Car Hire Finchley

Car Hire

Finchley is one of the last prim-and-proper districts of London, found before the city turns to M25 country and beyond. Located in the north of London, Finchley is the ward where Margaret Thatcher first took office as a Member of Parliament. The rest was history, and whether that was a good or bad choice of the electorate at the time, it’s far too late now for anyone to blame lovely Finchley. The borough is well connected on the edge of London, close to the M1, A1 and the M25.

Who to Book With
There are several rental agencies in Finchley, mostly clustered around Finchley Central tube station on Ballards Lane (A598). Firms include the well-known Hertz, which offers a range of vehicles. To secure the best prices, view the choices and book online in advance.

Best Time to go
London is a 24-hour city, and, as the saying goes: “when you are tired or London, you are tired of life”. In other words, there is never a bad time to visit Finchley, although the summers are particularly lovely.

Need to Know Essentials
To pick up your rental car, you must provide the following documents:

- A UK or EU driving license or a valid International Driving Permit
- A photo ID, such as passport of European identity card
- The credit card you used when making the booking
- A printout of the confirmation page of your booking

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
London is home to nine million residents. Not all of those own a car, but driving around the city can be a bit hellish, particularly during the peak hours and in the Congestion Zone. The good news is that Finchley is close to major routes out of London, so if you are looking to escape the city you can do so in a speedy way by taking the nearby M1 or A1. Finchley is also very close to the A406 North Circular road, meaning getting to other districts of London is fairly easy.

See our guide to the UK for more information on driving here.

Transport

Finchley is a well-connected part of London, with the useful Northern underground line running right through it. It is also possible to use the network of public buses to get around locally. Failing that, you can always find a black cab to flag down or prearrange a mini-cab to come and collect you.

Trains
Finchley is an area of London that takes full advantage of the city’s extensive underground network. The main station serving Finchley is Finchley Central, but East and West Finchley and Woodside Park are also close by. All are on the Northern Line (which is the black line on TFL maps). From here, you can connect to Euston, a major terminus for high-speed trains to the rest of the country. Check the TFL website for timetable and ticket details.

Taxis
Finchley is served by London’s fleet of traditional black cabs. These are metered vehicles with knowledgeable drivers who have been roaming the city streets for years. Black Cabs will get you from A to B, although they are generally expensive and only recommended for short journeys. For lower fares, you can seek a minicab, for example by calling Finchley Taxi on 020 8099 6116.

Buses
There are six buses that go from Finchley Central station to other destinations in north London. Single journeys cost around £2.40 if paying cash, or £1.40 if you use a pre-pay oyster card. Check the TFL website for timetable and ticket details.

Exploring

As Finchley is on the edge of London, there are two choices here: delve deeper into the urban sprawl, or escape to the country. Fortunately, the latter choice is made very easy, since Finchley is linked to the nearby M1 motorway, making zooming off a real possibility. If you want to get farther into the depths of London, then Finchley is perfectly situated on the North Circular ring road, making navigation of the capital straightforward.

Recommended Drives

Hampstead Heath - This is one of the greatest green spaces in London, set just five miles away from Finchley. The suburb of Hampstead has also been home to some of London’s more quirky residents, such as Sigmund Freud, who lived here from 1938 after he escaped Nazi Germany; his house is now a museum. On your way back to Finchley, drop by the famous Highgate Cemetery, where, amongst others, you can visit the grave of Karl Marx. London has always attracted rebels!

Elstree Studios - This is a must-visit location for any film fanatic, since it is the heart of the British silver screen. It has been unconvincingly referred to as the Hollywood of Britain, but, all comparisons aside, it is here where major productions such as the ‘King’s Speech’ and all three of the Indiana Jones trilogy were filmed. It is also the home of ‘Big Brother’ and ‘Eastenders’, two of the most viewed television programmes in the UK. Just 20 minutes away from Finchley on the A1.

Wembley Stadium - This is less than 10 miles away from Finchley. In average traffic it, takes around 20 minutes to reach when following the North Circular road westbound. Finchley is, therefore, the perfect place to be based if you’re in town for that all-important sports match.