Charlottesville car rental information
| Pick-up location | Charlottesville |
|---|---|
| Car types | |
| Rental locations | 14 |
| Airport locations | 8 |
Cheap car rentals in Charlottesville
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| Minivan |
| Passenger Van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
Top tips for renting a car in Charlottesville
- If you arrive in the city by train, consider using cheap car rentals in Charlottesville to connect to various destinations. Major Charlottesville car rentals like Avis, Budget, and Enterprise, have their offices located about 10min walk distance from the Charlottesville Amtrak Train Station, which is the city’s main train station. The availability of these offices near the train station offers many travelers enhanced convenience and saves on their budget. This is because train transport is one of the most popular means of transport among travelers arriving in Charlottesville.
- It is important that you have a glimpse of the traffic interruption when getting cheap car rentals in Charlottesville. During the Virginia Film Festival, which happens during the first week of November every year, the city experiences major interruptions in the traffic with heavy jams on nearly all roads. You can easily be stuck in a traffic jam on many of these roads. Using your rental car during this period is inconvenient and costly. Unless there are unavoidable reasons to come to the city and use Charlottesville car rental during this period, you can visit Charlottesville during the other times of the year.
- You need to know knowledge of the direction and time taken to drive your cheap car rentals in Charlottesville from the city center to the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport in order to plan your schedule properly. There are two options for drivers from the city center to the airport. The first option is through US-29 S, which is a distance of 6.3 miles. If you choose this direction, it will take about 10min to arrive at the city center from the airport. The second option is via Berkmar Drive, which is a distance of 6.4 miles. In this case, you will take 11min to arrive at the city center from the airport.
- If you're looking to experience as much as you possibly can from your Charlottesville trip, having a rental car can go a long way. Transportation plays a major role in how well you can enjoy your trip and how much you can do in the amount of time you have. Most cars from car rentals in Charlottesville come equipped with high-tech GPS navigational systems that will help you reach the city’s hidden spots. You won't have to worry about getting there or getting back because everything will be at your own pace. Besides, renting a car is budget-friendly, especially if you're traveling in a group or with children. Even better, you can explore outside the city and enjoy some wine at Cardinal Point Winery, which is about 24 miles away. The Massanutten Indoor Waterpark, situated about 56 miles away from the city, is another popular day excursion.
- The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport has an on-site rental car counter where you can conveniently pick up your car once you arrive. It's located in the baggage claim lobby. Just follow the "Arrivals" and "Baggage Claim" signs to get there. This is where you'll find Charlottesville car rentals, including National, Budget, and Hertz. The cars are located right outside the baggage claim.
- Jaywalking violations are no longer enforceable in Virginia, so it is advisable to watch out for pedestrians that may be inattentive when crossing the street, whether on a marked crosswalk or not. Cyclists are also allowed on the road and even though they’re advised to ride as close to the sidewalk as possible, make sure you keep three feet between you and the bike when passing them.
- You may have to commute early because the morning rush hour starts around 7am and ends around 10am. Interstate 64, in particular, gets congested, and traffic on US 29, especially close to the US 250 bypass, often drags for miles during evening rush hours, which span from 4pm to 6pm. If you can hang out where you are and wait until 7pm, you'll get to your destination much faster. You might experience snow and patches of slippery ice on Charlottesville roads during the winter, so you’ll want to choose the right kind of vehicle for these conditions.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Charlottesville for C$ 56 or less
- Book your rental car in Charlottesville at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
FAQs about renting a car in Charlottesville
Charlottesville car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
7.1
Good
105 reviewsCleanliness
7.2
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
6.8
2 locations in Charlottesville
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Dec. 2021
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Pick up was tedious because the computers were down.Cons:
The car was very dirty and the windshield so smeared on the interior that I had to clean it myself.6.0 Okay
Apr. 2021
Pros:
The staff was amazing and so friendly.Cons:
The car was dirty when we picked it up. Sanitized- but not really cleaned.6.0 Okay
Apr. 2021
Pros:
The Car worked okay and got great mileage and the staff really tried to help - they were just understaffed for the amount # of cars going out and coming in.Cons:
The 7 passenger Van was 2.5 hours late in getting to my pickup location. I did not receive a call until I arrived in the parking lot at 9:00 a.m. to pick it up. I had to return and I actually picked it up at about 11:30 a.m. and spent a about 30-45 minutes waiting as they were totally understaffed. The care worked fine, but was smaller than what was advertised - it was definitely not an equal to the model advertised which was a Nissan Pathfinder.2.0 Poor
Mar. 2021
Pros:
NothingCons:
Actually having my rental car. They did not have any available rentals even after I had made my reservation days before. Associate who called me was very rude6.0 Okay
Mar. 2021
Cons:
The employees actually drove the car before renting it out. There was a ridiculously loud roar coming from wheels. So loud could be heard over radio and almost max volumeEnterprise Rent-A-Car
8.3
Very good
55 reviewsCheapest deal
Most popular
Cleanliness
8.6
Comfort
8.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.4
Value for money
7.8
3 locations in Charlottesville
from C$ 56/day
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Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
The staff was friendly and helpful. It was very easy to get to the car and then return it.Cons:
This was my first time ever renting a car I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was definitely disappointed. Once I got the keys I went to get the car and got in, I immediately noticed it smelled like smoke. It wasn’t unbearable but I wanted to report it because I didn’t want the company to think I had anything to do with it. I went back to inform the guys at the desk but they were all gone. I waited for about 10 minutes or so but no one came back. Fortunately there was a woman at another rental car company desk right there who took my information and said she would give it to the guys in the morning and to not worry about it. While driving the car around over the weekend I had the AC on and it had a mold smell at different times. I’m assuming the air filter needed changed. I’m kind of surprised This happened. I assumed rental car companies would make sure the car was clean and was maintained with new air filters. But perhaps not and this is just how it is. Also, I was incorrectly charged on my credit card and customer service is going to fix it but could not tell me why that happened.8.0 Very good
Dec. 2020
Pros:
Very much so. They were friendly, professional, and prompt.Cons:
Pick up and drop off options could have been communicated more clearly.10.0 Wonderful
Nov. 2020
Pros:
Friendly staff, quick pickup and drop off. Also, a great car.10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2020
Cons:
Fastest check in and check out ever!10.0 Wonderful
Sep. 2020
Pros:
The rep on duty on 9/18 at 9:45 am was friendly, knowledgeable and accommodate my rental request. Through a website I reserved a large SUV. Enterprise was oversold on the vehicle I needed. The rep. came through for me on my request and worked hard to make sure that I had what I requested. That Rep made my trip with my family comfortable and joyful.Cons:
Get more Large SUVs for the area (Charlottesville, VA) they always sell out on the weekend.10.0 Wonderful
Aug. 2020
Pros:
YesBudget
7.2
Good
81 reviewsBest rated
Cleanliness
7.4
Comfort
7.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.1
Value for money
7.2
2 locations in Charlottesville
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Mar. 2021
Pros:
Friendly staff. Free upgrade to a fun to drive car as they had no other vehicle!2.0 Poor
Dec. 2021
Cons:
Rented three different cars from Budget over Christmas holiday - all three had major mechanical issues. The battery on the first one died, leaving me stranded.6.0 Okay
Dec. 2020
Pros:
Car interior was clean.Cons:
Exterior of car showed minor damage that was not mentioned during pick-up, requiring a return trip to the desk to document. Front right tire was 7 psi low, causing warning light on dashboard to illuminate.4.4 Mediocre
Sep. 2020
Pros:
The staff was friendly!Cons:
The car conditions9.2 Wonderful
Aug. 2020
Pros:
Staff was very helpful in difficult circumstances given the power was off at the airport due to a major storm. They still processed my rental and got me on the road quickly.Cons:
The price. Maybe a fare for renting by the week.National
8.0
Very good
23 reviewsCleanliness
8.3
Comfort
8.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.1
Value for money
7.3
One location in Charlottesville
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Reviews
9.6 Wonderful
Dec. 2019
Pros:
Friendly staff, super easy pickup, even super easier drop off.Cons:
provide a chauffeur?9.6 Wonderful
Aug. 2019
Pros:
Very quick and easy process10.0 Wonderful
Jan. 2017
Pros:
The agent was especially helpful!10.0 Wonderful
Dec. 2016
Pros:
First time using this as opposed to going directly through rental car companies. Very easy very affordable and will use again.10.0 Wonderful
Nov. 2016
Pros:
New SUV - really needed it to haul around the cousins around town2.0 Poor
Dec. 2022
Dollar
7.9
Good
16 reviewsCleanliness
7.5
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
8.1
One location in Charlottesville
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jun. 2020
Pros:
NothingCons:
Information given at time of booking was incorrect and was not able to rent car.10.0 Wonderful
Jun. 2019
Pros:
Quick service at counter on both ends of the trip. Car was a short walk from terminal. Very clean. Nice man took care of us. Not one issue. Great experience.5.6 Fair
Jun. 2019
Cons:
Reserved large SUV, got open bed smaller pickup. Open bed resulted in problems due to three days of rain and I was transporting supplies for wedding and four passengers10.0 Wonderful
May 2019
Pros:
Everything was smooth sailing.6.0 Okay
Jul. 2018
Pros:
Easy pick up and drop offCons:
Car was dirty, maintenance light was on for oil change and filter when we picked it up. Tires were bare causing us to hydroplane during rain storms. Rear view mirror kept falling off.6.8 Okay
Jun. 2018
Cons:
Dropping off in Charlottesville was not good. Their drop off area was completely full and cars were half-hazardly parked and a few people weren’t sure where to leave the cars. We all ended up just parking in the middle of a row.Avis
7.2
Good
25 reviewsCleanliness
7.2
Comfort
7.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
6.8
2 locations in Charlottesville
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Reviews
8.0 Very good
Mar. 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendlyCons:
Car was in terrible condition, but it was replaced with a normal car4.0 Mediocre
Jan. 2021
Pros:
Car was great. Drop off was convenient.Cons:
When I got to the desk to pickup they had already closed. I had to ask a police officer to call the manager to come in.2.8 Poor
Nov. 2020
Pros:
Horrible experience in Virginia. Pick up service was late and gave us a damaged car.Cons:
They need to pay more attention to your other branches.7.2 Good
Sep. 2017
Cons:
There are no signs telling you where to turn on the keys. Turns out you have to go to baggage claim to find the desk. We certainly weren't the only ones walking around in the rain trying to figure that out.9.2 Wonderful
Jul. 2017
Pros:
She fixed the problems that D.C. created with my booking (had wrong car, thus wrong mileage and gas level on my reservation form).4.0 Mediocre
Jun. 2017
Pros:
That the car was clean and worked.Cons:
Make and model of the car the 55 min wait to get a car when I was the only customer. Took 10 min before I was greeted. Both agents were on the phone. Was lied to about vehicle choice. Was told this was the only car that was available and it was an upgrade. it was not and the lot was full of cars that were available.Easirent
No score available yet
One location in Charlottesville
Sunnycars
No score available yet
One location in Charlottesville
305 travellers who rented a car in Charlottesville gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.6
Car rental locations in or near Charlottesville
Good to know
Most popular agency | Enterprise Rent-A-Car |
|---|---|
Most popular car type | Economy |
Average price | C$ 93/day |
Good deal | C$ 56/day |
When to book a rental car in Charlottesville
Average daily price per month
Rental car prices as pick-up date approaches