This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a KAYAK user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car rental in Cincinnati with a pick-up date of 21/4 and drop-off date of 27/4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
Same drop-off
Driver's age: 25-65
Save up to 40% on car rentals. Compare deals from all over the web.
Never overpay with our price tracking tools.
Filter searches by price, agency and more to find your best car rental.
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
Booking Insights
KAYAK’s insights & trends for Cincinnati car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Cincinnati with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Cincinnati?
You should book your rental car in Cincinnati around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular rental car in Cincinnati?
Rentals in the Small category (Chrysler Pacifica or similar) are the most popular option in Cincinnati, costing C$ 130/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as C$ 108/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Cincinnati?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Cincinnati is January at an average cost of C$ 65/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in Cincinnati when prices are C$ 101/day on average, which tends to be 71% above the yearly average rental price for Cincinnati.
What rental car company in Cincinnati has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 17 locations in Cincinnati, more than any other rental company.
You must know that it's legal to ask for another car if you don’t like the one that is given to you
Verified travelerJul 2023
It’s definitely cost saving to rent a car instead of using Lyft to get everywhere on normal Lyft charge is around $10-$15 that can add up pretty quick when it’s only about $50 to rent a car for a day
Verified travelerJun 2023
Roads are narrow, so remain alert.
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Cincinnati
A city that sprawls along the Ohio River and connects to the apex of the Licking River, Cincinnati is best discovered with a rental car. Cincinnati buzzes with an eclectic rustic vibe and is home to many fantastic restaurants and art venues. Whether you plan to escape the city to the world renowned Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden or explore the diverse landscapes the Ohio River has to offer, a rental car will help you maximize your time in town.
Cincinnati International Airport, commonly referred to as Northern Kentucky International Airport, is located 13 miles south from the downtown district and takes approximately 20 minutes to drive. A shuttle bus takes you directly from the baggage claim area to the car rental facility, where you will find the counters of many major rental companies such as Hertz, Budget, Enterprise, and Avis.
The hills that bless Cincinnati with glorious views also mean that you will experience some unique driving conditions around town. When coming up to any considerable incline, remember to approach at a steady pace and with significant momentum. The mountainous terrain provides an ideal challenge for enthusiastic cyclists, so be cautious of your blind spots and always provide an adequate amount of space.
Cincinnati roads become congested between 7 am and 9 am as commuters make their way to work, as well as between 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm. It is advisable to avoid driving during these peak periods of the day and instead enjoy the beautiful riverfront or the long list of activities the city has to offer. Redirecting your driving route to avoid the Brent Spence Bridge, I-75, and I-71 will save you time, especially during the evening rush hour.
You can use car rental services after arriving at Union Terminal, the primary train station in Cincinnati. However, the terminal doesn’t have rental car offices located on-site. Thus, confirming that the car rental company you use can deliver the car to your preferred location is vital. Cheap car rentals in Cincinnati, such as Enterprise, usually pick up clients from specified locations. For increased convenience, you can rent varied car types such as compact and luxury vehicles. If you require more space in the car, SUVs are also available.
Picking a vehicle from Cincinnati car rentals allows you to navigate numerous attraction sites easily. By car, it takes about 20min to get to the Great Parks of Hamilton County, a chain of outdoor centers. The site is approximately 15 miles from Cincinnati. For some night fun, drive to Light Up The Fair in Burlington. It takes about 30min to cover 22 miles from Cincinnati to Burlington. If you are a fan of long drives, you can take about 1h 30min to cover a 100-mile stretch to Louisville and enjoy the beautiful sights of attractions like Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
While Cincinnati has a commendable transport infrastructure, you may encounter traffic buildups during annual festivals. In September, Cincinnati hosts North America’s largest Oktoberfest, the Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. With hundreds of thousands of attendees, the fiesta calls for the closure of several downtown streets, causing congestion. In May, the Flying Pig Marathon takes place in Cincinnati. Road closures that characterize the event may lead to traffic in the city center. With the help of your car’s navigation system, you can find less congested city streets. However, if you use back roads, be extra careful while driving to avoid jaywalkers. Despite the city’s efforts to penalize the practice, jaywalking is mildly prevalent in Cincinnati.
25% of our users found rental cars in Cincinnati for C$ 62 or less
Luxury rental cars in Cincinnati are around 55% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Cincinnati
What type of car is recommended for driving in Cincinnati?
Choose from the extensive list of rental cars available on KAYAK to pick the car that best suits your personal needs. A smaller sedan will help you navigate downtown driving and parking, but there is ample space provided on the roads so you should not feel pressured to downsize because of this.
What’s the speed limit in Cincinnati?
Unless otherwise indicated, the speed limit in the urban area of Cincinnati is 25 mph. Smaller highways near residential areas have limits as low as 55 mph, while divided highways have a maximum of 70 mph. Speed cameras operate within the Cincinnati city district as well as the outer Ohio area, so be careful to keep a close eye on your driving speed to avoid fines.
Where are the best places to park in Cincinnati?
If you are going to attend a Cincinnati Reds game at the Great American Ballpark or want to explore the downtown district during the weekend, use the Fountain Square Garage, where you can park for only $7 and are less than a 10-minute walk from the stadium. The Fountain Square Garage is also an ideal location if you are looking to leave your car there overnight, as it has 24-hour security and a maximum charge of $21.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Cincinnati?
On average a rental car in Cincinnati costs C$ 80 per day.
Which car rental companies are at Cinci./N. Kentucky airport (CVG)?
The only car rental company onsite at Cinci./N. Kentucky airport is Thrifty.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Cinci./N. Kentucky airport (CVG)?
The only car rental company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Cinci./N. Kentucky airport to off-airport locations is Thrifty.
How much does a Small car rental cost in Cincinnati?
A Small car rental in Cincinnati costs C$ 108 per day, on average.
How much does a Luxury car rental cost in Cincinnati?
A Luxury car rental in Cincinnati costs C$ 52 per day, on average.
How much does a Medium car rental cost in Cincinnati?
A Medium car rental in Cincinnati costs C$ 101 per day, on average.
Is carpooling in Cincinnati?
You can share your vehicle from cheap car rentals in Cincinnati with a few friends. The city encourages the practice due to its many benefits, including fuel conservation and environmental preservation. However, you may not find carpool/HOV lanes in Cincinnati. Of course, you have to check with the rental company about their stand regarding carpooling.
Does Cincinnati have toll roads?
You can be sure to drive toll-free while cruising in Cincinnati. Even the usually busy I-75 highway will not include a toll station. At all times, be sure to keep an eye out for a road sign, as Cincinnati roads feature cameras that ensure adherence to traffic rules.
There was no shuttle, they have moved on site and no one was there when I landed. This stranded me in Cincinnati.
8.0 Very good
Bruno, Jun 2025
Supplier choice
The only thing is, I find the process at the desk a little bit tedious
6.0 Okay
JU, May 2025
Intermediate
Staff was neither friendly nor paying attention. Hidden fees pumped up the total price. Location is ideal from where I live. That s the only reason to come back.
2.0 Poor
Leng, Mar 2024
Supplier choice
Did not get the rental due to the unruly Hertz worker at the location. Refund requested
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Nov 2023
Compact
Service was great!!! Agent was very polite and efficient!
Despite having a reservation, when I showed up at the Budget counter for my one-way rental, I was told they didn’t have any one-way rentals. The woman insisted she had left me a voice mail the day before; however, I had no record of even a missed call from her. She wasn’t apologetic or helpful at all. I’ve not booked a car thru Kayak before and I don’t think I will again.
2.0 Poor
SANTIAGO, Jun 2024
Supplier choice
WOMAN AT THE COUNTER DID. NOT WANT TO GIVE THE CAR I booked on the website ;it says car available When I arrived it was opening time but the place was still closed Them a woman arrived late,we just told her she was late then she said she had no cars “even to cover her day “. Very lazy and bad attitude unhappy woman that made us have to ask a friend to drive us to Chicago not to miss the flight
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, May 2024
Passenger Van
Everything was fine
2.0 Poor
Saeed, May 2024
Full-size
No car show up.. unfortunately you have me confirmation number but budget office said no car available!! How comes
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Apr 2024
Intermediate
Budget did not actually have a car for me at the designated site. They called that morning and told me in advance at least. Their agent scheduled me for a car at a nearby location in Cincinnati. That location called shortly afterward and told me that they didn't have any cars. The next agent set me up at a third location in downtown Cinci. My wife and I arrived there at the scheduled time only to be told that they didn't have our car. We were in disbelief as we were being told that they would shuttle us to the airport. Moments later someone returned a car and she designated that for us. We gladly waited while it was cleaned up and brought out. The car was in good working order and was clean, except for the fact that it smelled like someone had smoked in it and the attempt to deodorize had failed miserably. I highly recommend not renting from Budget or Avis (they are the same there), since they contract out for cars that they don't have.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Mar 2024
Compact
Staff member that helped me was rude and not friendly at all
I was charged twice for the rental. Once when I booked the rental through CarRentals.com, I paid $301.08 and was told I had to pay a remaining $86.01 at pickup. When I picked up the vehicle, I was charged a full $387.99.
I didn't realize the pick up spot wasn't at the airport, and so I arrived later than my pick up time. The staff were so friendly and helpful. The process, once I got there, took less than 15 minutes. The car was great! I had a really nice trip.
2.0 Poor
Douglas, Jun 2024
Convertible
Was called and told car was not available and the systems do not update to demonstrate what actually is available. While the call was nice, the option was a different car or for me to drive 30 mins out of my way to another location to pick up the car I wanted - they were too short staffed to have a car brought to the location I needed, 2 days in advance. The car was not ready when I got to the other location, given it was new, there were still stickers on the windows which the representative took off after me asking and the gas was on empty. So the first thing I had to do was go fill the tank up. I feel this approach is intentional to benefit the car rental company because it's harder for the customer to gauge the fuel return vs just filling it back on full.
2.0 Poor
BRADLEY J, Apr 2024
Passenger Van
Never got the car that was reserved. Called a few days before to make sure the van was available and they said it wasn’t and that the district manager would call to make accommodations. Never received a call. Very disappointed.
2.0 Poor
Mrs, Oct 2023
Minivan
Reservation was made but no car was available, what was the purpose of making a reservation and receiving a confirmation?? Horrible
They failed to tell me before I arrive that I needed a bank account because they do not accept chime ,cash app etc I just feel like should make that known before you go wasting time then I paid for car insurance the day before I went to pick up my rental and I haven't received a refund for the insurance I never used for the rental I wasn't able to receive because I did have the proper card..
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jun 2023
Intermediate SUV
Nothing except vehicle was out of windshield wiper fluid
KAYAK and its partners wish to use cookies or similar technologies to store and/or access information on and about your device and process personal data such as your IP address, device identifiers etc., in order to improve your experience on the site, to analyze navigation, to offer and measure personalized advertising, and to facilitate sharing on social networks. We also allow the use of third-party cookies (including those from our advertising partners) on our sites.
By clicking 'Accept', you consent to your data being processed by 0 vendors on this web site for the purposes described in this notice. You can review the vendors and their individual processing purposes on the .
To review individual processing purposes and cookie categories, please click ’Select individual purposes’. You can review and update your choices anytime by clicking the ’Privacy Preferences’ link in the page side navigation.
