Cheap Car Rentals in Columbus from $38
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 Columbus with a pick-up date of 9/1 and drop-off date of 9/24. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental.
Columbus car rentals in 2026
Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car rental in Columbus. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on July 30, 2026.
Most popular company | TURO |
|---|---|
Price of gas per gallon | $4.35 |
Average price per day | $63 |
Cheapest price per day | $38 |
Best car rental deals found in Columbus
Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car rental deals in Columbus. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect rental option for your needs. There are currently 8 rental car agencies in Columbus with an average daily rate of $53. Data was last updated on July 30, 2026.
Cheapflights insights for Columbus car rentals
Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in Columbus, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should I rent a car in Columbus?
For the best savings on car rentals in Columbus, make your reservation 64 days before pickup. The average price then is just $57/day—about 13% less than the yearly average.
What is the cheapest rental car company in Columbus?
Looking to rent a car in Columbus? Budget had the lowest prices in the past two weeks, starting at only $28.65/day. Avis also offers competitive rates, with deals beginning at $29.54/day.
What is the best car rental company in Columbus?
Based on Cheapflights user feedback, the highest rated car rental company in Columbus is Avis (rated 7.1/10 with 32 reviews). Budget (rated 6.5/10 with 87 reviews) is also highly rated by our users.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Columbus?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Columbus is January where you can expect to pay $53/day on average. The most expensive month to rent a car in Columbus is June ($80/day on average). The average daily rental price for each month is shown below. Keep in mind that prices will vary based on availability, when you book, and the type of car you rent.
January
$53
February
$56
March
$63
April
$62
May
$73
June
$80
July
$76
August
$68
September
$65
October
$65
November
$63
December
$60
What car do most people rent in Columbus?
Intermediate rentals (Class Intermediate Car, for example) are the most popular in Columbus. Standard (Volkswagen Jetta) and SUV (Ford Escape) rentals are also often chosen by our users when visiting Columbus.
Which car rental company has the most locations in Columbus?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 15 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Free2Move has the second highest number of locations in Columbus at 3.
Tips for renting a car in Columbus
Browse helpful tips for renting a car in Columbus including age restrictions, car type suggestions and more. Tips were last updated on July 30, 2026.
- When flying into Columbus, you will likely land at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), about 6 miles east of Columbus city center. The rental companies at the airport include Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Budget. The rental counters are in a separate facility, the Rental Car Facility, accessible by shuttle service. The complimentary Rental Car Shuttles pick-up location is outside the baggage claim area on the ground transport level of each terminal. Consider making a reservation for the rental car to ensure availability.
- If you want to pick up your rental car in one location and drop it off in a different place, consider hiring from a car rental company offering one-way rental, including Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, and Dollar, at an additional fee. Some of the car rentals may have mileage limitations and additional mileage fees. During booking, state your desired drop-off location at the car rental agency. Ensure you reserve a one-way rental, as one-way rental cars are in high demand in Columbus.
- When visiting Columbus, consider renting an eco-friendly car for environmentally sustainable travel throughout the city. There are various perks to renting an eco-friendly vehicle, including fuel efficiency leading to a reduction in fuel expenses and a contribution to the city's environmental sustainability, as most eco-friendly vehicles have low to zero carbon emissions. The car rental companies in Columbus offering eco-friendly vehicles include Avis and Budget, which both have pick-up and drop-off locations at CMH. The car rentals offer full-size hybrid vehicles for an eco-friendly option.
Top rental agencies in Columbus
Explore the leading car rental agencies in Columbus known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car rental companies in Columbus. Reviews were last updated on July 30, 2026.
Avis
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Budget
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Payless
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National
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Dollar
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car
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Alamo
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Thrifty
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Car rental FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions about car rentals in Columbus, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on July 30, 2026.
What are the requirements for renting a car in Columbus?
To rent a car in Columbus, you must first meet the age requirements for renting a vehicle with car rental agencies in the city. Most car rental companies allow passengers at least 21 years old to rent a car. However, some car rentals may require renters to be at least 25 years with renters aged 21 to 24 paying an additional young renter fee. You must have a valid driver's license held for at least one year, your identification documents, and a credit or debit card for some rental agencies. Some rental companies in Columbus may require a rental deposit if you don't have a credit card; therefore, be prepared for the deposit payment beforehand. Ensure you have your insurance documents ready if you use personal insurance coverage.
Can I cross the border with a rental car from Columbus?
You can cross international borders with a rental car from Columbus, provided you get the permit from your rental agency. Cross-border travel costs additional fees. The rental companies in Columbus offering cross-border travel include Hertz, Budget, National, Alamo, and Enterprise. With your rental car, you can cross international borders into Canada using the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit-Windsor, the Peace Bridget in Buffalo-Fort Erie, and the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron-Sarnia. Ensure your insurance covers cross-border travel. To cross the border with your rental car from Columbus, ensure you always have the rental agreement with you, vehicle documents, driver's license, identification documents, and insurance documents.
Which car rental companies in Columbus offer accessible vehicles?
If you have special needs, consider renting an accessible vehicle from one of the car rental companies available across the city for an easy driving experience in Columbus. Several car rental agencies offer accessible vehicles, including Enterprise, National, and Hertz. Hertz rental company offers accessible vehicles through an accessibility program. The cars feature spinner knobs, hand controls, transfer boards, and left-foot accelerators to aid in the ease of driving for passengers with special needs. Enterprise and National also run programs offering accessible vehicles for rent featuring wheelchair ramps, lifts, and hand controls. The car rental companies in Columbus provide assistance services to improve the rental process for renters with special needs.
What is the cheapest rental car found in Columbus?
In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $63/day when booking a rental car in Columbus. The best deal a user found was for $21/day from Turo, booked on Jul. 25.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Columbus for a week from Turo?
Turo is one of the top picks in Columbus. They can have you in a rental car for about $417 per week on average.
Can I rent a car for a month in Columbus?
Yes, cars are available to be rented out for an entire month in Columbus.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Columbus for a month?
We’ve recently found that Turo offers you prices that are 70% cheaper than the average rate available for a long-term rental. The average cost of a car rental in Columbus for a month is $1,787. Check Cheapflights to compare pricing and options for your rental car.
How much is a car rental in Columbus for a weekend?
Car rental prices in Columbus are typically $85 for the weekend. On Cheapflights, you’ll be able to find great car rental deals on any type of vehicle. However, consider renting a Economy to save money on your trip to $85. Our users have found prices for Economy car rentals in August to be on average $68 per day.
Car rentals by fuel type in Columbus
Browse car rentals by fuel type in Columbus. Currently, Electric cars are the cheapest to rent in Columbus. Deals were last updated on July 30, 2026.
Browse through car rental deals by fuel type in Columbus. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Electric being the cheapest ($44+).
Electric
$44+
Gas/Diesel
$121+
Hybrid
$44+