Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in Downtown, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should you book a car rental in Downtown, Columbus?
Based on car rental prices found by KAYAK users over the last 12 months.
To get the best price on a car rental in Downtown, Columbus, you should book around 7 days before your trip. This could save you approximately 11% compared to booking last minute.
Which company offers the cheapest car rental in Downtown, Columbus?
Based on car rental prices found by KAYAK users over the last 12 months.
The cheapest car rental company in Downtown, Columbus is Budget at 125 ﷼/day on average, followed by Enterprise Rent-A-Car (148 ﷼/day) and Payless (149 ﷼/day).
Which car rental company in Downtown is best rated?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK.
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Downtown are Budget (6.5/10, 117 reviews), Payless (6.2/10, 39 reviews), and National (10.0/10, 6 reviews).
Downtown car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Downtown by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
162 ﷼ - 253 ﷼
All Car Types
254 ﷼ - 385 ﷼
How much does it cost to rent a small car in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a van in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in Downtown?
Small car rentals in Downtown typically cost around 196 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 162 ﷼ per day which is about 18% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 36% cheaper than the average rental in Downtown, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in Downtown typically cost around 251 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 206 ﷼ per day which is about 18% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 18% cheaper than the average rental in Downtown, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in Downtown typically cost around 261 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 210 ﷼ per day which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 15% cheaper than the average rental in Downtown, offering more comfort for longer trips at a valuable price.
SUV rentals in Downtown typically cost around 297 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average 255 ﷼ per day which is about 15% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 3% cheaper than the average rental in Downtown, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van rentals in Downtown typically cost around 361 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average 290 ﷼ per day which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 16% more expensive than the average rental in Downtown, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in Downtown typically cost around 283 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average 244 ﷼ per day which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 8% cheaper than the average rental in Downtown, a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in Downtown typically cost around 402 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average 284 ﷼ per day which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 25% more expensive than the average rental in Downtown, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in Downtown typically cost around 341 ﷼ per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average 203 ﷼ per day which is about 41% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 11% more expensive than the average rental in Downtown, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Top tips for renting a car in Downtown, Columbus
25% of our users found rental cars in Downtown for 227 ﷼ or less.
Book your rental car in Downtown at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
Medium rental cars in Downtown are around 34% cheaper than other car types, on average.
January is typically the cheapest month to rent a car in Downtown, with prices around 207 ﷼/day. June, in contrast, is often the most costly month, with an average of 341 ﷼/day.
FAQs about renting a car in Downtown (Columbus)
How much does it cost to rent a car in Downtown?
On average a rental car in Downtown costs 251 ﷼ per day.
What is the best rental car company in Downtown?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental company in Downtown is BUDGET (6.4, 64 reviews).
Information about needing a credit card was not provided when using debit card to reserve. I was unable to pick up the car and was not refunded for insurance. Everyone I've talked to to resolved the issue was extremely hard to understand and had no intention of helping I was transferred to multiple different people who weren't who I needed to be taking to. It honestly feels like your whole business is a scam.
10.0 Wonderful
Ty, Oct 2025
Premium
Easy process, decent cost, people were nice and helpful.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Sep 2025
Intermediate
Distance to rental location from the airport.
2.0 Poor
Alex, Jun 2025
Premium
Very bad
8.0 Very good
Anonymous, May 2025
Economy
The Nissan Sentra I was given ran very smoothly for my trip, and I enjoyed most of my experience. However, when I returned from my trip, I went home first to drop off my luggage. After about 7 minutes of the car being off, I started it again, and suddenly all the warning lights were on. Brake light, engine light, oil light, and the steering wheel locked. None of these lights had come on at any point during the previous drives. When I called Budget to explain why I was not going to return on time, instead of telling me at once that there was an option to have the car towed since it could not be driven, their representative had me extend my reservation another day. They claimed this would cost less than returning the car late. I made efforts to fix the car and ascertain the issues its lights indicated, but nothing I did seemed to help or change the car's condition. Since I was parked on the side of the road, I put the car in reverse to get it into my driveway for safety, at which point the car would only go forwards. I immediately parked it, called Budget back, and explained in greater detail that I needed them to pick up the car. At that point, they did send a tow truck within an hour and a half. I have little experience renting cars, but friends have told me that the first Budget representative's actions were wrong, and I concur. I believe that I made it clear that the car could not be driven during this call, but the representative did not say anything about helping me get it towed, and I had no idea it was a potential service of the company until my second call. The tow truck driver also told me that Nissan cars suddenly locking up and breaking early in their life is very common. I would likely not use Budget again despite my good experience with the car up to that point, based solely on the poor handling of this situation at the end.
Reserved the van months in advance. Enterprise did not have a van for me at pick up time. What's the point of a reservation???? We had to make alternate arrangements.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Sep 2024
Supplier choice
They gave me the smallest car in the lot. Constant text and email about car and returning it. The messages were annoying and unnecessary.
8.0 Very good
Tiffany, May 2024
Passenger van
Overall outstanding, friendly, fast service.
2.0 Poor
Syed, May 2024
Standard SUV
The lady at time of pick up was very rude
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Oct 2023
Premium SUV
Easy, clean and the car I rented was new, did not have smoker's smell.
Everything went smoothly only complaint I got is you guys don't take chime
6.0 Okay
Mike, Aug 2024
Full-size
Pickup (CMH) staff did not apologize for giving me a car with a dead battery and made it seem like it was my fault. Drop off (PHL) shuttle bus drivers did their best to avoid picking up passengers - a few of us had to walk to the terminal. Hertz used to be a premium brand - now they are just average.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Aug 2024
Full-size
You should remove the option for Ft Wayne airport return. Hertz is not at the airport - I had to ask the protocol from the other car rental companies that basically said “ this is hertz MO” to charge the extra fee. Thankfully I didn’t have a flight - just a return. Had to drive to a downtown location (closed) to return on time.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Dec 2021
Hertz still charges an extra daily fee to add a spouse as an authorized driver. Luckily it looks like a lot of car rental companies are moving away from this, but it's ridiculous
8.0 Very good
Ellen, Nov 2021
There was an extra charge for a second (spouse) driver which I don’t think we have ever had from another company. When I looked back at the agreement it did mention additional charges for another driver but didn’t say what they were (13$/day). I would have looked at another rental company if I had been aware upfront (like, the info not buried in the middle of the rental agreement) as it did push the price much past the competition’s price. The car was nice, clean, etc.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Nov 2021
A little high priced fir a one day rental, otherwise clean car. No ‘cleaning product’ odor which was nice!
My rental was worry free accept for the debit card hold. That’s annoying, also my husband gives me. Card to make most purchases and I couldn’t use that. However, the car and service were great.
2.0 Poor
Elizabeth, Dec 2024
Intermediate SUV
Ran out of cars despite having a reservation. Had to wait over an hour. Staff were not very polite and car had dirt all over back seat. Drop off was simple which was the best part of the whole experience.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2024
Intermediate SUV
Trying to submit lost & found report and no way to contact them and link sent from phone logic tree is invalid when selecting my return location.. calling the location directly results in being put on hold for 10 minutes and hung up on. Caling the corporate customer service live agent directed me to Avis website.. They are unreachable and it seems like its intentional.
6.0 Okay
Anonymous, Mar 2024
Intermediate
Definitely a car that used by a smoker in the past.
10.0 Wonderful
Craig, Nov 2023
Economy
Easy to use!
2.0 Poor
John, Oct 2023
Standard SUV
The car smelled like stale cigarette smoke and didn’t seem very clean. I felt like I was borrowing somebodies car and not renting. The battery died while I was out with my family. Would not recommend Payless car rentals
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