Car rental at Charleston Airport
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Cheap car rentals at Charleston Municipal Airport
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| Minivan |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pickup truck |
Top tips for renting a car at Charleston Municipal 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.
- Book your rental car at Charleston Municipal Airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
FAQs about renting a car at Charleston Municipal Airport
Where are the car rental desks at the Charleston Airport?
The car rentals at Charleston Airport are on Level 1 just past baggage claim. Once you have the keys to your car, you'll walk across the street to the parking lot to pick up your car. It is not a long-distance and it is a pedestrian walkway making it easy to get around with your luggage. This is the same place that you'll return your car.
Are there any gas stations close to the Charleston Airport?
Before you return your car, you'll want to make sure that the tank is full. Ideally, you should stop at a gas station that is within a couple of miles of the Charleston Airport car rentals. If you're on I-26, turn on Aviation Avenue to get to Circle K. This is the closest station to the airport. There is also a Speedway and a Sunoco nearby.
What documentation will I need for a car rental at Charleston Airport?
To rent a car at Charleston Airport, you'll need to show a valid driver's license. You must also present a credit card to the agent which has sufficient funds on it. The driver of a car rental at Charleston Airport must be at least 21 years of age. No one under that age can rent a car. Drivers between the ages of 21 and 25 may be required to pay a surcharge or young driver's fee.
What is the best rental car company at Charleston Municipal Airport?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies at Charleston Municipal Airport are Alamo (9.2, 91 reviews), and Hertz (7.9, 72 reviews).
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Charleston Municipal Airport?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Charleston Municipal Airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
Charleston Airport car rental reviews and directory
Alamo
9.2
Wonderful
169 reviewsCleanliness
9.4
Comfort
9.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.2
Value for money
8.7
One location in Charleston Airport
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Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Feb 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
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 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
All of the staff I had come into contact with were phenomenal! Couldn't have asked for better service.Cons:
If they had actually attached the invoice to to email that was sent to me.8.0 Very good
Mar 2021
Pros:
Easy in and out. Car was very comfortable.Cons:
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 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Pros:
It was a last minute decision to rent & the process was easy and the car was great10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2020
Pros:
Staff was super friendly and efficient, pick up was quickHertz
7.9
Good
270 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.1
Value for money
7.2
2 locations in Charleston Airport
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Reviews
8.0 Very good
Nov 2021
10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2021
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
The car drove fineCons:
When I picked up my car the check engine light came on, so they swapped my car out. When they did, they put in the wrong drop-off point (wrong state!), so when I called to change it back to the original drop-off, they said there was nothing they could do. I wasted half my afternoon on the phone with people that “couldn’t help”.8.0 Very good
May 2021
Cons:
There was a sticky substance below the gas peddle that did not dry. Made it an unpleasant drive as your foot would get stuck frequently.10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Excellent staff, easy drop offCons:
EXPENSIVE8.0 Very good
Apr 2021
Pros:
Easy to pick up and drop off.Cons:
The car key was not automatic and it was difficult to work. After opening the door you had to hurry up and start the car before the alarm went off.Thrifty
6.3
Okay
275 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.0
Value for money
6.1
One location in Charleston Airport
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly. Pick up car on site.Cons:
Slow check in, 1 car option, no receipt sent and don’t answer phone when call and Vm is full.4.0 Mediocre
Apr 2021
Pros:
The vehicle was comfortable.Cons:
Waited in line for an hour. Only one person working behind the counter until 15 min before my turn. I did not ask for a giant Dodge Ram truck. I signed up for an economy size car. Was told I had the Managers Special. BS. Parking lot very poorly marked it was difficult to get to where the vehicle was, it was too far. Signage unclear as to where to leave the vehicle.10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
Yes and yes!Cons:
I was going for a bottle of water from the desk agent4.0 Mediocre
Apr 2021
Cons:
I had to wait an hour for a car to be available. Then it was a huge car when I had reserved a small one. Gas price was double what I would have paid. No attendant at the return with only a very small sign to tell you where to go with keys.6.0 Okay
Feb 2021
Pros:
The reservation was there. The drop off after-hours was simple.Cons:
The vehicle I reserved was not available and I was given a much larger vehicle (pick-up truck). I waited in line for 30 minutes with only two people in front of me. It took the representative 10-15 minutes per customer. I was not able to do submit the walk-around information because the agent did not answer the phone.6.0 Okay
Feb 2021
Pros:
I really enjoy using Priceline, but certainly hope I NEVER have to use Thrifty again. Had to wait in line for over an hour waiting to return the keys. Had to wait an hour to pick up the car the previous day.Cons:
There needs to be faster service at the check in and check out at the Charleston Airport location. There was one person behind the counter with about 10 guest in line. No other car rental dealer had that many and they did not take that long to process the customer. Need to have more employees and a faster process especially when the customer has a reservation already. The employer behind the desk was working as fast as she could but she needed help!Budget
5.7
Fair
213 reviewsCleanliness
6.5
Comfort
6.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.8
Value for money
6.1
One location in Charleston Airport
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Apr 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2024
2.0 Poor
Mar 2024
2.0 Poor
Feb 2024
4.0 Mediocre
Feb 2024
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
9.1
Wonderful
69 reviewsCleanliness
9.5
Comfort
9.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.5
Value for money
8.6
One location in Charleston Airport
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2023
4.8 Mediocre
Apr 2017
Cons:
Paying for a full tank of gas upfront that I didn't use!8.8 Very good
Apr 2017
Pros:
It was very quick and easy to pick and drop off car. The staff was very nice.Cons:
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 Good
Mar 2017
Cons:
I'm 84 and did not like the long walk to pick up with heavy luggage and even longer walk on return.4.0 Mediocre
Mar 2017
Pros:
Overall the rental was a good experience but the price was a big difference from what I was quoted. Basically double.10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2017
Pros:
Needed a one way rental at the last minute. Very pleased with our decisionAvis
5.5
Fair
52 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
7.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.7
Value for money
6.4
One location in Charleston Airport
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Reviews
8.0 Very good
Nov 2023
8.0 Very good
Sep 2020
Pros:
We received an upgrade car from the one we reserved. Drop off at ATL airport rental car center was quick and convenient.Cons:
Pickup at CHS was a little slow. Car had a strong smoker smell, but we didn’t want to delay our trip any further by going back to ask for another one.9.6 Wonderful
Aug 2019
Pros:
Staff at both pick up and drop off were excellent, very polite and helpful. Drop off location in Charlotte was a little difficult to find/notice due to location and store frontage, but figured it out after calling that office.Cons:
Drop off location signage.6.8 Okay
Jul 2019
Pros:
Check in process fairly quick.Cons:
Chose to return car with gas full with gas I bought. In the check in process in rental return they added $15.88 for gas. He could not remove it in the lot. Had to go inside and wait in line. She said that because I drove less than 74 miles, it adds that charge no matter. This is not right.10.0 Wonderful
Aug 2018
Pros:
The lady @Mansell office was super sweet and knew her customers..and, waited for someone running late,with an EXCEPTIONAL ATTITUDE..so I give this an excellent rating.. the staff at Charlston airport, not as helpful,organized friendly or knowledgeable..I had my reservation and rental policy insurance ready for her to see, and she said" drivers license and credit card" then asked for what I was prepared to show her..Short, slow line..8.0 Very good
May 2018
Pros:
Good basic transportationCons:
Long wait at counter. Unclear directions on where to get car.Dollar
5.4
Fair
95 reviewsCleanliness
5.9
Comfort
6.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.0
Value for money
5.8
One location in Charleston Airport
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
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 THIS8.0 Very good
May 2021
Pros:
Fast and easy service4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
You can never reach anyone at the desk by phone. They rarely pickup and you can’t leave any messages because the mailbox is full. There’s also no one manning the pickup or drop off kiosk.4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
The manager wasted time with two other customers and we could hear all of their conversation. Very unpleasant for us while waiting. When it was our turn, she insisted there was a block on my debit card which I checked before making the trip which was okay for the rental company to use. She said if we didn't want the car we could go to another car rental. We produced another card and suddenly it was okay and cost us extra. I checked with my bank the next morning and said there was not any block on my card. This lasted with her for a half hour. Very unprofessional for a manager as she stated she was. Makes me think twice about wanting to rent again from them.2.0 Poor
Apr 2021
Pros:
Yes, staff was friendlyCons:
They could have had a car available for us. We just put in a 14 hour day of travel. We are sorry we have no cars available, just does not cut it. We will not rent a car from Dollar/Thrifty again. Unreliable.8.0 Very good
Apr 2021
Pros:
The rental was quick. The car was better than expected.Cons:
Employees did not go out of their way to do anything. They did their job. At times I felt a nuisance to them. It was quite inconvenient that the rental place was not at the airport or did not provide a shuttle.Ace
3.8
Poor
32 reviewsCleanliness
4.2
Comfort
4.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
3.9
Value for money
4.5
One location in Charleston Airport
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Mar 2024
2.0 Poor
Feb 2024
10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2024
2.0 Poor
Feb 2024
2.0 Poor
Jan 2024
8.0 Very good
Sep 2023
National
8.0
Very good
7 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.5
Value for money
8.5
One location in Charleston Airport
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
10.0 Wonderful
May 2020
Pros:
Great car cleanCons:
Nothing2.0 Poor
Apr 2023
Easirent
4.6
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Charleston Airport
Sunnycars
No score available yet
2 locations in Charleston Airport
Ace Rental Cars
No score available yet
One location in Charleston Airport
One location in Charleston Airport
Locations in Charleston Airport
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Charleston Airport
Locations in Charleston Airport
2039 Savannah Hwy, Charleston
+1 914 368 0091
Filters
No reviews available
Car rental locations at Charleston Airport
Good to know
Most popular car type | Intermediate |
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