Car Hire Bromley

Car Hire

Part of the Greater London area, Bromley is just over nine miles southeast of Charing Cross and is London’s largest borough. Bromley is known for its beautiful flowers and trees, planted each year to ensure that the borough always looks its best. It also has a fair share of historical sites, such as Bromley College, Down House and the Chislehurst Caves. Perhaps the best thing about Bromley is its location, however, as it has direct access, not only to Central London, but to all other southern boroughs, as well as Kent and East Sussex. Car rental is a great way to get out of Bromley and discover the beauty of this area of southeast England.

Who to Book With
Familiar car hire firms, including Sixt and Avis, have offices right in Bromley’s town centre, as does local supplier Lanes Car Hire. The majority of these can be found near the Bromley South Railway station, but booking a vehicle online ahead of time is highly recommended.

Best time to go
The summer is the best time to visit Bromley, which remains slightly cooler than Central London. This is when the beaches on both the English Channel and the North Sea can be best enjoyed. The spring is also beautiful, allowing visitors to enjoy Bromley’s many parks and golf courses.

Need to Know Essentials
- Upon vehicle collection, the following documents are required:

- Both parts of your UK driving license
- Some other form of identification
- The credit card used to make the booking
- Booking verification

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Bromley is very car-friendly, with plenty of car parks and on-street parking available. Parking can be paid for on your mobile phone (RingGo) or at a ticket machine using a pay and display system. Some zones are designated for permit holders only, but visitors can easily apply for a permit to park their vehicle. The M25 is on the southern edge of Bromley, connecting it with numerous major motorways running in all directions.

Browse our guide to the UK for more useful tips on driving here.

Transport

Bromley is the only London Borough that is not served by the London Underground, although it is connected to the centre by train. Buses also link Bromley to Central London and other nearby boroughs, and run through the borough itself. However, a car is the best way to get around Bromley and to explore farther afield.

Trains
There are two railway stations in Bromley, with Bromley South being the busier of the two, running on Southeastern’s Chatham Line, the Maidstone East Line and the Sevenoaks-Bedford Line. It also sits along the Ashford International-Bedford line, operated by First Capital Connect. The smaller Bromley North Railway station is the terminus of the short Bromley North Line to Grove Park.

Taxis
Taxi companies in Bromley are plentiful but are very expensive, with transfers to Central London being around £30. In Bromley itself they are not really necessary, but any hotel will be happy to arrange one if needed.

Buses
Local Transport of London buses run through Bromley town and the rest of the borough. There are also a number of stops here along the Tramlink Route 2. A single fare journey on the bus or the tram costs around £2.40, while a seven-day combined pass costs £19.60.

Exploring

There are a number of things to see and do in, and outside of, the Borough of Bromley. Cathedrals, beaches, seaside resorts and castles are all within a couple of hours’ drive. Spend a day exploring medieval towns, relaxing on a beach, shopping in boutiques or enjoying the countryside - there really is a wealth of possibilities in the area surrounding Bromley.

Recommended Drives

Brighton Pier - This provides fun for the whole family, with rides, an arcade, shopping and lots of food. It is located the fashionable seaside resort town of Brighton, which has plenty more to offer, such as a beach, fantastic shopping, art galleries and excellent restaurants.

Canterbury - Home of the famous Canterbury Cathedral, Saint Martin’s Church, St Augustine's Abbey and Canterbury Castle, and located just 55 miles southeast of Bromley is a fantastic place for those that love history and architecture.

Dover Castle - Known as the Key to England because of its historical significance, Dover Castle is the largest and one of the oldest castles in England. It is a Scheduled Monument and a Grade I listed building, and makes for a fantastic daytrip destination.