Car rental at Charleston Airport

Car rental at Charleston Airport

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Fri 9/6
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Cheap car rentals at Charleston Municipal Airport

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Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
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Passenger van
SUV
Commercial
Pick-up truck

Charleston Airport car rental reviews and directory

Alamo

9.3

Wonderful

163 reviews

Cleanliness

9.4

Comfort

9.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.3

Value for money

8.7

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

5500 International Blvd

+1 833 969 2383

Monday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Sunday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

We were treated so kindly. The young man carried our luggage to the car and even gave us a choice. Most will not do that!

10.0 Wonderful

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

All of the staff I had come into contact with were phenomenal! Couldn't have asked for better service.

Cons:

If they had actually attached the invoice to to email that was sent to me.

8.0 Very Good

Mar 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Easy in and out. Car was very comfortable.

Cons:

The battery died on me the first day, but Alamo roadside assistance was able to fix the problem and all was good the rest of the trip.

10.0 Wonderful

Jan 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

It was a last minute decision to rent & the process was easy and the car was great

10.0 Wonderful

Jun 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was super friendly and efficient, pick up was quick

10.0 Wonderful

May 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Very efficient staff. The entire process was painless

1 out of 30

Hertz

8.2

Very Good

268 reviews
Best rated

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.4

Value for money

7.5

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

5500 International Blvd

+1 843 640 3629

Monday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Tuesday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Saturday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Sunday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
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Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Nov 2021

KAYAK
The gentleman at the rental desk was great! The car had a somewhat offensive odor in it which did not subside during the course of our 3 day rental.

10.0 Wonderful

Nov 2021

KAYAK
The agents were wonderful!

4.0 Mediocre

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The car drove fine

Cons:

When I picked up my car the check engine light came on, so they swapped my car out. When they did, they put in the wrong drop-off point (wrong state!), so when I called to change it back to the original drop-off, they said there was nothing they could do. I wasted half my afternoon on the phone with people that “couldn’t help”.

8.0 Very Good

May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

There was a sticky substance below the gas peddle that did not dry. Made it an unpleasant drive as your foot would get stuck frequently.

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Excellent staff, easy drop off

Cons:

EXPENSIVE

8.0 Very Good

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Easy to pick up and drop off.

Cons:

The car key was not automatic and it was difficult to work. After opening the door you had to hurry up and start the car before the alarm went off.

1 out of 47

Thrifty

Cleanliness

6.5

Comfort

6.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.5

Value for money

5.9

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

5500 International Boulevard

+1 843 640 3947

Monday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Tuesday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Thursday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Friday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Sunday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
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2.0 Poor

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was friendly. Pick up car on site.

Cons:

Slow check in, 1 car option, no receipt sent and don’t answer phone when call and Vm is full.

4.0 Mediocre

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The vehicle was comfortable.

Cons:

Waited in line for an hour. Only one person working behind the counter until 15 min before my turn. I did not ask for a giant Dodge Ram truck. I signed up for an economy size car. Was told I had the Managers Special. BS. Parking lot very poorly marked it was difficult to get to where the vehicle was, it was too far. Signage unclear as to where to leave the vehicle.

10.0 Wonderful

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Yes and yes!

Cons:

I was going for a bottle of water from the desk agent

4.0 Mediocre

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

I had to wait an hour for a car to be available. Then it was a huge car when I had reserved a small one. Gas price was double what I would have paid. No attendant at the return with only a very small sign to tell you where to go with keys.

6.0 Okay

Feb 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The reservation was there. The drop off after-hours was simple.

Cons:

The vehicle I reserved was not available and I was given a much larger vehicle (pick-up truck). I waited in line for 30 minutes with only two people in front of me. It took the representative 10-15 minutes per customer. I was not able to do submit the walk-around information because the agent did not answer the phone.

6.0 Okay

Feb 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

I really enjoy using Priceline, but certainly hope I NEVER have to use Thrifty again. Had to wait in line for over an hour waiting to return the keys. Had to wait an hour to pick up the car the previous day.

Cons:

There needs to be faster service at the check in and check out at the Charleston Airport location. There was one person behind the counter with about 10 guest in line. No other car rental dealer had that many and they did not take that long to process the customer. Need to have more employees and a faster process especially when the customer has a reservation already. The employer behind the desk was working as fast as she could but she needed help!

1 out of 65

Budget

Cleanliness

6.6

Comfort

7.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

6.1

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

5500 International Blvd

+1 843 552 1771

Monday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Saturday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Sunday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
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6.0 Okay

Oct 2022

KAYAK
The car was filthy, inside and out.

2.0 Poor

May 2022

KAYAK
2.5 hour wait at check in counter and they didn’t have the car class that I reserved.

8.0 Very Good

May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

The drop off in winter haven, Florida was under staff and unable to send me confirmation that I dropped off my vehicle. It has been about 24 hours later and still no email.

6.0 Okay

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff in Charleston was friendly and courteous.

Cons:

The car was barely clean. There were spots, smudges, and it was filthy on the doors. The car was also very uncomfortable. It caused a lot of pain from the less than adequate padding on the seats. Additionally, when we turned the car in one (1) day early we did not receive any credit for that one day early. We tried calling and the individual, when we started to explain our concern, hung up on us. This rude behavior, and the fact that the care had not been properly cleaned at the Charleston pickup point, and it was an uncomfortable ride, and we did not get credit for turning the car in one (1) day early adds up to the fact that we will not rent from Budget again and we will tell all of our friends about this poor treatment and give no positive recommendations for Budget rentals.

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Drop off super easy! No lines at pickup either.

8.0 Very Good

Mar 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Drop off very easy.

Cons:

More staff at pick up. It was a long wait.

1 out of 39

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

9.0

Wonderful

65 reviews

Cleanliness

9.5

Comfort

9.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.5

Value for money

8.7

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

5500 International Blvd

+1 833 969 2385

Monday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Friday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Sunday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
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4.8 Mediocre

Apr 2017

KAYAK

Cons:

Paying for a full tank of gas upfront that I didn't use!

8.8 Very Good

Apr 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

It was very quick and easy to pick and drop off car. The staff was very nice.

Cons:

I made a reservation online for $53 total which I thought I selected to include the insurance... but it was $81 when I arrived and received the car for my 2 hour rental.

7.6 Good

Mar 2017

KAYAK

Cons:

I'm 84 and did not like the long walk to pick up with heavy luggage and even longer walk on return.

4.0 Mediocre

Mar 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

Overall the rental was a good experience but the price was a big difference from what I was quoted. Basically double.

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

Needed a one way rental at the last minute. Very pleased with our decision

2.0 Poor

Mar 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

Ease of reservation.

Cons:

Their refusal to help.

1 out of 13

Avis

5.8

Cleanliness

7.0

Comfort

7.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.1

Value for money

6.7

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

5500 International Blvd

+1 843 767 7030

Monday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Friday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Saturday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Sunday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
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8.0 Very Good

Sep 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

We received an upgrade car from the one we reserved. Drop off at ATL airport rental car center was quick and convenient.

Cons:

Pickup at CHS was a little slow. Car had a strong smoker smell, but we didn’t want to delay our trip any further by going back to ask for another one.

9.6 Wonderful

Aug 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff at both pick up and drop off were excellent, very polite and helpful. Drop off location in Charlotte was a little difficult to find/notice due to location and store frontage, but figured it out after calling that office.

Cons:

Drop off location signage.

6.8 Okay

Jul 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Check in process fairly quick.

Cons:

Chose to return car with gas full with gas I bought. In the check in process in rental return they added $15.88 for gas. He could not remove it in the lot. Had to go inside and wait in line. She said that because I drove less than 74 miles, it adds that charge no matter. This is not right.

10.0 Wonderful

Aug 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

The lady @Mansell office was super sweet and knew her customers..and, waited for someone running late,with an EXCEPTIONAL ATTITUDE..so I give this an excellent rating.. the staff at Charlston airport, not as helpful,organized friendly or knowledgeable..I had my reservation and rental policy insurance ready for her to see, and she said" drivers license and credit card" then asked for what I was prepared to show her..Short, slow line..

8.0 Very Good

May 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

Good basic transportation

Cons:

Long wait at counter. Unclear directions on where to get car.

2.0 Poor

Apr 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

read above!!!!

1 out of 10

Dollar

5.5

Cleanliness

5.9

Comfort

6.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.0

Value for money

5.8

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

5500 International Boulevard

+1 843 501 7163

Monday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Tuesday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Thursday04:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Saturday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
Sunday00:00 - 01:0004:00 - 23:59
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Reviews

2.0 Poor

May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

Requested large SUV. Kayak said that the reservation was for a Nissan Armada. On arrival , no armadas or similarly sized vehicles were ever available at location. FIX THIS

8.0 Very Good

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Fast and easy service

4.0 Mediocre

May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

You can never reach anyone at the desk by phone. They rarely pickup and you can’t leave any messages because the mailbox is full. There’s also no one manning the pickup or drop off kiosk.

4.0 Mediocre

May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

The manager wasted time with two other customers and we could hear all of their conversation. Very unpleasant for us while waiting. When it was our turn, she insisted there was a block on my debit card which I checked before making the trip which was okay for the rental company to use. She said if we didn't want the car we could go to another car rental. We produced another card and suddenly it was okay and cost us extra. I checked with my bank the next morning and said there was not any block on my card. This lasted with her for a half hour. Very unprofessional for a manager as she stated she was. Makes me think twice about wanting to rent again from them.

2.0 Poor

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Yes, staff was friendly

Cons:

They could have had a car available for us. We just put in a 14 hour day of travel. We are sorry we have no cars available, just does not cut it. We will not rent a car from Dollar/Thrifty again. Unreliable.

8.0 Very Good

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The rental was quick. The car was better than expected.

Cons:

Employees did not go out of their way to do anything. They did their job. At times I felt a nuisance to them. It was quite inconvenient that the rental place was not at the airport or did not provide a shuttle.

1 out of 22

National

7.3

Cleanliness

7.3

Comfort

7.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.3

Value for money

8.0

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

5500 International Blvd

+1 833 969 2384

Monday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Tuesday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Sunday00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
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10.0 Wonderful

May 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Great car clean

Cons:

Nothing

2.0 Poor

Apr 2023

KAYAK
Car was horrible

1 out of 1

Ace

4.0

Mediocre

7 reviews

Cleanliness

4.0

Comfort

4.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.0

Value for money

5.1

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

3632 Cheatham Street

+1 877 219 9192

Monday08:00 - 19:00
Tuesday08:00 - 19:00
Wednesday08:00 - 19:00
Thursday08:00 - 19:00
Friday08:00 - 19:00
Saturday08:00 - 19:00
Sunday08:00 - 19:00
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4.0 Mediocre

May 2023

KAYAK
Place was disgusting in a rundown old house, open ceilings to exposed insulation. Exterminators we’re spraying while 10+ people waited inside for 1-2 workers. Car was fine but the rental agency was a total dump. Won’t use them again unless major changes are made

4.0 Mediocre

Apr 2023

KAYAK
Too few people working there and VERY budget

2.0 Poor

Apr 2023

KAYAK
Cars not washed. Not enough staff. Shuttle service to and from airport continued delays.

2.0 Poor

Mar 2023

KAYAK
I wouldn’t know because they didn’t have any cars. I called that morning to ask if there was a shuttle from the airport and whoever answered, the phone sounded like he had probably been smoking weed since about 6 AM. It was very hard to understand him and he was very curt on the phone. He called me back an hour later to tell me that they didn’t have any cars even though I had made the reservation a while ago. We ended up going with Enterprise and it was fine.

2.0 Poor

Mar 2023

KAYAK
DO NOT WAIT FOR THE SHUTTLE. They will tell you that it’s coming but it’s not. After over an hour of waiting (and the person on the phone saying they were on their way over and over) we got a taxi only to arrive and see the bus sitting there with no one to drive it. Hadn’t left for hours. The man working in the office when we arrived was rude and couldn’t care less. The woman who works there is great though - only upside to this place.

1 out of 2

Sunnycars

No score available yet

2 locations in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

2039 Savannah Highway

Opening times not available

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5500 Interbnational Boulevard

Opening times not available

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Ace Rental Cars

No score available yet

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

3632 Cheatham Street

+1 843 203 5350

Opening times not available

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Easirent

No score available yet

One location in Charleston Airport

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Locations in Charleston Airport

Charleston International Airport

Opening times not available

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VIPCars Recommendation

No score available yet

One location in Charleston Airport

Locations in Charleston Airport

2039 Savannah Hwy, Charleston

+1 914 368 0091

Monday00:00 - 01:00
Tuesday00:00 - 01:00
Wednesday00:00 - 01:00
Thursday00:00 - 01:00
Friday00:00 - 01:00
Saturday00:00 - 01:00
Sunday00:00 - 01:00

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1120 travellers who rented a car in Charleston Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.2

Car rental locations at Charleston Airport

Good to know

Most popular car type

Mini

Top tips for hiring a car at Charleston Municipal Airport

  • Charleston Airport is about a 15min drive from the city center via I-26E and US-78 E. Bus service from the airport is limited to downtown and the North Charleston areas. Therefore, car rental at Charleston Airport is the easiest and the quickest way to get to your hotel or vacation rental. Although you can book a rental car when you land, if you're traveling from Monday through Thursday during business hours, it is recommended that you make a reservation. This is because airport traffic can be busy during these hours.
  • You can rent a car at the airport from numerous national brand companies. Some car rentals at Charleston Airport are convenient because they are in the terminal, such as Budget and Avis. Look for signs pointing you to the rental car area. Other rental agencies, such as Dollar, Sunnycars, and Thrifty, are offsite. These agencies, however, will shuttle you from the airport to their offices. To catch the shuttle, follow the signs located outside of the baggage claim. Note that Dollar and Thrifty share a shuttle because they are in the same location.
  • Most of the car rentals at Charleston Airport are open seven days a week. They open at around 7 am and close at midnight. If, however, you need to return your car outside of those hours, you can do so. Simply lock the vehicle and leave both your contract and key in dropbox. For agencies with kiosks at the airport, there is a dropbox right by the desk. Dollar and Thrifty, who are offsite, are also open from 7 am until midnight. Although you can return the car after hours, it could be a problem getting back to the airport if the shuttle is not running.
  • Rent a specialty vehicle, such as a sporty convertible or an open-air jeep, to drive during your beach vacation to South Carolina. SUVs or sedans with large trunks are available for travelers who plan to drive to nearby Myrtle Beach for a day of shopping or golfing and need extra space for their bags or sporting equipment. Check out Alamo, Hertz, Dollar, or Budget to rent one of these car types.
  • Book your car hire at Charleston Municipal Airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

FAQs about renting a car at Charleston Municipal Airport