For affordable car rentals in Las Vegas, I recommend visiting the Harry Reid Rent-A-Car Center near the airport. The 24/7 facility, located 3 mi from the airport, houses all the major car rental companies. Free blue-and-white shuttles run regularly from the airport to the center, stopping at the airport’s public transportation hub. Later in this article, you’ll find tips on getting the best car rental deals and choosing the right vehicle class.
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Cost of Renting a Car in Las Vegas
Never book a car from the first Las Vegas rental company you come across. Chances are, it won’t be the cheapest option. Always compare prices across several rental companies. For example, the search engine RentalCars.com does this automatically and guarantees customers the lowest rates.
You can calculate the rental cost using the form below, which compares prices across major car rental agencies in Las Vegas.
How Much Will You Pay for a Car Rental in Las Vegas?
- No Hidden Fees
The prices stated at the time of reservation are always final, providing a clear overview of your expenses. - Lowest Price Guarantee
If you find the same deal at a lower price elsewhere, RentalCars will refund the difference. - Cancellation Is Free of Charge
Most bookings can be cancelled or altered free of charge up to 48 hours before collection.
- No Hidden Fees
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How to Save on Car Rentals in Las Vegas
Several factors affect the cost of car rentals in Las Vegas.
🗓️ Booking in Advance
Based on my experience, I recommend booking your car 1-2 months in advance. This is usually when rental rates are the lowest.
RentalCars, for example, allows users to cancel existing reservations at any time without any fees. This flexibility enables you to book a car early and cancel if your itinerary changes. Plus, RentalCars offers a price-match guarantee to ensure you get the best deal.
⏳ Timing and Duration of the Rental
Rental rates depend on demand, which is highest during the summer months when tourists flock to Las Vegas. Prices can also spike during national holidays, when Americans head to Vegas for weekend getaways.
Always ensure your rental period is a multiple of 24 hours. For example, if you pick up the car at 9 a.m. and return it at 10 a.m. the next day, you’ll be charged for an extra day. This rule applies to all rental companies.
🗺️ Location of the Rental Agency
The competitive environment among rental companies at Harry Reid International Airport often results in lower prices compared to agencies on the Strip.
Renting from the airport can also save you transportation costs to and from the city center, making it a worthwhile choice even if the rental rates are slightly higher.
🏎️ Car Class
The cheapest cars are usually in the Economy class, which may have limited luggage space and lower passenger comfort. For longer road trips, Intermediate and Large class cars are more suitable and typically cost only about 10% more.
SUVs, which offer extra comfort and high ground clearance, cost roughly 25% more than Economy cars. Premium vehicles like convertibles, such as the Ford Mustang, are usually at least twice as expensive as the cheapest options.
Below is a table showing approximate prices for the cheapest car rentals in Las Vegas. The prices are listed per 24-hour period and were accurate for rentals within three months of writing this article.
Economy Class Intermediate Class SUV Convertible 
from $47 from $37 from $54 from $59 🔁 Check the Price 🔁 Check the Price 🔁 Check the Price 🔁 Check the Price 🔞 Driver’s Age
Drivers between 21 and 24 years old must expect an additional fee due to the higher risk of damage. The fee varies by rental company and typically ranges from $16.00 to $37 per day.
Drivers aged 18 to 20 may not be able to rent a car at all, or they will face even higher surcharges.
☂️ Included Insurance
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Supplemental Liability Protection (SLP) are included in car rental prices in Las Vegas. The benefit for drivers is zero-deductible coverage, meaning you won’t pay anything in case of damage. However, be sure to review the contract, especially the section on insurance exclusions, before finalizing the rental.
🛰️ Extra Equipment Fees
You can purchase additional accessories or services for your rental car. The most useful add-on is often an extra driver, allowing you to share driving responsibilities on long trips. Rental agencies in Nevada typically charge $11.00 to $13.75 per day for an additional driver, with a common maximum cap of $65 for the entire rental period.
If an unauthorized driver operates the vehicle at the time of an accident, the insurance will be invalid, and the full cost of damages will be the responsibility of the driver.
For trips with young children, consider renting a car seat or booster seat, which most agencies offer in various sizes.
On the other hand, paying for mobile internet may be unnecessary, as you can easily access it through an eSIM from Airalo. GPS navigation can be conveniently replaced by the Google Maps app on your phone.
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Affordable Car Rental Companies in Las Vegas
◻️ Car Rental Companies at Las Vegas Airport
Rental companies at Harry Reid International Airport (previously known as McCarran Airport until December 2021) are located in a dedicated facility in the desert, about 3 mi south of the terminal. The rental companies operate 24/7, and a free shuttle takes you from the terminal to the facility.
If you arrive at Terminal 1, go through baggage claim and proceed to the first floor. The shuttle pickup area is near doors 10 and 11. For Terminal 3 arrivals, the shuttle stop is on the ground level, accessible through doors 51-54 on the west side or doors 55-58 on the east side of the building.
The airport hosts rental agencies including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty.
◻️ Car Rental Companies on the Las Vegas Strip
Rental companies on the Strip are typically smaller and often located within hotels. The most prominent agencies in downtown Las Vegas are Avis and Enterprise, though you’ll also find branches of Sixt, Dollar, and Hertz.
Car Rental Company Rating 
Alamo Rent a Car 8.7/10 
Avis Car Rental 8.2/10 
Budget Car Rental 8.1/10 
Dollar Car Rental 8.3/10 
Enterprise Rent-A-Car 8.6/10 
Hertz Rent a Car 8.3/10 
National Car Rental 8.6/10 
SIXT Rent A Car 8.3/10 
Thrifty Car Rental 8.3/10 -
Road Trip Ideas Around Las Vegas
1️⃣ Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located just 20 mi or a 25-minute drive west of downtown Las Vegas. As the name suggests, Red Rock Canyon is known for its striking red rock formations towering over the desert landscape.
If you enjoy outdoor activities, you’ll love this place. The conservation area features more than 30 hiking trails of varying difficulty, along with scenic bike paths. If you prefer to take in the sights from the comfort of your car, you can drive along the 13 mi-long Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive. Note that entry requires a reservation and comes with a fee, so plan accordingly.
2️⃣ Hoover Dam
Located on the border between Nevada and Arizona, Hoover Dam is about 37 mi southeast of Las Vegas and is one of the most remarkable engineering feats of the 20th century. Hoover Dam was completed in 1935 and can hold back an amount of water equivalent to two years’ flow of the Colorado River.
You can view the dam’s exterior for free, but I recommend spending a few dollars on a guided tour of its interior. You’ll learn about the dam’s history and hear an eerie fact about the first and last workers who died during its construction.
3️⃣ Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is located 252 mi east of Las Vegas, a drive that takes about four and a half hours one way.
If you have the time, I recommend making stops at other national parks along the way. Within driving distance of the Grand Canyon, you’ll find Zion, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands National Parks.
4️⃣ Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is a land of extremes. It is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S., located about 131 mi northwest of Las Vegas, a drive that takes just over two hours.
During summer, conditions can be extreme, with temperatures reaching as high as 122°F. Be sure to pack plenty of water and consider visiting Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at –282 ft.
5️⃣ Joshua Tree National Park
If you’re planning a road trip across the western U.S., you’ll likely take the 261 mi route connecting Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Part of the journey can be done on the iconic Route 66.
Along the way, consider a 62 mi detour to visit Joshua Tree National Park. The park is home to two desert ecosystems—the Mojave and the Colorado—each with unique flora and fauna. The park’s iconic Joshua trees, resembling oversized succulents, are a symbol of the American West.
Car Rental in USA
- The Best Guide to Renting a Car in the USA (4 318 Words!)
- USA Driving Guide – Important Rules, Speed Limits & Signs
- USA Gas Stations – Filling Up, Fuel Types & Price Guide
- Automatic Car 101: Understanding Gearbox, Starting, and Parking
- How to Rent a Mustang Convertible in the USA (An Easy Guide)
- How to Rent a 7, 9, 12 or 15 Passenger Van (A Complete Guide)
