Airport rental tips
- Rental centers and shuttles: at many large airports the rental counters are in a consolidated rental car center reached by train or shuttle. Allow extra time, especially for the return.
- Fees: airport rentals often include facility and concession charges. Compare with a city location if you don't need the car on day one.
- Loyalty programs from the big rental brands often let you skip the counter and go straight to the car.
- Late arrival? Give the company your flight number so they hold the car if your flight is delayed.
- Do you need a car at all? In New York City, central Chicago, Washington, DC and on the Las Vegas Strip, transit, rideshare or walking can be cheaper. Rent only for the day trips.
Driving your own car to the airport? Booking airport parking ahead usually beats the drive-up rate.
Destinations: airport, hotels and things to do
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| Destination | Airport | Plan the trip | Why rent a car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | MCO | Hotels · Things to do | Theme parks; a car makes Disney, Universal and the beaches easy |
| Las Vegas | LAS | Hotels · Things to do | Skip the car on the Strip; rent one for Hoover Dam, Red Rock and Zion |
| Los Angeles | LAX | Hotels · Things to do | Spread out: a car is close to essential |
| Miami / Fort Lauderdale | MIA, FLL | Hotels · Things to do | Gateway to the Keys and the Everglades |
| Key West | EYW | Hotels · Things to do | Or drive the Overseas Highway down from Miami |
| Tampa Bay | TPA | Hotels · Things to do | Gulf beaches, Clearwater and St. Pete |
| New York City | JFK, LGA, EWR | Hotels · Things to do | Don't drive in Manhattan; rent for upstate and Long Island |
| Boston | BOS | Hotels · Things to do | Cape Cod, Salem and fall foliage drives |
| Washington, DC | DCA, IAD | Hotels · Things to do | Use the Metro in town; a car for Virginia and Maryland |
| Chicago | ORD, MDW | Hotels · Things to do | Start of historic Route 66 |
| San Francisco | SFO | Hotels · Things to do | Wine country, Big Sur and the Pacific Coast Highway |
| San Diego | SAN | Hotels · Things to do | Beaches, La Jolla and day trips inland |
| Seattle | SEA | Things to do | Mount Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula |
| Phoenix | PHX | Hotels · Things to do | Sedona and the Grand Canyon by road |
| Honolulu (Oahu) | HNL | Hotels · Things to do | North Shore and windward beaches |
| Maui | OGG | Hotels · Things to do | Road to Hana and Haleakala |
| Anchorage | ANC | Hotels · Things to do | Seward Highway, Kenai Peninsula and Denali |
| St. Louis | STL | Hotels · Things to do | Route 66 and the Missouri wine country |
| Minneapolis | MSP | Hotels · Things to do | North Shore of Lake Superior |
| Albuquerque / Santa Fe | ABQ | Hotels · Things to do | Taos, Santa Fe and the High Road |
| Branson | SGF (Springfield) | Hotels · Things to do | Ozark lakes and shows |
| Cincinnati | CVG | Hotels · Things to do | Kentucky bourbon country nearby |
| Portland, Maine | PWM | Hotels · Things to do | Coastal Route 1 and Acadia |
| Nashville | BNA | Hotels | Day trips to Lynchburg and the Natchez Trace |
| New Orleans | MSY | Hotels | Plantation country and the bayous |
| Denver | DEN | Hotels | Rocky Mountain National Park and the ski towns |
| Atlanta | ATL | Hotels | The busiest airport in the U.S.; book ahead |
| Charleston | CHS | Hotels | Lowcountry beaches and Savannah |
Flying in? Find fares on Airfares for Less.
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Search Travelocity Cars →Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to rent a car away from the airport?
Often, because off-airport locations may not charge airport fees. But count the cost and time of a taxi or rideshare to get there.
What if my flight is delayed?
Include your flight number in the booking. Many companies will hold the car for a delayed flight, but call the location if you'll be very late.
Can I return the car to a different airport?
Usually yes, as a one-way rental, but there may be a drop fee. See our one-way rental guide.