KAYAK’s insights & trends for Hilton Head Island car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Hilton Head Island with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Hilton Head Island?
You should book your rental car in Hilton Head Island around 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the best rental car company in Hilton Head Island?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Hilton Head Island are Budget (6.5, 27 reviews), National (8.0), and Alamo (7.8, 3 reviews).
Budget
Rated 6.5/10
National
Rated 8.0/10
Alamo
Rated 7.8/10
Thrifty
Rated 7.1/10
What is the most popular rental car in Hilton Head Island?
Full-size rentals (Ford Expedition or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in Hilton Head Island. Full-size rentals in Hilton Head Island cost C$ 212/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as C$ 179/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Hilton Head Island?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Hilton Head Island is January at an average cost of C$ 73/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in Hilton Head Island when prices are C$ 105/day on average, which tends to be 61% above the yearly average rental price for Hilton Head Island.
What rental car company in Hilton Head Island has the most locations?
Avis and Enterprise Rent-A-Car each operate 2 locations in Hilton Head Island, more than any other rental company.
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Hilton Head Island
You can choose to explore all the amazing attractions of the city and gain maximum convenience and flexibility using car rentals in Hilton Head. You can rent a private vehicle to discover the island of Hilton Head, which boasts over 12 miles of public beaches, generally consisting of mostly free parking. Alternatively, you can visit Daufuskie Island, which is in-between Hilton Head Island and the northern shoreline of Georgia, and includes a 45min ferry ride with the potential to spot frolicking dolphins. Public transportation in Hilton Head is seasonal, making a car rental an ideal choice for maximum independence.
The Hilton Head International Airport is located approximately 45 miles south of the island, making car rentals in Hilton Head a convenient choice for anyone planning on visiting the town. The airport has a number of car rental offices on site, including Alamo, Enterprise, National, Thrifty, Budget and Dollar, which can all be found at the baggage claim area. Vehicles can be picked up at the terminal door. There are also shuttle services from the airport to car rental agencies located outside of the airport.
There are a number of pathways in the town of Hilton Head that provide miles of trails for both pedestrians and cyclists. Motorists are advised to drive with caution, especially during rush hours, as jaywalking is a common occurrence. Visitors can also choose Hilton Head car rentals that provide cars with built-in GPS systems, making it easy to navigate unfamiliar roads.
Hilton Head Island sees visitors from all over the country, meaning there will likely be a number of different driving styles mixed into one area. Motorists are advised to drive with caution while touring the city and pay attention to traffic circles, especially at night. Visitors are also advised to tour the island during weekdays as there is usually a lot of traffic on weekends due to arrivals and departures. Rush hour occurs from 7am to 8:30am and 4:30pm to 5:30pm, especially around the Hilton Head Bridge. Drivers spend an average of 30min in traffic.
With cheap car rentals in Hilton Head, it’s easy and convenient to explore the city, as well as other towns that are in the larger region. For example, you can use your rental vehicle to drive to Beaufort, South Carolina, which is approximately 50min away by car, or you can go to Savannah, Georgia, which is around a 50min drive away as well. Richmond Hill is another nice town that you have the option of visiting, and you can drive to it from Hilton Head in just over 1h.
When driving cheap car rentals in Hilton Head, keep in mind that you may come across a toll road. Part of the Southern Connector, which connects Interstate 385 to Interstate 85 south of Greenville, runs through this city. When you’re getting on or off of the highway, you may have to use this road, depending on what your destination is.
The city has a number of annual events that take place in the city center, which means you may not be able to drive Hilton Head car rentals downtown during these periods. There is the Hilton Head Island Seafood Festival, which normally takes place for a few days in February, as well as the Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration which also occurs in the same month.
Standard rental cars in Hilton Head Island are around 35% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Hilton Head Island
What type of car is recommended for driving in Hilton Head Island?
Since the town usually gets a large number of visitors, it is recommended to opt for a small compact vehicle so as to easily navigate the congestion on the roads. Large SUVs can be considered for those planning on touring the city in a large group.
What’s the speed limit in Hilton Head Island?
The speed limit in Hilton Head is set at 45mph on the New Cross Island Parkway, which has a number of stop lights on the way. There are also a few speed traps set up, primarily along Beach City Road, and motorists should be careful to obey traffic laws while driving.
Where are the best places to park in Hilton Head Island?
There are a number of parking options available in Hilton Head with guidelines on where to park and for how long. Some locations also offer free parking. The Hilton Head Airport (HHH) has a parking lot, which provides parking facilities for both arrivals and departures. You can find a number of metered parking spaces on Alder Lane, at Folly Field, and at Burkes Beach, which cost around $0.25 for every 15min. Parking at Driessen Beach costs approximately $0.25 for every 30min. Furthermore, parking at Coligny Beach and Fish Haul Creek Park is free. Customers of the Port Royal Plaza, Marriotts Surf Watch, Marriotts Resort and Spa, and Whole Foods Market are granted parking for 2h at no charge.
How can I find car rentals near me in Hilton Head Island?
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Hilton Head Island?
An Intermediate car rental in Hilton Head Island costs C$ 127 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car rental cost in Hilton Head Island?
A Special car rental in Hilton Head Island costs C$ 81 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Hilton Head Island?
A Standard car rental in Hilton Head Island costs C$ 117 per day, on average.
How do I go from Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) to the city center?
On average, the drive from Hilton Head Island Airport to the city center will take you around 10min unless there is additional traffic. The easiest way to make this trip is to hop on the William Hilton Pkwy toward Viola Rd and then merge onto the US-278 BUS E/Wm Hilton Pkwy ramp. You will then turn onto William Hilton Pkwy and eventually turn left onto Beach City Road, which will bring you to downtown Hilton Head.
Do I have the option of renting a car directly from Hilton Head Island Airport?
There are several car rental agencies that have on-site offices directly at Hilton Head Island Airport, and some of these companies include Avis, Dollar, and National. Most of these on-site agencies have the desks for their branches directly in the Arrivals Hall of the main terminal, just a short walk from the baggage claim area. As they keep their fleets on airport property, it’s easy and quick to grab your rental vehicle when your plane has landed. When you finish the necessary paperwork, an employee will lead you to your car.
Hilton Head Island car rental reviews and directory
Car rental had no vehicles, they were waiting on returning cars. I was told I could put my name on a waiting list and be called when vehicles came in, but the incoming vehicles "may not be returned until after we close". Thanks for the reservation.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jan 2024
Standard SUV
they charged me for gas even though i filled the tank. this required an hour of my time to call and get it corrected. they also snuck in a $35 option without telling me. Overall it felt like a scam.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Oct 2022
Very easy process to pick up and drop off. Car was very clean and drove nicely.
6.0 Okay
Anonymous, Oct 2022
Kayak posted $82 cost me $142, couldn't argue need the car.
8.0 Very good
Anonymous, May 2022
I mistakenly booked my rental car for the wrong airport. They were able to accommodate me, thankfully! But it was much more expensive, probably due to the holiday weekend. But I was very appreciative of the accommodations.
I ordered small fuel efficient car and was told that only car available was orange over powered gas hog
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Mar 2021
Cons:
My plane was delayed for a couple hours. When I realized this I called the rental office (it took quite some time for them to answer) and told them I would be delayed. They assured me that there would be someone there when I arrived. When I got there the office was closed and I had to wait until the next day to pick up my rental car. The next day they offered no apologies or explanation and still charged me the original amount for the full rental.
The car they rented me was terrible. I rented the car in Savannah, Georgia to go to New York. After driving for a few hours, the car stopped working on Interstate 95, I couldn't go any further lost power and smelled like smoke. I think they should check the cars well before renting them. I was traveling with my family and a 5-month-old baby. I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone. The tow truck left us in a place where we couldn't take an Uber or taxi to the next destination, which was Richmond, Virginia, To pick up the next car they suggested, unfortunately we couldn't get there until the next day, where a Samaritan took us to the Richmond, Virginia airport. Expenses that had to come out of my pocket, plus the night at the hotel. I called Avis customer service. The only thing they could refund was the rent I had paid and a free day of rent. Why would I want the free rent if I would never rent with this company again? Very bad Avis.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, May 2024
Standard SUV
Your call center is horrible. The car had a low air tire warning when we started the car. We filled up with air and it kept losing air. When we tried to get assistance by calling the 1-800 number on the paperwork, all we got was a run around and no one seemed to know the answer. They asked me to call back the next day when the rental car location was open. When I called, they advised me to call the number of the actual location. When I called that number I got the call center AGAIN. I finally brought the vehicle back and they stated they were cleaning a car for me to take. After sitting for almost an hour and checking with them several times, the person who was cleaning the vehicle had left for the day. Nothing like spending your valuable vacation time sitting in a rental car place. I am thoroughly disappointed and will not be using Avis/Budget again.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Feb 2024
Pick-up truck
Drop off was fast and easy
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jan 2024
Intermediate
Great
4.0 Mediocre
Matthew, Jan 2024
Economy
was forced to upgrade my car from the one I reserved because they didn't have any economy sized cars left
6.0 Okay
Anonymous, Jan 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly, drop off easy. The SUV we had reserved was not available and there were limited other options available.
Cons:
Getting the type of car we had reserved and expected.
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.
