PDX Rental Car Guide: Portland International Airport
Renting a car at Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at PDX that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at PDX
On-airport rental facility connected to terminal by short walk.
Rental counters are inside the terminal — short walk from baggage claim.
PDX pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $50-$70 economy, $90-$140 SUV.
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 10%, customer facility charge $5/day, no Oregon state sales tax.
That means a $50/day economy rental at PDX actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at PDX
PDX hosts 10 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Sixt
- Fox
Best for premium service: Hertz (largest fleet)
Cheapest base rates: Sixt (often promotional rates)
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
PDX-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
PDX is one of the fastest US airports for pickup — rental counters are inside the terminal. Off-airport rarely worth it.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Vancouver, WA (15 min north) for cheaper rates.
How to save the most at PDX
- Compare across all 10 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at PDX.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at PDX?
On-airport rental facility connected to terminal by short walk. Rental counters are inside the terminal — short walk from baggage claim.
What is the average rental car price at PDX?
$50-$70 economy, $90-$140 SUV. Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at PDX?
Concession recovery 10%, customer facility charge $5/day, no Oregon state sales tax. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at PDX?
For premium fleet and reliability: Hertz (largest fleet). For cheapest base rates: Sixt (often promotional rates). Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from PDX?
PDX is one of the fastest US airports for pickup — rental counters are inside the terminal. Off-airport rarely worth it. Specifically: Vancouver, WA (15 min north) for cheaper rates.
Are there any quirks to renting at PDX?
Oregon has NO sales tax — but rental cars get hit with their own concession + facility charges. The displayed rate is closer to the all-in rate than other states.