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Columbia car hire

Driver's age: 26-65
Wed 1/5
Wed 8/5

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Columbia car hire information

Pick-up locationColumbia
Car types
Hire locations19
Airport locations4

Cheap car hire in Columbia

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Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
People carrier
Passenger van
SUV
Commercial
Pick-up truck

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Columbia

  • A historical city, Columbia has many cultural attractions and landmarks for tourists to visit. Having a hire car will let you tour these sights at your convenience. Additionally, you can drive to the ACE Basin or the nearby town of Beaufort with its Southern charm and historical architecture.
  • Columbia Metropolitan Airport is one of the major airports in South Carolina. It serves the cities of Columbia, Greenville, Lexington, and Clemson. Travelers flying out of this airport can enjoy a number of amenities including easy access to car hire agencies. Located close to baggage claim, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and Thrifty all operate out of this facility.
  • In Columbia you should always be on the lookout for animals that might suddenly run out into the road. This is especially a problem in the fall during deer hunting season. These animals can cause substantial damage to your hire car. Additionally, by law, if you are driving on the highway and see a tow truck loading a vehicle, you must move over to the other lane for safety reasons.
  • During your stay in Columbia, you might want to limit your driving during peak travel hours. This includes morning rush hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and in the afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Traffic is especially busy on highways like Interstate 26 and Highway 17, which lead into and out of the downtown district.
  • Book your car hire in Columbia at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Compact car hire in Columbia are around 67% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Columbia

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Columbia?

    You’ll find a wide variety of vehicles to choose from when renting a car in Columbia. Select from compact, luxury, or a sports utility vehicle (ideal if you plan to drive through the ACE Basin). Also, if you are traveling to Columbia in the summer months, be sure that the air conditioning system in your hire car works well because there can be many hot days.

  • What’s the speed limit in Columbia?

    Because it is a big city, Columbia has many highways. When traveling on city freeways, you can travel at maximum speeds of 60 mph and on major roads around shopping districts the speed limit is 50 mph. However, on the interstate you can increase your speed to 70 mph. Inside residential neighborhoods, the maximum speed allowed is 30 mph.

  • Where are the best places to park in Columbia?

    The City of Columbia has numerous metered parking spaces downtown. Street parking in Columbia is always free after 6 p.m. and on weekends. But, if you are willing to walk, drive down some nearby side roads to find non-metered parking spaces. Additionally there is the option of parking in a garage or lot. Note that some of these facilities are city-owned while others are privately owned and operated.

  • How much is the price of fuel in Columbia?

    The average price of fuel in Columbia is €3.62 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between €43 and €58, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Columbia?

    Compact (Buick Encore or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Columbia.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Columbia?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Compact car hire cost in Columbia?

    A Compact car hire in Columbia costs €31 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Luxury car hire cost in Columbia?

    A Luxury car hire in Columbia costs €46 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in Columbia?

    A Standard car hire in Columbia costs €49 per day, on average.

Columbia car rental reviews and directory

Hertz

5.8

Best rated

Cleanliness

6.1

Comfort

6.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.8

Value for money

5.4

7 locations in Columbia

Show locations

Locations in Columbia

200 Stonebridge Dr

+1 803 252 2561

Monday09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
Thursday09:00 - 17:00
Friday09:00 - 17:00

3000 Aviation Way

+1 803 851 4270

Monday07:30 - 23:59
Tuesday07:30 - 23:59
Wednesday07:30 - 23:59
Thursday07:30 - 23:59
Friday07:30 - 23:59
Saturday07:30 - 23:59
Sunday07:30 - 23:59

4016 Fernandina Road

+1 803 661 6259

Monday07:30 - 23:59
Tuesday07:30 - 23:59
Wednesday07:30 - 23:59
Thursday07:30 - 23:59
Friday07:30 - 23:59
Saturday09:00 - 17:00

508 Gervais Street

+1 803 252 2561

Monday07:30 - 23:59
Tuesday07:30 - 23:59
Wednesday07:30 - 23:59
Thursday07:30 - 23:59
Friday07:30 - 23:59
Saturday09:00 - 17:00

6615 Two Notch Rd Ste D

+1 803 834 6744

Monday07:30 - 23:59
Tuesday07:30 - 23:59
Wednesday07:30 - 23:59
Thursday07:30 - 23:59
Friday07:30 - 23:59
Saturday09:00 - 17:00

7356 B Garners Ferry Road

+1 803 695 0179

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00

9817 Farrow Rd

+1 803 430 9332

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Nov 2021

KAYAK
Price could have been better.

2.0 Poor

Nov 2021

KAYAK
Customer service was terrible. I’m still getting calls saying the vehicle wasn’t returned, when it was returned almost 2 weeks ago.

6.0 Okay

Oct 2021

KAYAK
Everyone is strapped for cars these days. Luckily Hertz had a car for me (had a reservation via Kayak). Others coming to the counter late at night were not so lucky. The lot was thin. I reserved a sedan, e.g. Chevy Malibu but received a GMC Acadia. Way too much car, but can't be to picky these days. No agent in the return lot, had to take keys to counter, but it was quick.

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Ease of driving away in a car

Cons:

Nothing other than lower cost. Great experience

4.0 Mediocre

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

it was a fast check in and check out

Cons:

the car was dirty and it looked like they did not put any effort to clean the outside we were additional charges I had to pay for my husband to drive the car even though we are married and on the same policy

2.0 Poor

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

I didn’t like anything. They cancelled on me 4 hours before pick up saying they didn’t have the car available.

Cons:

Actual service from Hertz. Didn’t get the car rental because they cancelled

1 out of 21

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

5.8

Cleanliness

6.2

Comfort

6.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

5.7

7 locations in Columbia

Show locations

Locations in Columbia

10249 Two Notch Rd

+1 803 419 4319

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday11:00 - 14:00

130 Harbison Blvd

+1 803 749 0555

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

1307 Assembly St

+1 803 748 9214

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

2638 Two Notch Rd

+1 803 786 6957

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

320 Greystone Blvd

+1 803 251 2912

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday10:00 - 13:00

7611 1/2 Garners Ferry Rd

+1 803 776 9461

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

9724 Two Notch Rd

+1 803 865 7464

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Sept 2022

KAYAK
No car available

3.6 Poor

Oct 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

returned car a t6:30 pm and was charged for an extra day

2.0 Poor

Aug 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was very friendly and tried to be helpful.

Cons:

They would not rent me a car without a “credit card” even though my Visa debit card worked just fine for Kayak to make my reservation and charge me $88 for the insurance I ordered for the car. And I requested a refund, but of course that’s a different company, so I have to take it up with them. I emailed the insurance company with no response!

2.0 Poor

May 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

I did not get a rental he called me at 2pm which was my reservation time to tell me they didnt have pick ups.

Cons:

Dont let me reserve something online if its not at the location, online option should say not available.

2.0 Poor

Mar 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

I got a great rental at Hertz!

Cons:

I attempted to book online 2 times (on the Enterprise Site), I got all the way to payment and whack, disconnected. I follow-up with a call, disconnected! I guess you no longer need/want my business.

10.0 Wonderful

Jan 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

This particular site was outstanding in providing great and courteous service. They were prompt in delivering the car and were able to satisfy all my needs very well.

1 out of 4

Ace

4.4

Mediocre

10 reviews

Cleanliness

4.4

Comfort

5.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.8

Value for money

4.8

One location in Columbia

Show locations

Locations in Columbia

5317 Two Notch Road

+1 803 744 9700

Monday09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
Thursday09:00 - 17:00
Friday09:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

nothing

Cons:

don’t wait till the day of and say you doesn’t have any cars available so unprofessional

3.6 Poor

Oct 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

The car had to be jumped twice, the tow truck Worker Todd me that I had a bad battery. When I called the company back to let them know about the jump And that I would be late, the customer service received WAS HORRIBLE. The car smelled like smoke and when I was given another option, it had a huge crack in the windshield and low tire pressure.

2.4 Poor

Jan 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The manager, Ty, was extremely friendly and accomodating. He is the only positive part of our experience. Ty refunded us all but $50 of our rental.

Cons:

The lady at the desk was rude and terrible to us, especially to my wife. She also charged us for 12 Vehicle License fees instead of what should have been 2. I challenged her on it when I picked it up and she said its normal. Kayak Quoted us $85 and we ended up paying $125 NOT including the deposit. I expected a few dollars more, but not $40 more in hidden fees. When we complained that we were overcharged and that the car was unsafe and smelled of smoke, the lady got belligerent and defensive. We had to cancel our trip and return the car just a few hours after we got it. There was a noise coming from the back end and it felt very unsafe. There was also major damage on the side of the vehicle and it smelled of smoke. When I brought this up to the front desk, the lady said its not their fault because they are also Cash Car? Whatever that is. We felt it should have been an entire refund since we didn't even keep the car for half a day, as I was halfway to my destination and i turned around because of safety. The address on Google Maps also leads you to an Enterprise location. ACE/BEST/Cash Car (whatever they are called) is not located at the address that comes up on google.

2.0 Poor

Apr 2022

KAYAK
Car was extremely dirty and reeked of cigarettes

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2022

KAYAK
ACE car rental front desk lady was very good and helpful. Thanks for everything.

2.0 Poor

Mar 2022

KAYAK
I secured a rental and on my way, in an uber, to pick it up they canceled on me saying there were no cars available. Told me to go to my hotel, i had synergy else to be. Asked if they were going to drop off the car once they got one, they said no. So basically I was supposed to uber several times just to get a rental. No thank you. Awful, just awful.

1 out of 3

Easirent

4.6

Mediocre

No reviews available

One location in Columbia

Show locations

Locations in Columbia

Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

2 locations in Columbia

Show locations

Locations in Columbia

3000 Aviation Way

Opening times not available

3260 Airport Boulevard Ste 8

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Ace Rental Cars

No score available yet

One location in Columbia

Show locations

Locations in Columbia

5317 Two Notch Road

+1 803 744 9700

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

125 travellers who hired a car in Columbia gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.6

Car hire locations in or near Columbia

Good to know

Most popular car type

Compact

When to book a car hire in Columbia

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Car hire insurance in Columbia

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver

Some Columbia car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend always be aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Columbia.

Deductible

Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a no-deductible option to your Columbia car hire.