Seattle car rental information
| Pick-up location | Seattle |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Minivan, Premium, Standard, Standard SUV |
| Rental locations | 64 |
| Airport locations | 21 |
| Popular agencies | Thrifty, Hertz, Fox, Sixt, Dollar |
Cheap car rentals in Seattle
| Economy | C$ 23/day |
| Compact | C$ 25/day |
| Intermediate | C$ 25/day |
| Standard | C$ 27/day |
| Full-size | C$ 35/day |
| Minivan | C$ 54/day |
| Premium | C$ 39/day |
| Intermediate SUV | C$ 31/day |
| Standard SUV | C$ 39/day |
| Compact SUV | C$ 40/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Seattle
- When visitors are making the trip to the beautiful city of Seattle, they may not know about the seatbelt laws in the state of Washington that they should know about before heading out in cheap car rentals in Seattle. When it comes to children, any child up to the age of two must ride in a secured rear-facing car seat. Children between two and four must ride in a car seat with a harness. Children that are over four years old need a ride in a booster seat until their least 4'9" tall. It is recommended that children over 13 ride in the vehicle's backseat. All passengers in a vehicle need to wear a seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion.
- Since Seattle is in the state of Washington and is so close to the border with Canada, people getting cheap car rentals in Seattle often wonder if they can take the car into Canada. Most of the major car rental companies you will find in Seattle will allow you to take the vehicle into Canada. It is important to let your car rental company know you plan on doing this so that they can provide you with a Canadian non-resident insurance card. There are occasions when car rental companies will let you do a one-way rental to Canada, but it is best to check ahead with your car rental company to confirm this.
- One of the reasons that many people visit Seattle are some of the great annual events that occur here. Since quite a few of these events don't occur right in the heart of Seattle, this makes a great reason to get Seattle car rentals. We're doing so it is always a great idea to add navigation to your rental to ensure you are getting to the event correctly. In April, many people travel to Seattle for the beauty of the Tulip Festival, and in early July, quite a few people love to make the trip to the water's edge for the Fourth of July festival on the southside of Seattle.
- Ready to rent a car on your trip to Seattle? Save time and avoid public transport by renting a car that will give you the complete freedom to explore this exciting West Coast city. As it’s flanked by water and is home to mountains, the Cascade and Olympic, as well as lush forests and parkland, Seattle’s unique location and great roads offer its visitors outstanding scenic views as soon as you jump in your car.
- A good place to pick up your rental car is at the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. If you’re flying into Seattle, the city center is only a 13-mile drive away. Once you land, finding the car rental office is a breeze. You can use the 24-hour shuttle buses or head to the passenger pick-up areas in the main terminal located outside baggage claim at the north or south ends.
- As a new driver in the city, you need to be aware of Seattle’s often busy and one-way streets. If you’re driving on residential streets, keep your eyes on the road as they often two lanes often merge into one. It’s also good to keep in mind that pedestrians will expect you to stop for them at crosswalks. Fortunately, local drivers tend to be considerate; but, as this is a busy city, you may have to navigate a few tricky situations including narrow streets, hills, and rainy weather.
- If you’re not in a rush to discover Seattle, you won’t be affected by the slow traffic that can build on some of the busier streets, particularly in the metropolitan areas. The best time to avoid driving around Seattle is later in the week, especially on Fridays. Rush hour can also hit on busier weekend afternoons. Thankfully, Seattle has a few traffic cameras dotted around its roads, helping you keep an eye on the freeway and other congested intersections.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Seattle for C$ 58 or less
- Book your rental car in Seattle at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in Seattle are around 5% more expensive than airport locations on average
- Mini rental cars in Seattle are around -66% cheaper than other car types, on average
Seattle car rental experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about renting a car in Seattle
What type of car is recommended for driving in Seattle?
If you want to whizz around “Jet City” in the comfort of your own rental car, then you need to understand that a smaller vehicle is ideal for navigating the narrow streets. Seattle’s hills and small side streets also mean that a subcompact car would be the best option for driving and parking in the city.
What’s the speed limit in Seattle?
When you take to the roads in your rental car, you need to make a note of the strict speed limits in place around Seattle. The speed limit on residential streets is 20 mph, with an increase to 25 mph on arterial roads. You will find many signposts warning you of the limits in place and advising you to slow down. If you are driving close to an elementary school, you can expect to go through speed cameras, allowing them to strictly enforce the 20-mph speed limit.
Where are the best places to park in Seattle?
When it comes to parking in Seattle, be prepared to pay. Seattle has a wide range of parking options, from parking lots to street parking. If you want to visit Pioneer Square or Central Waterfront, a good idea is to park downtown on a Sunday, as parking is free on the street. On weekdays after 18:00 there are also discounted parking rates around the city. One thing to remember when you are parking your rental car is to carry cash, as credit card machines are quite rare.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Seattle?
On average a rental car in Seattle costs C$ 77 per day.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Seattle?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Thrifty (C$ 23/day), Hertz (C$ 30/day) and Dollar (C$ 31/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at Thrifty 3150 S 160th Street 98188 (18 kilometers from city center).
What is the best rental car company in Seattle?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Seattle are Dollar (8.4, 338 reviews), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.0, 182 reviews), and Avis (7.3, 114 reviews).
How much is gas price in Seattle?
The average gas price in Seattle is C$ 4.88 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between C$ 58 and C$ 78, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Seattle?
Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Seattle.
How can I find car rentals near me in Seattle?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does a Mini car rental cost in Seattle?
A Mini car rental in Seattle costs C$ 158 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Seattle?
A Compact car rental in Seattle costs C$ 56 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Seattle?
A Standard car rental in Seattle costs C$ 77 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Seattle?
In Seattle, cars are most frequently rented at Thrifty 3150 S 160th Street (18 km from city centre ).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Seattle?
On average a rental car in Seattle costs C$ 537 per week (C$ 77 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Seattle?
On average a rental car in Seattle costs C$ 2,303 per month (C$ 77 per day).
Can I rent child seats when I rent a car?
Most all the major rental car companies offer child seats for rent. Some smaller local companies may not have seats available. It is best to confirm availability when you're booking your Seattle car rental.
Is it possible to take my car rental on a ferry boat?
Most car rental companies will not have any specific restrictions regarding bringing the car on a ferry boat. This cannot always include taking the car into another country such as Canada so confirm ahead with your car rental company.
Seattle car rental reviews and directory
Dollar
8.4
Very good
1079 reviewsCleanliness
8.8
Comfort
8.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.5
Value for money
7.9
2 locations in Seattle
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2023
2.0 Poor
Mar. 2023
8.0 Very good
May 2021
Pros:
Easy pick up and drop off. Reserved a compact car and actually got one!Cons:
Car had almost 30k miles on it and felt a bit worn plus residual smokey smellFox
6.0
Okay
1147 reviewsCleanliness
6.5
Comfort
6.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.7
Value for money
5.9
One location in Seattle
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Nov. 2023
2.0 Poor
Sep. 2023
2.0 Poor
Mar. 2023
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
Dishonest about price. Slow pick-up process as they try to up-sell you on unecessary items using half-truths and scare tactics.10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was helpful and kind. Easy processCons:
Nothing10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Cons:
All costs and deposits should be identified prior to booking.Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8.0
Very good
451 reviewsCleanliness
8.3
Comfort
8.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.8
Value for money
7.9
8 locations in Seattle
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8.0 Very good
Oct. 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Jun. 2021
4.0 Mediocre
Jun. 2021
Pros:
The staff was very nice.Cons:
It could have been cleaned.2.0 Poor
Jun. 2021
Cons:
unfortunately , they never contacted me to tell me they did not have cars available for me until I get to the rent a car place and told me they could not call me because they did not have my phone number, NOT TRUE.10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
The people in the rental office.Cons:
NothingAlamo
7.9
Good
153 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.9
Value for money
7.5
One location in Seattle
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10.0 Wonderful
Nov. 2023
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
I have forgotten my notebook in the rental car. Within1 hour of return I went back to rental location and car was rented back. The lady at the counter noted down car, descritipn and my phone number. It has been more than 10 days no one called back. I tried to call back but no response. There is no lost/found mechanism. Even though there is no monetary value to anyone of my notebook; it was important to me. Rental car company needs to have better mechanism10.0 Wonderful
Dec. 2020
Pros:
Staff was friendly and helpful. Car delivered as advertised. Easy drop off.Cons:
Better instructions on how to find the entrance to the garage when dropping car off.5.6 Fair
Oct. 2020
Pros:
Staff were friendly, efficient, and helpful.Cons:
After we got on the road I realized that the tires were extremely worn. We were hydroplaning on the rainy freeway and it was quite scary. The car smelled like cigarettes and there was trash from the previous user in the center console.8.8 Very good
Sep. 2020
Pros:
Friendly helpful staffCons:
The location was hard to find as the signs both at the garage and the lobby unit8.0 Very good
Jul. 2020
Pros:
The car was sweet.Cons:
When I was picking up the car they tried to up sell me 3 times. Then they offered me a soccer mom minivan and wanted to charge me $70 more. I finally just had to say I want to car I had rented to I could get out of there.Sixt
7.5
Good
133 reviewsCleanliness
8.2
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.5
Value for money
7.3
2 locations in Seattle
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2.0 Poor
Nov. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Sep. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Aug. 2022
8.0 Very good
Jul. 2022
2.0 Poor
Jul. 2022
8.0 Very good
Jun. 2022
E-Z Rent-A-Car
7.4
Good
203 reviewsCleanliness
7.8
Comfort
7.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.0
Value for money
7.2
One location in Seattle
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8.0 Very good
Jan. 2020
Pros:
Staff was nice.Cons:
The cars weren’t spotless, but that wasn’t a problem for me. We did get have to exchange cars due to a tire issue. We called ahead and discussed it with E-Z Rent-a-Car. They said they made a note on our profile and there would be no problem coming back and exchanging the car. When we got there, they didn’t seem to know what we were talking about and we spend a little longer than necessary due to some confusion about the exchange. Worked out in the end.4.0 Mediocre
Dec. 2020
Pros:
Easy drop offCons:
Car smelled terribly of smoke, super long wait at pickup while the only staff st the desk was chatting with the only customer in front of me, stating “I’m taking my time to see if a car comes in for you”. I had already reserved and paid online, to “save time” the website said.6.8 Okay
Dec. 2019
Cons:
Vehicle had been smoked in, did not realize until I turned on the air after departing the rental facility.5.2 Fair
Sep. 2019
Cons:
They did not have my car available for me when I arrived to pick it up. That is the first time that has ever happened to me in 30 plus years of renting cars. They clearly did not want to upgrade me to a larger vehicle. Eventually my car became available.10.0 Wonderful
Sep. 2019
Pros:
Drop off quick and easy.Cons:
Staff both at check in and return were not rude but not friendly. Acted like overworked or not enjoying their job. I can deal with that but nicer if more conversion.7.2 Good
Sep. 2019
Cons:
Check in agent was extremely rudeAvis
7.3
Good
182 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
7.1
6 locations in Seattle
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10.0 Wonderful
Sep. 2023
2.0 Poor
May 2023
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
FineCons:
The wait at the counter to actually get a car was over 45 minutes. There were far too few agents working.6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
Charged an additional day, despite facility not being open or accepting contactless drop off.8.0 Very good
Feb. 2021
Pros:
The car was excellent.Cons:
If they have a well training clerk at the front desk reciving the cars6.0 Okay
Dec. 2020
Pros:
Everything on the app went wellCons:
I had no windshield washer fluid in the car, window had tire shine on it so no matter how much I cleaned it during my travel from Seattle to Spokane I literally couldn’t see and the pass was horrible with snow so that didn’t make my trip any easier I don’t usually comment or leave a negative review ever! Like ever but thought I should say something about it. Sorry if I offended anyone but I use cars pretty oftenBudget
7.2
Good
377 reviewsCleanliness
7.7
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.1
Value for money
7.2
7 locations in Seattle
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2.0 Poor
Sep. 2023
2.0 Poor
Sep. 2023
2.0 Poor
Sep. 2023
8.0 Very good
Sep. 2022
2.0 Poor
May 2022
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Friendly staff, pick up and drop off were easyPayless
6.9
Okay
514 reviewsCleanliness
7.4
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
7.1
One location in Seattle
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6.0 Okay
Nov. 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2023
8.0 Very good
Sep. 2023
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
Everything, I never got the car I rented, I had to rent from Avis. Payless didn’t have any personal working. Could not pick up the vehicle, had to scramble to get to a meeting and rent another vehicle. When I tried to call Payless and remedy the problem, the wait time was over an hour to talk, I have yet to talk to a person to remedy the problem.Thrifty
6.6
Okay
514 reviewsCleanliness
7.5
Comfort
7.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.8
Value for money
6.6
2 locations in Seattle
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10.0 Wonderful
Nov. 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2023
2.0 Poor
Jun. 2023
8.0 Very good
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly, and got a great rate by not renting from the airport. Drop off was easy.Cons:
The pickup/drop off location left something to be desired. 6th floor of a dark, old, parking garage that wasn’t especially well-lit. The main entrance was closed due to COVID and we had to use the back door to the elevator lobby. I could see someone, such as a young female alone, feeling quite uneasy about the location.2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
We were upgraded to a larger car at a decent price which we very much appreciated as we were traveling in a group. Staff at check in and check out were very friendly and helpful.Cons:
We were given a car that made a terrible grinding noise when the brakes were applied. It was very worrisome given that we were driving through mountainous regions and the terrain was very steep. We tried getting ahold of Thrifty for 3 days to complain about the car, sometimes waiting on hold for an hour and a half at a time, before we were finally able to reach a representative who could help us. During those 3 days, we estimated that we spent collectively 7-8 hours on hold trying to reach someone who could help. It was a non-stop barrage of automated systems, transfers and holds. Very frustrating to deal with when you are on vacation. They ended up bringing us a new car which was much appreciated but we would have preferred not to waste so much time on our trip worrying about whether the brakes in our rental were going to give out.Hertz
5.4
Fair
928 reviewsCleanliness
6.3
Comfort
6.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.3
Value for money
5.5
12 locations in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
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8.0 Very good
Nov. 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2023
2.0 Poor
Sep. 2023
2.0 Poor
Sep. 2023
4.0 Mediocre
Sep. 2023
National
9.3
Wonderful
23 reviewsCleanliness
9.7
Comfort
9.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.1
Value for money
9.0
One location in Seattle
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10.0 Wonderful
Sep. 2023
8.8 Very good
Jul. 2018
Pros:
Easy pick up in Seattle Downtown, car was available and ready for me when I arrived. Car was in proper condition with full tank of gas. Price paid was price quoted online.Cons:
Rental was one of the lowest I could find, but still was over $100/day for 2 days.9.6 Wonderful
Jun. 2018
Pros:
We were given a free upgrade at the initiation of the agent.Cons:
It was a little confusing to get to the garage where the cars were located.8.8 Very good
Dec. 2017
Cons:
The procedure is very easy and staff who helped me is very friendly. And I drop the car off after hour with no staff on site, it’s very convenient.10.0 Wonderful
Aug. 2017
Pros:
Rep gave an upgrade while picking up vehicle.Cons:
Off site dropoff for airport but that is not the fault of National.10.0 Wonderful
Jul. 2016
Pros:
All of the staff seemed to enjoy working there and were very thoughtful of the needs of the customers, pointing out where I could find a bathroom and a good place to wait for my ride.One location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
17801 International Blvd
+1 206 737 0293
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10.0 Wonderful
Apr. 2023
One location in Seattle
from C$ 81/dayLocations in Seattle
Please Go To Fox Counter
+1 206 858 9690
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5.2 Fair
Jan. 2017
Pros:
Fast pick up and drop off.Cons:
I was charged extra $122 in taxes and fees even though my rental agreement with Eurocar said "due at the counter 0" Dropped off car 20 days ago and still didn't get my deposit as well as 1 day refund as I returned the car earlierOne location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
4701 11th Ave NE
+1 855 359 2227
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4 locations in Seattle
from C$ 58/dayLocations in Seattle
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One location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
3150 South 160th Street / (on Airport) Seattle Wa
+1 206 858 9690
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One location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
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One location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
Seattle Airport Seattle/tacoma International SEA
+1 206 444 4974
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One location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
3150 S.160th Street, Seattle
+1 206 444 4974
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One location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
Seattle Airport. On-airport. Seattle-Tacoma International. 3150 160th Street
+1 206 858 9690
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3 locations in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
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2 locations in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
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One location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
Seattle airport
+1 844 435 8227
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One location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
Seattle Airport Seattle/tacoma International SEA
+1 206 858 9690
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One location in Seattle
Locations in Seattle
1601 3Rd Ave, Seattle, , USA Washington
+1 914 368 0091
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