Rental car pick up at the airport: What do I need to consider?

Important facts described briefly below:

To start a vacation in an uncomplicated direct way, many customers like to receive their rental cars at the airport. Usually, rental car suppliers have larger car fleets at airports than at smaller city stations. 

Some rental companies have a rental counter and vehicles directly at the airport, while others offer a free shuttle from the airport to the rental station. Offers from suppliers with a free shuttle included are often slightly cheaper than offers from rental companies with a "desk in the terminal" option. If you have any questions about an individual supplier and its location, please contact our customer service team.

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Picking up a rental car directly at the airport is practical and especially convenient for vacationers. In most cases, you will find the rental car station, optimally tailored for air travelers, directly in the terminal. HAPPYCAR can help you answer the most important questions about car rental at the airport.

What are the advantages of picking up a rental car directly at the airport?

 If you book an airport pick-up for your rental car, you will benefit from several advantages:

• Immediate mobility upon arrival at your destination
• Time saved due to the rental car station located directly in the terminal
• Alternatively: A free shuttle service will take you to your rental car
• Longer and more flexible business hours
• A larger vehicle fleet provides a better chance of getting the vehicle you want

For many reasons, rental car pick-up at the airport is one of the most popular ways for air travelers to comfortably start their vacation. If your plane lands very early or late, you can arrange to pick up the rental car outside of regular office hours upon request. If you pick up the rental car at the airport, you also save the expense of a cab or public transport to the rental car station in the city.

How does airport rental car pickup work?

If you want to drive your rental car directly after your flight, when booking, it is best to choose the airport as the pick-up location. Depending on the provider and destination, your rental station is usually located directly in the terminal - easily recognizable and close to where you collect your luggage. If your rental station is not located in the terminal, a shuttle bus will be available. The shuttle service will take you to the rental car station free of charge. The rental car station is usually located close to the airport grounds, so the journey only takes a few minutes.

What does shuttle service mean when I pick up my rental car at the airport?

As previously mentioned, some car rental stations are located outside the airport. Instead of receiving your rental car key directly in the terminal, a shuttle bus will pick you up and take you to the respective rental car station within a few minutes. The shuttle transfer is, of course, free of charge.

The shuttle buses usually commute at regular intervals between the parking lot outside the terminal and the rental car station. The exact location of the station is usually indicated in your voucher. During business hours, the buses run approximately every ten to 15 minutes. However, depending on the destination, time of day, or season, the shuttle service may be on-call only. You will also find the relevant information, and a telephone number of the supplier, in the voucher that you received with the booking confirmation.

Tip: For cost-conscious travelers, it is worth comparing prices. Rental car offers with shuttle transfers are usually slightly cheaper than a rental car pick up directly at the airport terminal. However, you may have to allow a little more time for retrieval of your rental car.

Does it cost extra if I pick up a rental car at the airport?

Picking up your rental car at the airport includes no extra costs. Extra charges may apply only for picking up or dropping off your rental outside of business hours.

Where do I find my rental car company for airport car pick up?

Usually, you will find the rental car stations on the way from the baggage claim to the exit. However, especially at large airports, the search for the desired car rental company can take a little longer - either because the stations are not well signposted or because another rental company represents your supplier on site.

For example, if you have rented through Argus, your local on-site Rental Company may be a different name. The tour operators often cooperate with local car rental companies.

Tip: If you have trouble finding your local rental company, just ask at another counter. The local service staff know the rental car stations best and will be happy to help you. Please make sure to check whether your booking is directly at the terminal, or includes a shuttle bus, to take you to the car rental station.

What do I do if my plane is delayed?

When you pick up your rental car at the airport, you usually have to provide your flight number. This allows the rental company to be informed about delays. Attention: Although the car rental company can view your flight details, you are still obliged to inform them about delays.

If your plane is delayed, please inform your rental car company immediately. Although rental car companies are not legally obliged to reserve your rental car until you are at the airport or to reimburse you for the unused time, with most of our partners a short delay is no problem.

As long as you arrive within the operating hours of the rental car station, the rental company will arrange for a later pick-up time with you. If your pick-up time is delayed outside of office hours, additional costs will usually be incurred. How expensive will depend on the respective provider and the services required. If an employee has to wait at the station just for you, fees may be higher.

How much time should I allow for rental car collection at the airport?

Exact amounts of time needed for picking up your rental car at the airport, can not be given. Both the entry procedure and the rush at the car rental counters can vary greatly. We recommend allowing at least 60 minutes between landing and pick up. When traveling to Europe, you should increase the time buffer by another 30 to 60 minutes.

During the vacation season, and at peak times, there may also be longer lines at the car rental counters. At popular destinations, you will need to be patient. If your booking includes shuttle service, you should allow about half an hour for the waiting time at the parking lot and the drive to the car rental station.