Car rental at Charleston Airport

Car rental at Charleston Airport

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for car rental deals at Charleston Airport (CHS)

Charleston, SC, United States - Charleston
25 May — 1 Jun
Same drop-off
Charleston, SC, United States - Charleston
Wed 25.05
Noon
Wed 01.06
Noon
Driver's age:

Search hundreds of travel sites at once for car rental deals at Charleston Airport (CHS)

Charleston Airport car rental reviews and directory

Rated #1
Alamo
Best rated
9 Excellent (149 reviews)
1 location in Charleston Airport
Alamo
Locations in Charleston Airport
5500 International Blvd+1 833 969 2383
Monday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Saturday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Sunday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
  • 9.2
  • 9.1
  • 9
  • 9.1
  • 8.7
Recent reviews
10.0 Excellent2022 Apr 12
Both pick up and drop off (at different location) worked seamlessly. Car was in great shape. Had some air freshener smell at the beginning that was too floral/sweet for me but it either dissipated or I got used to it. I would definitely recommend Alamo based on this experience.
10.0 Excellent2022 Feb 19
Car was clean!!! Pick up and drop off we’re easy and staff was super friendly!
10.0 Excellent2021 Nov 20
Car was new and clean. Process was efficient from rental to return.
10.0 Excellent2021 Nov 07
Right now all rentals are over priced. BUT, my experience otherwise with this company was excellent. They had an upgrade available and the pick up and drop off was easy and smooth. Very friendly employees. The car was nice and everything worked well on it. I would highly recommend this crew at this airport. Excellent experience!!
5.9 Okay2021 Sep 21
Alamo generated inaccurate paperwork at pickup which had to be corrected during the rental period by phone. An unnecessary complication.
10.0 Excellent2021 Apr 12
We were treated so kindly. The young man carried our luggage to the car and even gave us a choice. Most will not do that!
10.0 Excellent2021 Apr 10
All of the staff I had come into contact with were phenomenal! Couldn't have asked for better service.If they had actually attached the invoice to to email that was sent to me.
8.0 Excellent2021 Mar 24
Easy in and out. Car was very comfortable.The battery died on me the first day, but Alamo roadside assistance was able to fix the problem and all was good the rest of the trip.
10.0 Excellent2021 Jan 03
It was a last minute decision to rent & the process was easy and the car was great
10.0 Excellent2020 Jun 09
Staff was super friendly and efficient, pick up was quick
Rated #2
Hertz
8.4 Excellent (266 reviews)
1 location in Charleston Airport
Hertz
Locations in Charleston Airport
5500 International Blvd+1 843 640 3629
Monday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Sunday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
  • 8.6
  • 8.5
  • 8.3
  • 8.4
  • 8.1
Recent reviews
10.0 Excellent2022 Apr 17
Given us the plug in cord so we could have recharged. Staff was excellent at pick up and when we added a driver.
10.0 Excellent2022 Mar 27
Great experience
2.0 Mediocre2022 Feb 22
Our flight was scheduled to arrive around midnight. I called to make sure they’d be open and have our car. They said they’d be open until 1 AM. Got in early, they were closed!!!! Called customer service. Asked them to put us up for the night or pay for a ride to Myrtle Beach, where our hotel is. The only thing offered was to come back in the morning to get a car. I pleaded, “My wife just had brain surgery, all the other car companies are closed or sold out. You have to help us!” It was like talking to a robot, repeating the same lines over and over. Frustrated, I cursed—something I never do—and hung up.
8.0 Excellent2021 Nov 22
The gentleman at the rental desk was great! The car had a somewhat offensive odor in it which did not subside during the course of our 3 day rental.
10.0 Excellent2021 Nov 08
The agents were wonderful!
8.0 Excellent2021 Oct 29
Had an issue with the drop off due to a change that was made to a location which is no longer open. They charged me another day of use as I had to go back to the first place I supposed to give it back late for obvious reasons.
3.9 Mediocre2021 Oct 10
We had several negative issues, but the one that stands out is: we didn’t know the engine of a Ford Fusion automatically shuts off and restarts when idling (a fuel economy feature.) We thought it was a problem with the car, reached out to Hertz, were assigned a case number, cancelled all our plans for the day.. but Hertz never contacted us **for the remaining 4 days of the rental**. For fear a car problem may arise on a future trip, we will NEVER use Hertz again.
10.0 Excellent2021 Oct 10
Hertz check out and return was very easy and well managed. The Jetta was very good on gas. Clean and reasonably comfortable, however the drivers seat back would not adjust.
3.9 Mediocre2021 Sep 21
Our car was very clean and comfortable. Drop off was easy. Our experience with the Hertz representative was disappointing. He appeared disinterested in his job and serving us. He had air pods in and did not communicate that we would be charged a $200 security deposit. We felt like we were interrupting his day.
10.0 Excellent2021 Sep 09
I was a bit concerned with the outside condition of the car. It did have several scratches, and didn't know if this was something that I would be charged because no one knew about it.
Rated #3
Budget
6.8 Good (148 reviews)
1 location in Charleston Airport
Budget
Locations in Charleston Airport
5500 International Blvd+1 843 552 1771
Monday08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday08:00 - 23:59
Thursday08:00 - 23:59
Friday08:00 - 23:59
Saturday08:00 - 23:59
Sunday08:00 - 23:59
  • 7.3
  • 7.4
  • 6.6
  • 6.7
  • 6.8
Recent reviews
2.0 Mediocre2022 May 10
2.5 hour wait at check in counter and they didn’t have the car class that I reserved.
2.0 Mediocre2022 May 06
2.5 hour wait in line for pick up. Clerk said it is like that every day
2.0 Mediocre2022 Apr 25
I ended up cancelling the rental. Upon arrival at the rental counter there was a long line that was not moving (no motion 15 minutes) and no indication that it would improve. Not sure if it was understaffing issue or an unexpected rush. I ended up with a taxi to my destination. No real harm and perhaps not circumstances that Budget could control. Worked out fine for me, cancelation process was easy and efficient.
2.0 Mediocre2022 Apr 23
Apparently a reservation does not actually guarantee you a car on the day. So if you actually need a car don’t bother with budget!
4.0 Okay2022 Apr 18
Our air plane flight was delayed twice. After calling Budget several time I finally got ahold of someone to let them know of our delayed flight and we wouldn’t be able to pickup the car at 6:00pm and informed them the car pickup will be delayed to later that day or the next morning depending on our flight. The price got almost doubled for the delayed pickup.
2.0 Mediocre2022 Apr 16
My reservation could not be changed or cancelled in any way. Tried to get son added to reservation so he could could pick up car 3 hours after I arrived but no. People on site and on phone could not help. Rigid rules. Never again!! There were only two agents and had to wait in line over 2 hours. Then wait 20 minutes. to get actual car downstairs in a garage.
2.0 Mediocre2022 Mar 31
Line was soooo long andUNMOVING that we ended up not renting. We had someone in our party not feeling great so we werent able to wait in line for 5 hours! And we were fairly certain we would be told there werent any more cars by the time we got to the front of the line!!!
6.0 Good2022 Mar 16
I had to wait in line behind eight other people 40 minutes before I could speak with the agent to get my reserved vehicle. It was exhausting and frustrating that only one person was working to handle so many people.
2.0 Mediocre2022 Mar 14
Waited 1.5 hours to be seen at the rental desk.
4.0 Okay2022 Mar 07
extremely long line at the counter. only 2 employees, at least 30 customers waiting. i waited in line for 45 min. when i went to rental car garage there were at least 20 people waiting on their cars that had already waited at the counter. finally they bused us all off site to where the cars actually were. i plan to travel to charleston again but will not be using budget at the airport.
Rated #4
Thrifty
6.2 Good (360 reviews)
1 location in Charleston Airport
Thrifty
Locations in Charleston Airport
5500 International Boulevard+1 843 640 3947
Monday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Tuesday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Wednesday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Saturday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Sunday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
  • 6.6
  • 6.6
  • 6
  • 5.6
  • 6.5
Recent reviews
10.0 Excellent2022 May 13
There was no thrifty worker the entire time. We doubt directly with the hertz employee and she was awesome
4.0 Okay2022 Apr 10
I reserved a full-sized car, but on pickup all they had left was a Van... If there wasn' going to be a full-sized car available on pick-up I should have been informed. I had no choice but to take the van. Upset and disappointed. This was my first rental from Thrifty. For a Van, it was very nice and comfortable...for a Van. Upon drop-off, the guy was very brisk, dismissive, and unfriendly. I'm not one who needs their butt kised, and he seemed to be busy, but that's no excuse. It made my experience even less enjoyable. The price was exorbitant in my opinion. They say it's because of Covid, and I guess that's business to take atvantage of a situation, but I will be much less lilely to rent a vehicle in the future with prices that high.
10.0 Excellent2021 Nov 23
Staff was friendly and provided fast, easy service. The rental car was very clean. Overall great experience
10.0 Excellent2021 Nov 18
Best customer service she was wonderful!
6.0 Good2021 Oct 23
We had to wait 45 minutes after checking at the counter, and only a van or pick up was available. The van was fine and the drop off went fine.
1.9 Horrible2021 Oct 15
Showed up to the desk and their technology wouldn’t work so had to use Avis.
7.9 Good2021 Oct 11
Pick up took a long time, like it does for almost every rental car place. The issue this time was my driver’s license wouldn’t scan. Otherwise was awesome. Car was great. Drop off easy.
10.0 Excellent2021 Oct 10
Car was very nice, but not very clean due to our taking the wrong car by mistake. The guy at the gate made the change in our contract since this car as available.
1.9 Horrible2021 Aug 14
Overcharged me for a day and now am unable to speak to anyone to dispute these charges.
3.9 Mediocre2021 Jul 21
I was charged $124 by thrifty even though during booking Kayak indicated total price $117 Credit card machine did not work Agent was rude during car pickup Car was not clean, lot of papers lying around There was no one at car return, I had to go back inside the airport to return the key
Rated #5
Enterprise
8.4 Excellent (57 reviews)
1 location in Charleston Airport
Enterprise
Locations in Charleston Airport
5500 International Blvd # 114+1 833 969 2385
Monday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Wednesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Friday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Saturday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Sunday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
  • 8.6
  • 8.4
  • 8.3
  • 8.4
  • 8.2
Recent reviews
4.8 Okay2017 Apr 18
Very expensive car rental in Charleston SCPaying for a full tank of gas upfront that I didn't use!
8.8 Excellent2017 Apr 03
Great if prices were more accurateIt was very quick and easy to pick and drop off car. The staff was very nice.I made a reservation online for $53 total which I thought I selected to include the insurance... but it was $81 when I arrived and received the car for my 2 hour rental.
7.6 Good2017 Mar 30
I'm 84 and did not like the long walk to pick up with heavy luggage and even longer walk on return.
4.0 Okay2017 Mar 28
Price changeOverall the rental was a good experience but the price was a big difference from what I was quoted. Basically double.
10.0 Excellent2017 Mar 20
Last minute decision. So glad we chose EnterpriseNeeded a one way rental at the last minute. Very pleased with our decision
2.0 Mediocre2017 Mar 03
You make a reservation and enterprise won't honorEase of reservation.Their refusal to help.
2.0 Mediocre2017 Mar 02
I was not allowed to rent the car because I was not told I needed a major credit card, ended up costing me$300 more to rent from another company.
10.0 Excellent2017 Feb 27
Easy, fast service.No complaints
3.2 Mediocre2017 Feb 22
The car was dirty - seats were all stained and itThe inside of the car was dirty - it smelled as if someone were smoking inside and they tried to cover it up by using air freshener - it made me sick.
10.0 Excellent2017 Feb 09
Great service and very friendly staff at CharlestoI rented SUV and they gave me choice of 2 different models, checkout was extremely quick and easy.
Rated #6
Avis
6.8 Good (41 reviews)
1 location in Charleston Airport
Avis
Locations in Charleston Airport
5500 International Blvd+1 843 767 7030
Monday08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday08:00 - 23:59
Thursday08:00 - 23:59
Friday08:00 - 23:59
Saturday08:00 - 23:59
Sunday08:00 - 23:59
  • 7.6
  • 7.7
  • 6.9
  • 6.8
  • 7.2
Recent reviews
6.0 Good2022 Apr 25
Waited almost 3 hour to pick up the rental from Charleston airport.
2.0 Mediocre2022 Apr 18
Spend 3 hours waiting in line to pickup a vehicle. Single person was handling reservations process at the counter with large number of customers waiting in line. The second attendant didn’t arrive until 9pm. Also, didn’t receive the type of car I reserved. I either had to wait for the my reservation to get prepared (cleaned) or take what was available. Didn’t want to wait any longer do went for “what is ready” option. Daly rental rate was better than the competition, but after spending 3 hours waiting in line, one starts questioning the worthiness of the saving.
2.0 Mediocre2022 Mar 28
My pick up - I had a reservation - required my standing in a line in the Charleston airport for over 2 1/2 hours . The process was tiring - lots of unhappy customers . When we finally were assigned a car - we went to the lot to pick up , whereby things were even more confusing . Employees were not accommodating and did not seem to know what was going on . It was an extremely frustrating experience , which I have never encountered with a rental car company - ever - I’m sad to say . The only downside of our entire trip .
4.0 Okay2022 Mar 27
The staff were friendly and the car was nice. However, I had to wait over two hours in line to get my rental car.
4.0 Okay2022 Mar 25
When I picked up the car, the car I booked and was assigned at the counter was not available when I got to the garage. The attendant then stated that he had rented it to someone else and tried to give me a pickup truck. I explained that I wouldn’t be able to afford the fuel in a truck for the length of my trip. I was then given a mid size sedan (I originally booked a hybrid), and the smell of cigarette smoke was absolutely overwhelming. I was already behind schedule due to the car mix up, so I accepted the car, but I had to drive with the windows down for the duration of my trip. I called Avis and got a partial refund, but I would consider this a poor to mediocre experience all the way around. Customer service on the phone was very good, but the pick up location service was terrible.
2.0 Mediocre2022 Feb 27
The line to pick up the car took 45 minutes because only one person was working the desk, even after pre-registering. The car assigned to us smelled like cigarettes and marijuana smoke, and changing was not possible because when I returned to the desk, the line was twice as long and still only one person was working. The car had almost 60,000 miles on it, tires that were nearly bald and no windshield washer fluid, which we found out at night with wet roads. I will do everything possible to avoid renting from Avis again.
2.0 Mediocre2022 Jan 30
Found out when I got there I needed a credit card for the security deposit; and I do not have a credit card. I was not aware of that restriction; and if you visit the Avis website, it will say "in most cases" but never mentions which locations require a credit card. So I ended up taking a Lyft to my destination; which in turn cost me more money.
10.0 Excellent2021 Oct 22
Fast and easy
5.9 Okay2021 Sep 13
No cruise control or could not get it to work.
1.9 Horrible2021 Aug 01
Interaction with any and all staff at both pick-up and drop off was absolutely terrible. They are so understaffed that the line is huge and at the drop off almost every checkin person had an issue with their scanner. The last time I will rent from Avis.
Rated #7
Dollar
6.1 Good (93 reviews)
1 location in Charleston Airport
Dollar
Locations in Charleston Airport
5500 International Boulevard+1 843 501 7163
Monday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Wednesday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Sunday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
  • 6.3
  • 6.7
  • 6
  • 5.6
  • 6.2
Recent reviews
1.9 Horrible2021 Aug 28
We never got the car. Dollar had no cars available when we arrived. The attendant kept saying they were washing the cars and one gentleman in line had been waiting for over 2 hours for his car. I will not recommend Dollar to anyone.
7.9 Good2021 Jul 27
The car could have been cleaner
2.0 Mediocre2021 Jul 01
We reserved a car rental 3 months out from our trip. When we arrived, the staff at Dollar said there were no cars available and could not guarantee us a vehicle until another was returned. They couldn't say how many vehicles were scheduled to be returned and when. They placed us on a waiting list and said they would call. Then, I was informed that because we were "late" for our reservation (plane was delayed) we were bumped to the bottom of the waiting list. They said they couldn't tell us until 5pm if they had any vehicles turned in. That was 4 hours to wait with our luggage! Then we called back at 5pm they said that they had nothing available and no other Dollar rentals had cars. They said it was in the fine print that this could happen. We ended up booking a car rental through Hertz for 2x the quoted rate but at least they were willing to help us salvage our vacation. Not booking through Dollar ever again.
2.0 Mediocre2021 Jun 27
Nothing to like when you get to the airport and the Dollar rental company tells you you have to pick up your can on an off- site location which closes at 1pm and my reservation was for 1pm and I was standing on line since 12pm and there was nothing they could do, no other cars available only in 24 hoursHorrible experience - how can you accept a 1pm reservation if the place close at 1pm ? Kayak should know it better
8.0 Excellent2021 Jun 22
Great staff. Very helpfulWe arrived on Saturday to a closed office. Would have been helpful to be altered to the business hours
2.0 Mediocre2021 Jun 08
Better communication about the $90 "Airport fee" they don't tell you about until you're there at the counter, the first car we got in hadn't been cleaned yet, they called us about getting something refunded & need our card info again but haven't been answering and their voicemail is full...so we definitely will never rent through dollar again.
2.0 Mediocre2021 Jun 05
Staff was courteous and helpful.If a client wanted to extend a rental for another day, I don’t believe they should be charged more of the same airport fees. There could be some, but not all of them that are charged for one day. I was forced to walk all the way back to the terminal to return the keys and check the mileage because there wasn’t any representative at the booth to drop off the car. I do realize it was rather cheap to rent from your company, but a representative should be there to check in and check out guests by the cars.
10.0 Excellent2021 Jun 02
Staff was very friendly, and took great care of us with an UPGRADE! Yay. Also... the check-in line for Dollar at the Charleston Airport was so much shorter than the others, so we zipped in and out.Nothing really.
2.0 Mediocre2021 May 31
Requested large SUV. Kayak said that the reservation was for a Nissan Armada. On arrival , no armadas or similarly sized vehicles were ever available at location. FIX THIS
8.0 Excellent2021 May 27
Fast and easy service
Rated #8
National
9.1 Excellent (4 reviews)
1 location in Charleston Airport
National
Locations in Charleston Airport
5500 International Blvd+1 833 969 2384
Monday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Sunday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
  • 10
  • 8.5
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
Recent reviews
10.0 Excellent2020 May 31
Great car cleanNothing
Sunnycars
2 locations in Charleston Airport
Sunnycars
Locations in Charleston Airport
2039 Savannah Highway
5500 Interbnational Boulevard
Recent reviews
Easirent
1 location in Charleston Airport
Easirent
Locations in Charleston Airport
Charleston International Airport
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Recent reviews
1118 travelers who rented a car in Charleston Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.3

Car rental locations at Charleston Airport

Go to map view

Good to know

Most popular agency

Budget

Most popular car type

Economy

Average price

₪306/day

Good deal

₪306/day

Top tips for renting a car at Charleston Airport

  • Charleston Airport is about a 15min drive from the city center via I-26E and US-78 E. Bus service from the airport is limited to downtown and the North Charleston areas. Therefore, car rental at Charleston Airport is the easiest and the quickest way to get to your hotel or vacation rental. Although you can book a rental car when you land, if you're traveling from Monday through Thursday during business hours, it is recommended that you make a reservation. This is because airport traffic can be busy during these hours.
  • You can rent a car at the airport from numerous national brand companies. Some car rentals at Charleston Airport are convenient because they are in the terminal, such as Budget and Avis. Look for signs pointing you to the rental car area. Other rental agencies, such as Dollar, Sunnycars, and Thrifty, are offsite. These agencies, however, will shuttle you from the airport to their offices. To catch the shuttle, follow the signs located outside of the baggage claim. Note that Dollar and Thrifty share a shuttle because they are in the same location.
  • Most of the car rentals at Charleston Airport are open seven days a week. They open at around 7 am and close at midnight. If, however, you need to return your car outside of those hours, you can do so. Simply lock the vehicle and leave both your contract and key in dropbox. For agencies with kiosks at the airport, there is a dropbox right by the desk. Dollar and Thrifty, who are offsite, are also open from 7 am until midnight. Although you can return the car after hours, it could be a problem getting back to the airport if the shuttle is not running.
  • Rent a specialty vehicle, such as a sporty convertible or an open-air jeep, to drive during your beach vacation to South Carolina. SUVs or sedans with large trunks are available for travelers who plan to drive to nearby Myrtle Beach for a day of shopping or golfing and need extra space for their bags or sporting equipment. Check out Alamo, Hertz, Dollar, or Budget to rent one of these car types.
  • 25% of our users found rental cars at Charleston Airport for ₪306 or less
  • Book your rental car at Charleston Airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

FAQs about renting a car at Charleston Airport