Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Athens with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Athens?
You should book your rental car in Athens around 57 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the best rental car company in Athens?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Athens are Hertz (9.3, 2 reviews), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.6, 4 reviews), and Budget (7.9, 7 reviews).
SUV rentals (Audi Q5 or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in Athens. SUV rentals in Athens cost C$ 141/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as C$ 105/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Athens?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Athens is March at an average cost of C$ 69/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in Athens when prices are C$ 102/day on average, which tends to be 70% above the yearly average rental price for Athens.
What rental car company in Athens has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 4 locations in Athens, more than any other rental company.
If you’re looking to enjoy the city of Athens and experience places like the Terrapin Beer Coor Oconee National Forest, having a rental car can make the trip more comfortable and seamless. Nothing beats being able to travel at your own pace, especially in a new city via public transport may be hard to keep up with. Besides, you can venture into rural areas or farther from the city as close as Sandy Creek Park, about 8 miles away, or as far as Tallulah Fall 66 miles away, and Stone Mountain 55 miles away at your own pace.
If you opt to use the Athens Ben Epps Airport, you won’t find an on-airport car rental facility. However, you can still rent your car of choice from Athens car rentals such as Hertz, Dollar, Avis, and National through KAYAK, and have the car meet you outside the airport. If you’re traveling internationally, you may have to use Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is about 79 miles away from Athens. This airport does house an on-airport Rental Car Facility that you’ll find at the west end of the terminal through the covered walkway. Take the escalator, then board the ALT SkyTrain that will take you to the facility, and you can pick up your car of choice from several Athens car rentals available, including Enterprise and Budget.
While driving a rental car in Athens, keep in mind that streets along with the UGA University, like South Lumpkin Street, are notorious for jaywalkers. Students may not be very wary of the road, especially at night. Pedestrians have the right-of-way on crosswalks in Georgia, which gives them the confidence to cross the roads without always looking.
Athens may not be a major city, but don’t underestimate the traffic you may have to contend with. The morning commute spans from 7am to 9am and several loops can especially be congested, as the East Campus Loop from 2pm to 5pm on weekdays due to students. Be watchful for pedestrians and bikers on this loop. Five Points in Downtown Athens is centered on the South Milledge Ave, Milledge Circle, and South Lumpkin Street intersection and traffic can be heavy at around 5pm. The Lexington Highway can be backed up between 3pm and 5pm as well.
Athens, Georgia, is among the cities that oppose aggressive driving. Once you pick up your car from the cheap car rentals in Athens, be sure to cruise that doesn’t endanger the safety of other motorists and pedestrians. In Georgia, aggressive drivers may be guilty of a misdemeanor that attracts a fine and possible jail time. As you drive, beware of jaywalkers. Athens ranks among the most easy-to-walk-through cities in Georgia. The number of pedestrians may be high in downtown Athens and near UGA University, as these areas have an array of restaurants and shops that attract crowds.
If looking to engage in carpooling during your time in Athens, Georgia, you will be delighted to know that the city encourages the practice. You can download apps like CarpoolWorld and find passengers willing to share a ride with you. Also, there are local apps developed by UGA University for carpooling purposes. To popularize carpooling, the state of Georgia includes HOV lanes. You may come across them when getting in or out of Athens via the I-85 highway.
Reserving a vehicle from cheap car rentals in Athens is a great way to explore tourist attractions in Athens and the neighboring cities. You need roughly 10min to cover the 5-mile distance from Athens city center to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. About 40miles away from Athens lies Gainesville, a city renowned for its poultry. You can drive for about 50min and see the iconic Poultry Capital of the World Monument. If you don’t mind spending more time behind the wheel, consider covering the 77 miles from Athens to Atlanta and spend quality time in the Georgia Aquarium. You will drive for about 1h 30min before this destination.
Standard rental cars in Athens are around 32% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Athens
What type of car is recommended for driving in Athens?
Depending on the number of people you’re traveling with or any cargo you’re bringing along, like golf clubs to have fun at the University Golf Course, a van or an SUV can be a good choice when traveling to Athens. However, if you intend to stay within the city, feel free to rent any standard-sized vehicle that’ll suit your taste and budget from car rentals in Athens.
What’s the speed limit in Athens?
The speed limits in Georgia apply in Athens, where you’ll find driving on rural highways and interstate require a 70mph speed limit. While driving on urban freeways, the maximum speed limit sits at 65mph, which also applies to divided roadways. Undivided roadways get 55mph while residential neighborhood speed limits are reduced to 35mph, and unpaved rural roads get 35mph. You’ll find that some residential districts set their own speed limits and may have a maximum of 25mph, so watch out for signs. Speed limits are bound to be even lower around construction zones, schools, and hospitals.
Where are the best places to park in Athens?
In Downtown Athens, you’ll find parking meters enforced Monday through Saturday from 8am to 10pm at a rate of about $1.25 per hour. You can only park on the streets for a maximum of 2h although after 6pm you can purchase more time. You’ll also find several parking decks like the college Ave and Washington Street decks that offer free parking for the past half an hour and charge around $1 per hour after that.
Which car rental companies are at Hartsfield-Jackson airport (ATL)?
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Hartsfield-Jackson airport (ATL)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Hartsfield-Jackson airport to off-airport locations include Avis, Thrifty, Dollar, Ace, Alamo and Europcar.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Athens?
A Compact car rental in Athens costs C$ 67 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Athens?
An Intermediate car rental in Athens costs C$ 92 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car rental cost in Athens?
A Mini car rental in Athens costs C$ 171 per day, on average.
What annual events cause traffic in Athens, Georgia?
Athens hosts events throughout the year, some of which call for road closures that lead to traffic build-ups. As you drive your vehicle from Athens car rentals, be on the lookout for congestion as the Wild Rumpus takes place in October. The Athens Twilight, a cycling event in April, may also feature road closures.
Which toll roads are available in Athens, Georgia?
During your trip to the city of Athens, you may not find any toll roads. However, Georgia charges a toll on some of its interstate highways. If you drive on the express lanes of I-85 when traveling in or out of Athens, you may incur a small amount as you pass through their toll booths.
On the ground agent, Bailey, was outstanding!! Best I have ever had
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Feb 2021
Pros:
Very friendly and helped make out pickup and drop off simple and easy! We also had to extend by one day and that process was effortless. One phone call was all that was required!
I was quoted a price on Kayak for one day and Budget charged me for 2 days. We did not have the vehicle for more than 24 hours and paid almost 3 times the price that was quoted on Kayak.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Feb 2021
Cons:
The car was in the worst condition of any rental car I’ve ever had. It was dented, scratched, and dirty. I’m sure this didn’t have anything to do with Kayak, but perhaps Budget. The lot where I picked up it was very disorganized as well. I will not use Budget again unless they are the absolute only option.
They did not have my reserved vehicle available, or any suitable substitute. They made no effort to assist me or correct their mistake, and made no apology. They truly did not seem to care that I now had no way to transport six people 500 miles the following day. Will never, ever use or recommend Avis again. This was my experience both with the local branch where I was to pick up my car and with customer service. I spent over 3 hours on the phone or on hold with them and they were unwilling to offer any practical solutions.
2.0 Poor
Caitlin, Jan 2025
Standard
They didn’t take any of my 5 debit or credit cards when I got there. I had ubered there from the airport and was basically stuck in the area! The lady was not helpful whatsoever. Real snobby acting. Every other car rental place in town took my cards but them. Said it had to be one of the few credit cards they offered to accept or nothing at all. Felt like my money wasn’t good there. There was nothing on the website that mentioned this.. she said even though I paid online that she still needed a copy of my credit card (that they couldn’t take) and like I said was no help.. rushed to give me a refund and get me out of there. I rent cars regularly and have from Avis in different locations, and NEVER have I experienced such an inconvenience and poor customer service in my life. Don’t go to this location, downtown Athens. Just go with enterprise up the road, they were a lot better!!!
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