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 Charlottesville with a pick-up date of 9/15 and drop-off date of 9/22. 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.
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Cheap car rentals in Charlottesville
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
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Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
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Turo
Standard
$66/day
$53/day
KAYAK’s insights & trends for Charlottesville car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Charlottesville with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Charlottesville?
You should book your rental car in Charlottesville around 36 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Charlottesville?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Dollar ($33.58/day), Enterprise Rent-A-Car ($38.64/day) and Avis ($42.98/day). The cheapest rental car price was found at Dollar 104 Meade Ave (0.8 mi from city center).
What is the best rental car company in Charlottesville?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Charlottesville are Budget (7.5, 18 reviews), Alamo (10.0, 1 review), and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.5, 14 reviews).
What is the most popular rental car in Charlottesville?
Full-size rentals (Class Full-size Car or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in Charlottesville. Full-size rentals in Charlottesville cost $138/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as $50/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Charlottesville?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Charlottesville is January at an average cost of $62/day. June is the most expensive month to rent a car in Charlottesville when prices are $80/day on average, which tends to be 17% above the yearly average rental price for Charlottesville.
What rental car company in Charlottesville has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 3 locations in Charlottesville, more than any other rental company.
If you use the Pantops location, be sure to know your insurance information or be prepared for extra charges of their collision protection!
Verified travelerSep 2023
Allow enough time to thoughtfully go through the car before you drive off in it. But the staff in Charlottesville was very friendly and kind.
AnemoneJun 2023
I did not stay in Charlottesville. My SUV broke down in the mountains and I just rented from there.
JameelJun 2023
Maybe more staff. One person had to do all the work of checking in and out vehicles.
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Charlottesville
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.
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.
25% of our users found rental cars in Charlottesville for $53 or less
Compact rental cars in Charlottesville are around 47% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Charlottesville
What type of car is recommended for driving in Charlottesville?
Charlottesville is a city well-suited for on-road cars unless you specifically intend to go off-roading on some of the trails around the city. You can choose any car from a premium to an economy or a standard SUV, depending on your needs and budget. If you're bringing kids to the city, a minivan or station wagon is an ideal choice. If you're here on business, consider getting a premium or luxury car from car rentals in Charlottesville.
What’s the speed limit in Charlottesville?
In Charlottesville, VA, the statutory speed limit for all highways is 55mph, and in business or residential areas, you have to adhere to a limit of 25mph. When driving your rented car on unpaved roads, you need to maintain a limit of 35mph, and when cruising around school zones, you have to drive at 25mph.
Where are the best places to park in Charlottesville?
On-street parking in the city streets around the mall is free for a maximum of 2h. If you need to park longer, you'll find parking garages in the immediate vicinity of the downtown area. The Market Street Garage and Water Street Garage offer free parking for the first hour, then charge about $1 for every half-hour after that.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Charlottesville?
On average a rental car in Charlottesville costs $66 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in Charlottesville found in the last 2 weeks is $49.
Which car rental companies are at Albemarle airport (CHO)?
Car rental companies onsite at Albemarle airport include National, Hertz and Dollar.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Albemarle airport (CHO)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Albemarle airport to off-airport locations include National, Hertz, and Dollar.
How can I find car rentals near me in Charlottesville?
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Charlottesville?
A Standard car rental in Charlottesville costs $105 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Charlottesville?
A Compact car rental in Charlottesville costs $58 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car rental cost in Charlottesville?
A Special car rental in Charlottesville costs $62 per day, on average.
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Charlottesville?
Most car rental providers in Charlottesville offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Charlottesville, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Charlottesville?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 10 car rental agencies in Charlottesville.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Charlottesville?
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
Why should I use KAYAK to rent a car in Charlottesville?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Charlottesville so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Which places can you visit with Charlottesville car rentals?
Most Charlottesville car rentals allow drivers to use their cars to visit nearby cities, including Waynesboro, Staunton, and Harrisonburg. This distance from Charlottesville to Waynesboro is 28.5 miles, which you are likely to cover in 33min in light traffic. If you use your rental car from Charlottesville to Staunton, you will take about 44 min, covering a distance of 39.7 miles. The distance from Charlottesville to Harrisonburg is 45.8 miles, which you cover in 54min in light traffic.
Where is the best place to rent a car in Charlottesville?
Major Charlottesville car rentals like Avis, Enterprise, and Dollar have pick-up and return offices in various locations in the city. However, the offices at Charlottesville Albemarle Airport are highly rated among travelers. You can conveniently get your preferred car model from the airport.
The inside front window needed some cleaning. Otherwise, it was terrific. I loved the car (Toyota Camry), the people were nice, and the whole process was very quick and smooth. Thanks!
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Mar 2021
Pros:
Friendly staff. Free upgrade to a fun to drive car as they had no other vehicle!
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Dec 2020
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
Anonymous, 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.
The suv was rather old and needed to be detailed. It showed over 50,000 miles of wear.
10.0 Wonderful
William, Sep 2024
Compact
Awesome all the way around. Great car, great service
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Dec 2023
Pickup truck
The rental car (pickup truck) that was requested was not available. No other suitable options were available either.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, 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
Leah, 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
Anonymous, Nov 2020
Pros:
Friendly staff, quick pickup and drop off. Also, a great car.
They cancelled my reservation because they didn’t have any cars. No apology. I then had to wait for a ride or pay $300 for an Uber. Poor process. If there wasn’t cars to rent, I shouldn’t have been given the option to reserve one.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jul 2024
Economy
Hertz website let us search non airport locations easily. The guy at the location was friendly and professional especially considering the CloudStrike cyber issue that was affecting all systems.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jan 2024
Supplier choice
They didn’t have a car - any car! Had to wait an extra 1.5-2 hours and ride to a local body shop to get the not-cleaned car.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Dec 2021
Under staffed, car was filthy,1/4 tank of gas. Paid up front and had to wait a hr to pick up cat
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, 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
Anonymous, 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.
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