Are you located in the Zipzone?
If you're within the Zipzone, you can drive a Zipcar Flex to or from Heathrow Airport. Check our map.
Why take a Zipcar Flex?
Save money
Taking a Zipcar Flex to or from Heathrow will save you money on parking or airport transfer costs such as private taxi or ride hail.
On your own terms
Early flight? Packed one too many bags? Get to and from the airport on your own terms, hassle free.
Share the journey
Travel with friends, colleagues and family – and help take one more car off the road (the trees will thank us).
How to get to Heathrow from London?
You can get to London Heathrow Airport by bus, train, taxi or by hiring a one-way Zipcar Flex. Unlike traditional car rentals, Zipcar Flex is our short-term service to get you to London's Heathrow Airport efficiently. Zipcar vehicles are located throughout London, allowing for a quick pick-up and a smooth transfer to Heathrow.
We're flexible
Convenient and Flexible pay-as-you-go rates that will save you a bundle. Don’t forget, for trips to and from Heathrow, there’s a £10 Airport Fee.
By the minute
Great for saving money on trips to the airport.
By the hour
An hourly cap applies from 45 minutes. It starts at £14 for an hour, depending on your plan, to keep the cost down.
By the day
Kicking in at 9 hours for Flex vehicles, you'll be able to take the cars from £105 a day.
Zipcar parking area at Heathrow Terminal 5
Our Heathrow operation is now in an off-airport location at the Holiday Inn, Bath Road UB7 0DQ. The new location requires a short, free bus journey to get to Terminal 5. The bus journey takes less than 10 minutes and buses will be operating at all times of the day. There will be three buses running between 4am and midnight, so you shouldn’t need to wait longer than 5 minutes at the airport terminal for a bus. Outside of these hours, a bus will operate on an on-demand basis. To pick up from Terminal 5 during this time, please call the number displayed at bus stop 25 and the bus will come to collect you.
Arriving at the airport
1. Navigate
Head to the Holiday Inn, Bath Road car park behind the hotel. You should see the Avis cabin and shuttle bus on arrival.
2. End your trip
Use your app to end the trip. Do not give your keys to the Avis staff – they can’t end the trip for you.
3. Transfer
There will be an Avis, Budget & Zipcar branded bus that will drop you off immediately outside of the Arrivals level (Ground floor - Level 1) of Heathrow Terminal 5. Departures are on the top floor (Top floor - Level 2).
Get £20 when you charge an EV
If you charge one of our electric cars and end your trip with over 60% charge, you'll get £20 driving credit! Plus, we'll cover the cost of charging, just like we cover the cost of fuel!
Leaving the airport
1. Transfer
When you arrive at Terminal 5, head to bus stop 25. There will be an Avis, Budget & Zipcar branded bus. If you arrive between midnight and 4am, call the number at the bus stop for our on-demand service.
2. Reserve and find
Once you're at the bus stop, check for availability, reserve your Flex in-app and get on the bus.
3. Unlock and drive
Unlock the car with your app, find the keys in the glovebox and off you go. You can only drop off in the Zipzone, so double-check you can end your trip where you're heading.
Not sure if you need a car for your whole trip?
Zipcar is your local car hire solution, with thousands of cars to pick all over London including from London Paddington. When it comes to driving long distances, not everyone feels comfortable, so you can use Zipcar for a quick city trip to the main connection to Heathrow Airport:
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Getting to Paddington Train Station – Rent a Car through our user-friendly app and enjoy a smooth drive to Paddington Train Station. You can park your car in the designated area and catch your Heathrow Express directly from the platform without worrying about hidden fees. What you see on the App is what you will pay for! Zipcar is your flexible and stress-free choice to start your holiday the right way, hop on Heathrow Express and relax.
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Elizabeth and Piccadilly Line from Main London Stations - Planning your trip to Heathrow? The Elizabeth Line offers a comfortable and efficient journey from various main London stations. Avoid the stress of London traffic and expensive airport parking. Use our one-way Zipcar Flex for a short trip to your chosen station and enjoy a seamless train ride. Get to Heathrow Airport with ease and convenience!
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National Express Coaches - Zipcar offers a diverse fleet of vehicles. Choose the one that most suits your needs and get around London with convenience and flexibility. Think beyond the usual car rental company; our car hire service is available 24/7 and empowers you to reach your nearest National Express coach stop within the Zipzone without the hassle of fuel costs or parking concerns. Make smart and sustainable choices for your travel to and from Heathrow Airport!
Let Zipcar be the wheel for your next city trip to and from Heathrow Airport. Hire your car today and experience a stress-free journey!
How do I find the Zipcar drop off area at Heathrow Terminal 5?
At Heathrow Terminal 5 we have a dedicated parking area, to get you as close as possible to Heathrow Terminal 5, making your check-in and return as easy. Heathrow Terminal 5 is easily accessible from the major motorways.
Once there Head to the Holiday Inn, Bath Road car park behind the hotel. You should see the Avis cabin and shuttle bus on arrival. Simply, park in one of the Zipcar spaces, end your trip and take the “Zipcar & Avis-Budget” branded bus to the airport. The transfer is less than 15 mins and will drop you off immediately outside of the arrivals level of Heathrow Terminal 5.
How to get to London from Heathrow
London Heathrow Airport lies 14 miles (23 km) away from Central London. Heathrow serves as the primary hub for the main airline companies such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines. Heathrow is accessible by bus, train, taxi or you can hire a car, one way, for your airport transfer into London.
Zipcar allows you to pick up a car and drop it off anywhere in London, provided it’s one of our Flex-approved parking spaces.
How do I find the Zipcar pick up area at Heathrow?
Our main Heathrow car hiring station is located within the Airport perimeter and is open 24/7, so you can rent a car at any time with Zipcar!
When you arrive at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, please proceed to bus stop 25 (located on the Arrivals level of Terminal 5) and take a short journey on our “Zipcar & Avis-Budget” branded bus to our brand-new location in less than 10 min. Running late? Fear not! If you arrive between midnight and 4am, call the number at the bus stop for our on-demand service.
Before getting on the bus, check the availability on our App and rent a Zipcar Flex.
Unlocked the car with the App, you will find the keys in the glovebox, and you are ready to hit the road! Remember that Flex can only be parked in the Zipzone, so double-check you can end your trip where you're heading.
Heathrow Drop-off Pick-up FAQs
As we move to a new location at Holiday Inn Bath Road, we want to ensure that members have all of their questions answered.
How long is the bus journey?
Under 10 minutes.
How often are the buses?
Shuttle buses will run every 6-8 minutes between 4am and midnight, transporting customers to the Holiday Inn and back. Outside of these hours a bus will operate on an on-demand basis – picking up or dropping off as needed. To pick up from Terminal 5 during this time, simply call the number displayed at bus stop 25 and the bus will come to collect you.
How many buses are there?
There will be 3 buses running between 4am and midnight, ensuring that the wait for customers at the airport terminal should be no longer than 5 minutes. Outside of these hours, the wait may be slightly longer as one bus will operate on an on-demand basis only. To pick up from Terminal 5 during this time, simply call the number displayed at bus stop 25 and the bus will come to collect you.
Will you extend the hold times on the app?
We won’t be extending the hold times on the app, but as the trip from the bus stop to the Holiday Inn is less than 10 minutes we advise booking a car once you are at the bus stop. If you want to extend your hold time you can do it for an additional 15, 30 or 60 minutes for a fee:
- 15 minutes - £2
- 30 minutes - £4
- 60 minutes - £8
Will the bus drop off at other terminals?
The bus will only serve Terminal 5.
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