London Car Hire

London's status and sheer size means there's an enormous system of roads within its boundaries. Once you're in your Hertz hire car, it's time to head out and start exploring.

The London metropolitan area is almost entirely circled by the M25 orbital motorway, aside from a small stretch called the Dartford Crossing over the Thames which is an A-road. This is also a tolled road between 6am and 10pm – you need to set up an online payment in order to cross.

The M25 comprises almost 120 miles of road and allows you to connect to many destinations within Greater London, the south and south-east of England, such as the M20 towards Dover and the ferries to Europe. Other major roads like the A1(M) and M1 will take you north-west to Stevenage and Leeds.

The M25 never extends more than 20 miles outside central London, providing a more accessible way to cross the city if you don't feel like winding your way through the traffic-heavy city streets.

A number of A-roads branch off from the M25 into central London, some of which link up to create inner ring-roads. The North Circular and South Circular roads join to form a circle around the region from Chiswick to Woolwich, connecting areas including Wembley, Tottenham and Barking.

If you're driving in and around central London during peak hours, be aware that crossing within the inner zone of the city centre carries a congestion charge, even when you hire a car. The zone is loosely defined as anywhere within the London Inner Ring Road and includes the City of London's financial district, as well as the West End. We've provided a helpful Hertz in 60 Seconds video for you if you're new to this charge.

Take care not to use specialist bus lanes in their hours of operation and to closely observe any speed regulations or other signs. In built-up areas the speed limit is 30mph, 60mph on single carriage motorways and 70mph on dual carriageways. London is also a cycling city, so be aware of cycle lanes and cyclists overtaking on both sides of your hire car in traffic.

London is one of the world's leading cities in both commerce and art – a sprawling metropolis of over eight million people that's a hugely significant contributor to world history and culture. Home to many major global companies and cutting-edge start-ups, it also promises tourists and visitors a memorable experience. London manages to stay on top of current and predicted trends while showing fierce pride towards its long, eventful history.

London landmarks

The many landmarks which lend London its character – from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to the London Eye and Tower Bridge – adorn tourist trinkets and T-shirts throughout the city. Part of London's visual appeal is the timelessness of its stunning structures, with due care and attention paid to maintaining the buildings for public access. The city's restless nature also means that ambitious new ones are springing up on every corner. The London skyline is always a work in progress.

A shopping mecca

London has some of the world's best-known brands selling their wares – high-class Harrods is the premier destination for those looking for something special, while Hamleys has seven floors of toys and games that are sure to appeal to youngsters. Department stores Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges are other top names that shoppers will delight in visiting, while the antiquarian bookshops on Charing Cross Road offer a taste of yesterday. You’ll be filling up the boot of your hire car in no time at all.

Culture capital

Such is the size and variety of London that there's room for all kinds of cultural pursuits – from the hip crowd who work and play in Shoreditch to the West-Enders who like to catch a show at the world's most famous theatres. The club scene is the envy of the world while the major music venues are a stop-off point for all megastars. Pop-up restaurants emerge next to Michelin-starred classics, with London at the forefront of the UK's charge up the ranks of dining destinations.

The capital's myriad of museums and galleries will educate and entertain in equal measure – on Exhibition Road you'll find three of the UK's most celebrated next to each other in splendid buildings. The Natural History Museum provides a glimpse of species' progress throughout history with a range of fascinating interactive exhibits, while the Victoria and Albert Museum celebrates centuries of art and design with displays of furniture, jewellery and artwork by the world's most talented craftsmen. The Science Museum sits alongside them, with its interactive exhibitions attracting millions of visitors annually.

A sporting life

London is home to some of the world's best sporting venues for both national and international events. Hosting the 2012 Olympics acted as a spur to develop exciting new locations, such as the Lee Valley VeloPark, which attracts elite cycling competitions. The new Wembley is still a magnet for football fans from all over the world and London's own teams range from the table-topping to the lower leagues. Cricket at Lord's and The Oval remains a uniquely British proposition. The capital has enough going on to last a lifetime, and car hire in London is the perfect way to start dipping your toe into it.

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