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Car Hire

Ideally situated on the northwestern coast of Kent in southern England, Dartford has grown from being a settlement made by the Ancient Romans into the pleasant market town it is today. While more industrial than it ever has been, Dartford is still a worthy tourist destination, known for its iconic bridge and the Dartford Heath area, which can be comfortably navigated by those with car hire.

Who to Book With
Avis is currently the only car rental company located in central Dartford, but plenty of other options exist slightly out of the town centre. This means that those interested in hiring their own vehicle can also look at the offerings of Avis, Alamo, Porter, Plan Dartford and Hertz before making any decisions. By booking over the internet prior to arrival, driving tourists often find themselves making outstanding savings.

Best Time to Go
Dartford is at its most popular from June to August, as this is when the English summer is in full swing and those with families take their children away during the school holidays. Less busy periods include spring and autumn, when rental and hotel rates tend to decrease accordingly.

Need to Know Essentials
When collecting a rental car, you must produce the following documents:

- A British driving license or an international license that is valid for use in the UK
- Another form of photo ID
- The debit or credit card that was used to complete the booking
- Printed confirmation of the rental agreement if possible

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Dartford is not a difficult city for drivers to navigate, but, like most cities, it often gets busy and congested during rush hours. Travelling in the morning or early evening usually results in being stuck in traffic jams with the large number of commuters heading to and from Dartford's various industrial factories and other places of employment.

See our guide to the UK for more information on driving in this country.

Transport

As anyone who has ever spent any amount of time in Dartford will testify, the best way to get around the city and its surroundings is definitely by car. This is due to a limited public transport network that mainly involves trains, taxis and buses.

Trains
Dartford Train Station is a short five-minute stroll from the centre of town, with routes mainly running between various London locations or towns on the North Kent Line, including spots along Kent's coast and Stone Crossing, Farningham Road, Longfield and Greenhithe, among others. Southeastern is one of the main suppliers or rail transportation to and from Dartford.

Taxis
All Night Cars, Safhire Cabs, Green Light Cars and 24 Hours Crayford Cars are the main companies offering taxi transport around Dartford and the rest of Kent. While some routes involving short distances might be available on the meter, fares for other trips may have to be agreed beforehand.

Buses
Fastrack and Arriva are the two main companies that offer bus transport around Dartford and its surrounding areas. Two of the most popular services are the 414 that runs to and from Horton Kirby and the 423/4233 that calls at Longfield and the Fleet Estate.

Exploring

After having visited attractions including the Dartford Museum and Library and the Central Park, those with car rental can venture farther afield. While the most popular daytrip destination for those with their own vehicles is, of course, London, there are plenty of other destinations on the Kent coast that are also well worth a visit.

Recommended Drives

Central London - This is just a short drive northwest of Dartford, offering various different activities to a wide range of tourists. Everything from the theatre to landmarks, sporting events, live music and shopping can be enjoyed in England’s iconic capital.

Southend-on-Sea - Located a pleasant cruise east of Dartford, Southend-on-Sea has been a popular seaside destination choice for those in this part of the country for most of the last. This lovely town is popular for its May Air Show, in addition to its beach and pier.

Gillingham - Reachable by heading southeast from Dartford along the A2. The town is perhaps best-known for its Royal Engineers Museum, as well as the dry ski slopes in Alpine Park.