Charleston

Cheap Car Rentals in Charleston from $39

This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car rental in Charleston with a pick-up date of 8/2 and drop-off date of 8/9. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental.
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Charleston car rentals in 2025

Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car rental in Charleston. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on June 12, 2025.

Most popular company

ECONOMY

Price of gas per gallon

$3.48

Average price per day

$62

Cheapest price per day

$39

Compare car rental deals in Charleston by type

Here are the best Charleston small car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best Charleston medium car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best Charleston large car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best Charleston SUV rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best Charleston van rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Here are the best Charleston luxury car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Hyundai Kona$42/day
2
2
5
M
A/C
Hyundai Kona
Nissan Sentra$46/day
4
M
A/C
Nissan Sentra

Best car rental deals found in Charleston

Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car rental deals in Charleston. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect rental option for your needs. There are currently 8 rental car agencies in Charleston with an average daily rate of $58. Data was last updated on June 12, 2025.
These are some of the most attractive options when it comes to renting a car in Charleston. If these deals don't completely appeal to you, check back soon for alternative offers.
Nissan Leaf$39/day
5
M
A/C
Nissan Leaf
Kia Forte$42/day
2
M
A/C
Kia Forte
Toyota Corolla$46/day
4
M
A/C
Toyota Corolla

Cheapflights insights for Charleston car rentals

Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in Charleston, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.

How far in advance should I rent a car in Charleston?

To get the best deal on a rental car in Charleston, book about 7 days before your trip. At that point, average daily prices are around $66, which is about 7% cheaper than the typical rate.

What is the cheapest rental car company in Charleston?

Looking to rent a car in Charleston? Budget had the lowest prices in the past two weeks, starting at only $31.81/day. Avis also offers competitive rates, with deals beginning at $33.04/day.

What is the best car rental company in Charleston?

Based on Cheapflights user feedback, the highest rated car rental company in Charleston is Budget (rated 5.9/10 with 143 reviews). Enterprise Rent-A-Car (rated 7.7/10 with 60 reviews) is also highly rated by our users.

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Charleston?

Planning a car rental in Charleston? January is the cheapest month, costing about $55 per day. In contrast, July is the most expensive, with an average daily rate of $79. Monthly average rental prices are listed below. Remember, prices can change based on when you book, the type of car, and availability.

January

$55

February

$67

March

$71

April

$78

May

$72

June

$74

July

$79

August

$76

September

$68

October

$71

November

$70

December

$71

What car do most people rent in Charleston?

SUV rentals (GMC Yukon or similar) are the most popular option for those visiting Charleston. Full-size rentals (GMC Yukon or similar) are also a popular choice, followed by Compact rentals (Toyota Corolla or similar).

Which car rental company has the most locations in Charleston?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 6 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Hertz has the second highest number of locations in Charleston at 4.

Top rental agencies in Charleston

Explore the leading car rental agencies in Charleston known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car rental companies in Charleston. Reviews were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Browse through some of the top rental car agencies in Charleston, including Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hertz in Charleston. Skim reviews, rental company locations, prices, and more before making your decision.

Budget

5.9
Fair
143 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.2

Comfort

6.6

Overall

5.8

Pick-up/drop-off

5.9

Value

6.0

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.7
Good
60 reviews6 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.2

Overall

7.7

Pick-up/drop-off

7.7

Value

7.4

Hertz

6.7
Okay
39 reviews4 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

7.1

Overall

6.7

Pick-up/drop-off

6.9

Value

6.1

Avis

5.4
Fair
49 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.0

Comfort

6.4

Overall

5.4

Pick-up/drop-off

5.3

Value

5.6

Alamo

9.2
Wonderful
20 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.4

Overall

9.1

Pick-up/drop-off

9.2

Value

8.5

National

7.3
Good
2 reviews1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

7.3

Comfort

7.3

Overall

7.3

Pick-up/drop-off

9.3

Value

8.0

Dollar

1 location

Easirent

1 location

Car rental FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car rentals in Charleston, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on June 12, 2025.
  • What are the requirements to rent a car in Charleston?

    To get car rentals in Charleston, you will have to present a valid driver’s license along with a credit card matching the name of the driver. If this license is from a different country and not in English, they may ask for an International Driver’s Permit as well to pick up rental cars in Charleston.

  • What are the rules for driving in Charleston?

    When driving your Charleston car rentals, remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road. It’s also mandatory for all passengers to wear a fastened seatbelt while in a moving vehicle, even those in the backseats of a passenger van rental. It’s illegal for drivers to have more than 0.08% of blood alcohol content. It’s also a good idea to check out the department of motor vehicles to make sure there aren’t any new updates.

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Charleston?

    Charleston can get quite busy during rush hour, especially in the downtown area. When picking out a cheap car rental in Charleston, if you are planning on exploring the city you may want to opt for an electric car rental or a compact vehicle. This South Carolina city is also known for its beaches. If this is your plan for your time visiting the city, look for car rentals in Charleston that have extra cargo space like an SUV, especially for those coming with children. The car rental locations in Charleston offer a wide variety of categories to suit your needs.

  • What are the best places to park in Charleston?

    There are various places to park your rental cars in Charleston. The city has both on-street and off-street parking areas. If you find an on-street parking spot for your Charleston car rentals, the parking is metered during the day except on Sundays. There are about 15 parking garages across the city, as well as a few metered and non-metered parking lots. This can be a good place to park your cheap car rental in Charleston, especially during peak hours or on the weekends. In the more residential areas surrounding Charleston, you may find free spots. Just keep an eye out for any signs restricting car parking.

  • What is the cheapest rental car found in Charleston?

    In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $62/day when booking a rental car in Charleston. The best deal a user found was for $37/day from Baker Automotive Rentals, booked on Jun. 8.

  • How much does it cost to rent a car in Charleston for a week from Economy Rent a Car?

    Economy Rent a Car is one of the most popular car rental companies in Charleston, offering car rentals for around $368 per week on average.

  • Can I rent a car for a month in Charleston?

    Yes, renting a vehicle in Charleston for a month is certainly possible.

  • How much does it cost to rent a car in Charleston for a month?

    We’ve recently found that Baker Automotive Rentals offers you prices that are 50% cheaper than the average rate available for a long-term rental. The average cost of a car rental in Charleston for a month is $1,578. Check Cheapflights to compare pricing and options for your rental car.

  • How much is a car rental in Charleston for a weekend?

    For a weekend car rental in Charleston, you can expect the average price to be around $83. Usually a Intermediate rental in Charleston is your cheapest weekend car rental option, though you should always check Cheapflights to see if there are other deals on alternative car rental types. If you do opt for renting a Intermediate for July, it will cost approximately $74 per day.

Car rentals by fuel type in Charleston

Browse car rentals by fuel type in Charleston. Currently, Hybrid cars are the cheapest to rent in Charleston. Deals were last updated on June 12, 2025.

Browse through car rental deals by fuel type in Charleston. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Hybrid being the cheapest ($39+).

Electric

Electric

Gas/Diesel

Gas/Diesel

Hybrid

Hybrid

Traveling to a place near Charleston?

Rent a car at Charleston if you plan to visit one of these locations
North Charleston
Summerville
Walterboro
Mount Pleasant
Isle of Palms
Folly Beach
Santee
Edisto Beach

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