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 Ithaca with a pick-up date of 4/21 and drop-off date of 4/28. 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 Ithaca
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Ithaca
Traveling to a new city can be both exciting and unnerving at the same time. Having to deal with bus schedules or train timetables and fitting them into your itinerary can also present a challenge. You could make your trip easier by renting a car from Ithaca car rentals because modern rental cars come with high-tech navigational systems that’ll help you get exactly where you want to go. You'll have the flexibility and convenience to travel to places like the Northeast Classic Car Museum, about 65 miles away, or drop in at the Pleasant Valley Wine Co, 44 miles away, for some wine tasting, all at your own pace.
The Ithaca Tomkins Regional Airport has a designated car rental counter that you will find inside the baggage claim. The cars are located right outside, eliminating any need for airport shuttle transfers. This is the same area where you return the car once your trip is over. From the counter, you'll find several Ithaca car rentals, including Budget, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. You can book a car through KAYAK and pick it up at the airport at your convenience.
Jaywalking in Ithaca is quite notorious, to the point that the Ithaca police had considered having a jaywalking patrol. A lot of pedestrians ignore crosswalk signs, so be on the lookout to avoid accidents. Potholes are something else to watch out for on Ithaca roads. Roads like Spencer Street, Cayuga Street, Buffalo Street, Marshal Street, and many more, especially when you venture out to rural areas, can pose a challenge.
Morning rush hours in Ithaca spans from 7am-10am, with its heaviest around 9am. Sometimes it stretches to 11am before resuming regular traffic. Route 13 bears most of the congestion, so avoiding it during these times may save you a headache. Keep in mind that there are traffic cameras to catch any unlawful behavior.
If you are looking into cheap car rentals in Ithaca, keep in mind that when Cornell University and Ithaca College have major events, car rental availability will run out quickly. Therefore, times of the year when you need to secure cheap car rentals in Ithaca well in advance are mid-August, which is Freshman Week, mid-October, which is homecoming, and mid-May, which is graduation.
Ithaca, New York is known for its gloomy weather. The sky is almost always gray, and it is very often raining, sleeting, or slushing down freezing rain. It can also be incredibly windy. Because of these weather conditions, it is important that when you secure a car through KAYAK from one of the Ithaca car rentals you drive with caution. Make sure that you know where the windshield wipers are and how to work them when you get into your rental car. Also, know where the headlights are in case you need to turn them on during the day in inclement weather. In the colder months, make sure you locate the defrost button before you drive off the rental car agency lot.
Ithaca is very much a college town, which means that many of the drivers on the road with you will be under the age of 22 and relatively inexperienced. So, once you secure your car from one of the cheap car rentals in Ithaca, make sure you drive with caution. Give a wide berth to cars turning on Ithaca’s narrow city streets, especially when the turn is uphill. Be prepared for impaired drivers from Thursday night (when weekend drinking traditionally starts at Cornell) thru Sunday. Stay well back from other drivers when the roads are slippery.
25% of our users found rental cars in Ithaca for $63 or less
Book your rental car in Ithaca at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Compact rental cars in Ithaca are around 24% cheaper than other car types, on average
See more tips
FAQs about renting a car in Ithaca
What type of car is recommended for driving in Ithaca?
When choosing a vehicle from car rentals in Ithaca, opt for a truck or a 4WD if you’d like to explore the wildlife and nature around Cayuga Lake, like Ithaca Falls and Hemlock Gorge. If you plan to go camping at the Robert H. Treman State Park, an SUV would be preferable. If you're here for business endeavors or want to go to places like Gola Osteria in Collegetown, consider renting a luxury car or convertible. You can pick a standard, full-size, or mid-size car depending on your capacity needs.
What’s the speed limit in Ithaca?
The maximum speed limit allowed in Ithaca, along any highway or streets within the city, is 30mph. There's a speed limit of 15mph along highways, streets, or within several parks in the city, including Stewart Park, Cass Park, and the Newman Golf Course. Route 89 is exempted from this rule, along Cass Park. While driving through school zones in your rented vehicle, keep in mind that the speed limit is 15mph between 7am and 6pm. Right turns on red signals are prohibited.
Where are the best places to park in Ithaca?
Ithaca offers easy parking options, whether in the streets or garages. On-street parking is enforced between 9am, and 6am Monday-Friday, and charges about $1.50 per hour for 2h, after which you must move the car. Free parking is allowed on the streets between 6pm and 9am and during weekends. If you download the Parkmobile App, you could pay with your smartphone and get a reminder about 15min before expiry. In downtown and Collegetown, you’ll find parking garages that charge $1 per hour. There are four garages conveniently located in Ithaca, all of which feature elevators and fully automated systems. These garages include Green Street Garage, Seneca Street Garage, Dryden Road Garage, and Cayuga Street Garage.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Ithaca?
On average a rental car in Ithaca costs $75 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 Ithaca found in the last 2 weeks is $68.
How much is gas price in Ithaca?
The average gas price in Ithaca is $3.40 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $41 and $54, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Ithaca?
Intermediate (Toyota RAV4 or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Ithaca.
Which car rental companies are at Tompkins County airport (ITH)?
The only car rental company onsite at Tompkins County airport is Hertz.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Tompkins County airport (ITH)?
The only car rental company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Tompkins County airport to off-airport locations is Hertz.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Ithaca?
An Intermediate car rental in Ithaca costs $94 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car rental cost in Ithaca?
An Economy car rental in Ithaca costs $78 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car rental cost in Ithaca?
A Special car rental in Ithaca costs $71 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Ithaca?
In Ithaca, cars are most frequently rented at Budget 1 Culligan Drive (4 miles from city center).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Ithaca?
Most car rental providers in Ithaca offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Ithaca, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Ithaca?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 5 car rental agencies in Ithaca.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Ithaca?
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 Ithaca?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Ithaca so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Are there many car rental companies in downtown Ithaca?
Actually, no, there are not. One of the few cheap car rentals in Ithaca that you will find close to downtown Ithaca is Enterprise Rent-A-Car on Cascadilla Street. If you have trouble finding Ithaca car rentals, you can look for car rentals in Elmira to the southwest, in Johnson City to the southeast, or in Cortland to the northeast.
What are the parking rules for the streets of Ithaca?
When you rent a car in Ithaca, it is important to know Ithaca’s particular parking rules. In Ithaca, you must move your vehicle at least once every 24h if it is parked on the street. The other parking rule you need to keep in mind is the even/odd rules. On even calendar days, you are allowed to park on the side of the street that has even address numbers, and on odd calendar days, you can park on the side of the street with odd address numbers.
After leaving the small airport near my home with the car, I discovered damage to the rear bumper that I had not been made aware of. I tried to call customer service (not wanting to be charged for damage I did not cause). I went through their automatic system (even though it was a local call, my call went to their call center). After 15 minutes on hold, I decided the best thing to do was return to the airport (20 minutes away.) I remained on hold. Finally, as I pulled into the airport, someone came on the line. I had been on hold for 30 minutes. At that point, I opted to go into the airport and speak with an agent in person. It turns out, the damage was recorded in their system-- but I had not been notified of it. This was an understandable error. What was not understandable: a thirty minute wait time to speak to customer service. A recording kept coming on as I waited, "Your call is very important to us." It became clear that was not the case.
Great experience. Great car that road like a dream. Really made the trip great.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Feb 2024
Pickup truck
They did nothing to help me
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Dec 2023
Intermediate
Staff was very helpful, polite and quick in getting me in to my rental car.
9.2 Wonderful
Anonymous, Sep 2020
Pros:
Very friendly and competent staff at both pickup and drop off. Helpful under difficult circumstances.
Cons:
Initially we were told that no car was available despite our reservation, making me panic. Issue was resolved though.
4.0 Mediocre
Tuesday, Jun 2020
Cons:
The original car smelled of smoke. I asked to change the date of the rental and if that would also change my rental price. I was told no, but later they charged me more and unfortunately there was no way to dispute it since it was my word against theirs.
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