Chattanooga car rental information
| Pick-up location | Chattanooga |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Economy, Full-size, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Minivan, Standard, Standard SUV |
| Rental locations | 19 |
| Airport locations | 10 |
| Popular agencies | Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Turo, Budget |
Cheap car rentals in Chattanooga
| Economy | $35/day |
| Compact | $35/day |
| Intermediate | $33/day |
| Standard | $38/day |
| Full-size | $39/day |
| Minivan | $46/day |
| Luxury | $45/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $44/day |
| Standard SUV | $45/day |
Top tips for renting a car in Chattanooga
- Make your trip to Chattanooga more memorable by booking Chattanooga car rentals through KAYAK. Enjoy the privacy and flexibility of touring the city's superb museums, mountain caravans, and cultural towns. You'll need to find cheap car rentals in Chattanooga to explore some of the city's scenic views and attractions. Drive southwest past Lookout Valley to Racoons Mountain Caravan, about 11 minutes away, or you can take a 6-minute drive to The Hunter Museum of American Art. At the same time, the Tennessee Aquarium can be reached less than 8 miles away.
- Once you embark from your plane at the busy Chattanooga Lovell Airport, go to the baggage claim area, where you'll locate several cheap car rentals in Chattanooga. Most of these car rental companies, including Avis, Thrift, Alamo, National, and Hertz, have on-site locations where you can pick up your car. After picking your Chattanooga rental car of choice, drive 13 miles from the airport to the heart of Chattanooga city and on to your preferred destination.
- Chattanooga is located at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, meaning you'll be driving across many hilly terrains during your stay in the city. Therefore, you should be ready for a mountain driving experience, and it is advisable to lower your speed limit when driving down steep routes to prevent your car's brakes from overheating. Otherwise, there are no special requirements when driving in the city. However, distracted driving and drunk driving are prohibited in Chattanooga, and all motorists are required to give the right of way to emergency vehicles at all times.
- There are many attractions to explore in and around Chattanooga, including Ruby Falls, the aquarium, and the various parks dotting the area. In order to make the most of your trip to Chattanooga and also get the opportunity to explore the surroundings, rent a car for your time there. It is only a one-hour drive to the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest, and those who want to pay a visit to Tennessee’s capital can be there by car in two hours.
- Chattanooga Airport is only 13 miles from the heart of the city, and the fastest way to reach your next destination is by picking up a rental car from one of the onsite agencies, such as Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise. Head to the baggage claim area, where the agency desks are located, and choose from a wide variety of cars for your time in Chattanooga.
- Nestled at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, traveling in and around Chattanooga can require mountain driving, so it is advisable to familiarize yourself with driving on steep routes. It is essential to reduce your speed and shift into a lower gear when driving down a mountain so the brakes don’t overheat. Within the city limits, there are no unique requirements regarding driving and drivers should face no problems.
- Rush hour hits Chattanooga between 7 and 9 am and 5 and 8 pm, and especially the I-24 can be clogged up during this time, with commuters going to Nashville or Birmingham. Also be careful when driving in Chattanooga during winter, as snow is a regular companion of the cold months -- and slow down considerably when the roads are icy.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Chattanooga for $47 or less
- Book your rental car in Chattanooga at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in Chattanooga are around 3% cheaper than airport locations on average
FAQs about renting a car in Chattanooga
Chattanooga car rental reviews and directory
Thrifty
7.8
Good
54 reviewsBest rated
Cheapest deal
Most popular
Cleanliness
7.7
Comfort
8.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
7.6
One location in Chattanooga
from $42/day
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Super nice dodge truck with a hemi and tinted windowsCons:
Smelled like pot inside, but it went away by the end of our use8.0 Very good
Oct 2020
Pros:
staff was helpfulCons:
n/a7.2 Good
Jul 2020
Pros:
There was a sign informing us that the agent was not available at that time. An 800 number was given but no one answered and the mailbox was full. Paperwork and keys were placed in a Dropbox on the counter but no directions were available.10.0 Wonderful
Jul 2020
Cons:
The cashier kept my drivers license and credit card and I had to go back to get it. No big deal accidents happen. Hope someday thrifty would reciprocate6.8 Okay
Oct 2019
Pros:
PriceCons:
Car smelled like smoke8.8 Very good
Sep 2019
Cons:
$50 refuel fee is crazy. I filled it back up for $22..Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.6
Good
65 reviewsCleanliness
7.5
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
7.5
5 locations in Chattanooga
from $58/day
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
My pick up was scheduled the time they closed at 128.0 Very good
Apr 2021
Cons:
The vehicle wasn’t cleaned and didn’t have any gas, so we had to switch to another, but same sized. Long line at check in, had to wait over 30 minutes and then spent another 20 minutes or so with the associate. The associates were great though. Wished the car had an entertainment package for the money. Will rent there again.6.8 Okay
Sep 2020
Pros:
The pickup was easy, but the drop off was like, "ok, thank you, have a good day"Cons:
I wish the drop off would have been just as good as the pickup. Also allow others to smell the inside of the car before they sign.9.2 Wonderful
Jun 2020
Pros:
Yes it was great4.0 Mediocre
Jun 2019
Pros:
Rented a premium car, gave me a minivan. Said the cars sitting out front had already been rented... yet u was the only one there...Cons:
What couldn’t have?9.6 Wonderful
Oct 2018
Pros:
Pick up in Chattanooga was quick, easy, and pleasant.Hertz
7.3
Good
95 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.9
Value for money
7.2
3 locations in Chattanooga
from $56/day
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Jan 2022
2.0 Poor
Dec 2022
2.0 Poor
Dec 2021
2.0 Poor
Dec 2021
6.0 Okay
Dec 2021
6.0 Okay
Dec 2021
Dollar
9.6
Wonderful
2 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
One location in Chattanooga
from $44/day
Filters
Reviews
9.6 Wonderful
Nov 2019
Pros:
The staff was very friendly and understanding. She was patient with the... complicated customer in line in front of us and very still had a fun conversation with us. Turning the vehicle in was quick and painless.Cons:
My only complaint was that when we picked up our vehicle there was one person at the counter no one to help her.8.0 Very good
Sep 2016
Pros:
Liked the friendly staffCons:
Liked everythingAvis
7.5
Good
20 reviewsCleanliness
8.1
Comfort
7.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
6.8
2 locations in Chattanooga
from $50/day
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
Great staff on both ends. Nice vehicle.Cons:
Typical rental car facility. You don’t know how to clean cars!8.0 Very good
Dec 2019
Pros:
The employee, a young fellow, was very helpful to me. He even checked the tire pressure with a gauge when I mentioned that one front tire looked low. It was a little low. The car was perfect for us; it carried some furniture home, and we really enjoyed using Sirius XM to listen to music during our long drive home. Finally, the hybrid got super gas mileage during our drive to Washington, D.C., using only 1.5 tanks of gas.Cons:
Nothing. Everything was fine.10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2019
Pros:
The rental pickup and drop off process was seamless. Car was clean and well maintained5.6 Fair
Jul 2019
Pros:
Pick up was easy. Nice staff.Cons:
Drop off. Not the most friendly. I had to walk back into the airport - no one was in the booth. No where to park the rental to return it.6.4 Okay
Nov 2018
Pros:
Quick service by the Avis rep in ChattanoogaCons:
They didn’t have the car size i had requested so they gave me a Kia Sportage. It was ridiculously uncomfortable during a 600 mile drive.Alamo
7.3
Good
20 reviewsCleanliness
7.3
Comfort
7.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
7.3
One location in Chattanooga
from $55/day
Filters
Reviews
9.2 Wonderful
Apr 2017
Pros:
Upgraded car.Cons:
Car was no smoking but reeked of cigarette smoke :(9.6 Wonderful
Feb 2017
Cons:
I needed a little more help when I returned my car6.4 Okay
Feb 2017
Pros:
The price and quality of the car was goodi.Cons:
I did not like that my non-smoking car was smoky.10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2017
Pros:
easy,fast,good price, excellent employers, amazing cars thank you all10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2016
Pros:
Overall, 99% was excellent. Thank you.Cons:
I hit a heavy rain on my way home to Memphis. The windshield wipers were horrible. I recommend either replacing them more frequently or applying RainX to the windshield. Ensuring the safety of your driver should be a priority.8.8 Very good
Nov 2016
Pros:
Service and price was great.Cons:
Was a pretty bad odor coming from the trunk. Sprayed twice with frebreeze and still was bad. Someone should have caught a smell that bad before renting the car!!Budget
6.2
Okay
13 reviewsCleanliness
6.5
Comfort
6.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.5
Value for money
6.2
2 locations in Chattanooga
from $49/day
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Oct 2019
Cons:
I was charged almost double and called in 4 times all different people and could not get resolved. I booked the car for pick up at Hixon TN in my error. I picked the car up at the Airport which is what I needed. The reservation was changed for pick up not drop off so I had to call into change it. The rate was not quoted, I found my reservation which showed $175.00 my charge was $320.07. I was told nothing could be done until I returned the car. When I returned the car 2.5 hours early I asked for a re-rate and was told it would not make a difference. I am aware airport fees raise the rental rate but not by almost double. For the price the car should be cleaned to include in side the windows and dry it off. The care windows inside were dirty and like most rental companies the car is just hosed off.2.0 Poor
May 2019
Pros:
Budget customer service was awful and they actually couldn’t help me with any of my needs.Cons:
Budget would be better if they weren’t trying to charge me a $383 fee to rent a Toyota RAV4 for less than 24 hours.4.0 Mediocre
Nov 2017
Cons:
When I arrived to pick up the car, I was told they didn't have a car for me and it would be available until 1pm if it was brought back. When I called Customer Service, I was told to go to the air port and they would have a car for me there When I arrived there, they told me I wasn't scheduled to pick up the car until 3pm. They were wanting me to wait 3 hrs. for the car I reserved for 12pm. Then when all was said and done, I had to pay $40.00 more than the original price in order to get the car at the time I originally scheduled it for. POOR Service all around. The man in Chattanooga was HORRIBLE!!! He called at 11:30 to inform me the car wasn't going to be there. I asked why he didn't call sooner and he had no answer. HE SUCKS!! POOR additude!!!@2.0 Poor
Aug 2022
6.0 Okay
Jul 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2022
National
No score available yet
2 locations in Chattanooga
from $101/day
Easirent
No score available yet
One location in Chattanooga
Sunnycars
No score available yet
One location in Chattanooga
270 travelers who rented a car in Chattanooga gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.5
Car rental locations in or near Chattanooga
When to book a rental car in Chattanooga
Average daily price per month
Rental car prices as pick-up date approaches
Airports serving Chattanooga
Popular rental types in Chattanooga
- Van Rentals in Chattanooga
- Luxury Car Rentals in Chattanooga
- SUV Rentals in Chattanooga
- Convertible Car Rentals in Chattanooga
- Cargo Van Rentals in Chattanooga
- 6 Passenger Van Rentals in Chattanooga
- 7 Passenger Van Rentals in Chattanooga
- 8 Passenger Van Rentals in Chattanooga
- 9 Passenger Van Rentals in Chattanooga
- 10 Passenger Van Rentals in Chattanooga
- 12 Passenger Van Rentals in Chattanooga
- 15 Passenger Van Rentals in Chattanooga