Charleston

Cheap Car Rentals in Charleston from $35

Charleston, SC
Sat 5/4
Noon
Sat 5/11
Noon
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Charleston car rentals in 2024

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 April 27, 2024.

Most popular company

ACE

Price of gas per gallon

$3.90

Average price per day

$78

Cheapest price per day

$35

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

Discover the most affordable period to rent a car in Charleston and save money on your trip. The monthly average price data is based on historical data over the last year and was last updated on April 27, 2024.

January

$50

February

$64

March

$72

April

$75

May

$70

June

$74

July

$80

August

$73

September

$60

October

$69

November

$66

December

$62

Currently, the cheapest month to rent a car in Charleston is January. The most expensive time to rent a car is July. The cheapest prices for each month are shown above, but prices will vary based on availability, how far out you book your rental car, and of course, car type.

Compare available car types for rental in Charleston

Compare and contrast the various car types offered for rental in Charleston to find the perfect fit for your trip. Price data is based on averages over the last 12 months and was last updated on April 27, 2024.

Small cars

$47 - $125

All Car Types

$64 - $117

To rent a small car in Charleston, the United States, you would pay an average price of $81/day. January is the cheapest month to rent a small car in Charleston, the United States (~$47/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is October (~$125/day). In fact, January is about 42% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a small car rental for Charleston. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Charleston, renting a small car saves you 13% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Charleston small car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a medium car in Charleston, the United States, you would pay an average price of $78/day. January is the cheapest month to rent a medium car in Charleston, the United States (~$56/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is August (~$102/day). In fact, January is about 30% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a medium car rental for Charleston. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Charleston, renting a medium car saves you 16% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Charleston medium car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a large car in Charleston, the United States, you would pay an average price of $102/day. January is the cheapest month to rent a large car in Charleston, the United States (~$73/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is July (~$127/day). In fact, January is about 29% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a large car rental for Charleston. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Charleston, renting a large car is 9% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Charleston large car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a SUV in Charleston, the United States, you would pay an average price of $91/day. January is the cheapest month to rent a SUV in Charleston, the United States (~$62/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is July (~$119/day). In fact, January is about 32% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a SUV rental for Charleston. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Charleston, renting a SUV saves you 3% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Charleston SUV rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a van in Charleston, the United States, you would pay an average price of $135/day. September is the cheapest month to rent a van in Charleston, the United States (~$106/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is October (~$179/day). In fact, September is about 22% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a van rental for Charleston. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Charleston, renting a van is 32% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Charleston van rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a luxury car in Charleston, the United States, you would pay an average price of $113/day. January is the cheapest month to rent a luxury car in Charleston, the United States (~$75/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is September (~$148/day). In fact, January is about 35% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a luxury car rental for Charleston. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Charleston, renting a luxury car is 19% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Charleston luxury car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a convertible in Charleston, the United States, you would pay an average price of $118/day. February is the cheapest month to rent a convertible in Charleston, the United States (~$76/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is June (~$174/day). In fact, February is about 36% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a convertible rental for Charleston. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Charleston, renting a convertible is 22% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

Ford Focus$42/day
4
M
A/C
Ford Focus
Toyota Yaris$46/day
2
M
A/C
Toyota Yaris

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 April 27, 2024.
Browse through some of the top rental car agencies in Charleston, including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget and Alamo in Charleston. Skim reviews, rental company locations, prices, and more before making your decision.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.8
Good
106 reviews6 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.1

Comfort

8.2

Overall

7.7

Pick-up/drop-off

7.8

Value

7.5

Budget

6.0
Okay
216 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.4

Comfort

6.8

Overall

6.0

Pick-up/drop-off

6.1

Value

6.2

Alamo

9.2
Wonderful
91 reviews1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

9.4

Comfort

9.4

Overall

9.1

Pick-up/drop-off

9.2

Value

8.7

Hertz

7.3
Good
84 reviews4 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.5

Comfort

7.7

Overall

7.3

Pick-up/drop-off

7.4

Value

6.8

Avis

5.4
Fair
74 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

5.9

Comfort

6.3

Overall

5.4

Pick-up/drop-off

5.4

Value

5.6

National

8.0
Very good
3 reviews1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.0

Pick-up/drop-off

9.2

Value

8.4

Easirent

1 location

Sunnycars

2 locations

Best Charleston car rental deals found

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 $45. Data was last updated on April 27, 2024.
These are the best deals we've found on rentals cars in Charleston. If these deals don't completely appeal to you, check back soon for alternative offers.
Toyota Corolla$35/day
5
M
A/C
Toyota Corolla
Dodge Charger$36/day
5
4
M
A/C
Dodge Charger
Toyota Corolla$37/day
5
M
A/C
Toyota Corolla

Car rental FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car rentals in Charleston, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on April 27, 2024.
  • 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 $78/day when booking a rental car in Charleston. The best deal a user found was for $43/day from Turo, booked on Apr. 21.

  • What car rental company is typically the cheapest in Charleston?

    According to our data, users have found the cheapest deals when booking a rental car in Charleston from the following companies over the past two weeks: Turo ($35/day), Budget ($42/day), and Avis ($46/day).

  • Which car rental company is considered to be the best in Charleston?

    Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, Alamo (9.2 rating), National (8.0 rating) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.7 rating) seem to be the best rental car companies in Charleston.

  • What are gas prices like in Charleston?

    The average gas price in Charleston is $3.90/gallon over the past month, costing you anywhere between $46 and $67 to fill up a car’s gas tank.

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

    Ace is one of the most popular car rental companies in Charleston, offering car rentals for around $431 per week on average.

  • How far in advance should I rent a car in Charleston for the best price?

    Our data suggests that booking early can save you up to 30% on a rental car in Charleston. Take advantage of a below-average prices by booking at least 7 days prior to your desired date.

  • 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 Turo offers you prices that are 54% cheaper than the average rate available for a long-term rental. The average cost of a car rental in Charleston for a month is $1,847. 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 $89. 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 May, it will cost approximately $72 per day.

  • What car do most people rent in Charleston?

    Chrysler Pacifica, which is a Mini vehicle, is the most popular to rent at Charleston according to Cheapflights users.

See more FAQs

Van rentals in Charleston

Find van rental deals in Charleston from well-known providers in the area and save on gas mileage with the options provided below. van rentals in Charleston cost an average of $50 per day. Price data was last updated on April 27, 2024.
These are some of the best deals we've found on van rentals in the Charleston area at the moment. Deals are updated frequently to provide users with as many suitable options as possible.
Nissan Quest$50/day
5
5
M
A/C
Nissan Quest
Chrysler Pacifica$51/day
5
M
A/C
Chrysler Pacifica

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 April 27, 2024.

Browse through car rental deals by fuel type in Charleston. There are currently 2 fuel types to choose from with Hybrid being the cheapest ($45+).

Electric

Electric

Hybrid

Hybrid

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