Zipcar

We like it.

Zipcar, which is now owned by Avis, offers car rentals by the hour, The rental Ts&Cs include basic insurance and fuel, plus 60 miles of travel prorated to 10 miles per hour. After 6 hours you have the full 24 hour limit of 60 miles. If you need fuel, and you are encouraged to fuel up for the next member with various perks and discounts, all the cars have fuel cards which are honored at most forecourts in the UK. Very handy - no out of pocket costs or receipts etc.

To rent a Zipcar you have to have a membership - about £60 per year. You can get premium insurance (no deductables) for about another £30 per year. In the past you had to return your Zipcar to the location you picked it up, but now it's possible to get a one way rental and drop off somewhere else. There are several models they offer, all the way up to the 7 passenger Touran. It's also possible to rent a van for £10 per hour with the same membership. You can literally do anything and manage your rentals with the phone app, and you can also do alot online with a web browser with a PC or Tablet. However you need the phone app to unlock the car. Much better that the bad old days where you needed a separate card to unlock the vehicle.

This car is located in a dedicated "Club Car" space just outside of Hastings International and Pacific Wharf on the north side of the street. There are often additional cars around from the one way rentals, but in any case it's a popular area with a number of Zipcars available. Of course you can also take public transport, say north of the river, and pick up a Zipcar in an area that's easier to navigate from as well. All in all it's a very good concept and works well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Handy service for when a vehicle is needed.