CLE Rental Car Guide: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Renting a car at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) in Cleveland, Ohio. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, typical costs, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at CLE that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at CLE
Rental cars are at CLE's consolidated rental car facility at 19601 Maplewood Avenue, away from the terminal. Free shuttles run 24/7 and the ride takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
Board at the rental car shuttle terminal in the Ground Transportation Center, at the north end of the terminal on the baggage claim level. Use the elevators across from the welcome center or the escalators near Claim 3 and Claim 9.
CLE pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: varies by season, so compare all-in quotes for your dates.
Mandatory airport fees: Cleveland approved a $6 per day customer facility charge on airport rentals in 2023, on top of Ohio and Cuyahoga County taxes and any concession recovery fee. Check your agreement for the current amounts.
That means a $50/day economy rental at CLE picks up about $6/day in facility charges before taxes and other fees are added. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at CLE
CLE's rental car facility hosts 8 rental brands:
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- National
- Thrifty
Best for premium service: Hertz, National and Avis (strong loyalty programs that can speed up pickup)
Cheapest base rates: Dollar and Thrifty (often lower base rates; compare the all-in total)
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
CLE-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
CLE is about a 12-mile drive southwest of downtown Cleveland. Since even the airport brands use a separate facility reached by shuttle, a neighborhood branch only makes sense if it is clearly cheaper.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Suburban branches can be cheaper for longer rentals because they skip the airport charges.
How to save the most at CLE
- Compare the all-in total. At CLE, the cheapest headline rate is not always the cheapest final bill.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill is usually cheaper: fill up close to the return location, since the company refuel charge is usually well above the pump price. Check your agreement for the exact rate.
- Check your coverage before you go. Many credit cards and auto policies cover damage to a rental, but card coverage never includes liability, so confirm what you have before declining the counter's offer.
More tips: how to avoid hidden rental fees.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at CLE?
Free 24/7 shuttles run from the Ground Transportation Center on the baggage claim level to the facility on Maplewood Avenue, about a 5 to 7 minute ride.
What is the average rental car price at CLE?
There is no reliable average for CLE: rates move with season, demand and car class, and airport charges come on top. Compare all-in quotes for your dates.
What hidden fees should I watch for at CLE?
The main airport add-on is the $6 daily customer facility charge, plus Ohio and Cuyahoga County taxes and any concession recovery fee.
Which rental car company is best at CLE?
Hertz, National and Avis are best for loyalty members, and Dollar and Thrifty often have lower base rates.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from CLE?
Only if clearly cheaper, since the airport brands already use a separate facility reached by shuttle. Suburban branches can win on longer rentals.
Are there any quirks to renting at CLE?
Plan for Ohio Turnpike tolls (E-ZPass), lake-effect snow from November to March, and extra time for the shuttle on return day.