Cleveland car hire information
| Pick-up location | Cleveland |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Economy, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Standard, Standard SUV |
| Hire locations | 21 |
| Airport locations | 12 |
| Popular agencies | Thrifty, Hertz, Dollar, Alamo |
Cheap car rentals in Cleveland
| Economy | $75/day |
| Compact | $79/day |
| Intermediate | $75/day |
| Standard | $92/day |
| Full-size SUV | $124/day |
| Luxury | $135/day |
| Intermediate SUV | $93/day |
| Standard SUV | $109/day |
Top tips for hiring a car in Cleveland
- Cleveland is a fantastic working class American city, steeped in history and with a gritty authentic atmosphere. What lies beyond the downtown district, however, is truly magical: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio’s Amish countryside, and the Cedar Point Amusement Park all lie within a short drive of Cleveland, making renting a car during your stay a fantastic idea. If you’re a cheese lover, make sure you also make the drive out to Heini’s Cheese Chalet in Millersburg and Broad Run Cheese & Swiss Heritage Winery in Sugarcreek, both located a little over an hour south of the downtown district.
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is located 9 miles away from the center of town, and the drive will only take about 20 minutes. Explore the best available deals using KAYAK, with major hire companies such as Alamo, Enterprise, Avis, and Budget to choose from. The car hire facility at the airport is easily accessed via a free shuttle, which leaves regularly from the door outside Baggage Claim 7.
- Some major highways in the state of Ohio operate as tollways, so it is best to familiarize yourself with which ones you drive on and the specific conditions of your hire agreement. The I-90, I-80, and I-76 Highways come together to make the Ohio Turnpike, a major tollway that connects Cleveland with Toledo to the west and Pittsburgh to the east.
- Northeast Ohio is renowned for its snowfall, experiencing the heaviest months of downfall between December and March. During this period, it is particularly important to tune in to local weather reports and apply extra caution while driving on icy roads. The primary rule for snow driving is to provide additional space to the car in front of you, as braking distances increase due to icy roads.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Cleveland for $99 or less
- Book your rental car in Cleveland at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Economy rental cars in Cleveland are around -9% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Cleveland
Cleveland car rental reviews and directory
Alamo
8.8
Very Good
284 reviewsBest rated
Cheapest deal
Most popular
Cleanliness
8.7
Comfort
9.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.9
Value for money
8.5
One location in Cleveland
from $87/day
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Dec 2020
Pros:
NothingCons:
The place could have been open when I got there so I wasn’t stranded at the car rental.10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2020
Pros:
Super easy pick up and dropp off. Did contact free everything.10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2020
Pros:
Very easy drop-off. It was raining and employees were right next to car and had me checked in super-fast.Cons:
Nothing, perfect.10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2020
Cons:
Nothing checkout was really quick9.2 Wonderful
Jul 2020
Pros:
Staff at counter and lot very helpful and courteous. I like Borrowing a friends car.Cons:
Little pricy....but I knew the price when I rented. I had a bereavement type situation and did not have a chance to shop. Honestly.....I just needed a ride to Ravenna and back. Uber would have been a better option.10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2020
Pros:
Very friendly staff. Easy to navigate car rental areaEnterprise Rent-A-Car
8.1
Very Good
159 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
8.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
7.9
3 locations in Cleveland
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10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Easy pick up and drop off10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Thank you guys for great customer service. Love itCons:
N/A8.0 Very Good
Jan 2021
Cons:
The car was just a little too small for me8.0 Very Good
Nov 2020
Pros:
Great staff. Clean car.Cons:
Car pick up reservation was not at airport. Had to change reservation when I got there and was a higher price.10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2020
Pros:
The staff at pick up was great and very efficient.Cons:
The drop off in Erie could have been better. The airport was closed and there was no signage of where to drop the car or the key. We were thankful the airport police officer helped us out.2.0 Poor
Oct 2020
Cons:
They have to improve the cleaning, they are not disinfecting the cars I found a glass with pee on the door and a used mask in the back of the carThrifty
7.5
Good
121 reviewsCleanliness
8.3
Comfort
7.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
7.7
One location in Cleveland
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2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
The drop off went fine. When I told the agent that we turned the car into about our horrible experience picking up the car, he deducted $10 off of the remaining fees.Cons:
The pick up was the worst we have ever experienced. From the time that we arrived at the Thrifty counter until we were given the car, it was almost an hour. While we did receive a free upgrade, the wait was totally unacceptable. They gave us a coupon for 15% off of our NEXT Thrifty rental which probably should have just applied to the current rental.8.0 Very Good
Jan 2021
Pros:
Checkout was easy, staff friendlyCons:
The car didn’t drive very well2.0 Poor
Jul 2020
Pros:
NothingCons:
Would not refund me even though I couldn't travel due to Covid-19!2.0 Poor
Jul 2020
Pros:
Picking up from Cleveland Airport was confusingCons:
If my car did not come with a complimentary ant colony. Ants were all over me and my things, distracting me while driving.6.4 Okay
Jun 2020
Cons:
Too much $$$4.4 Mediocre
May 2020
Pros:
Drop-off easyCons:
Would not allow to leave lot without purchasing insurance. Nearly doubling the price from what was booked/reserved.Dollar
7.3
Good
235 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
7.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
7.1
One location in Cleveland
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Reviews
8.0 Very Good
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly.Cons:
Windows were dirty. Shopped online for a good deal and pre-paid on Expedia, but then I had to pay another 160+ for fees that were not mentioned on Expedia. Feel like I got ripped off. When shopping for a good value, it's unfair to be hit with extra unexpected fees.4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
I waited an hour for the car. It was the wrong car even though I paid extra for it. I had to switch to a different car due to the cigarette smell and low pressure in the tire. There were extra fees that I did not know about.8.8 Very Good
Nov 2020
Pros:
The vehicle was clean which was important to me.Cons:
When I arrived to dollar rental, they counter was closed. My flight had been delayed due to deicing It took over an hour for the Hertz staff to "reduce" my paperwork dude to my rental being prepaid8.8 Very Good
Oct 2020
Pros:
The staff at both pick up and drop off were very helpful.Cons:
The price was more money than priceline had quoted. On priceline I clicked the option to add my spouse for no charge however when I went to pick up the rental I would have been charged $13 a day on top of the additional expenses. The staff at pick-up was one person, she did a great job but there was quite a backlog. More support for her would have helped the process go quicker.10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2020
Pros:
Pickup and drop off were very easy.Cons:
I cannot provide one instance regarding what could have been better. Everything was great!10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2019
Pros:
First vehicle had a major issue, they got us back on the road quick and hassle free.Hertz
6.6
Okay
204 reviewsCleanliness
6.9
Comfort
7.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.4
Value for money
7.0
3 locations in Cleveland
from $112/day
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2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Jan 2022
2.0 Poor
Dec 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2021
8.0 Very Good
May 2021
Pros:
Staff were friendly and courteous!Cons:
Nothing10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
When I first arrived at the rental counter at Cleveland/Hopkins airport, the clerk informed me my rental had been made at another Cleveland location miles away. When I asked if there was anything she could do to help me she imphaticaly said no. A supervisor happened to be there and came to my rescue. She was wonderful. The first clerk was not going to even try to help or ask the supervisor if anything could be done. To her, the mistake and inconvenience didn't matter. Once the supervisor helped things went well and quick. My return person was great!Cons:
Perhaps train clerks in regards to customer service. They appear to have NO desire to help solve problems. Thank goodness for a competent supervisor!Budget
6.6
Okay
221 reviewsCleanliness
7.1
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.5
Value for money
6.5
2 locations in Cleveland
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Reviews
8.0 Very Good
Oct 2022
6.0 Okay
Oct 2022
8.0 Very Good
Sep 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Sep 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2021
Pros:
Staff was great, friendly and helpfulCons:
Nothing, best rental ever4.0 Mediocre
Mar 2021
Cons:
It was actually a bad experience. I inadvertently selected your downtown location. My intent was to utilize your airport location but your airport representative would not allow me to pick the rental car up from the airport without paying a $133 additional fee even though cars were available. Needless to say, that was extremely unfair and inconvenient. Being a traveler from out of state, I know nothing about downtown Cleveland but was forced to go there. In addition, your rental rates have become extremely too high (overall). Nearly $75.00 for a basic car is unacceptable. I feel cheated. Going forward, Budget will be my last choice.Avis
6.8
Okay
66 reviewsCleanliness
6.5
Comfort
7.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.5
Value for money
6.6
2 locations in Cleveland
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6.0 Okay
Apr 2021
Cons:
I requested pickup/drop off at the airport and it was booked through the downtown Cleveland location.4.0 Mediocre
Apr 2021
Pros:
Staff was a bit confused on where the car wasCons:
Car should have been cleaner and we waited over 30-40 mins for the car4.0 Mediocre
Feb 2021
Pros:
They gave me a Chevy Traverse. It was in good condition and clean.Cons:
Picking up the car took way to long! It took the guy at least 20 minutes to do the paperwork. He kept calling someone on a radio to see what was available. Then he told me that they were just finishing cleaning it and it would be brought up to the door. I kept going outside and checking. There were a number of cars setting in the lot that would have been fine for me to use. After about 25 minutes, I went back to the desk to find out where the car was. He called someone the radio and told them to bring the car up to the door. After about 15 more minutes, they finally brought the car over.8.0 Very Good
Oct 2019
Cons:
Drop off is very confusing. No one comes to car. You have to find an employee. Car exterior was muddy on the bottom. Interior had napkins and small garbage in the center console.3.2 Poor
Sep 2019
Pros:
Pick up was awful. The location where we reserved simply didn't have any cars and the employees did not care AT ALL and made NO attempt to rectify the situation. No manager on site nor did the employees even provide me with a customer service phone number.Cons:
I did call the national number and they told me there was a car available at the airport location. I then requested to be transferred to customer service and they confirmed this, but I had to insist that they reimburse me for an Uber to the airport ($45)--it was not offered to me.3.6 Poor
Sep 2019
Pros:
Long line to check out the car. No cars ready I the parking lot. Long line at the rental exit. It took longer to get my rental car then it took to fly from St Louis to Cleveland. I rented from Avis ( only because Hertz had no availability) expecting good service. It was horrible.Cons:
See above. Everything could have been better.National
9.2
Wonderful
20 reviewsCleanliness
9.5
Comfort
9.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.5
Value for money
8.8
One location in Cleveland
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10.0 Wonderful
Jul 2019
Pros:
pick-up & drop off super easy!!! quickest i have completed a pickup for a car rental, no frills or attempts at selling you add-ons.Cons:
Everything was awesome!10.0 Wonderful
Aug 2018
Pros:
I pulled into the return area, and was completely checked out in about a minute. The rental agent briefly walked around the car, checked the gas guage, and I was done. FAST!!Cons:
The car rental return is difficult to find at the airport. It's off-site, and I didn't see any signs for it as I approached the airport. You have to go through the "Departures" area, and then follow signs to an off-site lot that's about another 5-10 minute drive. Be sure you consider this extra time before your departure!8.8 Very Good
Feb 2017
Cons:
I was told drop off was late, but still during business hours. The lights were on at the CLE airport drop off area, and the inside desk was staffed, but no one came out to close out my rental. There was no sign posted advising that this was after hours. After waiting around I finally just dropped the keys in the nightbox. Intuitive, but some posted guidance would have been appreciated.9.2 Wonderful
Dec 2015
Pros:
Clean vehicle. Fast service.Cons:
Everything was fine.Eagle Rent A Car
No score available yet
3 locations in Cleveland
Sunnycars
No score available yet
2 locations in Cleveland
Easirent
No score available yet
One location in Cleveland
Rent-A-Wreck
No score available yet
One location in Cleveland
1310 travellers who rented a car in Cleveland gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.3
Car hire locations in or near Cleveland
When to book a car hire in Cleveland
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