Car rental in Columbia

Car Rental in Columbia, SC

As one of the United States’ first planned cities, Columbia is a very easy place to drive through. The streets are wide and easy to navigate and typically absent of any real traffic, all of which makes Columbia an ideal city to navigate via rental car. Here is a brief guide to finding the cheapest rental cars in Columbia, South Carolina.

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Columbia rental cars are available in eleven locations throughout the city, including at the Columbia Airport (CAE), downtown, and in Columbia East, Northeast, and Northwest. Columbia car hire typically starts at around $56 a day for short-term rentals and $37 a day for long-term rentals.

Tips for Finding Cheap Rental Cars in Columbia, SC

As in most cities, the cheapest location at which to book your rental car in Columbia is at the Columbia Airport, also known as the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, located 7 miles southwest of city center. Alamo and Hertz are among the eight rental car companies with counters located in the lower level of Columbia Airport’s main terminal. Because this is the highest concentration of rental car companies in all of the locations throughout Columbia, you can typically find the best deals on daily rates for Columbia rental cars here.

Another good way to save money on rental cars in Columbia is to visit the area during the off-season. Regardless of how far in advance you book your rental car, you will typically find that rates rise for short-term and longer-term rentals alike in the busy summer months. Particularly if you are visiting Columbia during less busy periods of the year, you can get some great deals by booking your rental car last minute or just two to three months in advance of your arrival.

Finally, particularly because Columbia is such a drivable city, consider booking your rental car for the entire length of your stay. Rental periods extended to around 10 days or more typically result in great deals on daily rates, regardless of where you rent throughout the city.

Key Things to Remember: Driving Your Rental Car in and Near Columbia, South Carolina

Parking your rental car in downtown Columbia:

• Parking is relatively inexpensive in downtown Columbia. Parking that is regulated by meters or pay stations, whether on the street or in parking garages, typically costs 75 cents an hour. Some time limits may apply, however, and it is prohibited to simply add more coins to the meter without moving your car.
• You can park all day in gated garages, where the hourly rate is typically around $2, with a maximum day rate of $10.
• Metered areas of parking garages and on the streets are typically free after 6 pm and on the weekends.

There are only two tolled roads in the state of South Carolina, and neither of them are near Columbia. One toll road is located near Hilton Head, while the other tolled road is located just outside of Greenville. Both toll roads are payable by cash and cost less than $2.

Where to Go Next: Road Trips in Your Columbia Rental Car

South Carolina is a really beautiful state, offering visitors the best of the southern states’ ecosystem and some superb coastal sunsets. If you have some free time during your visit to Columbia, consider taking a road trip to:

1. Charleston (115 miles from Columbia). Located just 2 hours southeast of Columbia, Charleston is one of the most unique cities on the eastern seaboard, built onto a largely manmade peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic and ringed by interconnected islands on either side. For some ideas on what to do in the Charleston area, see our guide on the Charleston webpage.
2. Santee State Park (55 miles from Columbia). For a shorter drive to some of South Carolina’s picturesque marshy landscapes, head southeast to Santee State Park, an impressive riverside area located just one hour from Columbia.
3. Kershaw (54 miles from Columbia). This little town, located about an hour’s drive north of Columbia, has something for the entire family, including racing cars (and karts and bikes) at the Carolina Motorsports Park and plenty of other outdoor activities at both the 40 Acre Heritage Preserve and Kershaw Tate Park.