ( frequent free shuttle transfers from the terminal) or their smaller office in T5.
picking up at LHR also avoids the crawl out of London as its close to the M4/M25.

 

[VPS]

I think Avis has an office in Battersea Park and there are few in Richmond and Putney - it depends which direction you want to go - if you're going SW then it's not to bad - if you're going North or are concerned about driving in London I would get a train to somewhere and pick up the car there - driving in London doesn't bother me but it's sitting in traffic for hours that does

 

[opusman]

Heading off to the Cotswolds so LHR isn't badly positioned, it just feels "wrong" going back there so soon after having arrived

 

[VPS]

Catch the train to Oxford - the Avis office is right there and it will probably be cheaper