9 Places With 24-Hour Car Rental (Airports & Elsewhere)

William Lipovsky headshot William Lipovsky
Verified & Updated May 5, 2020

There are two main methods for renting a car any time of day — you can rent from a traditional car rental company like Enterprise or Hertz, or use a car-sharing service like Turo or Zipcar. While not everyone considers peer-to-peer car sharing to be the same as a rental, regardless of how you rent, you are still typically paying by the day for use of a vehicle that you drive. Most traditional rental car companies do not offer 24-hour rentals, and when they do, they are only available at airport locations. However, many car-sharing services allow for 24-hour rentals, because you don’t need to visit a rental office to pick up the car.

What We Recommend

For the widest selection of cars, most competitive prices, and flexibility of scheduling rental times, consider renting with Turo. You can rent virtually any type of car and arrange pickup times with the owner. If you are under 21, you may want to consider renting through Zipcar, which allows drivers as young as 18 to rent near college campuses.

If you prefer to rent from a traditional rental car company, most do not have offices that are open 24 hours. However, many do have 24-hour airport locations, and companies like Alamo and Hertz allow customers to check-in online and take their car immediately, skipping the counter altogether.

Companies That Offer 24-Hour Car Rentals

Below, we list the major car rental companies that offer the convenience of 24-hour rentals, including information about how to rent and other relevant policies. Note that most of these companies are car-sharing services with no centralized locations. We’ve ordered the list starting with the best overall rental options.

To compare your rental options, see our car rental selection tool.

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Turo

  • Locations: Individuals rent their own cars with Turo, so cars can be anywhere. Some car owners offer pick up and drop off.
  • Eligibility: You must have a current driver’s license, be at least 21 years old, have your own mobile phone, and meet auto insurance score criteria.
  • How it works:
    • First, sign up with an account. You’ll need to provide a phone number, email, and driver’s license number to get approved to drive. Approval usually takes only minutes.
    • Search for cars to find one available to reserve in your area. With Turo, individuals rent their own cars, so there could be cars anywhere.
    • Once you’ve reserved a car, you’ll need to download and install the app if you haven’t already. You’ll use the app at pickup, and to record details of your trip, including mileage and the car’s condition at pickup.
    • Drop off the car at the same place you pick it up, or as arranged with the owner.
  • Vehicle types available: You can find pretty much any kind of car, SUV, van, or another standard car on Turo.
  • Pricing and insurance: Car owners set their rates, so you’ll find affordable deals starting around $30 or less per day to hundreds of dollars per day for specialty vehicles. You can buy a basic insurance plan for about $6 per day, or a premium plan for about $11 per day.
  • Mileage: Drivers set their own mileage. Be sure to check the details for the specific car you’re considering renting.
  • Find out more or book online

Zipcar

  • Locations: Cars are parked in designated spots on the street or in a lot.
  • Eligibility requirements: Typically, you need to be 21 years old, but some areas near college campuses allow 18-year-old drivers. You must have a valid driver’s license.
  • How it works:
    • First, sign up to become a Zipcar member.
    • You receive a membership card in the mail within 3-7 business days, or you can pick up at a local office.
    • Login to the website or mobile app to reserve a vehicle. You can also call 1-866-4ZIPCAR ($3.50 fee).
    • Hold your membership card over the windshield sensor to unlock the vehicle. The keys will be inside.
    • Return the vehicle to the same place at the end of your reservation. Hold your membership card over the reader again, or use the mobile app, to lock the doors and end the rental.
  • Vehicle types available: Economy cars (eg. Honda Fit or Volkswagen Golf), cargo vans, SUVs (eg. Ford Escape), BMW’s or Hybrids. Not all vehicle types are available in all locations.
  • Pricing/insurance: Pricing and insurance options vary by location and state, and some areas offer special discounts for signing up. We recommend you review your location on their website for specific details. There is a one-time application fee of $25, annual membership fees of $7 per month or $70 per year, and you can rent by the hour or day.
  • Mileage: The first 180 miles per day are included, additional miles are $0.45 to $0.55 per mile.
  • Find out more or book online 

Rental Companies With 24-Hour Airport Locations

The following car rental companies have airport locations that are open 24/7, allowing a person to rent a car anytime. Several of them also have programs that allow you to “skip the counter” and go straight to the vehicle.

Alamo

Hertz

Avis

Budget

National

Enterprise

Sixt

Rental Companies Without 24-Hour Service

The following rental car companies do not have any confirmed for 24-hour locations (including at airports) listed on their websites:

  • Dollar
  • Thrifty
  • U-Save

In Summary

When you need to rent a car at any time of day, a peer-to-peer rental service is likely to be your best bet. Turo is typically the best option, with car owners renting their vehicles nationwide for prices that beat competitor rental car companies. You can arrange with the owner to pick up the car whenever you need to. If you are under 21, consider renting through Zipcar, which allows drivers as young as 18 to rent near college campuses. If you prefer a traditional rental car company, you will not be able to find an office that is open 24/7. However, most major rental car companies have 24-hour airport locations, and companies like Alamo and Hertz allow you to skip the counter when you check-in online. Always be sure to understand the full terms of a reservation before booking, so you do not incur any unexpected charges.

For more about renting a car, we explain what happens if you return a rental car early and what happens if you pick one up late.

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