Gatwick → Heathrow one-way car hire guide • Research reviewed 18 September 2026
Collect at Gatwick. Return at Heathrow.
A one-way rental can turn an airport transfer into part of your UK journey. Collect your vehicle after landing at Gatwick, use it for the days you need it, then return it to an eligible Heathrow branch before your onward flight.
Compare Gatwick Car HireGatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport by Hire Car
The two airports sit on different sides of London: Gatwick is south of the capital and Heathrow is to the west. For many road journeys between them, the M25 forms an important part of the route. Navigation, traffic conditions and your exact Heathrow return branch should determine the final route on the day.
When Does Gatwick-to-Heathrow Car Hire Make Sense?
Several days between flights
If Heathrow is not until later in your trip, a rental can give you transport for the intervening days rather than functioning only as an airport transfer.
You want to explore
A car can suit an itinerary that includes places outside central London before you finish at Heathrow.
Family or group luggage
Keeping suitcases in one suitable vehicle can be convenient, provided the car genuinely has enough passenger and luggage capacity.
When a Rental May Not Be the Right Transfer
If you simply need to travel directly from Gatwick to Heathrow immediately after landing, compare a one-way rental with other transfer options. Car hire involves collection formalities, driving, refuelling or charging where required, locating the Heathrow rental return and then transferring from the return point to your departure terminal. For a very tight flight connection, those steps matter.
How One-Way Car Hire Works
When searching, enter Gatwick Airport as the collection location and the appropriate Heathrow Airport return location. Select the option to return the car somewhere different rather than booking a normal Gatwick-to-Gatwick rental.
Enterprise currently states that one-way hire is available at most of its 400+ UK locations and that the applicable fee depends on factors including vehicle type, locations and booking details. Europcar also offers UK one-way hire and says a one-way charge applies. These policies illustrate why the route must be priced using your actual dates and vehicle rather than a generic transfer figure.
One-Way Fee: What Are You Paying For?
| Cost/check | Why it matters | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Rental price | The basic vehicle cost depends on dates and category. | Compare the complete rental total. |
| One-way fee | Returning at Heathrow rather than Gatwick may add a route-specific charge. | Look for it in the reservation summary. |
| Fuel / electricity | You must meet the agreed return policy. | Plan the final fuel or charging stop. |
| Extra rental days | A multi-day road trip costs more than a direct transfer but provides use of the vehicle during the trip. | Compare against your wider transport plan. |
| Optional extras | Child seats, additional drivers or optional products can affect the total. | Only add extras you need. |
Gatwick Collection: Start the Journey Correctly
Follow the instructions for the supplier shown on your confirmation rather than assuming every company uses the same collection point. For example, Enterprise's current Gatwick instructions direct collection to the South Terminal Car Rental Centre on Level 0; North Terminal arrivals use Gatwick's free inter-terminal connection before following the car-rental signs.
Before leaving, check existing vehicle condition, fuel or battery level, transmission, return location and Heathrow branch details. Set navigation while parked.
Driving the M25 as a Visitor
Before joining
- Set the exact Heathrow rental return location, not just “Heathrow Airport”.
- Check live traffic before departure.
- Know the vehicle's fuel or charge level.
- Allow a generous time margin.
- Keep left unless overtaking or directed otherwise.
Approaching Heathrow
- Follow signs for the correct terminal/airport area.
- Then follow your rental company's return instructions.
- Do not assume the passenger terminal is the rental return.
- Have luggage organised before returning the keys.
- Allow time for onward transfer to the terminal.
Heathrow Has Four Passenger Terminals
Heathrow currently operates passenger terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5. Your flight terminal and your car-hire return point are not necessarily the same place. For example, Enterprise's current Heathrow branch is on Northern Perimeter Road and operates shuttle buses from the terminals to the branch.
Do Not Navigate Only to “Heathrow Airport”
Heathrow is a large airport campus. Put the actual rental return address or return point from your booking into navigation. This is particularly important if your supplier operates an off-terminal facility with a shuttle connection.
Heathrow's official driving information also shows that road access differs by terminal. From the M25, for example, official parking directions for Terminals 2 and 3 use Junction 14 and Northern Perimeter Road. Follow the current airport and supplier signs rather than treating one terminal's directions as universal.
Heathrow Car Hire Return Postcodes for Sat Nav
Heathrow car-hire returns are spread around the airport rather than being one single return building. The postcode can help you get into the correct area, but do not use the postcode as your only return instruction: several suppliers have more than one Heathrow location, and your booking confirmation should always take priority.
Avis & Budget – Terminals 2, 3 & 4
Northrop Road / Central Heathrow
TW6 2QAAvis currently instructs T2, T3 and T4 customers to return to its main Northrop Road base. Budget shares the Avis Budget Heathrow return operation at this location.
Sat-nav tip: search the supplier name as well as TW6 2QA.Avis & Budget – Terminal 5
Holiday Inn London Heathrow, 276 Bath Road
UB7 0DQAvis and Budget currently use the Holiday Inn Heathrow location for their Terminal 5 operation, with shuttle transport to T5.
Do not accidentally use the T2–4 Northrop Road postcode if your booking directs you to this T5 return.Enterprise, Alamo & National
Northern Perimeter Road, Heathrow
TW6 2RYEnterprise's current Heathrow branch is at Northern Perimeter Road. National lists the same Enterprise facility and postcode; Alamo operates within the Enterprise Holdings network, so confirm the return shown on your Alamo reservation.
Shuttle transport connects the Enterprise/National branch with Heathrow terminals.Hertz
Northern Perimeter Road West
TW6 2QDThe current Heathrow Hertz location is listed on Northern Perimeter Road West. Use your rental agreement for the precise return entrance and latest instructions.
Search “Hertz Heathrow” alongside the postcode in navigation.Europcar
Northern Perimeter Road West
TW6 2QEEuropcar's current Heathrow location is listed on Northern Perimeter Road West. Check the booking for the exact return procedure and shuttle arrangements.
TW6 2QE is close to other rental facilities, so follow Europcar return signage on approach.SIXT – check your terminal booking
Multiple Heathrow locations / return points
T2: TW6 1EF T5: TW6 2GD
SIXT has Heathrow operations associated with different terminals, including Terminal 2 and Terminal 5, so there is not one postcode that should be used for every SIXT Heathrow return.
Use the exact SIXT location and return instructions on your reservation; Terminal 4 is also separately represented at Heathrow.Returning a Hire Car at Heathrow: Allow Time for More Than Parking
The return process is not finished the moment you reach the postcode. Depending on the company, you may need to enter a dedicated rental compound, complete a vehicle inspection or key return, unload luggage and then take a shuttle or other connection to your passenger terminal.
Meet the fuel or charge rule
Check the agreed fuel or battery return condition before the final journey. Keep any fuel receipt if your rental terms or supplier request it.
Record the condition
Before walking away, it can be useful to retain clear photographs of the vehicle, mileage and fuel or battery display, particularly for an unattended return.
Unload before handing over keys
Check the boot, door pockets, glovebox, charging area and under seats for passports, phones, cables and luggage.
Follow the key-return process
During staffed hours, follow the return agent's instructions. For an approved after-hours return, use only the key-drop procedure specified by the supplier.
Allow for the terminal transfer
Many Heathrow rental facilities are not inside the passenger terminal. Build shuttle waiting and journey time into your airport schedule.
Keep your rental record
Retain the agreement and any return confirmation until final rental charges and deposits have been settled.
What to Do if You Are Running Late
If traffic threatens your booked return time, contact the rental company rather than simply changing the return plan yourself. Late-return rules, grace periods and after-hours arrangements vary. If your flight departure is approaching, remember that reaching the rental compound is only one stage: you still need to complete the return and reach the correct Heathrow terminal.
Fuel or EV Charging Before Heathrow Return
Check the agreed return condition before your final driving day. If the rental requires the same fuel level as collection, leave enough time to refuel without making yourself late for the flight. If you have an electric rental, identify a suitable charging plan and understand the required return battery level.
For electric rentals, see our Electric Car Hire Gatwick Airport guide.
Can You Hire an Automatic for Gatwick to Heathrow?
Yes, automatic categories are available in the Gatwick market, subject to your dates and supplier. An automatic can be particularly attractive to an overseas visitor who is adapting to left-side driving or does not normally use a manual gearbox. Make sure the booked category explicitly says automatic.
See our Automatic Car Hire Gatwick guide.
Family and Group Transfers
Count luggage before selecting the vehicle. A car described as having seven seats does not necessarily have enough boot space for seven passengers plus seven large cases. If the transfer is part of a longer holiday, also consider pushchairs, child seats and shopping accumulated during the trip.
For larger parties, compare our 7-seater Gatwick and 9-seater Gatwick guides.
Could You Visit Somewhere Between Gatwick and Heathrow?
The strongest reason to hire rather than treat the journey as a simple airport transfer is the freedom to build an itinerary between the two flights. Depending on how many days you have, you might use the vehicle to explore Surrey, Windsor and other destinations in southern England before finishing at Heathrow. Do not interpret this as a fixed recommended driving route: plan according to your accommodation, available time and final flight.
Gatwick → Heathrow vs Returning to Gatwick
| Plan | Potential advantage | Check carefully |
|---|---|---|
| One-way LGW → LHR | No need to drive back to Gatwick solely to return the vehicle. | One-way fee, accepted Heathrow branch and return time. |
| Return to Gatwick | May avoid a one-way fee if your itinerary naturally comes back south. | How you will then travel from Gatwick to Heathrow. |
| No rental / direct transfer | Can be simpler when travelling immediately between airports. | Party size, luggage, transfer cost and timetable. |
7 Steps for a Gatwick-to-Heathrow One-Way Rental
- Search Gatwick as collection. Use your actual arrival date/time.
- Select Heathrow as a different return location. Do this before choosing the vehicle.
- Check the complete price. Include the one-way charge and required extras.
- Confirm vehicle space. Count passengers and luggage.
- Save both airport instructions. Collection at Gatwick and return at Heathrow.
- Plan the final driving day. Allow for traffic, fuel/charging and rental return.
- Navigate to the exact return branch. Then use the supplier's onward terminal transport where applicable.
Gatwick to Heathrow Car Hire Checklist
- Gatwick collection confirmed
- Heathrow return branch confirmed
- One-way fee checked
- Flight terminal checked
- Passenger/luggage capacity checked
- Automatic/manual confirmed
- Payment/deposit terms checked
- Fuel/EV return rule understood
- Return address saved
- Live traffic checked
- Time buffer allowed
- Supplier contact number saved
Related Gatwick Guides
Gatwick to Heathrow Car Hire FAQs
Can I hire a car at Gatwick and return it at Heathrow?
Yes when the selected supplier, vehicle category and dates permit the one-way route. Enter Heathrow as the different return location when booking and check the complete terms.
Is there a one-way fee from Gatwick to Heathrow?
A one-way fee may apply. The amount depends on the supplier, vehicle, route and booking details, so use the actual reservation price rather than a generic estimate.
Should I use car hire just to transfer directly between Gatwick and Heathrow?
Compare it with other transfer methods. Car hire includes collection and return procedures and is often more compelling when you also need the vehicle during the period between flights.
Does the route use the M25?
The M25 commonly forms an important part of road journeys between the airports, but use live navigation and traffic information for your exact route on the day.
How long should I allow to drive from Gatwick to Heathrow?
Do not rely on a fixed journey time because traffic varies. Build in time for road conditions, refuelling or charging, the rental return and travel from the return branch to your departure terminal.
Where do I return the car at Heathrow?
Return it to the exact Heathrow location shown in your booking. Car-hire facilities can be away from the passenger terminal and may use shuttle transport.
Can I hire an automatic from Gatwick to Heathrow?
Automatic categories are available subject to supplier and date. Book a category explicitly described as automatic if transmission type is essential.
Can I take a 7-seater or 9-seater one way to Heathrow?
Potentially, but larger vehicle categories can have different one-way and payment restrictions. Check that the selected Heathrow return branch accepts the vehicle group.
Can I return an electric hire car at Heathrow?
Potentially, if the supplier permits the EV category on that one-way route. Check the return location and required battery level before booking.
What happens if I decide to return at Heathrow after booking Gatwick return?
Contact the supplier first. A different-location return may require authorisation and can add a one-way or amendment charge. Do not change the return point without agreement.
About This Guide & Sources
1st UK Car Rentals reviewed this route guide on 18 September 2026. One-way availability, charges, branch arrangements and opening hours can change. We therefore avoid publishing a fixed Gatwick-to-Heathrow fee or guaranteed journey time and recommend checking the live reservation and official airport information.
- Enterprise – UK one-way car hire
- Enterprise – London Gatwick Airport
- Enterprise – London Heathrow Airport
- Europcar – one-way hire information
- Heathrow – official driving directions
Read about our editorial approach at Meet the Team at 1st UK Car Rentals.