Columbia car rental information
| Pick-up location | Columbia |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Economy, Full-size, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Minivan, Pickup truck, Premium, Standard, Standard SUV |
| Rental locations | 4 |
| Airport locations | 0 |
| Popular agencies | Budget, Turo, Avis |
Cheap car rentals in Columbia
| Economy | $25/day |
| Compact | $25/day |
| Intermediate | $26/day |
| Standard | $32/day |
| Full-size | $29/day |
| Minivan | $41/day |
| Full-size SUV | $40/day |
| Premium | $46/day |
| Luxury | $37/day |
| Pickup truck | $39/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $33/day |
| Standard SUV | $37/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Columbia
- Columbia car rentals are undoubtedly the most convenient means of transport for travelers who want to explore different destinations in the city. Although public busses are a cheaper transport option, they suffer one major drawback of fixed routes and departure schedules. Car rentals in Columbia come in handy for travelers who want to move around with their own departure schedule and along the routes that they consider most appropriate. Consider visiting Lake Elkhorn Park with your rental car and have an exciting time outdoors.
- There are several important roads that are crucial for getting around the city in cheap car rentals in Columbia. They include Columbia Pike (Route 29), which is a major north-south route that passes through Columbia and links the city to other areas of Maryland and Washington, D.C.; Little Patuxent Parkway is a major east-west road that runs through the center of Columbia and is home to several significant businesses and attractions. Broken Land Parkway, which connects several residential neighborhoods of Columbia with a number of shopping complexes and recreational amenities, can get congested during rush hour, so it's advisable to plan ahead and use a GPS or navigation app to avoid the route during these periods.
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is the closest airport to Columbia, MD, and the main entry point to the city for the international traveler. All the four car rentals in Columbia, including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Budget, are located at 7432 New Ridge Rd. Courtesy shuttles are available at the airport to ferry travelers to this car rental location from the Main Terminal of the airport.
- Maintaining a fully charged and ready electric vehicle is easy in Columbia, MD. With over 100 public charging station ports including Level 2 and Level 3 stations, finding a place to power up is a breeze. The Merriweather District has 40 Level 2 EV charging stations on floors 2 and 3, while the downtown area has 40 charging ports. Even better, some charging stations are accessible to taxpayers at no cost, so whether you're from Columbia or are just visiting, you can charge up with confidence and take advantage of everything the city has to offer.
- When you are driving your rental car in Columbia’s city center, you should watch out for pedestrians, who commonly cross the road without checking on oncoming vehicles. Many of them do not pay to restrict themselves to zebra crossing lines. If it is your first time to Columbia, it is good to maintain lower speeds and be careful when navigating intersections. The intersection of Thunder Hill Road, Oakland Mills Road, Tamar Drive, and Dobbin Road is quite challenging to navigate. Consider customizing the GPS app on your rental car to be able to navigate various roads in the city with ease.
- Columbia, MD has several one-way streets, especially in the downtown area. To avoid getting lost or traveling in the wrong direction, it's crucial to pay strict attention to road signs and markers. These one-way streets include Lake Kittamaqundi Way, which runs along the lake's eastern shore and is one-way in both directions, Banneker Road, which has a section that is only one-way near the Banneker Community Center, and Twin Rivers Road, which has one-way sections close to the intersection with Oakland Mills Road.
- The convenience of using car rentals in Columbia slowly fades away between 7:30 am, and 9:30 am when the traffic slows down. It is difficult to drive in the city during this time due to the heavy traffic on most of the roads. The same situation replicates in the evening, from 4 pm to 6:30 pm, the time when people are leaving work. If possible, avoid using Oakland Mills Road because it experiences the heaviest traffic during this period.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Columbia for $46 or less
- Book your rental car in Columbia at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Economy rental cars in Columbia are around 63% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Columbia
How much does it cost to rent a car in Columbia?
On average a rental car in Columbia costs $54 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 Columbia found in the last 2 weeks is $34.
How much is gas price in Columbia?
The average gas price in Columbia is $3.59 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $43 and $57, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Columbia?
Economy (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Columbia.
Which car rental companies are at Dulles Intl airport (IAD)?
The only car rental company onsite at Dulles Intl airport is Hertz.
Which car rental companies are at Baltimore/Washington airport (BWI)?
The only car rental company onsite at Baltimore/Washington airport is Hertz.
Which car rental companies are at Reagan-National airport (DCA)?
The only car rental company onsite at Reagan-National airport is Hertz.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Baltimore/Washington airport (BWI)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Baltimore/Washington airport to off-airport locations include NextCar, Payless, Hertz, Dollar, Budget, Alamo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Thrifty, Avis, and National.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Reagan-National airport (DCA)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Reagan-National airport to off-airport locations include Dollar, Hertz, Alamo, Advantage, Thrifty, Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Avis, E-Z Rent-A-Car, and National.
How can I find car rentals near me in Columbia?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does an Economy car rental cost in Columbia?
An Economy car rental in Columbia costs $37 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Columbia?
A Compact car rental in Columbia costs $49 per day, on average.
How much does a Luxury car rental cost in Columbia?
A Luxury car rental in Columbia costs $49 per day, on average.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Columbia?
On average a rental car in Columbia costs $378 per week ($54 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Columbia?
On average a rental car in Columbia costs $1,619 per month ($54 per day).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Columbia?
Most car rental providers in Columbia offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Columbia, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Columbia?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 4 car rental agencies in Columbia.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Columbia?
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 Columbia?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Columbia so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Columbia?
If you are traveling along in Columbia, renting an economy car, which has a smaller capacity and is affordable, will be a good thing to do. However, if you are coming with your family, colleagues or friends to the city, consider renting an intermediate or compact car. The intermediate car has more passenger capacity, being able to accommodate up to 7 adults. It is a suitable car type for travelers coming to Columbia with their kids and having to move around the city with more baggage. If you intend to visit off-road destinations, an intermediate SUV will also be a good option for you.
What road trips can I take from Columbia, MD?
There are plenty of destinations you can visit in your Columbia car rentals. If you're looking for a beach getaway, Virginia Beach and Ocean City are both around a three-hour drive away from Columbia. Consider incorporating some unique, off-the-beaten-path places and stops to the itinerary.
What’s the speed limit in Columbia?
Stay away from the trouble of Columbia traffic police by adhering to the speed limits when driving in different parts of the city. If you are driving your rental car in the business and residential districts, you have to maintain a speed limit of 25 mph. On other roads, unless indicated otherwise, you have to adhere to the speed limit of between 55 mph and 65 mph. The speed limit is at the highest, 70 mph if you are driving your car on the interstate freeway. Speed cameras are available on all roads that front schools.
What is the age limit to rent a car in Columbia, MD?
Child seat rules in Columbia require children under eight to buckle up in a safety or booster seat that's appropriate for their size. Children under the age of 13 should always ride in the backseat of the vehicle. It is best to double-check manufacturer guidelines when installing the car set in cheap car rentals in Columbia to ensure that all components are safely put.
Where are the best places to park in Columbia?
Columbia has several public and private parking lots, which eliminate any fear of missing a place to park your rental car. From Washington Street, you can park your car conveniently at Parklet, which is about 0.2 miles from the city center. City Parking at The Hub located along Sumter Street and Finlay Park Viewpoint along Laurel Street are other popular places you can park your rental car at a pocket-friendly rate. Additionally, if you are staying at any of the hotels in Columbia, you park your rental car at no cost.
Columbia car rental reviews and directory
Avis
6.6
Okay
7 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
6.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
6.6
2 locations in Columbia
Filters
Reviews
8.0 Very good
May 2021
Pros:
The staff was fine and courteous.Cons:
The Hyundai Tucson I rented was lacking in overall performance. I think they should consider to use another brand of automobile to rent.8.0 Very good
Oct 2019
Pros:
Very friendly and helpful staff memberCons:
Cleanliness. Stained seats. Smoke smell.2.0 Poor
Jul 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2022
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
2.0
Poor
16 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
2.0
Value for money
8.0
4 locations in Columbia
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Nov 2023
7.6 Good
Jan 2019
Pros:
Willingness to assist when there is an issue with getting the car reserved.Cons:
They canceled my reservation since i did not arrive at 2pm. I would suggest in the furure, an email or call to confirm if i still want the reservation instead of canceling without notice would help for a better experience. Because of this, we were forced to go to another location.2.8 Poor
May 2018
Pros:
Good quality but filthy vehicleCons:
Reeked of cigarettes and cigars after a week of open window, disinfect spray. Major airport and garage security issue. Trunk permanently locked. Renting group didn’t even check at rental! Couldn’t be opened for security check.10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2017
Pros:
Everything was great. Car staff price was greatm felt safe with my grandkids6.4 Okay
Dec 2016
Pros:
Pickup and drop-off went smoothly The price for the car was reasonable given that it was over the holidayCons:
Despite the car being "intermediate" it was still pretty small and not the most comfortable (dodge dart) The car did not appear to have been washed inside or out. The worst of which was goo and sprinkles from what I'm guessing was a donut that was smeared on the shift knob and emergency brake.7.2 Good
Nov 2016
Cons:
PRICE LINE did not honor the contract. They stated that the pick up was at the airport location. However, when I showed up at the airport they said I had to go elsewhere, The phone customer service at ENTERPRISE was very poor. They said they take no responsibility and blamed it on PRICELINE. PRICE LINE reported that they were sorry that they lied, but refused to make it right.Hertz
6.4
Okay
4 reviewsOne location in Columbia
Filters
Reviews
8.0 Very good
Sep 2017
Pros:
The car was great.Cons:
1) Online booking connected me to drop-off point I didn't want - then I was charged $60 to drop car off at my pick-up point. 2) Person showing me to my car did not speak English and knew nothing about the car...so I didn't know how to start it, or where any features. were located. (it was raining - windshield wipers would've been a start!) 3) person found who spoke English went through a 'speed' tutorial on the car. It was a push-button start, etc. I normally drive a diesel 3/4 ton pick-up...I would have appreciated a bit more help. BUT, I took the car, found most of the features I needed, and got it back safely.8.0 Very good
Jul 2017
Cons:
Vehicle I was expecting was more sturdy and stable on highway. Kia does not meet that expectation.5.6 Fair
Nov 2016
Pros:
AccerlationCons:
The radio system was hard to work. The blue tooth was the dumbest Eva.Budget
No score available yet
3 locations in Columbia
Filters
Reviews
4.4 Mediocre
Jun 2019
Pros:
Never made it to the front of the line.Cons:
More agents at desk. More attention paid by staff to how many people are in line.10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2022
Car rental locations in or near Columbia
When to book a rental car in Columbia
Airports serving Columbia
Popular rental types in Columbia
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