Panama City car hire information
| Pick-up location | Panama City |
|---|---|
| Car types | |
| Hire locations | 12 |
| Airport locations | 7 |
Cheap car rentals in Panama City
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People mover |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
Top tips for hiring a car in Panama City
- Car rentals in Panama City will allow greater access to several shorelines, including Bunkers Cove and West Beach Drive along Saint Andrews Bay. Neither of these attractions has many stops from the Bay Town Trolley, the public transit service, and are easier to access with a personal vehicle. Considering you will be surrounded by sunny coastline, your beach trips will be simpler and more convenient with the benefit of a Panama City car rental, instead of trying to carry everything onto a trolley or bus. There are nearly 100 public access points along Panama City Beach that you can reach with a personal vehicle, conveniently located within walking distance of the sand.
- Panama City is primarily serviced by Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), which offers rental cars on-site at the rental car counters located on the main floor of the terminal. As the midpoint between Pensacola and Tallahassee, travelers staying in Panama City might also be flying into Pensacola International Airport (PNS) or Tallahassee International Airport (TLH), both of which offer rental cars at the counters on the main floor of their terminals.
- Expect plenty of pedestrians as you drive through the city, particularly along beaches. With long, humid summers that make for easy walking weather, watch for jaywalking or careless pedestrians along the shores of Panama City Beach. On weekends and holidays, these areas can become particularly crowded with beachgoers wanting to enjoy the party atmosphere.
- The heaviest traffic you will encounter in Panama City will generally be on sunny days, especially weekends, as you make your way across the Hathaway Bridge and along Panama City Beach. If you are visiting during hurricane season, from June until November, monitor weather forecasts and use caution if forced to drive during heavy rain or strong winds. When traveling during rainy weather, drive slowly, turn gradually, and give yourself extra space to stop.
- Book your rental car in Panama City at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Full-size rental cars in Panama City are around 6% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Panama City
Panama City car rental reviews and directory
Alamo
7.3
Good
121 reviewsOne location in Panama City
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10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Reserved a car through Priceline for Panama Beach to be picked up at the airport. Our original flight was cancelled and we arrived 3 hours later than originally planned. The rental company counters were all extremely busy, and I could overhear a lot of people trying to rent cars who had not made reservations, so I was worried they might not have held our reservation for us but they still had our reservation, and the type of vehicle we requested.10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
This was the first time we used Alamo car rental. The customer service was phenomenal.4.0 Mediocre
Apr 2021
Cons:
Mini van was filthy. Food caked to back seat . Really bad odor to vehicle. Alamo did compensate part of the rental back2.0 Poor
Jan 2021
Cons:
They overbooked cars and didn’t have a car for me, leaving me stranded with my kids after an entire day of flying.10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2020
Pros:
Loved the car! Low mileage and super clean.Cons:
Nothing at all. And the staff at Panama City Beach (ECP) was very kind and helpful and efficient.7.2 Good
Oct 2020
Pros:
Car was the perfect size for our need an got great gas mileage- it was also very clean! Drop-off was quick and easy!Cons:
Pick up was terrible. Only one slow-moving employee with five customers in line... picking up took about an hour.Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.3
Good
65 reviewsBest rated
3 locations in Panama City
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10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Fast and friendlyCons:
Price8.8 Very Good
Nov 2020
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and helpful.Cons:
Information on how to drop off2.0 Poor
Oct 2020
Cons:
Did bot have the car promised 3 times, substitute was not workable due to a seat maintenance problem but they tried to rent it to me anyway6.4 Okay
Jun 2020
Pros:
The staff was great. No issues with pick up and drop box was fairly straight forward.Cons:
The car smelled heavily of smoke when we got it. The power steering was making odd noises (may require additional power steering fluid). The right rear tire gave a lower pressure warning after having the car for a few hours. No issues after filling it up so didn't appear to be a structural issue.8.4 Very Good
Feb 2020
Pros:
Great location and staff. Especially Jessica Scott. She was wonderful helping set up my rental.Cons:
They even offered me a ride after I dropped the car off.... nothing could have been better.9.6 Wonderful
Nov 2019
Pros:
Staff was friendly, drop off very quickCons:
NothingBudget
7.3
Good
93 reviews2 locations in Panama City
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2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
We rented a car for pick up at 12pm on Saturday. They didn’t tells us they close at noon and don’t open until Monday. Scam10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2021
Cons:
The area where the cars are located were out in the open..not good when weather is bad...and sinage was a bit difficult..hard to find the Budget areas..10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2021
Pros:
Staff was very friendly. Drop-off was super easy.Cons:
The car wasn't ready when I arrived and I had to wait about 25 minutes before it was & that was frustrating.10.0 Wonderful
Feb 2021
Pros:
Friendly staff. Easy process.Cons:
N/A4.0 Mediocre
Oct 2020
Pros:
Car was clean and easy to use electronicallyCons:
Unscrupulous practices in upselling I have never heard of before. Will NEVER use Budget again.Hertz
7.3
Good
82 reviews2 locations in Panama City
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6.0 Okay
Nov 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2021
10.0 Wonderful
Dec 2021
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Car was really nice.Cons:
When I rented I could have sworn it said I was renting from the Panama City Airport but not so. We had to take a cab to the Hertz location somewhere in the middle of town. Airport Hertz said there was no way to change it. It was logistically challenging. Kayak or Hertz should do a better job of clarifying that the rental is not at the airport.8.0 Very Good
May 2021
Cons:
The sales rep came thru when airlines delays prevented pickup at the scheduled time.2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
System allowed a 12pm pickup. The facility closed at 12pm. NOBODY CALLED FOR MY STATUS OR BETTER YET STAYED UNIL I ARRIVED. I arrived shortly after 12pm and the facility was closed. This was Saturday and we were STRANDED WITH NO CARS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE.Avis
7.3
Good
48 reviews2 locations in Panama City
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4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Nice leather good price. Good gas mileage.Cons:
One ac vent broke couldn’t adjust, smell terrible like smoke, burns and peeling on plastic pieces in dash and looks like someone spilled milk in the ac vents6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
The car was dirty and had registration that was 6 months overdue.8.0 Very Good
Apr 2021
Pros:
Staff was friendly and helpful.Cons:
I would have chosen differently had I known that I would have a beetle instead of the Kia. Changing was painless however.4.0 Mediocre
Mar 2021
Pros:
easy processCons:
I was talked into an upgrade and it made it sound like it was of no extra charge. I was then charged for the upgrade making my price way higher than I was comfortable with.8.0 Very Good
Mar 2021
Pros:
Nice car,Cons:
The tire pressure gauge did not work properly.2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
Nothing! They called me the afternoon prior to my business trip to tell me that they weren’t going to have a car for me.Cons:
Everything! The least they could have sone was provide more than 24 hour notice so that we could come up with a backup plan.National
7.3
Good
4 reviewsOne location in Panama City
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2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
After I booked the car the agent from national in Panama City airport called me and told me they were sold out so I was on my way to the airport thinking I had a car but I didn’tCons:
Maybe you could be a little more organized with your inventory8.0 Very Good
Dec 2019
Cons:
Truck was dirty but service before and after was greatSunnycars
7.2
Good
No reviews available
One location in Panama City
413 travellers who rented a car in Panama City gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.3
Car hire locations in or near Panama City
Good to know
Most popular car type | Full-size |
|---|
When to book a car hire in Panama City
Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches