Airport car rental costs are generally higher than what you might find away from the airport property. While the convenience of renting a car at the airport is undeniable, you must evaluate whether that convenience justifies the additional cost.
Off-Airport Rental Comparisons
To illustrate the potential impact of airport car rental costs on your travel budget, consider the following example: Renting a Ford Focus for $27 a day at Rent-a-Wreck in Canton, Michigan—approximately six miles from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport—compared to a Hyundai Accent at Thrifty for $101 a day at the airport. While the Hyundai Accent is a more luxurious option, the difference in convenience and overall experience may leave you questioning the value.
Additionally, it’s essential to factor in any extra costs that come with low rates. For instance, Rent-a-Wreck charges $25 each way for a shuttle service to and from the terminal. This adds an additional $50 to your overall expenses, diminishing the perceived savings.
Searching through Travelocity, you might find a compact rental deal with Thrifty at the airport for $56 a day. Although it isn’t a steal, it is more economical compared to the $101 daily rate. Furthermore, this may prove more favorable than the Rent-a-Wreck option, which limits you to 100 miles a day and incurs additional transport costs.
A recent search on Kayak across 15 major U.S. airports revealed varying results; however, 10 of these airports offered lower rental rates off the property. Thus, the potential for savings can fluctuate significantly depending on the specific market.
Reasons for Higher Costs
The costs associated with airport car rentals typically include various fees that off-airport facilities do not impose. One prominent reason is tax rates. Airport taxes can often be double those at off-airport locations. However, taxes are not the sole issue; other market forces also contribute. Operating on high-demand airport property can lead to increased costs, especially concerning parking and office space.
Best Prices
There is a significant consideration when opting for off-airport car rentals: The expense of transportation to and from the rental location can negate any savings seen in the car rental rates. This is especially pertinent for longer rentals. Therefore, it always pays to consider whether the convenience of airport car rentals justifies the additional expense.
- Seek out promotions from car rental companies in your destination market, aiming for those with the lowest current rates.
- Avoid companies known for poor service and inflated prices.
- Find the nearest off-airport location for your preferred rental company and compare their rates with those at the airport.
- Investigate the cost of taking a taxi, or using rideshare services such as Lyft or Uber to reach the off-site rental location.
- Evaluate whether the potential savings outweigh the costs of additional transportation and whether the inconvenience is worth it.
