Car rental in Philadelphia

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The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Philadelphia

Renting a car in Philadelphia can be an excellent way to explore the City of Brotherly Love and its surrounding areas. Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure, Bookingautos is here to help you find the best car rental deals from both international and local companies. This ultimate guide will walk you through everything you need to know about renting a car in Philadelphia.

Choosing the Right Car

When selecting a vehicle, consider factors such as:

  • The number of passengers
  • Amount of luggage
  • Planned activities (city driving vs. road trips)
  • Fuel efficiency
  • Budget constraints

Philadelphia offers a wide range of vehicles, from compact cars for easy city navigation to spacious SUVs for family trips.

Rental Locations

You can find car rental agencies at various locations throughout Philadelphia, including:

  • Philadelphia International Airport: Convenient for travelers flying into the city
  • Downtown Philadelphia: Ideal for those staying in the city center
  • Suburban locations: Perfect for visitors exploring the outskirts

Requirements and Documentation

To rent a car in Philadelphia, you'll typically need:

  • A valid driver's license
  • A major credit card in the renter's name
  • Proof of insurance (or purchase of rental company's insurance)
  • Minimum age requirement (usually 21, but may vary by company)

Navigating Philadelphia

Philadelphia's grid system makes it relatively easy to navigate. However, be prepared for:

  • One-way streets in the city center
  • Heavy traffic during rush hours
  • Parking challenges in popular areas

Consider visiting iconic attractions like the Liberty Bell or taking a day trip to nearby Bucks County for a change of scenery.

Tips for a Smooth Rental Experience

  • Book in advance for better rates and vehicle availability
  • Inspect the car thoroughly before driving off
  • Familiarize yourself with local traffic laws and parking regulations
  • Consider purchasing additional insurance if your personal policy doesn't cover rentals
  • Return the car on time and with a full tank of gas to avoid extra fees

By following this guide and using Bookingautos to compare offers, you'll be well-prepared to rent a car and explore all that Philadelphia has to offer. Enjoy your stay in the City of Brotherly Love!

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Good to know

Most Popular Agency

Hertz

Most popular car class

Compact

Average price

34 € / Day

Best price

24 € / Day

Average cost for 7 days of rent:

January
€165
February
€138
March
€140
April
€194
May
€198
June
€226
July
€239
August
€229
September
€188
October
€171
November
€147
December
€220

* Prices are based on orders processed over the previous 2 years.

In August rental companies located in Philadelphia rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.

The best time to rent a car in Philadelphia is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €19, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.

In summer, the demand for car rental reaches its peak. The choice of available cars is decreasing. At the same time, the price of the service almost doubles! For example, in July, the average rental price of the popular car model Audi A4 reaches €34 per day.

Alternative offices in the closest cities

Nearest airports

Philadelphia Airport
11.3 km / 7 miles
Atlantic City airport
77.6 km / 48.2 miles
Newark airport
117.2 km / 72.8 miles
JFK airport (New York)
140.2 km / 87.1 miles
La Guardia Airport (New York)
142.6 km / 88.6 miles
Baltimore airport
155 km / 96.3 miles
Washington Dc Airport
202.6 km / 125.9 miles
Washington Dulles Airport
225.3 km / 140 miles

Nearest cities

Madison (New Jersey)
109.8 km / 68.2 miles
Newark
121 km / 75.2 miles
Brooklyn
128.9 km / 80.1 miles
New York
129.6 km / 80.5 miles
Manhattan
131.6 km / 81.8 miles
Baltimore
144.2 km / 89.6 miles
Bronx
147.4 km / 91.6 miles
Washington
199.2 km / 123.8 miles

Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:

4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day

In Philadelphia you can choose from over 40 models of different car classes and for any budget. We provide only new cars with low mileage. You can easily choose a familiar car, and we guarantee its safety and perfect technical condition.

The cost of car rental per day directly depends on the season, car class and rental period. The more days, the cheaper average daily cost. A modest economy car will cost at least €22 per day. In the middle segment, the offer range is €46-€39 per day. Business class car prices start at €71. In the high season, absolutely all rental cars become more expensive, especially rare models and convertibles. So, in summer in Philadelphia popular with tourists Ford Mustang costs at least €79 per day.

Recently, in Philadelphia has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Philadelphia, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Renault Zoe.

Documents needed to rent a car

Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!

A valid international driver's license is required!

Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind

Download desired area of Google maps for offline access

Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.

Philadelphia 1

Book in advance

Philadelphia is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.

It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.

Which car to choose for rent

Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Ford Ka or VW Polo. These models are the most popular with our customers in Philadelphia.

In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Fiat Tipo Estate will cost €34 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.

What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance advice

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

Philadelphia 2

What types of insurance are available for car rental?

  • Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
  • Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
  • Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Check out the fuel policy

When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.

Philadelphia 3

Unlimited mileage

According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.

Philadelphia 4

Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Philadelphia, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

How to choose a rental company

It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.Philadelphia 5

Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Philadelphia are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).

Car pick-up procedure

You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.

Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.

Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.

Our main advantages

24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees

Car rental reviews: Philadelphia

Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.

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