Poppy / 02 May 2025 / Categories: Services

Zipcar super convenient if you are flush

Have you tried renting a car in London

I like the convenience of having my car anywhere in the world except in London, there is nowhere to park, drivers in London have to have a mission impossible matrix like map in their head where the spots are or driving becomes impossible, a constant battle that must be done in twos to get anything achieved of dropping off, circling, and picking up. Why eventually I gave up my car.

So then the challenge of renting a car in the City for a day out or friends coming to town, or just when you feel like escaping. Car rental places are always in inconvenient places, Enterprise will pick you up and then you’ve got the hassle of waiting for them to turn up and get you on your way.

Which is why I love, love, love zipcar. If you’re into the Lime And Fossel bike system when you either do a one way or round trip, dropping back where you picked up or dropping in a different location, zipcar is exactly the same principle.

It’s a membership site where your credit card and license details are stored and with no hassle you unlock the car in the parked space, get in drive off and return to the same spot when you are done.

It’s so simple and convenient. So what’s the down side. It costs and you wouldn’t use it for a week vacation, (unless money was no object) it would cost in the hundreds of pounds.

The idea of zipcar is for very short rentals, by the hour really, less than a day because if you can deal with the hassle getting a rental car for a day in London it’s going to be cheaper than zipcar.

The last time I used zipcar, for a short term car rental two friends were visiting, we were in Central London and decided we wanted to go to Hampton Court in Richmond.

It was way easier to jump in a zipcar round trip for a few hours. It cost about £60 £20 each which was cheaper and faster than taking the train.

It works the opposite way as a rental car, no need to leave the same fuel in the tank as when you pick up, the fuel is included just make sure you are within your allocated mileage before deciding where to go.

Renting a car in the traditional way is always going to be cheaper. This service is great for young people who need a car at the weekend or for short hops.