PHL Rental Car Guide: Philadelphia International Airport
Renting a car at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, pricing, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at PHL that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at PHL
Each rental company runs a free shuttle between baggage claim and its own rental lot near the airport. All rental car shuttles pick up from Zone 2 on Arrivals Road. The airport describes the shuttles as frequent but publishes no fixed schedule.
Look for Zone 2 on Arrivals Road outside baggage claim. On return, allow extra time for the shuttle ride back to your terminal.
PHL pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: varies by season, so compare all-in quotes for your dates.
Mandatory taxes and fees: A daily customer facility charge and a concession recovery fee (a percentage of your base rate), plus a stack of taxes: 8% sales tax (Pennsylvania's 6% plus Philadelphia's 2% local tax), Pennsylvania's $2 a day rental fee and 2% vehicle rental tax, and Philadelphia's own 2% vehicle rental tax on rentals picked up in the city for 29 days or less. Check your agreement for the exact amounts.
These charges are added on top of the quoted base rate, so a cheap headline price at PHL can look very different at checkout. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at PHL
PHL hosts 8 on-airport rental brands:
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- National
- Sixt
Best for premium service: National (Emerald Aisle) and Hertz (Gold) let loyalty members skip the counter
Cheapest base rates: Compare Dollar and Sixt against the majors, since the gap changes with your dates
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
PHL-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
Philadelphia is compact and transit friendly, and Center City parking is expensive, so many visitors only need a car for part of the trip. The airport also lists Turo for peer-to-peer pickups.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Take the SEPTA Airport Line into the city and rent from a neighborhood branch only for the days you drive.
How to save the most at PHL
- Compare the all-in total. At PHL, 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 PHL?
Each company runs its own free shuttle from Zone 2 on Arrivals Road to its lot near the airport.
What is the average rental car price at PHL?
There is no reliable average for PHL: 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 PHL?
A daily customer facility charge and a concession recovery fee, plus taxes: 8% sales tax (6% state, 2% Philadelphia), Pennsylvania's $2 a day rental fee and 2% vehicle rental tax, and Philadelphia's own 2% vehicle rental tax.
Which rental car company is best at PHL?
National (Emerald Aisle) and Hertz (Gold) let loyalty members skip the counter. Dollar and Sixt are worth pricing against them.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from PHL?
Many visitors take the SEPTA Airport Line into Center City and rent only for driving days, since city parking is expensive.
Are there any quirks to renting at PHL?
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is cashless and the Delaware River bridges to New Jersey are tolled, so check your rental company's toll policy. I-95 by the airport backs up at rush hour.