Raleigh car rental information
| Pick-up location | Raleigh |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Minivan, Premium, Premium SUV, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
| Rental locations | 26 |
| Airport locations | 7 |
| Popular agencies | Turo, Hertz, Avis |
Cheap car rentals in Raleigh
| Economy | $32/day |
| Compact | $33/day |
| Intermediate | $36/day |
| Standard | $33/day |
| Full-size | $36/day |
| Minivan | $37/day |
| Full-size SUV | $43/day |
| Premium | $48/day |
| Premium SUV | $49/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $36/day |
| Compact SUV | $38/day |
| Supplier choice | $41/day |
| Standard SUV | $43/day |
Top tips for renting a car in Raleigh
- If you plan on riding in your Raleigh rental car with your kid, you must follow the city’s child passenger safety laws. Here, children younger than eight and those who weigh less than 80 pounds must ride in child booster seats. The child booster seats must be placed in the rear seat of the rental car unless the vehicle has no rear seat or no front passenger airbag. However, if your child is above eight years or 80 pounds, you don’t have to have a child seat, provided your rental car has safety belts that fit your child. Cheap car rentals in Raleigh usually offer child booster seats upon request. Hence, when hiring your preferred car, you can ask your car rental of choice to install a booster seat in the car’s rear seat.
- Although having a credit card is an added advantage when you want to rent a car in Raleigh, you need not worry about being unable to rent a car without one, as most car rentals in the city accept debit cards on certain conditions. Alamo is one such Raleigh car rental. You can get a rental car at this company’s airport branch, so long as you provide proof of return travel and agree to part with a refundable deposit. Hertz is another cheap car rental in Raleigh you can hire from without a debit card. At this car rental location, you’ll be allowed to rent a car with your debit card if it is attached to your profile and if your credit background check comes out clean.
- If you want to rent a car from a cheap car rental in Raleigh’s downtown, you’ll get the chance to do so, as there are several car rentals with locations in this part of the city. These car rental agencies include Enterprise, Budget, and Hertz.
- Need to rent a car for your trip to Raleigh? Visitors with flights landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport can reach the airport’s rental car center via shuttle buses leaving from Zone 5 outside of Terminal 1 and from Zone 18 outside of Terminal 2.
- Fog is quite common in Raleigh so drivers should be careful, especially in the early morning hours. Drivers not used to fog should remember that, while headlights should be used to illuminate the road, drivers should only use low beams rather than their high beams. The reason for this is that fog actually reflects light, thus, the brighter the light used, the more it reflects. So if you use your high beams, you may actually reduce road visibility rather than improve it.
- Rush hour traffic is no fun no matter what city you are in. However, drivers will be happy to hear that rush hour isn’t too fierce in Raleigh. The morning rush hour tends to pick up around 7:30 a.m. and lasts till 9:00 a.m., while the afternoon and evening rush hour starts around 4:00 p.m. and finishes up around 6:00 p.m. The main areas to avoid during rush hour are the highways leading in and out of the city, in particular I-40.
- In many ways, renting a car is imperative if you plan on getting the most out of your time in Raleigh. Like many cities in the U.S., Raleigh is a car town and many of its attractions are most accessible via personal vehicle. For instance, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and North Carolina Museum of Art are just 15 minutes away from each other by car, but are close to 45 minutes away from each other via public transportation.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Raleigh for $50 or less
- Book your rental car in Raleigh at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in Raleigh are around 9% more expensive than airport locations on average
FAQs about renting a car in Raleigh
What type of car is recommended for driving in Raleigh?
All sizes of vehicles will have an easy time driving in Raleigh. The streets are fairly wide and streetside parking spaces are large enough for a range of vehicles. However, if you plan on visiting the mountains in North Carolina, it may be worth it to consider a mid-sized vehicle just to make sure you have enough torque for mountainous terrain.
What’s the speed limit in Raleigh?
City roads in Raleigh and throughout North Carolina normally stick to a base speed limit of 35 mph except in cases when signage specifies otherwise. In rural areas the speed limit jumps up to 55 mph and on highways it goes up again to 70 mph.
Where are the best places to park in Raleigh?
Parking is an absolute cinch in Raleigh. Both streetside and garage parking are widely available throughout the city. For the downtown areas, parking can fill up during peak times, but for the most part it shouldn’t be an issue for drivers. At worst, you will have to park a block or two away from your final destination.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Raleigh?
On average a rental car in Raleigh costs $62 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 Raleigh found in the last 2 weeks is $44.
What is the best rental car company in Raleigh?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Raleigh are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.3, 86 reviews), and Hertz (6.0, 78 reviews).
How much is gas price in Raleigh?
The average gas price in Raleigh is $3.82 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between $46 and $61, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Raleigh?
Compact (Chevrolet HHR or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Raleigh.
Which car rental companies are at Raleigh-Durham airport (RDU)?
Car rental companies onsite at Raleigh-Durham airport include Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at Raleigh-Durham airport (RDU)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Raleigh-Durham airport to off-airport locations include Hertz, Advantage, Dollar, Alamo, Budget, E-Z Rent-A-Car, Thrifty, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Payless, and National.
How can I find car rentals near me in Raleigh?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Raleigh?
A Compact car rental in Raleigh costs $31 per day, on average.
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Raleigh?
On average a rental car in Raleigh costs $435 per week ($62 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Raleigh?
On average a rental car in Raleigh costs $1,865 per month ($62 per day).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Raleigh?
Most car rental providers in Raleigh offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Raleigh, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Raleigh?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 9 car rental agencies in Raleigh.
Which car rental companies in Raleigh have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Some car rental companies in Raleigh which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Hertz, Dollar and Alamo
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Raleigh?
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 Raleigh?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Raleigh 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 fun destinations I can drive to from Raleigh?
Raleigh is surrounded by several fun destinations. With a rental from one of the car rental locations in the city, you’ll be able to visit outside destinations like Greensboro, which is 1h 15min away; Winston-Salem, which is 1h 45min away; and Lake Norman, which is 2h 45min away.
Where can I leave my car at overnight in Raleigh?
If you’d like to park your car at one of the city-owned garages overnight, you can do so. Overnight, you can park your car for free at Blount Street Parking Deck, Moore Square Parking Deck, and the Municipal Complex Parking Deck.
Raleigh car rental reviews and directory
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8.3
Very good
149 reviewsCleanliness
8.1
Comfort
8.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.5
Value for money
8.1
10 locations in Raleigh
Locations in Raleigh
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Reviews
8.0 Very good
May 2021
Cons:
The car smell old10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Cons:
Everything went well2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
Reservation & Confirmation was useless at check-in when I find there is no car available to rent.Cons:
Actually have a car to rent before confirmation of my reservation!5.2 Fair
Oct 2020
Pros:
Drop off was difficult and unclear. There was only a small sign saying that budget was closed and to return car to avis. this should have been told to me at the time of pickup to avoid complications catching my flightCons:
they should have disclosed that they would not be "open" during my return hours and how to return the vehicle to prevent issues when trying to catch my flight after spending 30 minutes driving around the rental area and airport trying to figure it out for myself9.6 Wonderful
Sep 2020
Pros:
The gal that escorted us to our vehicle was excellent. Made a nice upgrade gesture that significantly enhanced our trip.Cons:
I should have been told during my order placement that u were offering a 3rd party insurance company where u would have required me to use my deductible...then “I” would have to get reimbursed from the insurance company. Sneaky!2.0 Poor
Aug 2020
Pros:
Never picked upCons:
Should Have been notified that I needed to use my credit card at least a week before I had to pick up. I won’t be using enterprise ever againHertz
6.0
Okay
178 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.9
Value for money
6.0
5 locations in Raleigh
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2.0 Poor
Nov 2022
6.0 Okay
Dec 2022
2.0 Poor
Dec 2021
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Staff were patient and pleasant.Cons:
The car was absolutely filthy inside and out. Apparently they did not have the staff to clean it. The interior was so bad I cleaned it myself that afternoon - smell, everything was covered in accumulated grime; the steering wheel was actually sticky (cloths used to clean came out black). Rented a premium model and it was at least 3/4 years old with dents and scratches. Also it was the lowest type of model in that category. Overall I was very disappointed with Hertz as it should be a premium rental agency. Will not use again as have had far better experience with ‘lower tier’ rental agencies4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Not enough staff to take care of the amount of customers. Long wait when we already had a reservation. Exterior of the car already had damage and was very dirty.Cons:
Cleanliness of the exterior; not having the urg to take a pic of every little scratch damage on the car.6.0 Okay
May 2021
Pros:
Vehicles were in great condition and staff at final destination finally made our rental satisfactory but getting there with three other rental locations was miserable!Cons:
Went to airport location to rent vehicles (2 mini vans - we had 4 kids under 5 who had just flown for 4 hours) - told our rental was at a different location and would have to go back to airport and take a cab there, even though it was just 5 minutes away. Shuttle driver who was taking us back to airport told us that there had not been taxi’s at Raleigh/Durham airport for about 2 years - we would have take a Lyft. Lyft got there and took us to booked location, only to find it had been closed for over a year...it was a body shop, and the very helpful people there told us this happens all the time and that there were phone numbers listed on their now closed office door and we would have to call one of them. Called first one and they would be there in 30 minutes (30 minutes back to their shop to get cars so another hour out of our day). Called second one - said they were closer but only had one mini van. Third location was very rude, laughed and said they were not interested in helping us and to call the first location. Finally got picked up to get to rental location. Great help there - asked if these Hertz locations were independently owned (franchises) and was told no - Hertz owns them all. Asked if the location we booked through was closed why the airport location couldn’t help us and was told they could have. Great service at this rental location, she deducted our Lyft fee and got us on the road in about an hour. If it weren’t for the rental location we finally ended up at, this would have been a total disaster and Hertz would never receive my business again. KAYAK...you need to remove our initial rental location from your list of rental locations.Budget
5.3
Fair
73 reviewsCleanliness
5.4
Comfort
5.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.3
Value for money
5.4
3 locations in Raleigh
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2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Sep 2022
8.0 Very good
May 2021
Pros:
The car was new so that was nice.Cons:
Pickup and drop off in a shopping mall was not ideal. And the car had clearly not been cleaned before we received it.10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Customer service was really friendly2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
Cancellation of rental was very easy and simple. The customer service representative was very nice and helpful and apologized for the situation.Cons:
We scheduled our rental pick-up for 7pm. We didn’t know that the pick-up location closed at 7pm. We were unable to receive our rental. If closing time is at 7pm, then the last rental for the evening needs to be at 6:30pm.2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
NothingCons:
They could have left a voicemail saying they didn't have any cars available.Avis
4.0
Mediocre
44 reviewsCleanliness
4.5
Comfort
5.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
3.8
Value for money
4.3
3 locations in Raleigh
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Jun 2021
Pros:
One manager seemed helpfulCons:
Priceline booked us at an off-site location which was closed when we landed. Avis and Priceline both blamed each other when a $50 no-show fee was assessed and neither would take responsibility for assessing or removing it. Priceline did the same thing on another future rental so we cancelled it. We will no longer use Kayak for rental cars.2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Cons:
The day before the reservation, I got a call informing me that there were no cars available and they they would be cancelling my reservation. No alternate options were provided.8.0 Very good
Dec 2020
Pros:
Both gals who helped me with pick up and then drop off were super.Cons:
The pick up at the Raleigh NC mall 5 days before Christmas was very chaotic. I couldn't find the car once I had the keys, and the woman working was all alone so couldn't leave the desk inside the mall to help me find it. That was very time consuming and took much longer than it should have. Having dedicated and labeled Avis spots in the mall parking lot are a necessity, especially if Avis isn't going to hire extra help. She had to leave her post and help me find the car. She didn't know where it was either in the chaos of a mall parking lot before Christmas.9.2 Wonderful
Dec 2019
Pros:
Great car selectionCons:
Mall location had a lot of traffic to navigate though. Not sure how this could be improved.6.4 Okay
Jul 2019
Pros:
I like how Avis stretched the definition of a "midsize" booking to include a Nissan Sentra. That's very creative.Cons:
Leave lots of extra time to drop a car at the Wilmington (NC) airport. You have to find a parking space, unload your belongings, walk into the airport, and wait at the rental counter. And all of that counts against your return time. If that makes you "late" to return your car, it's an extra $30-50.Advance Car And Truck Rental
No score available yet
One location in Raleigh
Easirent
No score available yet
One location in Raleigh
Europcar
No score available yet
One location in Raleigh
keddy by Europcar
No score available yet
One location in Raleigh
Sunnycars
No score available yet
One location in Raleigh
Car rental locations in or near Raleigh
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