Europcar locations are searchable by address or postcode on their website, and you can filter by vehicle type and rental dates before you book

Europcar operates rental desks at airports, city centres, and train stations across the UK and Europe. To find the branch closest to you, go to europcar.co.uk, enter your postcode or city name in the location search box, and select your pickup date and time. The site will show you every Europcar location within reasonable distance, along with opening hours and what vehicles are available on your chosen dates.

You do not need to book when ready after searching. You can browse locations and availability without committing, then return later to complete your reservation. Europcar also has a mobile app that works the same way — search by location, see what is available, and book when you are ready.

If you are renting from an airport, Europcar desks are usually in the arrivals hall or in the car rental zone. City centre branches tend to have longer opening hours than airport locations, so if you need to pick up or drop off outside standard business hours, a city branch may be more flexible.

Key Takeaways

  • Search for Europcar locations by postcode or city name on europcar.co.uk to see all nearby branches with their opening hours and available vehicles.
  • Availability and pricing change based on your pickup date, time, and vehicle type, so search with your actual rental dates to see real options.
  • Airport and city centre branches have different opening hours — check the specific location's times before you book if you need an early or late pickup.
  • You can reserve a vehicle at one location and return it to another (one-way rental), though this usually costs more than returning to the same branch.
  • Booking online in advance typically offers better rates than walking in on the day, and you can cancel or modify most bookings up to 24 hours before pickup.

What information you need before you search

Have your postcode or the name of the area where you want to pick up the car. If you are flying in, you can search by airport code (LHR for Heathrow, LGW for Gatwick, and so on). If you are picking up from a city, search by the city name or postcode of the neighbourhood you prefer.

You will also need to know your pickup date and time, and your return date and time. Europcar charges by the day, and the time matters — if you pick up at 9 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. the next day, that is two days' rental, not one. Entering the correct times means you see the actual price you will pay.

Have your driving licence to hand when you book, though you do not need to enter the details until checkout. You will also need a debit or credit card in your name for the reservation and to pay any damage deposit the rental company holds.

How to search and filter by vehicle type

After you enter your location and dates, Europcar shows you vehicle categories: economy cars, compact cars, saloons, estate cars, SUVs, and vans. Each category shows a sample vehicle and the price per day. The actual car you receive may be a different model within that category, but it will be the same size and type.

Economy and compact cars are cheapest and easiest to park in city centres. Saloons and estates offer more space and comfort for longer journeys. SUVs cost more but give you higher seating and better visibility. Vans are for moving house or carrying large loads — Europcar offers panel vans and dropside vans with different load capacities.

The price shown includes the basic rental. Insurance, fuel options, and additional driver fees are added at checkout. Read the terms carefully before you confirm, because some add-ons are compulsory (like damage waiver insurance) and others are optional.

Understanding pickup and return locations

Most people pick up and return to the same branch. If you want to return the car to a different location — for example, pick up in London and return in Edinburgh — search for "one-way rental" on Europcar's site. One-way rentals cost more because the company has to move the vehicle back, but they save you the cost and time of driving back to your starting point.

When you book, you choose your exact pickup and return branches. Airport branches are usually open from early morning (around 6 a.m.) until late evening (around 11 p.m.), but city centre branches vary. Check the opening hours of your chosen location before you book, especially if you need to pick up or drop off outside standard business hours.

Some branches close on Sundays or have reduced hours on weekends. If you are renting over a weekend, confirm the branch is open on your return date. Returning a car after hours is sometimes possible at unmanned drop-off points, but this is not available at every location.

What happens when you book online

Once you have chosen your location, vehicle, and dates, you enter your personal details: name, address, email, and phone number. You then enter your driving licence number and the card you want to use for payment. Europcar takes a payment to find the booking and may hold an additional amount as a damage deposit — this is released when you return the car undamaged.

You receive a booking confirmation by email with your reservation number, pickup location address, and the vehicle details. Print this or save it to your phone — you will need it when you arrive to collect the car. The confirmation also shows what insurance and extras are included and what you will pay on the day.

You can cancel or change your booking up to 24 hours before your pickup time through your account on europcar.co.uk. After that, cancellation fees may explore. If your plans change, log in to your booking and modify the dates or location rather than cancelling and rebooking, as this sometimes costs less.

Insurance and damage waiver options

Europcar offers several insurance products. Damage waiver (also called collision damage waiver or CDW) covers damage to the rental car if you have an accident. Basic CDW comes with a high excess — usually £1,000 to £2,000 — meaning you pay that amount toward repairs if there is damage. You can buy reduced excess cover to lower this to £0 or £500, but this costs extra per day.

Third-party liability insurance covers damage you cause to other vehicles or property. This is compulsory in the UK and Europe and is included in your rental. Personal effects cover is optional and protects belongings left in the car.

If you have a personal car insurance policy, check whether it covers rental cars. Some policies do; others do not. If your policy covers rentals, you may not need to buy Europcar's damage waiver, which can save you money. Read your policy documents or call your insurer before you book.

Fuel and mileage charges

Europcar offers three fuel options. Full-to-full means you collect the car with a full tank and return it full — you pay for the fuel you use. Full-to-empty means you collect a full tank and return it empty, paying a fixed price upfront. Empty-to-empty means you collect an empty tank and return it empty, paying only for what you use.

Full-to-full is usually cheapest if you drive carefully and return the car nearly full. Full-to-empty is convenient if you do not want to find a petrol station before returning the car, but you pay a premium for that convenience. Empty-to-empty is rarely the best value.

Mileage is usually unlimited on Europcar rentals in the UK, so you do not pay per mile. Some longer-term rentals or special offers may have mileage limits — check your confirmation to see whether mileage is included.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a Europcar rental without a credit card?

No. Europcar requires a debit or credit card in your name to find the booking and to hold a damage deposit. The card does not have to be used for payment — you can pay by other methods at pickup — but you must provide card details when you book online.

What if the location I want is fully booked?

Search for nearby branches on the same date. Europcar often has availability at different locations even when one branch is full. You can also try different pickup times — a later pickup time may have cars available when an earlier time does not. If no nearby location has what you need, consider adjusting your dates by a day or two.

Do I need to buy extra insurance if I have my own car insurance?

Check your car insurance policy first. Many personal policies cover rental cars, but some do not. If your policy covers rentals, you may not need Europcar's damage waiver. Call your insurer before you book to confirm what is covered and what excess you would pay.

Can I add an extra driver after I have booked?

Yes. Log into your booking on europcar.co.uk and add an additional driver. There is usually a fee per day for each extra driver. The additional driver must be present at pickup with their own driving licence and a credit card, as Europcar takes a separate damage deposit for them.

What happens if I return the car late?

Late returns are charged by the hour or day depending on how late you are. If you are running behind, call the branch as soon as you know — they may be able to extend your booking and charge you the daily rate rather than an hourly late fee. Always return the car by your agreed time if possible to avoid extra charges.