Columbia car hire
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Cheap car rentals in Columbia
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Columbia
- Columbia car rentals are undoubtedly the most convenient means of transport for travelers who want to explore different destinations in the city. Although public busses are a cheaper transport option, they suffer one major drawback of fixed routes and departure schedules. Car rentals in Columbia come in handy for travelers who want to move around with their own departure schedule and along the routes that they consider most appropriate. Consider visiting Lake Elkhorn Park with your rental car and have an exciting time outdoors.
- There are several important roads that are crucial for getting around the city in cheap car rentals in Columbia. They include Columbia Pike (Route 29), which is a major north-south route that passes through Columbia and links the city to other areas of Maryland and Washington, D.C.; Little Patuxent Parkway is a major east-west road that runs through the center of Columbia and is home to several significant businesses and attractions. Broken Land Parkway, which connects several residential neighborhoods of Columbia with a number of shopping complexes and recreational amenities, can get congested during rush hour, so it's advisable to plan ahead and use a GPS or navigation app to avoid the route during these periods.
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is the closest airport to Columbia, MD, and the main entry point to the city for the international traveler. All the four car rentals in Columbia, including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Budget, are located at 7432 New Ridge Rd. Courtesy shuttles are available at the airport to ferry travelers to this car rental location from the Main Terminal of the airport.
- Maintaining a fully charged and ready electric vehicle is easy in Columbia, MD. With over 100 public charging station ports including Level 2 and Level 3 stations, finding a place to power up is a breeze. The Merriweather District has 40 Level 2 EV charging stations on floors 2 and 3, while the downtown area has 40 charging ports. Even better, some charging stations are accessible to taxpayers at no cost, so whether you're from Columbia or are just visiting, you can charge up with confidence and take advantage of everything the city has to offer.
- When you are driving your rental car in Columbia’s city center, you should watch out for pedestrians, who commonly cross the road without checking on oncoming vehicles. Many of them do not pay to restrict themselves to zebra crossing lines. If it is your first time to Columbia, it is good to maintain lower speeds and be careful when navigating intersections. The intersection of Thunder Hill Road, Oakland Mills Road, Tamar Drive, and Dobbin Road is quite challenging to navigate. Consider customizing the GPS app on your rental car to be able to navigate various roads in the city with ease.
- Columbia, MD has several one-way streets, especially in the downtown area. To avoid getting lost or traveling in the wrong direction, it's crucial to pay strict attention to road signs and markers. These one-way streets include Lake Kittamaqundi Way, which runs along the lake's eastern shore and is one-way in both directions, Banneker Road, which has a section that is only one-way near the Banneker Community Center, and Twin Rivers Road, which has one-way sections close to the intersection with Oakland Mills Road.
- The convenience of using car rentals in Columbia slowly fades away between 7:30 am, and 9:30 am when the traffic slows down. It is difficult to drive in the city during this time due to the heavy traffic on most of the roads. The same situation replicates in the evening, from 4 pm to 6:30 pm, the time when people are leaving work. If possible, avoid using Oakland Mills Road because it experiences the heaviest traffic during this period.
- Book your rental car in Columbia at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Mini rental cars in Columbia are around 15% more expensive than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Columbia
How much is the price of fuel in Columbia?
The average price of fuel in Columbia is ₹ 320 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a petrol tank costs between ₹ 3,837 and ₹ 5,115, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Columbia?
Mini (Chrysler Pacifica or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Columbia.
How can I find car hires near me in Columbia?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Columbia?
A Mini car hire in Columbia costs ₹ 7,788 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Columbia?
An Economy car hire in Columbia costs ₹ 4,946 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Columbia?
A Compact car rental in Columbia costs ₹ 3,685 per day, on average.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Columbia?
If you are traveling along in Columbia, renting an economy car, which has a smaller capacity and is affordable, will be a good thing to do. However, if you are coming with your family, colleagues or friends to the city, consider renting an intermediate or compact car. The intermediate car has more passenger capacity, being able to accommodate up to 7 adults. It is a suitable car type for travelers coming to Columbia with their kids and having to move around the city with more baggage. If you intend to visit off-road destinations, an intermediate SUV will also be a good option for you.
What road trips can I take from Columbia, MD?
There are plenty of destinations you can visit in your Columbia car rentals. If you're looking for a beach getaway, Virginia Beach and Ocean City are both around a three-hour drive away from Columbia. Consider incorporating some unique, off-the-beaten-path places and stops to the itinerary.
What’s the speed limit in Columbia?
Stay away from the trouble of Columbia traffic police by adhering to the speed limits when driving in different parts of the city. If you are driving your rental car in the business and residential districts, you have to maintain a speed limit of 25 mph. On other roads, unless indicated otherwise, you have to adhere to the speed limit of between 55 mph and 65 mph. The speed limit is at the highest, 70 mph if you are driving your car on the interstate freeway. Speed cameras are available on all roads that front schools.
What is the age limit to rent a car in Columbia, MD?
Child seat rules in Columbia require children under eight to buckle up in a safety or booster seat that's appropriate for their size. Children under the age of 13 should always ride in the backseat of the vehicle. It is best to double-check manufacturer guidelines when installing the car set in cheap car rentals in Columbia to ensure that all components are safely put.
Where are the best places to park in Columbia?
Columbia has several public and private parking lots, which eliminate any fear of missing a place to park your rental car. From Washington Street, you can park your car conveniently at Parklet, which is about 0.2 miles from the city center. City Parking at The Hub located along Sumter Street and Finlay Park Viewpoint along Laurel Street are other popular places you can park your rental car at a pocket-friendly rate. Additionally, if you are staying at any of the hotels in Columbia, you park your rental car at no cost.
Columbia car rental reviews and directory
Avis
6.6
Okay
6 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
6.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
6.6
2 locations in Columbia
Locations in Columbia
10020 Baltimore Natl Pike
+1 410 461 3127
7290 Cradlerock Way Suite A
+1 443 259 0219
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Show reviews that mention
Reviews
8.0 Very Good
May 2021
Pros:
The staff was fine and courteous.Cons:
The Hyundai Tucson I rented was lacking in overall performance. I think they should consider to use another brand of automobile to rent.8.0 Very Good
Oct 2019
Pros:
Very friendly and helpful staff memberCons:
Cleanliness. Stained seats. Smoke smell.2.0 Poor
Jul 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Mar 2022
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
2.0
Poor
2 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
2.0
Value for money
8.0
4 locations in Columbia
Locations in Columbia
10270 Baltimore National Pike
+1 410 480 9664
12186 Clarksville Pike
+1 443 535 0067
7351 Assateague Dr Ste 50
+1 410 799 0975
8916 Mcgaw Ct Ste 1a
+1 410 290 7355
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Nov 2023
Hertz
6.2
Okay
No reviews available
One location in Columbia
Locations in Columbia
6440 Dobbin Center Way
+1 410 740 7263
Filters
No reviews available
Budget
No score available yet
3 locations in Columbia
Locations in Columbia
10020 Baltimore Natl Pike
+1 410 461 2760
6475 Washington Boulevard
+1 443 492 6462
7290 Cradlerock Way Suite A
+1 410 312 5198
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jan 2022
Car hire locations in or near Columbia
Good to know
Most popular car type | Mini |
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