Fly-drive holidays and car hire

Crank up the AC and put on a playlist. You’ve nurtured your tan and worn out your dancing shoes on South Beach, Miami. Now, it’s time for Everglades, alligators, safaris and the soft sands on both sides of the Florida coast. Discover our fly-drives out of Miami.

So you want to fly drive from the Big Apple? New York-based travel editor, David Farley, lets us in on the best places to drive outside New York City, whatever the time of year.

With awe-inspiring landscapes, exciting cities, and wide, open roads made for driving, the world’s third-largest continent delivers adventures of all kinds at every turn. Travel writer Chris Leadbeater picks three epic itineraries that you’ll want to add to your bucket list.

Prepare to lose yourself in the glorious greenery on an Ireland road trip – the distances are short, you’ll drive on the left, and the roads are refreshingly empty. The promise of legend, landscape and a warm Irish welcome will exceed all expectations.

All British Airways flights at London Gatwick use the South Terminal.

There are two Avis/Budget depots at Gatwick Airport – one at the North Terminal and one at the South Terminal. However, all car rental depots at the North Terminal are currently closed for major renovation works. Therefore, please proceed to the Avis/Budget depot at the South Terminal to collect your car, regardless of which terminal you arrive into and which depot you booked. A complimentary shuttle monorail service runs every few minutes between terminals which takes 3-4 minutes. From the North Terminal, simply follow signs for the South Terminal.

Excess charges vary considerably according to vehicle type, destination and even depot. They are shown with the inclusions when booking your car on ba.com and also on the Excess Information section of your voucher.

The term 'or similar' is used because the vehicle you are allocated may not be the exact make and model as the vehicle displayed. However, it will be from the same car group, meaning that it will be comparable in size and performance to that vehicle.

The actual vehicle you are allocated will depend on the makes and models available at the time within the car group you request. If we are unable to provide a vehicle in your requested car group, we will provide a vehicle from the next available car group up at no extra charge.

You may book car hire with or without a British Airways flight.

Please be aware that if you book your car separately to your flight, the depot will not be aware of your flight information. In the unlikely event of a flight delay, you will therefore need to call the 24 hour In-Resort number on your voucher, so that we can advise the depot of your progress. Alternatively, please contact us prior to travel and we can inform the depot of your flight details.

Yes, if you’re eligible (residents of the UK and most EU countries) you can take advantage of the QuickPass service offered by Avis and Budget (referred to as PreCheck in some locations). It allows you to pre-register online and provide the depot with all the information needed, so that your rental agreement can be prepared before you arrive. This service, which is free of charge, is designed to help you get on your way quickly and safely, reducing time at the rental location. Alternatively, check-in at the depot continues to be available as normal.

Should you wish to take advantage of this QuickPass/PreCheck service, Avis or Budget will automatically contact you once you’ve made your booking, inviting you to complete your pre-travel registration. Invitations are sent 10 days before car collection, or within one hour of you making your booking if your car collection date is within the next 10 days.

If you are an Avis Preferred member and entered your Avis Preferred number into your reservation at the time of booking, your paperwork will be pre-prepared in the usual way for priority service, no need to use the QuickPass/PreCheck service.

No. If you are booking car hire only (without flights), we only require the name of the first driver. Please see above for guidance on additional drivers.

Additional drivers can be booked and paid for at the same time as your car rental on ba.com. Alternatively, you can arrange this directly with the depot on collection (the charges for the second driver will be payable locally). The second driver will need to present a full driving licence and credit card in their name on collection of the vehicle. A minimum age restriction may apply to second drivers, which varies by depot; please contact us for more information.

If you are a member of the British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus, you are entitled to a free second driver with all pre-paid Avis car rental booked via ba.com or over the phone with us. Simply provide your Executive Club or Iberia Plus account number at the time of booking – we do not require the name of the second driver and you do not need to book this on ba.com. The second driver does not need to be an Executive Club member, however they will need to present a full driving licence and a credit card in their name, on collection of the vehicle. Where applicable, a young driver surcharge may apply. If you have an existing booking and you didn't provide your Executive Club account number at the time of booking, please call to let us know that you require a free second driver added and we will arrange this for you.

Please note that the free additional driver does not apply to Budget car rental.

You can now confirm and pay for car seats when booking your car rental on ba.com, so the option to ‘request’ car seats is no longer needed and has been removed.

Each driver needs to present :

1. A full, valid driving licence in English (held for 12 months or more) from their country of residence. This should include both photo and paper parts of the licence where applicable *see note below

2. A credit card in their name (for deposit and excess)

* For UK residents, in June 2015, the paper counterpart to the UK driver's licence was abolished. If you're collecting a car from a UK depot/rental location, you won't require the paper counterpart, the DVLA 'Share Driving Licence' online code or a downloaded summary of your driving licence record - the photocard will be sufficient. However, if you're collecting a car from an overseas depot/location, for peace of mind Avis and Budget recommend you do take the DVLA 'Share Driving Licence' online code or a downloaded summary of your driving licence record. Please visit the DVLA's website for more information and advice.

If you still hold a paper driving licence issued before the photocard licence was introduced in 1998, you will be able to collect your vehicle with this so long as you have photographic identification too i.e. a passport.

There are two Avis/Budget depots at Heathrow Airport – one at Terminal 5 located at the Holiday Inn London Heathrow, Bath Road, UB70DQ and one that services Terminals 1 to 4 via a shuttle bus. On arrival at Terminal 5 follow signage to Bus Stop 25 on the arrivals level of the terminal, where you will be transferred via a regular five-minute Avis/Budget shuttle bus service

If you book car hire from Heathrow Airport, by default, the system will book collection from Terminal 5. However, if you book a BA flight at the same time as your car, the depot will use your flight information and assume that you wish to collect your car from the terminal you fly into e.g. if your BA flight arrives into Terminal 4, your car will be ready for you to collect at the Terminals 1 - 4 location even though your pre-paid voucher will show Terminal 5.

If you do not book a BA flight at the same time as your car, you can choose which depot you collect your car from. We recommend you check the depot opening hours - in the event that the Terminal 5 depot is closed, you can use the Terminals 1 - 4 location. We do not need to know in advance which terminal you wish to collect the car from.

Avis/Budget Terminal 5 opening hours are 0445 - 0000. Avis/Budget Terminals 1 - 4 location is open 24 hours.

All British Airways flights at London Gatwick use the South Terminal.

There are two Avis/Budget depots at Gatwick Airport – one at the North Terminal and one at the South Terminal. However, all car rental depots at the North Terminal are currently closed for major renovation works. Therefore, please proceed to the Avis/Budget depot at the South Terminal to collect your car, regardless of which terminal you arrive into and which depot you booked. A complimentary shuttle monorail service runs every few minutes between terminals which takes 3-4 minutes. From the North Terminal, simply follow signs for the South Terminal.

If you make a Flight + Car package, your pre-paid Avis or Budget car will be booked for collection from the Swiss side of Geneva airport. If you make a Flight + Hotel package and add pre-paid Avis or Budget car hire, you can choose to book the French or Swiss side. The same choice applies when making a car only booking, or when using the 'Create custom trip' search tool. British Airways flights land into and depart from the Swiss side of Geneva airport so if you opt to collect your car from the French side, you will need to have your boarding pass handy as it will be required to move between the Swiss and French parts of the airport.

When making your booking, car availability will only be offered to you if the depot is open for your requested pick up and drop off times. In the event that you do not see any availability, this could mean that the depot is closed – try alternative pick up and drop off times. We are unable to organise collection/drop off outside the depot’s opening hours, but some depots offer a 'drop box' to enable you to return the car and keys out of hours. Check directly with the depot when collecting your car to see if they offer this service.

We recommend that you book your car and flights together in one transaction – this will ensure the depot receive your flight details. If you book your car separately, the depot will not know your flight information. Therefore, in the unlikely event of a delay, you will need to call the 24 hour number on your voucher so that we may advise the depot of your progress.

Yes, however we will need to cancel your existing car and rebook it which will result in it being repriced at today’s rates. Any increases in price will be passed on to you in addition to the applicable amendment fee, whilst decreases will be refunded to you less any applicable cancellation or amendment fees as advised at time of booking.

If the price changes significantly, we could keep your existing booking and ask the supplier to add a request for the additional item (although special requests are always subject to availability). If the item is then available for you on collection, you would pay the additional charges locally.

Yes, however we will need to cancel your existing car and rebook it which will result in it being re-priced at today’s rates. Any increases in price will be passed on to you in addition to the applicable amendment fee, whilst decreases will be refunded to you less any applicable cancellation or amendment fees as advised at time of booking.

You can now confirm and pay for car seats when booking your car rental on ba.com, so the option to ‘request’ car seats is no longer needed and has been removed.

Tolls roads, also named turnpikes, are certain roads and highways that incur a fee (toll) to access, so it’s best to check before travelling.

Although some toll booths are payable with cash, many are unmanned, offering no option to stop and pay. In this case the toll charge will automatically be made to Avis/Budget (via the number plate) and you will be invoiced directly in a separate transaction up to eight weeks after you return your car. This is Avis/Budget’s E-Toll Standard service which is automatically applied to your rental if you pass through a toll and cannot pay cash; Avis/Budget will charge you a convenience fee as well as the toll charge itself. You do not need to opt into this when you collect your car.

E-Toll Unlimited (available from selected depots) is an upgraded optional service which includes the cost of tolls and convenience fees for every day you have the car at a daily flat fee. Some tolls will be reduced if you opt into this service. E-Toll Unlimited is useful if you will be using toll roads regularly and must be selected when you collect the car.

Discover a land of contrasts when you take a fly-drive in North America. Experience the world’s most scenic drives, journey along iconic highways and cover vast landscapes as you move from place to place.

• Boston
• Chicago
• Denver
• Las Vegas
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• Montreal
• New York
• Phoenix
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• Tampa
• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Washington

Go where the mood takes you on fly-drive breaks in Europe. Visit stunning beaches, discover architectural delights and spend time in picturesque towns and cities along the way.

• Algarve
• Amsterdam
• Athens
• Barcelona
• Benidorm
• Corfu
• Copenhagen
• Crete
• Dubrovnik
• Fuerteventura
• Gibraltar
• Ibiza
• Lanzarote
• Larnaca
• Lisbon
• Madeira
• Madrid
• Majorca
• Malaga and Costa del Sol
• Malta
• Marseille
• Menorca
• Milan
• Munich
• Naples
• Nice
• Paphos
• Paris
• Reykjavik
• Rome
• Sardinia
• Seville
• Sicily
• Tenerife
• Valencia
• Venice
• Zurich

Capture the spirit of a nation through its inspirational heritage, captivating landscapes and quintessential pubs. City breaks to Britain and Ireland are full of discoveries.

• Belfast
• Dublin
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Jersey
• London

On fly-drive holidays in Africa you’ll be taken on an incredible journey through verdant landscapes, around stunning wineries, out on safari and finishing up on stunning golden sands.

• Cape Town
• Johannesburg

All prices promoted on ba.com/avis are in currency stated and are based on Group A car size and drivers aged 30-70. Standard British Airways terms and conditions apply.

Car rental durations are based on a 24 hour clock. Minimum rental age and standard British Airways terms and conditions apply. Driver must present a full valid driving licence including a DVLA code for UK residents; and International Driving Permit if the driver’s licence is written in non-Roman alphabet e.g. Greek / Arabic etc.).

• To qualify for standard and bonus Avios awards, rentals must include the British Airways Executive Club membership number of the first named driver (the "renter"). This Executive Club card number must be given at time of reservation and the card shown at time of rental.

• Chauffeur Drive, van rentals, travel industry staff rates including BA and Avis employee programmes, replacement/insurance rates, selected association programmes, net rate programmes and rentals booked with online travel agents with the exception of ba.com), brokers and price comparison sites do not qualify for Avios. Only UK Prestige rentals qualify for Avios; Avios will not be awarded on any other Prestige rentals worldwide.

• Only rentals that qualify for standard Avios will qualify for any bonus Avios issued as a result of special promotions run by Avis or Budget from time to time.

• Consecutive or conjunctive rentals will not qualify for Avios awards – only the first qualifying rental in such situations will be awarded Avios.

• Avios can be collected on Avis car rental without taking a flight. The awarding of Avios may take up to 8 weeks from date of rental. All Avios issued are subject to Executive Club terms and conditions. Renter must meet Avis age, driver and credit requirements.

Collect 5 Avios per £1 spent (or other currency equivalant) on Avis car rental and 2 Avios per £1 (or other currency equivalent) on Budget car rental.

Avis will award a standard ‘5 Avios per £1 spent’ (or other currency equivalent) on qualifying Avis rentals. Budget will award a standard '2 Avios per £1 spent' (or other currency equivalent) on qualifying Budget rentals. If the rental is not paid in £ sterling, then the currency will be changed to £ sterling at the Avis/Budget Exchange rate applicable on date of rental commencement (the date the car is collected). The final rental value used to calculate the Avios award will exclude any charges for damage (actual damage charges or insurance excesses charged due to damage) and will exclude all taxes.

A maximum of 10,000 Avios will be awarded per qualifying rental.

Post-rental, if any adjustments to the value of that rental are made (e.g. a refund is made by Avis Customer Services) then the appropriate Avios award adjustment may be credited or debited from the Executive Club Member's account as necessary.

Rentals made using Budget contracted (corporate/government) rates/BCDs, do not qualify for standard or bonus Avios.

Collect 2 Avios per £1 spent (or other currency equivalent) on Avis corporate rates

Avis will award 2 Avios per £1 spent (or other currency equivalent) on certain selected qualifying Avis corporate rentals. If the rental is not paid in £ sterling, then the currency will be changed to £ sterling at the Avis Exchange rate applicable on date of rental commencement (the date the car is collected). The final rental value used to calculate the Avios award will exclude any charges for damage (actual damage charges or insurance excesses charged due to damage) and will exclude all taxes.

There is no minimum Avios award for corporate rentals.

A maximum 10,000 Avios will be awarded per qualifying rental.

Avis corporate rentals do not qualify for any bonus Avios promotions.

Post-rental, if any adjustments to the value of that rental are made (e.g. a refund is made by Avis Customer Services) then the appropriate Avios award adjustment will be credited or debited from the Executive Club Member’s account as necessary.

To qualify for the 2 Avios per £1 spent on selected Avis corporate rentals, rentals must include the British Airways Executive Club membership number of the first named driver (the “renter”). This Executive Club card number must be given at time of reservation and the card shown at time of rental. If you are a corporate customer and have any questions regarding your eligibility for Avios, please contact your Avis Corporate Account Manager.

1,000 bonus Avios when you join Avis Preferred

Join Avis Preferred through one of our Avis & British Airways partnership enrolment communications or at carhire-ba.com/preferred. This way you will be asked to provide your Executive Club membership tier and your Executive Club membership number and this information will be stored in your Preferred membership profile, ensuring you receive Avios on every rental you make. Please always remember to bring your driver's licence whenever you rent a car from Avis. It is essential that we check your driver’s licence for identification and driving endorsements. Sometimes our Avis Preferred Members forget as they understandably assume that they don't need ANY paperwork, but we do need to be able to check a valid driving licence at each rental, so please bring it along. When you receive your Avis Preferred digital card you will also receive a digital voucher for 1,000 bonus Avios on your next Avis Preferred rental. Simply follow the booking instructions on the reverse of the voucher to qualify.

Executive Club Members are eligible for one free additional driver on every qualifying Avis rental worldwide

Simply log in to your Executive Club account and make your Avis reservation as normal. You do not need to request an additional driver at time of booking. Simply request an additional driver to be added when you collect your car.

The additional driver must meet standard Avis age and driver requirements for that rental location.

The additional driver must present a full valid driving licence (including a DVLA code for UK residents; International Driving Permit if the driver’s licence is written in non-Roman alphabet e.g. Greek / Arabic etc.).

Only one additional driver may be claimed free of charge per rental. Further additional drivers will be charged at time of rental at the appropriate rate published for that location.

This benefit is available for British Airways Executive Club Members only, all membership tiers, booking on ba.com; carhire-ba.com; BA Call Centres or Avis Call Centres.

Rentals made using Avis contracted (corporate/government) rates/AWDs, chauffeur drive, or van rentals do not qualify. Travel industry staff rates including BA and Avis employee programs, replacement/insurance rates, selected association programs, and net rate programmes, and rentals booked with online travel agents (with the exception of ba.com), brokers and price comparison sites do not qualify.

Correct as of 4 February 2022

Winter Tyres are included in the rates and do not need to be requested for the following countries. Travel dates vary. Austria between 01Nov-31Mar. Norway between 01Nov-15Apr Germany between 15Nov-31Mar. Finland between 01Nov-31Mar. Sweden between 01Dec-30Mar.  Iceland between 01Nov-15Apr. Switzerland between 01Nov-31Mar. France (Grenoble, Chambery, Toulouse, Lyon, Nice and Strasbourg on Groups G and P only) between 01Nov-31Mar. The French side of Geneva (Groups G P & M) between 01Nov-31Mar. Poland between 01Nov-31Mar. Czech Rep (Avis only) between 01Nov-31Mar. Bulgaria between 01Nov-31Mar.

Snow chains are included in the rates and do not need to be requested for Italy (in Milan, Venice, Turin, Verona, Pisa, Genoa, Florence, Bologna for all Groups except N) between 14Nov-14Apr. Winter tyres can be added to car group N only, must be requested and charges are payable locally.

Please note that snow chains and ski racks can be requested on the Car Rental Details page, once you have selected your car type, and charges are payable locally, direct at the depot (Snow chains not available in Sweden. Ski racks not available in Poland. Snow chains and Ski racks are not available in Iceland or Finaland).