How to find a cheap car rental deal in Seattle
Searching for a cheap rental car in Seattle? With prices averaging $131 a day, big savings are just around the corner. Whether you're wanting a small ride, a road trip-ready SUV, or anything in between, we round up all the top deals to make booking easy.
The cheapest daily rental price in Seattle is $28.
For longer trips, pick up a weekly rental from $193 and pack more sights into your itinerary.
Here's your clue on when to book. Around one week in advance gives you the best window to grab the best price on a Seattle car hire.
Hertz, Europcar and Thrifty are some of the best-known providers in the city. They're a smart place to start comparing offers.
The coverage Hertz or another company offers for your Seattle car rental can vary, so always go over the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra charge.
Booking one-way could snag you a bargain on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be relocated. Simply select 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in Seattle.
Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car with a full tank, so you pay only for what you use. No hidden refueling charges at drop-off either.
Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up additional fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you roam without limits.
Best value car rental options right now
The best value for money comes from this company, with average prices at $118 a day.
Taking second place is this provider, which offers daily rates of around $78.
The third option also keeps costs manageable. Expect to pay roughly $120 a day for one of their rentals.
The Full-size rental category is a solid choice if you're unsure what sort of ride you need. It's also the most commonly booked car type in Seattle.
Flying to Seattle? Think about an airport pick-up
Keep arrival day hassle-free by booking a car rental at Seattle / Tacoma International Airport. If you're flying to Seattle through this airport, simply collect your wheels after landing and go. The drive to the city center is about 23 kilometers and takes around 25 minutes.
Or make a swift exit with a car rental from Paine Field Airport. Once those keys are in your hand, it'll take roughly 40 minutes to drive the 40 kilometers or so to the center.
Also browse the rental car options at Seattle Boeing Fld Airport. Central Seattle is around 11 kilometers away, which is a driving time of about 20 minutes.
Compare car rental types in Seattle
Small: Whether you're weaving through city traffic or taking a quick trip, this car category delivers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect easy handling and great mileage.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, comfort and space. Easy to handle in cities and with enough space for longer drives, they're a reliable pick for most journeys.
Large: Offering greater driving comfort and extra tech features, this Seattle car hire category includes full-size cars. With roomier back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and take everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and a better view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're winding through tough terrain or cruising along uninterrupted highways, many come with all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.
Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Seattle that fits a small crowd (and all their stuff), a van is the roomy solution. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group trips, moving or business needs.
Insurance and optional extras
Choosing excess insurance for your Seattle car rental can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of damage or theft. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so compare before you book.
Upgrade your ride with handy extras like a reverse camera and GPS unit. They can make your trip more comfortable and stress-free when you rent a car in Seattle.
Good to know
The minimum age to rent a car in the United States is generally 21 years old. However some providers make their own rules, so always double-check your rental company's terms to make sure you meet the requirements.
Add a car seat to your Seattle car rental booking if you're bringing the kids. Rules can change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest option.
You'll need to hand over a few things when picking up your rental car: your physical driver's license, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds for the security deposit. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. Any additional requirements will be listed in your booking.
If you're new to driving in the United States, keep in mind that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.
Local speed limits may vary, but it's typically around 40kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways. Always obey the posted signs.
In the United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you're planning to drink, pass the keys to someone else or arrange a cab or ride-share instead.
One of the busiest times for traffic in this destination is around 5pm. Make things easy by driving outside rush hours in general.
You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) for all your purchases on your trip. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cards and cash so you always have a backup option.
Best hotels in Seattle for drivers
Pull in and settle straight into your stay at Populus Seattle. Offering valet parking as well as a minibar and a 24-hour front desk, this hotel is about 0.80 kilometers from central Seattle.
Or make use of the parking at Inn at the Market. The city center is roughly 0.80 kilometers from this stay, which also features a laundry and car rental options.
Explore the full lineup of hotels in Seattle and pick the stay that suits your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to your needs — like 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with on-site charging.
After you've locked in a car rental deal in Seattle and the right hotel, all that's left is deciding where to head to first. Begin your sightseeing at must-see attractions like Space Needle, Pike Place Market and Seattle Skyline.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Seattle
Keep traveling to Tacoma. Around 40 kilometers south of central Seattle, you'll find must-do sights like LeMay - America's Car Museum and Chihuly Bridge of Glass.
Reliable accommodation options with parking in Tacoma include Hotel Murano and La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tacoma - Seattle.
Add Kent to your journey too. Grab your cheap car rental in Seattle and drive around 26 kilometers south to take in major highlights such as Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum and Tahoma National Cemetery.
Relax after a day out and about in Kent at Red Roof Inn Seattle Airport - Seatac or Days Inn by Wyndham Seatac Airport. These hotels cater to visitors bringing their own car.
Keep the wheels turning and road-trip it to Gresham, around 241 kilometers south of Seattle. Kick things off at Lower Oneonta Falls, then spend some time at Gresham Japanese Garden.
Time to think about catching some z's. Quality Inn and Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gresham have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Gresham.
