Car hire in Notting Hill, London

The office in our list is on Canal Way, in the W10 corner of North Kensington between Ladbroke Grove and the Grand Union Canal, a short walk from the north end of Portobello Road. It is a handy pickup point for anyone staying in Notting Hill, Holland Park or Kensal Green who wants a car for a trip out of London rather than for driving around the city.

London charges to know about

• The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all 32 London boroughs and applies 24 hours a day. Most modern rental cars meet the standard, but confirm it at the desk, as a non-compliant car pays a daily charge.
• Notting Hill is outside the Congestion Charge zone. The western extension that once covered this area was removed in 2011, but driving east into central London on a weekday or at weekend afternoons costs a daily fee. It is not collected at a barrier, so pay online before the deadline.
• Residents' parking bays dominate the local streets. Read the signs carefully, because enforcement in Kensington and Chelsea is strict.

Heading out

The Westway, part of the A40, runs right past the office and becomes the route to the M40, Oxford and the Cotswolds. The North Circular and the M25 lead on to the airports and the rest of the motorway network. For visitors from North America and continental Europe: traffic drives on the left, and automatic cars are less common in UK fleets than in the USA, so request one when you book if you need it.

Over the August bank holiday weekend the Notting Hill Carnival closes many streets in the area. Collecting or returning a car then is best avoided or planned well ahead.