Zipcar Flex | Airports

one-way trips, now boarding

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Dropping off
Arriving at T5
Picking up
Parking & picking up
Trips
How Flex works

How it works - heading to the airport

Getting to T5 with Flex is easy. Just follow these simple steps.

Reserve
Navigate
Arrive
Park
End Trip

Reserve

Open the Zipcar app and reserve your nearest Flex car (up to 15 mins ahead of time).
Navigate

Navigate

Navigate and drive to the Short Stay Car Park at Heathrow Terminal 5.

When approaching Terminal 5, follow the signs for "Avis Budget Returns.
Arrive

Arriving at the airport

At the car park, follow the signs for Avis Budget Drop Off which will take you to Level 4. Don't worry about getting a ticket upon entry, the barriers will automatically rise.

A few taps of the app and you can be driving in seconds for one-way trips or use it to book ahead for a whole weekend with a van. The choice is yours.
Park

Parking at the airport

Drive and stop the car in the clearly marked and branded Returns Line next to the Avis Budget office on level 4.
End Trip

Ending Your Trip

End your trip in the app by returning the keys to the glove box, exiting the car, tapping 'Lock Car' and then 'End Trip'. Do not give the keys to a member of Avis staff as they cannot end your trip for you. Then follow the signs to the departures on level 5 just a few minutes walk away. Bon voyage!

How it works - leaving the airport

Have you landed at T5 and want to beat the taxi queue and drive straight home? Consider picking up a Flex car.

Reserve
Find
Unlock
Drive
End Trip

Reserve

Reserve

When you're within 15 minutes of exiting the terminal (such as waiting for your bags), open the Zipcar app and reserve an available Flex car. They'll appear in the app within the Short Stay Car Park directly opposite the Terminal 5 building.
Find

Find

Follow the signs within the terminal to the Avis Budget area on Level 4 of the car park.
Unlock

Unlock

Upon arriving at Level 4, you'll see a number of clearly branded Zipcar spaces in the back right hand corner- check the number plate to see which one you've reserved. Unlock with the app as usual.
Drive

Drive

Set off on your journey home! The exit barriers will open without a ticket as the number plate is automatically recognised.
End Trip

End Trip

Remember, you can only drop off in the Zipzone, so double check before you drive that you will be parking in the right area. Check here to learn about the Zipzone.

Off on holiday?

Zipcar Flex - the quick & easy option

Jack and Laura live in Islington and are booked on an early morning flight for their couples trip to Spain. They were planning on using Addison Lee to get out to the airport but are keen to make sure they have maximum spending money for their holiday.

Jack and Laura can eliminate this worry, and start their weekend off stress free by choosing to use Zipcar Flex to drive themselves to Heathrow T5.

price it out

Cost

Time

Flex Saving

Zipcar Flex

Cost

£21.35

Time

85 mins

(28.9 miles)

Flex Saving

69%

Addison Lee

Cost

£67.90

Time

85 mins

(28.9 miles)

Flex Saving

*Addison Lee fare estimates taken from Addison Lee app based off drive to Heathrow Terminal 5 from N1 2BN. Fares calculated for midday trip on 13.04.18.

Heading back to the office?

Businessman heading home from airport image

Zipcar Flex - the quick & cheaper option

Matt and Norbert have just landed at Heathrow T5 after being overseas for work. Their office is in Earlsfield and they usually catch an Uber there - costing around £44. To save the company some money they decided to use Zipcar Flex to drive themselves back to the office- smart move.

price it out

Cost

Time

Flex Saving

Zipcar Flex

Cost

£17

Time

50 mins

(20 miles)

Flex Saving

61%

Uber

Cost

£44

Time

50 mins

(20 miles)

Flex Saving

*Uber estimates taken from Uber app based off trip from Heathrow Terminal 5 to SW18 4SW. Fares calculated for midday fare on 11.04.18

drive - drop - do with Zipcar Flex

Unlock one-way wheels when you want them with our handy app

Select your trip type
Reserving & unlocking
Dropping off
Ending your trip

Select your trip type

Choosing Zipcar Flex

When searching for cars in the app, you can use the filter tool in the top right to highlight your nearest Zipcar Flex locations. Flex cars are blue pins on the map, but you'll need to either be in or have searched for a location within the Zipzone to see them. The app shows the Zipzone as a blue shaded area of the map.
Reserving & unlocking

Reserving & unlocking

Click the blue pin you want, tap the car image, hit confirm and you're all done. It's reserved (on hold) for 15 minutes so you can get to the car easily. The app will help you navigate to where it's parked. When you arrive, just tap the unlock icon and only then will the trip start and you'll begin to be charged by the minute.
Dropping off

Park (almost) anywhere in the Zipzone

When you're finished with your Zipcar Flex, check the app to make sure that you're within the Zipzone. Refer to the Parking Rules to ensure you're leaving the car in an approved parking space, specifically avoiding Pay-And-Display Only or Car Club Only bays, which can't be used with Zipcar Flex.
Ending your trip

Just a few taps and you're done

After you've confirmed you're in an approved parking space, you're ready to end your trip. Simply exit the car and ensure you have any belongings with you. Tap the lock icon, then press End Trip. You're all finished.