Car rental in Phoenix

Car Rental in Phoenix: a hub of high-tech industry

As the largest city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the area’s political and economic hub, and is formed at the center of the ancient indigenous Hohokam cultural area. Phoenix—“reborn from the ashes” of Hohokam infrastructure—is seated along the canal system that the Hohokam built starting in 700 CE. Today Phoenix is known as a hub of high-tech industry and a popular winter home for many Americans. Make the most of your visit to Phoenix by getting mobile with a rental car and exploring the city and its surroundings alike. Book you rental car today!

Winter temperatures in Phoenix typically hover about 12 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit), while summer temperatures skyrocket to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and higher. The most comfortable month to visit Phoenix is typically April. Monsoon season runs July through September.

The de facto official languages of Arizona are English and Spanish. Almost 300,000 Native Americans also live in Arizona; Navajo and Western Apache are two of the most frequently spoken indigenous languages in the area.

The currency throughout the United States is the dollar. Currency exchange is available at airports and popular tourist destinations, and credit cards are accepted at the vast majority of businesses.

Phoenix is in the Mountain Time Zone, UTC-7.

Automobile hire is available in over 20 locations throughout Phoenix, though you’re likely to find the most availability at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

There are numerous breathtaking sights within a day- or weekend-trip distance from Phoenix. Some of the best include:

• Sedona (about 2 hours north of Phoenix), a gorgeous town in the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon.
• The world-renowned Grand Canyon, located 3.5 hours north of Phoenix along a beautiful drive through Coconino National Forest.
• The Sonoran Desert (an hour southwest) and the Montezuma Castle National Monument (an hour north) are also well worth the trip.

Visa Regulations

38 nationalities can enter the United States as tourists without applying for a visa, though if you are among these nationalities, you are still required to fill out the ESTA in advance. Visit esta.us for more information. Visitors to the United States will be fingerprinted and biometrically photographed upon entry. If your nationality is not included in the visa-waiver program, you will be required to apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa in advance of your arrival.

Driving in Phoenix

Exploring Phoenix by car is truly the best way to see the city and its surroundings, as public transportation infrastructure is poor and the roads are built on an easily navigable grid.

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road throughout the United States.

Speed Limits

• In the city: 20-25 mph (32-40 km/h)
• On urban freeways: 55–65 mph (89–105 km/h)
• On rural freeways: 65–75 mph (105–121 km/h)
• Traffic is particularly congested in the Phoenix area during morning and evening rush hours, from 7 to 8 am and 3:30 to 6 pm.

Other Regulations

1. Parking is plentiful in Phoenix, though it is regulated by fee. Even for street parking, plan to feed the meter from 8 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week!
2. An international driver’s permit is recommended as accompaniment to your valid domestic driver’s license for your self-drive travel throughout Arizona, particularly if your driver’s license has been issued in a language other than English.
3. There are no toll roads in Arizona.
4. The minimum driving age in Arizona is 18, though most rental companies will require that you are at least 21 years old to rent a car, and you are likely to face young-driver surcharges until the age of 25.
5. If you’re interested in driving your rental car into Sonora, Mexico, talk to your rental company. Border Zone travel is relatively uncomplicated, but your agency will need to provide you documentation to ease border travel, including car insurance that is also valid in Mexico. Some surcharges may apply for international travel.

Cheap Car Rental in Phoenix

Automobile hire in Phoenix typically starts at around $26 a day. Here are some of the best deals in Phoenix:

• Kia Rio or similar (economy class) – $26/day
• Nissan Note or similar (compact class) – $27/day
• Hyundai Elantra or similar (intermediate class) – $27/day
• Volkswagen Jetta or similar (standard class) – $28/day
• Ford Fusion or similar (fullsize class) – $29/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Phoenix

There is no seasonal variation in price for rental cars in Phoenix. While it is possible for you to rent cars at numerous locations throughout the city, book your car at any of the agencies at the airport to ensure the best price and the most availability. The airport locations for Europcar, Dollar, and Thrifty routinely feature the lowest prices in the region.

You can also typically save around $20 a day by extending your rental period to over a week!