Search
Deals
Tips
FAQs
Agencies
Locations
When to book

New Bern car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

Search hundreds of hire car sites at once for hire car deals in New Bern

Here is why travellers choose KAYAK

Save up to 43%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees.

Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.

Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.

Cheap car rentals in New Bern

Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates
Choose your dates
Mini car
Mini
M
View Deal
Economy car
Economy
M
View Deal
Compact car
Compact
M
View Deal
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
View Deal
Standard car
Standard
M
View Deal
Full-size car
Full-size
M
View Deal
Luxury car
Luxury
M
View Deal
People mover car
People mover
M
View Deal
Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
View Deal
SUV car
SUV
M
View Deal
Commercial car
Commercial
M
View Deal
Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
M
View Deal

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in New Bern

  • Car rentals in New Bern provide a convenient way to explore the city and its neighborhoods, giving you complete flexibility and mobility. Whether you're in New Bern on vacation or for business, renting a car allows you to visit various attractions and explore the city's neighborhoods at your leisure. For example, you can drive a few miles within the city to Tryon Palace, a replica historic mansion with historic exhibits and a cafe. You can also drive a few miles out of town to Wrightsville Beach, where you can relax and enjoy local fare like cheesesteak egg rolls.
  • If you have reserved a New Bern car rental for your trip to the North Carolina city, you can pick it up at the city's main airport, New Bern Simmons Nott Airport. Several top brand-name car rental companies, including Enterprise, Avis, Alamo, and Hertz, have a presence at the airport. To find these car rental companies' desks, make your way to the baggage claim area right next to the main terminal's exit. A shuttle bus departs from the ground transportation center every few minutes and transports passengers to the offsite car rental facilities.
  • Developing defensive driving techniques while driving your car rental in New Bern is critical because most residents rely on personal cars for transportation, making the streets crowded. When driving in the city, keep an eye out for other cars and, if possible, have a clear sense of your directions before getting on the road. To avoid problems with the highway patrol, make sure you stick to speed limits, stop at stoplights, follow traffic circle rules, and stay in the correct lanes.
  • Although driving in New Bern is not difficult, the roads leading into and out of the city are heavily congested during rush hour. If you plan to drive around the city and its environs frequently during your visit, we recommend avoiding rush hours, which are from about 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from about 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Avoid North Carolina Highway 24 and US 17 in particular, as they are notoriously congested during this period.
  • Book your rental car in New Bern at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard rental cars in New Bern are around 8% more expensive than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in New Bern

  • How much is the price of fuel in New Bern?

    The average price of fuel in New Bern is $5.85 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of uel costs between $70 and $94, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in New Bern?

    Standard (Nissan Rogue or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in New Bern.

  • How can I find car hires near me in New Bern?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in New Bern?

    A Standard car hire in New Bern costs $147 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in New Bern?

    An Intermediate car hire in New Bern costs $174 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Full Size car hire cost in New Bern?

    A Full Size car hire in New Bern costs $137 per day, on average.

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in New Bern?

    New Bern's major roads are well-built and well-maintained, allowing any type of rental car to be driven comfortably throughout the city. However, scenic drives in and around the city necessitate vehicles capable of handling the rough terrain. If you're on vacation and want to take a road trip to these beautiful locations, we recommend renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle to avoid getting stuck. A compact car is also a smart choice for a pleasurable city driving experience, as it makes parking and navigating around the city easy.

  • What is the speed limit in New Bern?

    Speed limits in New Bern are determined by the type of road you are driving on. You can anticipate posted speeds on major urban and rural interstate routes to range between 45 mph and 70 mph. Depending on the state of the roads, you will be required to maintain a speed of 35 mph or less when driving through the city center. The speed restriction is further lowered to 25 mph in residential, school, and hospital areas.

  • Where are the best places to park in New Bern?

    In New Bern, drivers can find designated on-street parking, parking lots, and parking garages. If you don't want to walk but still want to park for free, there are a few free street parking spaces in the city center. However, most of these only allow you to park your car for 2-3 hours. If you anticipate taking longer, consider paying to park in a parking garage such as Union Point Park or the Harbor Beach parking lot.

New Bern car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car rental booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

9.3

Wonderful

Best rated

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.3

Value for money

9.0

2 locations in New Bern

Show locations

Locations in New Bern

200 Terminal Dr

+1 252 638 2334

Monday08:00 - 21:45
Tuesday08:00 - 21:45
Wednesday08:00 - 21:45
Thursday08:00 - 21:45
Friday08:00 - 21:45
Saturday08:00 - 21:45
Sunday08:00 - 21:45

3524 Dr. Ml King Jr Blvd

+1 252 514 2575

Monday08:00 - 21:45
Tuesday08:00 - 21:45
Wednesday08:00 - 21:45
Thursday08:00 - 21:45
Friday08:00 - 21:45
Saturday08:00 - 21:45
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

No reviews available

Budget

7.8

Good

Read 10 reviews

Cleanliness

7.9

Comfort

8.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.7

Value for money

7.3

One location in New Bern

Show locations

Locations in New Bern

200 Terminal Drive

+1 252 514 6739

Monday08:00 - 21:45
Tuesday08:00 - 21:45
Wednesday08:00 - 21:45
Thursday08:00 - 21:45
Friday08:00 - 21:45
Saturday08:00 - 21:45
Sunday08:00 - 21:45

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Mar 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The sales agent was honest and helpful even though she had no car to rent. She explained to the best of her knowledge.

Cons:

There was NO car to pick up even though numerous emails assured us our car would be ready for pick up. We were stuck with NO transportation. Enterprise was able to help us. Will NOT use Budget again.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Nov 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

There is a lot of latitude within the definition of a full size car. The Kia Optima I was assigned drove very well, but the seats were not comfortable at all.

4.8 Mediocre

Anonymous, Sept 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The service in New Bern was okay but the car was not parked in the location told, the car was dirty, and I was not informed of drop off location change in RDU.

Cons:

Better communication, signage

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Apr 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Price tripled when I dropped the car off.

8.8 Very Good

Joe, Oct 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff during pick up was good.

Cons:

They didn't have the type of car I reserved, so I ended up with something different. The staff during drop off took a long time with a customer in front of me and never acknowledged me to say he would be right with me.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2023

Full-size

KAYAK
Quick, friendly. Could have used some early drop off instructions…. No one at Budjet at the drop off. An older gentleman working the lot told me to take photos of the mileage and he took the keys to drive the car around to park and to put in the box. My card still shows $200 more on the charge that the quote. Just a little concerned at the moment. . Once my card is reimbursed the $200 I will feel better.

1 out of 4

Alamo

6.0

Okay

Cleanliness

6.0

Comfort

6.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

6.0

One location in New Bern

Show locations

Locations in New Bern

200 Terminal Dr

+1 844 370 3134

Monday08:00 - 21:45
Tuesday08:00 - 21:45
Wednesday08:00 - 21:45
Thursday08:00 - 21:45
Friday08:00 - 21:45
Saturday08:00 - 21:45
Sunday08:00 - 21:45

Filters

No reviews available

Avis

6.0

Okay

Read 3 reviews

Cleanliness

7.2

Comfort

7.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.4

Value for money

5.6

One location in New Bern

Show locations

Locations in New Bern

200 Terminal Drive

+1 252 637 2130

Monday08:00 - 21:45
Tuesday08:00 - 21:45
Wednesday08:00 - 21:45
Thursday08:00 - 21:45
Friday08:00 - 21:45
Saturday08:00 - 21:45
Sunday08:00 - 21:45

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Thomas, Feb 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Great staff!

6.0 Okay

George, Dec 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Good value on the car, which I only needed for one short one-way drive

Cons:

The drop-off. I showed the employee my FULL fuel tank and he said "Don't worry about it, the car is linked so the system will know." He also didn't provide me with a receipt at that time. When I received the receipt by email 20 minutes later while sitting at the gate, it said the tank was only 7/8 full and I was being charged an extra $19+! Avis customer service says they will reverse the charge after I told them the name and number of the gas station and the dollar amount paid for gas, three minutes before I turned in the vehicle; but I haven't seen the charge reversed yet. Who has time for this?

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jun 2022

KAYAK
The Jetta I rented had not been washed or vacuumed when I picked it up at EWN, I was told by the agent that this was the only car they had available at that time. It also had an expired license plate. I didn't realize this until I was stopped by a policeman in Arkansas. I showed him the registration that also indicated that the plate expired in February, (NC tag # HHD-7966). The policeman conducted an unauthorized and unlawful search on the vehicle and confiscated my friend's bottle of 12 year old whiskey. I have registered a formal complaint with the department but am not expecting much from them. I was stopped again for this on my return trip in Nashville, TN but was not detained, only delayed. Also, the car didn't have a working charge port so our phones died and we could not charge them until we arrived in Arkansas. The cruise control on the car worked mostly ok on level ground but failed in the mountains. It would maintain speed going uphill but not down. I had to apply brakes every time I went down hill or the car would speed up out of control. Also the cruise control would shut down unexpectedly at random intervals. The car itself would also shut down while idling in park. Whenever I would use a drive-thru dining or mobile banking ATM the car would shut off after a few minutes and had to be restarted. If left in drive it would keep running. When I returned the car to EWN the agent made note of my complaints and offered to discount the fee by $200. This was helpful but I assure you that it does not inspire the sort of confidence that would result in me ever trusting Avis enough to rent another vehicle from them.

1 out of 1

National

6.0

Okay

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

6.0

Comfort

6.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

5.0

One location in New Bern

Show locations

Locations in New Bern

200 Terminal Dr

+1 844 370 2404

Monday08:00 - 21:45
Tuesday08:00 - 21:45
Wednesday08:00 - 21:45
Thursday08:00 - 21:45
Friday08:00 - 21:45
Saturday08:00 - 21:45
Sunday08:00 - 21:45

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff friendly. Quick check in and check out.

1 out of 1

Hertz

5.3

Fair

Read 2 reviews

Cleanliness

3.3

Comfort

7.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.6

Value for money

6.6

2 locations in New Bern

Show locations

Locations in New Bern

200 Terminal Drive

+1 252 521 3385

Monday06:30 - 23:59
Tuesday06:30 - 23:59
Wednesday06:30 - 23:59
Thursday06:30 - 23:59
Friday06:30 - 23:59
Saturday06:30 - 23:59
Sunday06:30 - 23:59

2711 Neuse Boulevard

+1 252 635 5000

Monday08:00 - 21:45
Tuesday08:00 - 21:45
Wednesday08:00 - 21:45
Thursday08:00 - 21:45
Friday08:00 - 21:45

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2022

KAYAK
The car I rented (Hyundai Sonata) performed beyond expectations; I just wish the car was cleaner when I picked it up (exterior and a bit on the interior). Overall an amazing experience.

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, May 2022

KAYAK
Unfortunately, the first vehicle we were offered had a third row that did not operate correctly as far as going up and down and was very badly stained. They offered him a second vehicle which he took a quick look at and then headed to his meeting. When he got home we realized that the back seats were literally covered in dog hair and the vehicle had not been wiped down at all. (Disturbing considering we just came out of a pandemic.) We both have pet allergies, and so I had to take well over an hour to clean the vehicle well enough to be able to use it because the location was closed and we were leaving early the next morning for a daughter’s Navy boot camp graduation. After the vehicle was cleaned up, it turned out to be a great option. It was just a huge inconvenience considering the schedule we were on. We will never rent from Hertz again!

1 out of 1

Easirent

3.9

Poor

One location in New Bern

Locations in New Bern

Coastal Carolina Regional Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in New Bern

Locations in New Bern

200 Terminal Drive

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

28 travellers who rented a car in New Bern gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.9

Car hire locations in or near New Bern

Go to map view

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

When to book a car hire in New Bern

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Everything you need to know for your car rental in New Bern

New Bern car hire information

Pick-up locationNew Bern
Car types
Hire locations10
Airport locations8