by Anthony Megna

Created on: July 19, 2010   Last Updated: February 13, 2012

It's usually cheaper to rent a car at an off-airport location.  However, that may not be practical if you are flying into a city and don't have transportation lined up.  In that case, you really have no choice, unless you cab it to someplace besides the airport to rent a car.  Maybe you have a friend picking you up at the airport?  Well, if you need a rental car, why not go to his or her location and rent a vehicle there?  You'll save in the long-run.

Saving money is always nice, but it just might not be practical depending upon your travel itinerary.  Consider where you are going, and how easy it might be to get to a rental location other than the airport.  If it is going to complicate matters, then you just might have to "bite the bullet" as they say and rent at the airport.  You might have to pay for that convenience, but in the long run it might be worth it.

Renting at the airport is convenient as the rental agents are usually located right near baggage claim.  Depending upon what rental car company you favor, all the major airports have all the big name rental companies.  So do your homework in advance while you have the time, and make sure you have reservations!  It is always easier if you have the code that the car company gives you in advance, as the rental agents just punch that into the computer with all your pertinent information.

What do you need the rental car for?  Are you planning to sight-see?  How long do you plan to rent the car for?  Where are you going to be driving and what are the conditions of the weather and the roadways?  These are all important questions to ask yourself in advance while at home in the comfort of your own house.  So do your planning in advance, at the risk of sounding like a broken record.

From personal experience, if I plan to be using the rental car for an extended period of time, I want a large four-door sedan.  Comfort is an issue, and I hate feeling like a pretzel if I am in too small a vehicle.  I like to get a four-door car because it's easier to put my suitcase right into the backseat in a hurry rather than popping the trunk.  Of course, for security reasons, when you leave the rental car don't have any of your valuables in plain sight.  Either leave them in a safe at your hotel, or if you have to put them into the trunk of the rental vehicle, but try to keep your wits about you.  Crime can occur even in the safest of cities, so don't invite danger.

In summary, if you have the luxury to rent off-site, do it.  You'll usually get a better price than at an airport location, but if you don't have the option, then at least do your homework before you leave on your trip.  You'll thank yourself for being smart and having the proper foresight.

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