Cheap Car Hire Gatwick Airport

Which Car Hire Companies Operate at Gatwick Airport?

London Gatwick currently lists seven on-airport providers: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and National. Gatwick says its on-airport providers are on the airport campus and offer after-hours returns. That gives travellers a useful group of suppliers to compare rather than relying on a single brand.

Supplier	Useful when comparing	Money-saving check
Alamo	Cars, SUVs and people carriers; current Gatwick listing includes accelerated check-in.	Compare the vehicle category and any optional protection or extras.
Avis	Wide vehicle range and on-airport collection.	Compare the selected vehicle, fuel terms and optional extras.
Budget	Useful brand to include when price-comparing mainstream vehicle groups.	Check payment/deposit conditions as well as headline price.
Enterprise	Gatwick highlights one-way hire options.	An extra driver at this airport/premium location currently carries a daily surcharge, so include it in your total if needed.
Europcar	Compact cars through SUVs; Gatwick lists self check-in kiosks.	Compare category, payment conditions and extras.
Hertz	On-airport provider with after-hours return.	Check the exact vehicle/payment/fuel conditions attached to the quote.
National	Gatwick lists National among its seven on-airport providers.	Include it in a like-for-like price comparison where available.

10 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Gatwick Car Hire

1. Compare several suppliers. Gatwick has multiple on-airport providers, so do not assume the first quote is the best value.
2. Book ahead where practical. Gatwick Airport says advance booking often helps secure competitive rates and wider vehicle availability, particularly around busy periods.
3. Choose the smallest suitable car. Do not pay for unused passenger or luggage capacity, but avoid choosing a car so small that your luggage will not fit safely.
4. Compare manual and automatic prices. If you can comfortably drive either transmission, compare both. If automatic is essential, see our dedicated automatic-car guide.
5. Check the fuel policy. A low headline price can be less attractive if the fuel arrangement does not suit your journey.
6. Only add extras you need. Additional drivers, child seats, navigation and upgraded vehicle groups can increase the final cost.
7. Check the deposit before booking. A deposit is not the same as the rental price, but it can affect available funds or credit during your trip.
8. Compare one-way charges. Returning elsewhere can be convenient, but compare the total against returning to Gatwick.
9. Check mileage and geographic restrictions. Make sure the included mileage and permitted travel cover your planned route.
10. Read the cancellation/amendment terms. A slightly higher flexible rate may suit uncertain travel plans better than a restrictive booking.

Is Booking Gatwick Car Hire in Advance Cheaper?

There is no universal rule that guarantees today's rate will be lower than tomorrow's. However, Gatwick Airport currently advises that booking in advance is often the best way to secure competitive rates and a wider choice of vehicles, particularly during busy holiday periods.

The availability point matters. If economy cars sell out, waiting can leave you comparing larger or more expensive categories even if the nominal rate on those remaining cars is competitive.

Cheap Car Hire vs the Cheapest Advertised Price

Additional Drivers Can Change the Price

If two people will drive, compare the additional-driver cost before selecting the rental. As one current example, Enterprise's Gatwick Airport policy publishes an additional-driver surcharge of £19.11 per day at airport/premium locations. This is a useful illustration of why a rental that appears cheaper at first can cost more once your actual requirements are added.

We do not apply that figure to other suppliers: each company's current terms should be checked independently.

Can a Smaller Car Save Money?

For one or two travellers with light luggage, economy and compact cars are sensible categories to compare. But the lowest-priced vehicle is poor value if your cases do not fit or the car is unsuitable for the journey.

Families and groups should compare the cost of one suitably sized vehicle against alternatives rather than automatically booking two smaller cars. For larger groups, our forthcoming 7-seater and 9-seater Gatwick guides will focus specifically on passenger and luggage capacity.

Manual vs Automatic Car Hire at Gatwick

UK rental fleets include both manual and automatic vehicles. If you specifically need an automatic, filter for it rather than assuming the transmission. Travellers from countries where automatic cars dominate may find the convenience worth prioritising even when a manual quote looks cheaper.

See our automatic car hire at Gatwick Airport guide for more detail.

Paying by Debit Card

Payment rules can affect which “cheap” quote is actually usable. Several Gatwick suppliers accept qualifying debit cards, but conditions vary and some vehicle groups require a credit card. If you plan to travel without a credit card, check our researched debit card car hire Gatwick Airport guide before choosing solely on price.

Gatwick Collection and Return: Convenience Has Value Too

Gatwick says its listed on-airport providers are on the airport campus and all offer after-hours returns. The airport currently describes South Terminal desks as being on the lower forecourt, Level 0, while North Terminal collection facilities are reached by following car-rental/Jubilee House signage.

A very low off-airport quote may still suit some travellers, but compare the complete experience: shuttle requirements, operating hours and the time needed to reach the vehicle can matter after a long flight.

Compare Gatwick Car Hire Suppliers