What you need to rent a car in Savannah
To rent a car in Savannah, you need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance. Most rental companies require you to be at least 21 years old, though some charge an extra daily fee for drivers under 25. Your driver's license must not be suspended or revoked, and it should be current — an expired license will stop you from renting, even if you have a valid passport.
The credit card must be in your own name and have enough available credit to cover the rental cost plus a security hold, which is typically $200 to $500 depending on the car class. Debit cards are rarely accepted as the primary payment method, though some companies will take one if you also provide a credit card. Your proof of insurance can be a physical card, a digital copy on your phone, or a letter from your insurer — bring whichever form you have.
If you are renting under a corporate account or with a prepaid reservation, you may still need to show your personal ID and credit card at pickup. The rental agent will verify your information against your reservation and run a background check before handing over the keys.
Key Takeaways
- You must have a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance to rent a car in Savannah.
- Most rental companies require you to be at least 21 years old; drivers under 25 typically pay an additional daily surcharge.
- The credit card must have enough available credit to cover both the rental cost and a security hold of $200 to $500.
- Rental locations in Savannah include the airport, downtown, and several neighborhood branches; airport pickups are usually more expensive than off-airport locations.
- Insurance, fuel charges, and GPS rental fees can add 30 to 50 percent to your quoted rate, so read the full terms before confirming.
Where to rent a car in Savannah
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) has rental desks for all major companies — Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National — in the baggage claim area. Airport rentals are convenient if you are arriving by plane, but they carry a 10 to 15 percent airport facility charge on top of the daily rate. If you have time before your trip, picking up from a downtown or midtown location can save you that fee.
Downtown Savannah has several off-airport rental locations, particularly along Victory Drive and near the historic district. These branches often have lower daily rates than the airport and may offer better availability during peak travel seasons. Midtown locations near the Savannah Mall and along Abercorn Street are also common and tend to have competitive pricing.
One-way rentals — picking up in Savannah and returning elsewhere — are possible but usually cost more than round-trip rentals. If you are planning to drive to another city, ask about one-way fees when you book; some companies waive them during slow seasons or for longer rentals.
What affects your rental cost
The daily rate is only part of what you pay. Insurance, fuel, GPS, and tolls can easily add $30 to $80 per day to your quoted price. Your own auto insurance may cover rental cars, and your credit card may offer rental car coverage, so check both before buying the rental company's damage waiver — you could be paying twice for the same protection.
Fuel charges depend on whether you prepay for a full tank or return the car empty. Prepaying locks in the per-gallon price but commits you to filling the tank even if you use less. Returning the car on empty means you pay the rental company's per-gallon rate, which is typically 50 to 100 percent higher than local gas stations. The most cost-effective choice is usually to return the car with a quarter tank or less, having filled up at a nearby gas station before returning it.
GPS rental fees run $10 to $15 per day, but most phones have free navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze that work just as well. Tolls on bridges and highways are sometimes charged to your credit card after you return the car, sometimes added to your final bill, and sometimes prepaid — ask which method the rental company uses.
Insurance and damage coverage explained
The rental company's damage waiver, called a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), costs $15 to $30 per day and removes your financial responsibility if the car is damaged or stolen. However, you may already be covered by your personal auto insurance or your credit card's rental car benefit, which means buying the waiver is redundant and wastes money.
Before you book, call your insurance company and ask whether your policy covers rental cars and what the deductible is. Check your credit card's benefits guide or call the card issuer to see if it offers rental car coverage. If both your insurance and your credit card cover rentals, you have options: use your insurance and pay the deductible if something happens, or use the credit card coverage and avoid the deductible entirely. Write down which coverage you are using and keep that information with your rental agreement.
If you have no personal insurance and no credit card coverage, the rental company's damage waiver is worth buying. Without it, you are personally liable for any damage to the vehicle, which can cost thousands of dollars and affect your driving record if the damage is reported to police.
Fuel, mileage, and return policies
Most rental companies in Savannah offer unlimited mileage, meaning you pay the same rate whether you drive 50 miles or 500 miles. Some budget companies or long-term rentals may have mileage caps — typically 100 to 150 miles per day — so confirm this before you book. Exceeding the mileage limit usually costs 25 to 50 cents per extra mile.
Fuel policy varies by company and rental type. The most common option is "full to full," where you pick up the car with a full tank and return it full; you pay for any fuel you use. Some companies offer "full to empty," where you prepay for a full tank and return the car empty with no refund for unused fuel. A few offer "empty to empty," where you return the car as empty as you found it and pay only for what you used — this is rare in Savannah but worth asking about.
Return policies typically require the car back by the time stated on your agreement, usually late morning or early afternoon. Returning the car late incurs an hourly charge, usually $10 to $25 per hour, or a full day's rental charge if you are more than a few hours late. Some companies charge a late fee even if you return the car just 30 minutes past the important date, so set a phone reminder before your return date.
Common hidden fees and how to avoid them
Young driver surcharges explore to renters under 25 and typically run $15 to $25 per day. This fee is not always shown in the initial quote, so ask about it when you book if you are under 25. Additional driver fees, usually $10 to $15 per day per person, explore if someone other than the primary renter will drive the car; some companies waive this for spouses.
Facility fees, airport taxes, and local surcharges can add 15 to 25 percent to your total bill. These are mandatory and appear only at checkout, not in the initial quote. Parking fees may explore if you rent from a downtown location with limited parking. Cleaning fees of $50 to $150 are charged if you return the car visibly dirty or with trash inside.
To avoid surprises, read the full rental agreement before you sign. Ask the rental agent to walk you through every line item on the quote, including taxes and fees. Take photos of the car's condition before you drive away and again when you return it, showing the odometer and fuel gauge in both photos. This protects you if the company later claims damage or fuel issues that were not your fault.
Booking tips and what to compare
Booking directly through a rental company's website often gives you better rates than third-party booking sites, and it ensures you get the exact car type and terms you agreed to. If you use a booking site, take a screenshot of the final quote including all fees, because the price can change between booking and pickup.
Compare rates across at least three companies — Enterprise, Budget, and Hertz often have different pricing for the same dates and car type. Check whether your employer, professional association, or membership organization (AAA, AARP, military) offers rental discounts; these can save 10 to 20 percent. Weekend rates are often higher than weekday rates, and rates spike during holidays and major events in Savannah.
Reserve early if you are traveling during peak season (March through October), but do not book more than a few weeks ahead unless you have locked in a may provide rate. Prices can drop closer to your travel date, and most companies allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup, so you can rebook if you find a better rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Savannah if I have an international driver's license?
Yes, but you must also have your passport or national ID card. Most rental companies accept an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your passport, though some require your home country's license as well. Call the rental company before you book to confirm what documents they need.
What happens if I get into an accident?
Contact the rental company when ready and report the accident, even if it is minor. Take photos of all damage, get the other driver's information and insurance details, and file a police report if anyone is injured or damage is significant. The rental company will investigate and may charge you for repairs if they determine you were at fault and you did not purchase their damage waiver.
Can I rent a car if I do not have a credit card?
Most rental companies require a credit card for the security hold, but a few accept debit cards if you also provide a second form of payment or a larger cash deposit. Call ahead to ask; policies vary by location and company. Having a credit card is the easiest option.
Is it cheaper to rent from the airport or downtown?
Downtown and midtown locations are usually 10 to 15 percent cheaper because they do not charge the airport facility fee. However, if you are arriving by plane and do not have other transportation, the convenience of an airport pickup may be worth the extra cost.
What should I do if the rental car breaks down?
Call the rental company's roadside information number when ready — it is on your rental agreement. They will arrange a tow or send a replacement vehicle. You are not responsible for mechanical failures that occur during normal use, and you should not pay for towing or repairs.