South Carolina car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65
Tue 26/3
Tue 2/4

Search hundreds of rental car sites at once for car rental deals in South Carolina

Here is why travellers choose KAYAK

Save up to 34%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 hire in South Carolina

Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
People mover
Passenger van
SUV
Commercial
Pick-up truck

Top tips for hiring a car in South Carolina

  • For hire cars in South Carolina, you will need to present an active driver’s licence and a credit card with matching names. For non-locals, a foreign driving licence in English is permissible. However, you may be required to have an international driving permit if your original driver’s licence is in a foreign language. If you do not have a credit card as security, the car hire company may request extra cash as a refundable deposit.
  • It is crucial that you familiarise yourself with current South Carolina driving laws for safety purposes. For instance, left lanes are solely for overtaking and for upcoming left turns. You do not have the legal right of way unless another driver signals you to proceed, especially when manoeuvring several traffic lanes. Drivers are required by law to turn on the windscreen wipers and the headlights in rainy weather. You should also activate your blinker or gesture appropriately before reaching the place you intend to turn.
  • All drivers and their passengers must wear seatbelts whenever in motion. The state also prohibits alcohol intake in a moving vehicle, whether you are the driver or passenger. It is unlawful to text and drive in South Carolina, so keep your phone away when driving your hire car. You should also not drive under the influence of alcohol. The permitted blood alcohol content in South Carolina is 0.08%.
  • Book your rental car in South Carolina at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard rental cars in South Carolina are around 1% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in South Carolina

  • What is the most popular car hire in South Carolina?

    Standard (GMC Canyon or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in South Carolina.

  • What is the best car hire company in South Carolina?

    Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in South Carolina are Alamo (8.8, 296 reviews), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.9, 256 reviews), and Thrifty (7.2, 143 reviews).

  • How can I find car hires near me in South Carolina?

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

  • Where should I hire a car in South Carolina?

    Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in South Carolina are Hilton Head Island (20% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in South Carolina), Myrtle Beach (20%) and Charleston (20%).

  • Should I hire a car in South Carolina?

    Hire a vehicle in South Carolina and get to explore as much as possible. South Carolina is popularly known for its extensive beaches and the historic Charleston City. Hiring an economy hire car will enable you to travel and visit all the must-see spots. While there are public transportation options in most towns across South Carolina, some locations are only accessible via private means. Take your ride along the coast and see the magnificent Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach. For those that enjoy outdoor events, take your time and enjoy the hiking trails and other outdoor activities in Congaree National Park.

  • What is driving like in South Carolina?

    The driving conditions in South Carolina range from flat to mountainous due to the state's diverse topography. Since South Carolina's weather is not particularly harsh, any type of hire car will serve you well for your trip. The state’s road system is pretty impressive, as all areas are connected by a comprehensive network of highways and interstates. The I-77 and the I-20, for example, connect with significant adjacent state cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, Atlanta and Georgia. The I-95, which runs through South Carolina, is the main north-to-south road on the U.S East Coast. Just like the numerous car hire companies in South Carolina, there’s also an abundance of parking spaces. It is important to note that most public car parks require payment and are metered, which makes it easy to pay and know of any restrictions. Major cities in South Carolina are often buzzing with activity, which makes being stuck in a traffic jam during rush hour very possible. A wise way to bypass this nasty experience is to avoid driving during peak hours, altogether.

  • How old do you have to be to hire a car in South Carolina?

    In South Carolina, most car hire agencies mandate that you be at least 21 years old in order to hire a vehicle. If you need to hire a car and are between the ages of 21 and 24, you will probably have to pay a "young driver charge" and might only be able to hire specific types of vehicles; luxury models may be off limits.

Car rental directory

  • enterprise

    Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in South Carolina

    40 Locations

  • hertz

    Hertz car hire locations in South Carolina

    26 Locations

  • avis

    Avis car hire locations in South Carolina

    11 Locations

  • budget

    Budget car hire locations in South Carolina

    11 Locations

  • sunnycars

    Sunnycars car hire locations in South Carolina

    6 Locations

  • alamo

    Alamo car hire locations in South Carolina

    5 Locations

  • national

    National car hire locations in South Carolina

    5 Locations

  • vipcarsrec

    VIPCars Recommendation car hire locations in South Carolina

    5 Locations

  • thrifty

    Thrifty car hire locations in South Carolina

    4 Locations

  • dollar

    Dollar car hire locations in South Carolina

    3 Locations

  • easirent

    Easirent car hire locations in South Carolina

    3 Locations

  • autoeurope

    AutoEurope car hire locations in South Carolina

    2 Locations

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

When to book a rental car in South Carolina

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