Zipcar Flex | Airports
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
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Reserve
Open the Zipcar app and reserve your nearest Flex car (up to 15 mins ahead of time).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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 for your trip back to the Zipzone. They'll appear in the app within the Short Stay Car Park directly opposite the Terminal 5 building.
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Find
Find
Follow the signs within the terminal to the Avis Budget area on Level 4 of the car park.
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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.
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Drive
Drive
Set off on your journey home! The exit barriers will open without a ticket as the number plate is automatically recognised.
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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.
Zipcar Flex
£24.25
85 mins
(28.9 miles)
64%
Addison Lee
£67.90
85 mins
(28.9 miles)
*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?
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.
Zipcar Flex
£17
50 mins
(20 miles)
61%
Uber
£44
50 mins
(20 miles)
*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
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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.
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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.
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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 our Parking Rules in the app to ensure you're leaving the car in an approved parking space and avoid parking fines.
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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.
Flex your way
simple pay-as-you-go rates for maximum flexibility
By the minute
perfect for saving you money on short trips around the city
VW Polo - 29p per minute.
VW e-Golf - 31p per minute.
By the hour
we cap the rates to keep costs of longer trips down
VW Polo - £12 per hour.
VW e-Golf - £14 per hour.
By the day
daily cap exclusive to the VW Polo
Kicking in at 6 hours for reservations in the Polo, you'll never pay more than £72 per 24 hour period.
The e-Golf is suited for shorter trips around the city, with per minute and per hour rates only.
