Portland car hire
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Cheap car rentals in Portland
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People mover |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Portland
- There is so much to see and do on your visit to Portland, Maine. With a hire car you’ll be able to take scenic tours along the coast or drive from Portland to Freeport to admire the foliage and sandy beaches along the way. Additionally, with a hire car you can explore charming nearby towns around New England like Camden or New Port, Rhode Island.
- Portland, ME provides easy access to many New England towns. At the Portland International Jetport, the hire car station is conveniently located next to the main terminal. You’ll simply have to walk a short distance to pick up your hire. Some hire agencies at this airport include Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget.
- Driving in New England can be difficult to navigate because of its many islands. Consequently, you will need a strong GPS system to get around. When traveling in the winter months, note that snow and ice can slow down your travel considerably so give yourself plenty of extra travel time.
- Rush hour in Portland peaks between about 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. in the morning. Afternoons are a little less predictable, with rush hour starting at about 3:30 p.m. and continuing through to 6 p.m. Because traffic can be so sporadic, you might want to check it on the internet or on your smartphone before leaving the hotel.
- Book your rental car in Portland at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Intermediate rental cars in Portland are around 8% cheaper than other car types, on average
Portland car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about renting a car in Portland
What type of car is recommended for driving in Portland?
If visiting here in the winter, you might want to consider a car with four-wheel drive to help you to better maneuver in the snow. Other times of the year, a convertible like a Jeep or Mazda Miata are ideal for cruising the beach. Better yet, with a sporty convertible you can better see the sights and enjoy the fresh breezes.
What’s the speed limit in Portland?
When you’re on the highway driving to other cities in Maine, you can travel up to speeds of 75 miles per hour. However, when you are driving around the city, the maximum allowed speed limit is 55 mph on main roads and 25 mph in residential neighborhoods. Be sure to slow down to 15 mph when you are close to a school zone.
Where are the best places to park in Portland?
On-street, paid parking is pretty easily found all around the city, including downtown. However, it is important to note that metered parking is regularly enforced (there is a 2 hour maximum on spots). The city also owns a few parking garages and lots. A couple are in the center of town and close to tourist attractions like the Victoria Mansion or the Portland Museum of Art.
What is the best car hire company in Portland?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Portland are Alamo (8.6, 64 reviews), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.3, 79 reviews), and Budget (8.0, 100 reviews).
How much is the price of fuel in Portland?
The average price of fuel in Portland is $5.72 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of uel costs between $69 and $91, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Portland?
Intermediate (Toyota RAV4 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Portland.
How can I find car hires near me in Portland?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Portland?
An Intermediate car hire in Portland costs $90 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Portland?
An Economy car hire in Portland costs $75 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Portland?
A Standard car hire in Portland costs $103 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Portland?
In Portland, cars are most frequently hired at Dollar 1001 Westbrook Street (5 km from city centre ).
Portland car rental reviews and directory
Alamo
8.7
Very Good
175 reviewsCleanliness
8.6
Comfort
8.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.8
Value for money
7.9
One location in Portland
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
2.0 Poor
Mar 2021
Pros:
Nothing. I canceled my reservation at the kiosk.Cons:
I was given 3 cars to try. The first car wouldn’t turn on and was filthy. The second car had brakes that sounded terrible. The third was filthy. The clerk was rude and short with me. She said those 3 terrible cars were my only options. Yes, including a car that wouldn’t start. I canceled my reservation and went with enterprise.10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Cons:
staff was unhelpful when i told them the car was missing an ez pass10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2020
Pros:
Staff knowledgeable and super friendly. Car clean and newCons:
Better lighting in the pickup/drop off area6.4 Okay
Sep 2020
Pros:
customer service was good wait time was goodCons:
I reserved a full size car. they gave me a tiny, compact SUV and said "Oh, this is actually one step upgrade for you" It was tiny. not enough room.2.4 Poor
Aug 2020
Pros:
I was expecting a midsize suv and got a tiny Kia Soul The back did not have ac- the hatch had to be opened manually The return experience in Boston was an absolute nightmareCons:
I should’ve been able to rent a bigger vehicle- my children each had to hold luggage because of the tiny car Returning to an under Construction very y’all and dangerous feeling parking deck in Boston was truly the most stressful experience of my trip I was extremely disappointed with the lack of choices for a vehicle upon arrival in Portland- I was expecting at least a JettaEnterprise Rent-A-Car
8.2
Very Good
202 reviewsCleanliness
8.5
Comfort
8.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.3
Value for money
7.9
2 locations in Portland
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Dec 2020
Pros:
POOR customer service and response time to callsCons:
We had a problem because my husband was exposed and contracted Corvid the whole experience was handled as poorly as posible and lewft us with a huge bill when we informed them immediately. We won't be using Enterprise ever again10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2020
Pros:
Very nice, professional and friendly!Cons:
Honestly, nothing it was geat!4.8 Mediocre
Oct 2020
Pros:
I got the last car available and the interior had a strong smell of gas for the entire duration of the trip. I had to drive with the windows rolled down and no one from Enterprise answered the phone while trying to connect with them and ask if I could exchange the car during the trip from Portland to Bar Harbor.Cons:
A real person answering the phone and/or calling me back.5.6 Fair
Oct 2020
Pros:
The staff I saw were nice. THere was no one there when I left with the car, and there was a problem. There was something wrong with the driver's side door, and there was no one to talk with about it. I just left because it was late and I was tired.Cons:
For $100 per day, give me a car that is perfect. That was way too expensive for a car with a door that sounded like it would break off every time I opened it.2.0 Poor
Aug 2020
Cons:
The vehicle we rented was old and was uncomfortable10.0 Wonderful
Jul 2020
Cons:
Easy check in, great car in great condition, easy and quick return. Super happy with the experience. Thanks!Dollar
8.2
Very Good
146 reviewsCleanliness
8.6
Comfort
8.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.4
Value for money
8.0
One location in Portland
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
The staff was very nice when we went to pick up our car. The car itself was very clean on the inside and out. It was so easy to pick it up and drop it off at the airport.Cons:
Nothing- great service through dollar rental!10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Cons:
Nothing, staff in Portland was friendly and responsive when we discovered a problem. I didn't drop off the car, but I'm guessing it went well.2.0 Poor
Dec 2021
Pros:
Literally no aspect of this was positiveCons:
I was told I could cancel, because I couldn’t use my outgoing trip due to a snowstorm. I was not allowed to cancel this trip so I paid around $150 for nothing10.0 Wonderful
Aug 2020
Pros:
the guy in Portland was fantastic - very informative and helpful6.0 Okay
Jun 2020
Pros:
The staff at Boston Logan were excellent.Cons:
The car smelled like stale cigarette smoke and cleaning supplies.2.0 Poor
Dec 2018
Cons:
I was not informed at the time of reservation that the company requires a credit card, which I do not have. I paid $35 at the time of booking and was no able to recoup that money, could t rent the car and was stranded at the airport!Budget
8.0
Very Good
99 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
8.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.1
Value for money
7.6
One location in Portland
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
2.0 Poor
Sep 2023
2.0 Poor
Sep 2022
6.0 Okay
Sep 2022
8.0 Very Good
Apr 2021
Pros:
Most things easy. staff was ok...kind of rushed through somethings. This was our first time renting so I actually wanted to know what they were saying.Cons:
Fairly smooth experience. The only negative thing was the open bottle of alcohol and pistachio shells found in the pocket of a seat, gross! Otherwise we really enjoyed the rental of the ford Transit for a long trip with 7 kids in tow!10.0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Cons:
Fast, efficient pickup/dropoff, brand new car. I've always been an Enterprise guy, but no more. I will go through Budget from now on.Avis
7.5
Good
60 reviewsCleanliness
7.4
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
6.9
One location in Portland
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Didn't take forever like other car rentals, I got my car within 5 minutes of arriving!!8.4 Very Good
Aug 2020
Pros:
The agent accommodated our change request at the desk efficiently and the upgrade was more than satisfactory.Cons:
Off hours drop off needs some work. There were no clear instructions or directions as to where to deposit the keys. I dropped them off at the unmanned desk. I never received a notice that the keys were accounted for.10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2019
Pros:
The staff was very helpful and attentive.3.6 Poor
Aug 2019
Pros:
I rented the car on Kayak for $135. When it was all said and done, it was $298. Nickel and diming you is not ok.Cons:
Charge what we originally ordered!10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2017
Pros:
the computer automatically includes a partial fuel charge and the gentleman that checked in the vehicle had me go inside ant the customer relations person promptly removed that charge.. To me the tis caring about your customers.10.0 Wonderful
Jul 2017
Pros:
Great value and car. Very convinent location at the airportNational
7.7
Good
22 reviewsCleanliness
7.8
Comfort
7.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
6.7
One location in Portland
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Mar 2020
Pros:
Staff was greatCons:
The vehicle smelled like smoke.6.8 Okay
Jul 2019
Pros:
Drop off easy. Staff super helpful.Cons:
Rental was a Jeep Grand Cherokee. We traveled in Maine over unfamiliar roads GPS often wrong, particularly in Portland Jetport. Often made last minutes changes in turn directions causing us to miss numerous turns and causing way too much backtracking.10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2018
Pros:
EverythingCons:
No complaints10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2016
Pros:
Van with price as promisedCons:
Everything fine10.0 Wonderful
Jun 2016
Pros:
Friendly and Professional2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
Hertz
7.2
Good
2 reviewsCleanliness
7.4
Comfort
7.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
7.1
2 locations in Portland
Filters
Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Sep 2023
Thrifty
5.9
Fair
No reviews available
One location in Portland
Easirent
4.7
Mediocre
No reviews available
One location in Portland
Free2Move
No score available yet
One location in Portland
Sunnycars
No score available yet
One location in Portland
VIPCars Recommendation
No score available yet
One location in Portland
Car hire locations in or near Portland
Good to know
Most popular car type | Intermediate |
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