Renting a car at Newark Airport means dealing with one of the busiest rental hubs on the US East Coast
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has rental desks for most major companies in the terminal building itself, plus an off-site facility for some budget operators. You can reserve online before you arrive, pick up your car within 15 to 30 minutes of landing, and drive off the airport grounds. The rental companies at EWR are Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National, and Alamo, all located in the ground transportation level. A few smaller operators run shuttles from the terminal to nearby lots.
The process is straightforward if you know what documents to bring and what the actual costs will be. Airport rental rates run higher than off-airport locations because of facility fees and taxes specific to Newark. You will also face a New Jersey sales tax of 6.625 percent plus a New Jersey rental surcharge of 5 percent, on top of the base rate. Parking at the airport adds another layer of cost if you are returning the car after your trip.
Key Takeaways
- All major rental companies operate desks on the ground transportation level of the terminal, so you can walk directly from baggage claim to pickup.
- Bring your driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance if you plan to decline the rental company's coverage.
- Newark airport rental rates include a 5 percent New Jersey surcharge plus 6.625 percent sales tax, making the final cost 11.625 percent higher than the quoted rate before you add insurance.
- Reserving online locks in the base rate and lets you compare insurance options before you arrive, which saves time at the counter.
- Return the car with a full tank of fuel, or the rental company will charge you their fuel price plus a service fee that often exceeds what you would pay at a gas station.
What documents and payment methods you need
You must present a valid driver's license issued by a US state, Canadian province, or most other countries. An international driver's permit is useful but not required if your home country's license is in English and includes your photo. The rental company will run your license through their system to check for violations and suspensions.
A credit card in your own name is mandatory for the security deposit, which typically ranges from $200 to $500 depending on the car class and the rental company. Debit cards are rarely accepted for the deposit, though some companies will make exceptions if you show proof of return travel. The credit card does not have to be the same card you used to reserve the car online.
Proof of insurance is optional but valuable. If you carry comprehensive and collision coverage on your personal auto policy, bring your insurance card or a declaration page from your insurer. This document proves you have coverage that extends to rental cars, which lets you decline the rental company's damage waiver and save $15 to $30 per day. If you do not have personal auto insurance or your policy excludes rentals, you will need to purchase the rental company's coverage.
How airport location and facility fees affect your total cost
Renting at Newark airport costs more than renting from an off-airport location in New Jersey or New York because the rental company pays a concession fee to the airport authority. That fee gets passed to you as part of the base rate. A compact car that costs $35 per day at an off-airport Enterprise in Newark might cost $50 per day at the airport location, before taxes and surcharges.
On top of the base rate, you will pay 6.625 percent New Jersey sales tax plus a 5 percent New Jersey rental surcharge. A $50-per-day rate becomes $58.31 per day after taxes and surcharges alone. If you add the rental company's collision damage waiver (typically $12 to $18 per day), your actual daily cost reaches $70 to $76 for what started as a $50 car.
If you are keeping the car for a week, the difference between airport and off-airport rental can exceed $100. Some travelers rent from a location in downtown Newark or Jersey City and take a taxi or rideshare to the lot, which costs $15 to $25 but saves money on longer rentals. For trips under three days, the airport location usually makes sense because the time saved outweighs the cost difference.
Picking up your car and understanding what you are signing
After you land and collect your luggage, follow signs for ground transportation or rental cars. The rental desks are on the ground level of the terminal. Walk to your rental company's counter, provide your driver's license and reservation confirmation, and the agent will pull up your reservation. This process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes if the line is short, and up to 45 minutes during peak travel times (early morning, evening, and weekend afternoons).
The agent will show you a damage inspection form with photos of the car's exterior and interior. Walk around the car with the agent and point out any existing dents, scratches, stains, or mechanical issues before you sign. Take photos of the car yourself with your phone, including the odometer reading and fuel gauge. This record protects you if the rental company later claims you caused damage you did not cause.
The agent will ask whether you want to purchase their damage waiver, fuel options, and roadside information. Read the damage waiver terms carefully. Most waivers have a deductible of $500 to $1,500, meaning you still pay that amount if there is damage. If you declined the waiver and caused damage, your personal auto insurance or credit card coverage will handle the claim, so verify this before you sign.
Fuel, mileage, and return policies at Newark
Most rental companies at Newark offer three fuel options: prepay for a full tank at their rate (usually $4 to $5 per gallon), return the car full and pay their pump price plus a service fee, or return it empty and pay their rate for whatever fuel is missing. Prepay is the worst deal unless you know you will return the car completely empty. Returning the car full at a gas station near the airport is almost always cheaper than any option the rental company offers.
Mileage is usually unlimited on daily rentals at Newark, but always confirm this on your reservation. Some weekly or monthly rates include a mileage cap, typically 100 to 150 miles per day. Exceeding the cap costs 25 to 50 cents per mile. If you are driving to Philadelphia or upstate New York, confirm unlimited mileage before you pick up the car.
Return the car to the rental facility at the airport or to an off-airport location if your rental company offers one. Returning to the airport is convenient but means you will need a taxi or rideshare to get to the terminal. Some travelers return the car to a downtown Newark or Jersey City location and take public transit or a rideshare back to the airport, which can save money on the return trip. Check your rental agreement for any fees associated with returning to a different location than where you picked up.
Insurance options and what your credit card might cover
Rental companies offer three types of coverage: collision damage waiver (CDW), liability, and personal effects coverage. CDW covers damage to the rental car itself but usually has a deductible. Liability covers damage you cause to other vehicles or property. Personal effects coverage reimburses you for items stolen from the car.
Your personal auto insurance may already cover rental cars, including collision, liability, and sometimes personal effects. Call your insurer before your trip and ask whether rental cars are covered and what the deductible is. If your policy covers rentals, you can decline the rental company's coverage and save money. If your policy excludes rentals or you do not have auto insurance, you must purchase the rental company's coverage or accept the risk of paying for damage out of pocket.
Some credit cards offer rental car coverage if you charge the entire rental to that card. American Express, Visa Signature, and Mastercard Premium cards often include this benefit. The coverage typically applies only if you decline the rental company's damage waiver. Read your credit card's terms or call the card issuer before your trip to confirm what is covered and what the deductible is.
Getting from the airport to your rental car and back
The rental car facility is inside or directly connected to the terminal building at Newark. After you collect your luggage, follow signs for ground transportation or rental cars. The walk is usually 5 to 10 minutes from baggage claim. You do not need a shuttle or additional transportation to reach the rental desks.
When you return the car, you have two options: return it to the airport rental facility and take a taxi, rideshare, or shuttle back to the terminal, or return it to an off-airport location and take public transit or a rideshare to the airport. Returning to the airport is more convenient but means paying for a return trip to the terminal. Returning to an off-airport location saves money if you are comfortable with the extra logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car at Newark airport if I am under 25?
Yes, but you will pay a young driver surcharge, typically $15 to $25 per day. Most rental companies at Newark rent to drivers as young as 18, though some require drivers to be at least 21. Check your reservation or call the rental company before you arrive to confirm the age policy and surcharge amount.
What happens if I return the car late?
Late return fees vary by company but typically range from $25 to $75 for the first hour and then daily rates for each additional day. If you are running late, call the rental company as soon as you know. Some companies will extend your reservation at no charge if you call ahead, while others will charge the full late fee regardless.
Can I rent a car with an international driver's license?
An international driver's permit is not required if your home country's license is valid, in English, and includes your photo. Most rental companies at Newark accept licenses from Canada, the UK, Australia, and most European countries. Bring your passport as additional identification. If your license is not in English, an international permit is strongly recommended.
Is there a fee for returning the car to a different location than where I picked it up?
Yes, most rental companies charge a one-way or drop-off fee if you return the car to a different location. The fee ranges from $25 to $150 depending on the distance and the rental company. Some companies waive the fee for weekly or longer rentals. Confirm the drop-off fee before you reserve if you plan to return the car elsewhere.
What if the rental car breaks down while I am driving?
Call the rental company's roadside information number when ready. The number is on your rental agreement and on the key tag. Most rental companies provide free towing and a replacement car or repair at no charge. Do not attempt repairs yourself or take the car to an independent mechanic without calling the rental company first, as this may void your coverage.