Best car-hire apps to use to escape the city during the summer holidays

Renting a car is often the easiest way to get the whole family on the road
E-Car Club and UFODrive offer electric vehicle rentals in London
E-Car Club

There’s plenty to see and do within a few hours’ drive from London and the summer holidays are the perfect time for the whole family to escape the city.

Using public transport such as trains and buses with kids in tow is stressful at the best of times. And with various strikes taking place, this isn’t the best of times to be using it.

Luckily, various car-hire apps make it simple to rent your own private vehicle for as little or long as you want, allowing you and your family to enjoy your time outside London.

Ranging from monthly subscription models to electric cars that are kind to the environment, here’s a look at some of the best car-hire apps available in London.

The car club one: Zipcar

Zipcars are available to hire across London
Zipcar

Zipcar operates a car-club model. You sign up on the website and can pay a small membership fee for cheaper hires – but you don't have to. Then you're free to pick up a car in your area and drop it off when you don't need it any more.

Zipcar vehicles are available to hire from £3/hour

The contactless one: Virtuo

Virtuo leases Mercedes A-Class and GLA cars in London
Virtuo

Virtuo has become a popular choice for weekend escapes from London thanks to its contactless, seamless process.

Simply reserve a car on the app and pick it up at a transport hub, using your smartphone to unlock and lock the car as well as turn it on. You can also get your car delivered to you.

“For us, the contactless nature of our rental and the fact that we have always cleaned our cars after every rental put us in a strong position. We have always offered free cancellations and modifications as well to ensure that customers can travel with peace of mind,” says Virtuo’s Adam Bodini.

Virtuo cars are available to hire from £50/day

The electric one: E-Car Club

E-Car Club offers electric and hybrid vehicles
E-Car Club

If you don’t want to negate the environmental benefits of not driving for months, then E-Car Club could be the platform for you. The service offers fully electric and hybrid vehicles so you can keep your carbon footprint low during the trip.

Everything is done through the app, including unlocking the car, so it’s a contactless process and the app will tell you where to find the nearest charging point so you never run out of juice.

Want an alternative electric car service? UFODrive is a new app for Londoners that allows them to hire a Tesla Model 3 or Model S from £89 a day.

E-Car Club vehicles are available from £35/day

The P2P one: Hiyacar and Getaround

You can share your car with your neighbours using Hiyacar and Getaround
Hiyacar

If you’re looking for a slightly cheaper way to get around this summer, you could check whether your neighbour or someone local is offering their car for hire. Platforms like Hiyacar and Getaround allow people to rent their cars out as a way to make some extra income on the side. They demonstrate there isn’t a need for everyone to own their own vehicle.

Getaround offers economy, comfort and premium bands. Cars should be returned to their owners in the same condition they were in when they were picked up. Fees from £10 to £70 are payable for cars returned dirty, with a fee of £30 charged if there is evidence of smoking.

If you’re looking to travel abroad, fellow P2P app Turo could be a solid alternative. The service is available in five countries (including the UK), and boasts more than three million guests and 330,000 listed vehicles in 1,400 makes and models. Prices start from £19 a day.

Getaround vehicles are available to hire from £21/day depending on the car. Hiyacar vehicles are available to hire from £28/day depending on the car.

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