PHX Rental Car Guide: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Renting a car at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at PHX that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at PHX
Consolidated rental center (24th Street) reached by free PHX Sky Train (5-7 minutes).
PHX Sky Train runs every 3 minutes between terminals and the rental center. Free.
PHX pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $50-$70 economy, $90-$140 SUV.
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 11.11%, customer facility charge $4.50/day, AZ state tax 5.6%.
That means a $50/day economy rental at PHX actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at PHX
PHX hosts 11 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Sixt
- Fox
- Payless
Best for premium service: Enterprise (strong customer service in southwestern markets)
Cheapest base rates: Alamo (leisure-focused, common at PHX)
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
PHX-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
Sky Train is fast and free. Off-airport rarely worth it.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Tempe (10 min) and Mesa (20 min) for cheaper week+ rentals.
How to save the most at PHX
- Compare across all 11 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at PHX.
- 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 PHX?
Consolidated rental center (24th Street) reached by free PHX Sky Train (5-7 minutes). PHX Sky Train runs every 3 minutes between terminals and the rental center. Free.
What is the average rental car price at PHX?
$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 PHX?
Concession recovery 11.11%, customer facility charge $4.50/day, AZ state tax 5.6%. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at PHX?
For premium fleet and reliability: Enterprise (strong customer service in southwestern markets). For cheapest base rates: Alamo (leisure-focused, common at PHX). Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from PHX?
Sky Train is fast and free. Off-airport rarely worth it. Specifically: Tempe (10 min) and Mesa (20 min) for cheaper week+ rentals.
Are there any quirks to renting at PHX?
Phoenix is one of the few airports without a daylight savings time switch. AZ stays on MST year-round, which can confuse pickup/return time math.