Car rental Columbus airport

Cheap Car Rental Columbus airport

About Car Rental at Columbus Airport

Full of energy, Columbus is one of the most livable cities in the US. The proud capital of Ohio, a city of students, self-proclaimed buckeye capital of the world, it is where cutting-edge culture meets life enjoyment. And while there are not many traditional tourist sights, people come for the vibrant urban life and the amazing nightlife. Columbus is a pumping heart of Ohio that enjoys the position of an underdog and always delivers more than expected.

With one terminal and three concourses, John Glenn Columbus International Airport is the main gateway to the city. With almost 6 million people passing through yearly, it's a mid-sized air hub that serves both international and domestic flights. It will take you 20 minutes to reach Downtown Columbus from here, the city is well-connected to the airport via Highway 670 allowing a quick passage.

Columbus Airport has a brand new rental cars center where a total of 9 companies including Alamo, Budget, Avis, Dollar Rent a Car, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty are found. When you arrive, follow the purple signs to reach the free shuttle buses taking you to the center. Pick up and drop off are done there. Holidaycars.com allows you to compare prices and choose the cheapest one.

Renting a car in Columbus

Columbus is very car-friendly and renting a vehicle is an amazing way to get the most of your stay in the city. While it is generally better to get your car straight at the airport, you can also opt for the downtown Columbus car rental. However, this way you would have to reach the office by public transport or a taxi and spend more time commuting without having a wide choice of offices (all downtown offices are dispersed around the city).

Driving in Columbus

Generally, Columbus is a great city for driving. It is very vehicle-centered, there are many interconnected roads, and the conditions are excellent. You shouldn't have any problems at all. Just be attentive to the road signs and avoid speeding. The numerous intersections may be a surprise but you will get used to crossing them with time. Always monitor the other drivers' behavior and adjust to the conditions.

The weather is the main thing to keep in mind when driving in Columbus. Two things can influence your journey from point A to B and it's the rain and the snow. Raining can be intense here and the winters bring icing of the roads and lots of snow. That's why prepare for the weather changes and book a car that can endure them. When driving during the winter check your tires and breaks before heading out.

Some extra tips to help you when driving in Columbus:

The driver and the front passenger must wear a seatbelt at all times
If there heavy snowing is expected make sure that your rental car is fit for the drive
An international driving permit (IDP) is required to drive a car in the US.

Car Rental Agencies in Columbus Airport

Alamo and National are the best-reviewed car rental agencies at Columbus Airport. They allow you to choose from a diverse proposition of vehicles and have a great set of additional services. Don't come to the car rental center unprepared, this way you're risking paying much more. Book in advance using the comparison at holidaycars.com and the pick-up will be smooth and without the issues. You will have a chance to drop the car off at the airport too. It's very convenient and all car rental offices allow it.

Usually, the car rentals like Alamo would have a full tank policy, collision damage waiver, and 24-hour support but check the conditions of the booking beforehand. You can also have a GPS as an extra on the majority of rentals.

Top Road Trips from Columbus

With a location in the Ohio heartland at the intersection of major American highways, Columbus is a great base to explore everything Midwest. And there are just so many road trips you can embark on, big and small.

For a relaxing hours' drive, head to the sprawling Wayne National Forest, a huge forested area full of myriad hiking opportunities and fresh air. Burr Oak State Park nearby is a great way to enjoy the lakeside in one of the cabins and have a picnic.

One of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie is also very accessible from Columbus by car. Approximately 118 miles north of Columbus you find one of the coolest amusement parks in the country, a fantastic Cedar Point. Driving the superb Cedar road right next to the lake shores is a scenic road trip idea to enjoy the best views of Erie. For even more blue vistas of the lake head to a magnificent Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve featuring many vantage points and pleasant drives right next to the water.

Frequently asked questions about car rental Columbus airport

What's the best area to stay in Columbus?

You can't go wrong with Downtown Columbus. It is the best neighborhood to choose for your stay with lots of city enjoyment opportunities. The restaurants and bars are all here and so are museums and art galleries. Another great pick for an area would be the vibrant University District full of youthful energy and lots of happenings.

What is the cheapest time to go to Columbus?

Although enjoying a cozy feel and easygoing atmosphere, Columbus is still a relatively big city of almost a million people. It doesn't quite have the "cheapest months" but you can strike great deals if booking your accommodation and car rental in advance.

What is the best time to go to Columbus?

The summer months of July and August would be the absolute best time to be in Columbus. You will have a chance to enjoy sunny, warm weather and hang out on the numerous outdoor terraces and amazing city parks.

Can you get around Columbus without a car?

As with the majority of big US centers, having a car is a must to have a stress-free time exploring. It will give you the freedom to move around and ensure that you're not dependent on the public transport schedules.