Car Rental in Florida: Prices, How to Save, and Insurance

Petr Novk

For cheap car rental in Florida, consider using car rental companies in the city you plan to visit. Typically, airport rentals are more economical as numerous companies compete, leading to lower prices. In my comparison, Florida was indeed the cheapest destination for car rentals.

Car Rental in Florida: Prices, How to Save, and Insurance

For a no-obligation calculation, I recommend using the form below. This compares the prices of all available rentals in Florida, resulting in lower prices.

Car Rental Prices in Florida

The price for car rental in Florida depends not only on the provider or the specific city of pick-up, but also on several other factors. Some of these can be surprising:

⏳ Car Rental Duration

As expected, the longer the rental period, the higher the cost. However, the rental price may vary throughout the year; during the summer months or around public holidays, when demand for rental cars increases, prices may rise accordingly.

🗓️ Best Time to Book a Car

In writing this article, I researched booking prices for numerous dates. According to my findings, prices are lowest when you book two to three months in advance of the pick-up date.

🗺️ Location of Car Rental

Some rental companies are situated near airports, while others—usually smaller ones—can be found in city centers or as part of larger hotels. Prices generally tend to be lower at airport car rental companies.

🏎️ Category of Rental Car

The most affordable options are usually economy-class cars, which are typically smaller vehicles with basic equipment. Mid-range cars offering more space cost about 10% more, while large SUVs are about a quarter more expensive than the cheapest cars. Stylish convertibles like the Ford Mustang can be up to 70% more expensive than economy cars.

🔞 Driving Age

Drivers aged between 21 and 24 are subject to a $25 surcharge for each rental day. Younger drivers will face higher charges.

☂️ Insurance Included

All rental cars must carry compulsory insurance, paid for by the customer. Collision, theft or damage insurance costs are additional to the compulsory insurance. They are not mandatory, but I recommend taking them out.

🛰️ Accessories at Additional Cost

Satellite radio, GPS navigation, or a child car seat can make traveling in the USA more enjoyable and convenient, yet these extras do come at an additional cost.

When arranging a rental car, avoid relying on the first car rental company in Florida you encounter. It would be a significant coincidence if it turned out to be the most affordable in the final comparison. Instead, I recommend using a booking portal like RentalCars.com, which compares prices from over 200 car rental companies worldwide and offers customers a lowest price guarantee.

In the table below, I have searched for the most affordable car rentals in Florida for 24-hour durations. Please regard these prices as a guide; for more accurate information, kindly perform a non-binding calculation.

Economy Midsize SUV Convertible
Affordable car rental in Florida Florida Car Rental SUV Rental in Florida Florida Convertible Rentals
from $33 from $33 from $37 from $46
Get a Quote Get a Quote Get a Quote Get a Quote

Cheap Car Rentals in Florida

Most visitors to Florida arrive by plane, landing in Miami where the most affordable car rental companies are conveniently located at the airport’s MIA Rental Car Center. Free shuttles operate from all terminals to the center. In particular, Advantage, Alamo, All Day Rent A Car, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z Rent A Car, Firefly, Hertz, National, Payless, Royal, Sixt, and Thrifty all have operations based here.

Other rental companies in Florida:

Car Rental in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale, a city on the east coast of Florida, houses rental stands for Alamo, Budget, Dollar, National, and Thrifty at the airport. Other rental outlets can be found in the city center.

Car Rental in Fort Myers

Fort Myers, part of the Cape Coral conurbation on the west coast of Florida, boasts numerous car rental companies concentrated at the local airport. Alamo, Budget, Dollar, National, and Thrifty provide their services there.

Car Rental in Key Largo

In South Florida’s Key Largo, Advantage Rent A Car, Avis Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Thrifty Car Rental, and Budget Truck Rental all operate branches.

Car Rental in Key West

Key West, the southernmost point of the continental USA, hosts branches of Dollar Rent A Car, Alamo Rent A Car, Thrifty Car Rental, National Car Rental, and Budget Rent A Car near the airport.

Car Rental in Orlando

Orlando is home to a multitude of car rental companies, with branches located at several hotels and close to theme parks. Five prominent operators—Alamo, Budget, Dollar, National, and Thrifty—serve the local airport.

Car Rental in Sarasota

Sarasota, one of the most beautiful cities in Florida, features branches of Hertz, Budget, National, Alamo, Thrifty, Enterprise, and Avis.

Car Rental in Tampa

Tampa, Florida’s third-largest city, boasts the lowest car rental rates at the local airport rental agencies. Avis Car Rental, Hertz, National Car Rental, Alamo Rent A Car, and Thrifty Car Rental operate there.

Remember, you’re not limited to these cities when looking for a rental; car rental services are also common in small towns with only a few thousand inhabitants.

Florida Road Trip Tips

In two words, Florida is all about beaches and parks—both national and recreational—that the Sunshine State offers in abundance.

These attractions are concentrated around Orlando in central Florida, catering to children, teenagers, and adults alike. Perhaps the most renowned is Walt Disney World, particularly Magic Kingdom with its iconic fairytale castle. In essence, it has something for everyone.

Teens might enjoy a trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa, where they can experience the adrenaline rush of Falcon’s Fury, a tower that plummets 102 meters at speeds of up to 97 kph. What’s more, just before the fall, the seats rotate to face the ground, ensuring a thrilling freefall experience.

If national parks are more your speed, Florida offers three. My personal favorite is Dry Tortugas, though it’s not accessible by car. You’ll need to pay for a boat or plane ride, which may be a significant expense. The other two national parks, Everglades and Biscayne, are both located in South Florida and can be reached easily by car.

The relaxation you desire can be found on Florida’s numerous beaches. Some of the most stunning include Clearwater Beach, South Beach, Key West, and Palm Beach.