Where to rent a car in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has rental desks at both major airports and scattered throughout Center City and University City. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has the largest concentration — Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and National all operate rental facilities on-site, accessible from baggage claim. If you land at PHL, you can walk to a rental counter without leaving the terminal.

Off-airport locations are usually cheaper. Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget have multiple Philadelphia locations on Chestnut Street, Broad Street, and near the stadiums. Zipcar and Turo operate peer-to-peer rental networks where you book cars owned by individuals — Zipcar has reserved parking spots throughout the city, while Turo lets you rent directly from owners and pick up at their address or a public lot.

Luxury and specialty rentals (sports cars, SUVs for a day trip) come from smaller operators like Hertz Dream Collection or independent shops in Rittenhouse and University City. These typically cost more but offer vehicles you won't find at the major chains.

Key Takeaways

  • Philadelphia International Airport has five major rental companies with desks in the terminal, but off-airport locations on Chestnut and Broad Streets usually charge less per day.
  • Daily rates vary by season and demand — expect $40–$80 for a compact car on a weekday in winter, $70–$150 in summer or around major events.
  • You need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance (your own policy or the rental company's coverage) before you can pick up a car.
  • Peer-to-peer services like Zipcar and Turo offer lower hourly rates for short trips but charge per hour or per day depending on the service.
  • Damage waivers and liability coverage add $15–$30 per day; check whether your personal auto insurance or credit card covers rental cars before you buy the rental company's protection.

What rental rates cost in Philadelphia

Daily rates at major chains depend on the season, the day of the week, and how far in advance you book. A compact economy car typically runs $40–$80 per day on a weekday in January or February, and $70–$150 per day in June through August or during events like the Philadelphia International Flower Show. Weekend rates are usually higher than weekday rates for the same car class.

Booking at least three days ahead usually saves 10–20 percent compared to same-day rental. Booking through aggregator sites like Kayak or Autoslash can surface lower rates than calling the rental company directly, because they compare prices across multiple operators at once.

Peer-to-peer rentals (Turo, Zipcar) charge differently. Zipcar charges an hourly rate ($10–$15 per hour for a compact, higher for larger vehicles) plus a daily cap, and you pay for gas and insurance built into the price. Turo charges a daily rate set by the car owner, typically $35–$100 per day for economy cars, plus a damage waiver (usually 10–15 percent of the rental price).

Documents and insurance you need before pickup

Every rental company requires a valid driver's license in your name, a credit card in the same name, and proof of insurance. Your own auto insurance policy covers rental cars in most cases — check your policy documents or call your insurer to confirm the rental car is covered and what the deductible is. If you don't have personal auto insurance, the rental company will sell you a damage waiver (also called a collision damage waiver or CDW) for $15–$30 per day.

Some credit cards (American Express, Visa Signature, Mastercard Premium) include rental car coverage if you charge the full rental to that card. Read the card's rental car benefits section or call the card issuer before you rent — coverage limits and exclusions vary widely. If your credit card covers the rental, you usually don't need to buy the rental company's damage waiver, though you may still want liability coverage depending on your card's limits.

Bring your driver's license, credit card, and proof of insurance (either your insurance card or a screenshot of your policy) to the rental counter. If you're under 25, most companies charge an additional daily fee ($15–$25) and may restrict the car types you can rent.

How to book and pick up a car

Book online through the rental company's website, through an aggregator site like Kayak or Autoslash, or by phone. Online booking usually locks in the rate and lets you see the exact car class before you arrive. When you book, you'll choose a car class (compact, midsize, SUV, luxury) rather than a specific vehicle — the rental company assigns the actual car at pickup.

Arrive at the rental location 15–30 minutes before your reservation time. Bring your driver's license, credit card, and proof of insurance. The agent will show you the car, walk you through any existing damage (the inspection report), explain the fuel policy (usually "full to full" — you pick it up full and return it full), and review the rental agreement. Read the agreement before you sign, especially the damage waiver and liability sections.

At pickup, the rental company will place a hold on your credit card for the estimated rental cost plus a damage deposit (typically $200–$500). This hold is released when you return the car undamaged. If you return the car late, incur damage, or exceed the mileage limit, additional charges will appear on your card after you return the vehicle.

Returning the car and avoiding extra charges

Return the car to the same location where you rented it, unless you booked a one-way rental (which costs more). Return it on time — rental companies charge hourly overage fees if you're late, usually $40–$60 per hour or a full day's rate if you're more than an hour late. If you know you'll be late, call the rental location and ask to extend the reservation; extending ahead of time is cheaper than returning late.

Return the car with a full tank of gas. If you return it empty or partially empty, the rental company will refuel it and charge you $6–$8 per gallon, which is more than you'd pay at a gas station. Fill up at a station within a mile of the rental location before you return.

The agent will inspect the car for damage, compare it to the pickup inspection report, and take photos if there are new dents, scratches, or broken parts. If you caused damage, the rental company will charge you for repairs. Damage charges appear on your credit card within 3–7 days. If you dispute a charge, contact the rental company's customer service and provide photos of the car at pickup if you have them.

Renting from Philadelphia International Airport versus downtown

Airport rentals are convenient if you're arriving by plane, but they cost more. Most rental companies charge an airport facility fee ($5–$15 per day) on top of the daily rate, and Pennsylvania charges a 10 percent tax on airport rentals versus 6 percent in the city. A $60 per day compact car at PHL costs roughly $72–$78 per day with taxes and fees; the same car downtown costs roughly $64–$66.

If you're staying in Center City or University City and don't need a car when ready, renting from a downtown location saves money and avoids the airport facility fee. Enterprise and Budget have multiple downtown locations within walking distance of hotels and transit. If you're flying in and out of PHL and need the car for the full trip, the airport convenience usually outweighs the extra cost.

Peer-to-peer services like Turo don't operate at PHL — you'd need to take a taxi or rideshare to a pickup location in the city, which adds cost and time. Zipcar has no airport location either, so airport renters should stick with the major chains.

Short-term rentals and hourly options

If you need a car for a few hours rather than a full day, Zipcar and Turo are cheaper than daily rental rates. Zipcar charges $10–$15 per hour for a compact car, with a daily cap of $70–$90 (so a full day costs less than 24 hours of hourly rates). You need a Zipcar membership ($25 per month or $250 per year) to book, and you pick up and return cars at reserved parking spots throughout Philadelphia.

Turo charges a daily rate set by the car owner, but you can rent for as few as one day. If you need a car for one afternoon, Turo's daily rate is usually cheaper than Zipcar's hourly rate plus membership. Turo doesn't require a membership, but you do need to create an account and provide a driver's license and payment method.

For trips under four hours, Zipcar is usually cheaper. For trips of one to three days, compare Turo's daily rate to the major chains' rates — Turo is often competitive, especially for economy cars. For trips longer than three days, the major chains usually offer better rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car in Philadelphia with an out-of-state driver's license?

Yes. Your driver's license must be valid and in your name, but it doesn't have to be from Pennsylvania. If your license is from outside the United States, bring an International Driving Permit along with your passport. Some rental companies may ask additional questions if your license is from outside North America.

What happens if I return the car with damage I didn't cause?

Report the damage to the rental agent when ready at return. The agent will inspect the car and compare it to the pickup inspection report. If the damage isn't on the pickup report, the rental company may charge you. If you believe you didn't cause it, dispute the charge with the rental company's customer service within 30 days and provide any photos or evidence you have.

Do I need to buy the rental company's insurance if my credit card covers rentals?

Not necessarily, but read your credit card's rental car benefits first. Most premium credit cards cover collision and theft but not liability (damage you cause to other people or property). If your card covers both collision and liability with limits that match your needs, you don't need the rental company's damage waiver. If your card only covers collision, you may want to buy the rental company's liability coverage.

Is it cheaper to rent from Zipcar or Turo for a weekend trip?

It depends on the length and timing. For a Friday-to-Sunday trip, compare Turo's daily rate (usually $35–$100 per day) to the major chains' weekend rates. Zipcar's daily cap ($70–$90) makes it competitive for short trips but expensive for full weekends. Turo is usually cheaper for weekend trips unless you need a specific car type the major chains have at a lower rate.

Can I rent a car in Philadelphia if I'm under 25?

Yes, but most rental companies charge an additional daily fee ($15–$25) for drivers under 25 and may restrict you to certain car classes. Some companies have a minimum age of 21; others require you to be 25 for certain vehicle types. Call the rental company or check their website before you book to see what restrictions explore to your age.