What car do most people hire in Charleston?

When hiring a car in Charleston, most of our users will opt for the Toyota RAV4 at £43/day on average. The second most popular is the Ford Edge car hire for an average of £71/day. Our users have found Toyota RAV4 hires in Charleston for as low as £30/day and Ford Edge hires for as low as £40/day.

While visiting, is it worthwhile to rent a car while visiting Charleston?

When you fly into Charleston International Airport, you’ll find hired cars in Charleston are available from all of the major car rental agencies. While central is quite walkable, to make the most of all the area has to offer, you’ll want at least a cheap car rental in Charleston. Enjoy a tranquil drive in your luxury car rental or economy car rental along the Falling Waters Scenic Byway, visit beachfront areas or take a day trip to the city of Beaufort or Hilton Head Island. If you are staying in town and want to park economically, supplement any parking you do just outside the city centre with public transit, taxi, and rideshare services.

What different driving laws should I keep in mind while driving in Charleston?

If you are from the U.S. and licensed to drive in any of the 50 states, that license is perfectly acceptable for Charleston car rentals and driving throughout South Carolina. Seatbelts are mandatory and neither drinking and driving nor texting and driving are permitted. But keep in mind that no one in your vehicle may be drinking, not just the driver. Also, note for hiring a car in Charleston that South Carolina is a state that requires that you turn on your headlights whenever you use your windshield wipers. Fun fact: while driving barefoot is not recommended, if you feel the urge to do so, that’s okay in this state. As regulations are subject to change, make it a point to check in with the Charleston Department of Motor Vehicles before your trip.

Will I need a special driving license or permit to drive a rental car in Charleston if I’m visiting from another country?

If you are visiting Charleston from another country, we highly recommend that you get an International Driving Permit. Obtain the permit before you travel, so you can produce it for hiring a car in Charleston or, if necessary, at a traffic stop. While some rental car agencies will accept temporary licenses, not all do, so it is important to check with the agency of your choice prior to your trip if you have a temporary license.

Cheap Car Hire in Charleston, South Carolina from just £43

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Best deals found for Charleston, South Carolina car hire

Find great deals below on a variety of popular rental car types in Charleston, South Carolina

Chevrolet Spark

or similar SMALL

£57/day

View Deal

Kia Soul

or similar SMALL

£56/day

View Deal

Toyota Corolla

or similar MEDIUM

£56/day

View Deal

Chevrolet Malibu

or similar LARGE

£43/day

View Deal

Chrysler Pacifica

or similar VAN

£56/day

View Deal

GMC Yukon

or similar SUV

£56/day

View Deal

Volkswagen Passat

or similar LARGE

£69/day

View Deal

Ford Mustang Convertible

or similar CONVERTIBLE

£88/day

View Deal

Chevrolet Suburban

or similar SUV

£68/day

View Deal

Nissan Rogue

or similar SUV

£46/day

View Deal

Mitsubishi Outlander

or similar SUV

£54/day

View Deal

Class Special Car

or similar Category

£55/day

View Deal

Toyota RAV4

or similar SUV

£59/day

View Deal

Car hire insight and trends in Charleston

Useful insights to help you book the perfect car hire in Charleston

Companies

Other Information

What is the cheapest car hire agency in Charleston?

The cheapest car hire in Charleston are generally found through Budget. When booking with Budget, you may be able to find car hire prices for as low as £31/day. The average price to hire a car in Charleston is £42/day.

What car hire company in Charleston has the most locations?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has the most locations of any car hire company in Charleston, with 6 locations.

Charleston, South Carolina car hire deals found on momondo

Find the car hire in Charleston that's right for you

	Small cars	£32 - £97
	All Car Types	£38 - £88

The average price of a small car hire in Charleston, the United States is £53. The cheapest time to hire a small car in Charleston, the United States is in January. The price is 41% lower than the rest of the year at just £32 per day. A small car rental is typically 12% less expensive than the average rental car in Charleston. The average price of a car hire in Charleston can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Charleston small car hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a medium car hire in Charleston, the United States is £57. The cheapest time to hire a medium car in Charleston, the United States is in February. The price is 36% lower than the rest of the year at just £37 per day. A medium car rental is typically 7% less expensive than the average rental car in Charleston. The average price of a car hire in Charleston can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Charleston medium car hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a large car hire in Charleston, the United States is £70. The cheapest time to hire a large car in Charleston, the United States is in February. The price is 46% lower than the rest of the year at just £38 per day. A large car rental is typically 13% more expensive than the average rental car in Charleston. The average price of a car hire in Charleston can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Charleston large car hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a SUV hire in Charleston, the United States is £61. The cheapest time to hire a SUV in Charleston, the United States is in February. The price is 36% lower than the rest of the year at just £40 per day. A SUV rental is typically 2% more expensive than the average rental car in Charleston. The average price of a car hire in Charleston can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Charleston SUV hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a van hire in Charleston, the United States is £65. The cheapest time to hire a van in Charleston, the United States is in February. The price is 25% lower than the rest of the year at just £50 per day. A van rental is typically 8% more expensive than the average rental car in Charleston. The average price of a car hire in Charleston can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Charleston van hire found on momondo in the past week.

The average price of a pickup truck hire in Charleston, the United States is £33. The cheapest time to hire a pickup truck in Charleston, the United States is in December. The price is 21% lower than the rest of the year at just £40 per day. A pickup truck rental is typically 46% less expensive than the average rental car in Charleston. The average price of a car hire in Charleston can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

The average price of a luxury car hire in Charleston, the United States is £35. The cheapest time to hire a luxury car in Charleston, the United States is in February. The price is 16% lower than the rest of the year at just £42 per day. A luxury car rental is typically 41% less expensive than the average rental car in Charleston. The average price of a car hire in Charleston can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.

The average price of a convertible hire in Charleston, the United States is £58. The cheapest time to hire a convertible in Charleston, the United States is in December. The price is 19% lower than the rest of the year at just £47 per day. A convertible rental is typically 5% less expensive than the average rental car in Charleston. The average price of a car hire in Charleston can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Charleston convertible hire found on momondo in the past week.

Hyundai i10

or similar Compact

Up to 4 passengers

£56/day

21 Jan - 23 Jan

See offer

Volkswagen Polo

or similar Economy

Up to 2 passengers

£57/day

8 Jan - 11 Jan

See offer

Charleston car hire directory

All major car hire suppliers in Charleston, South Carolina

Budget

6.0

Okay

143 reviews•3 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

8.0

Very Good|Jun 2023

Need more cars at airport - lines were extremely long and long wait to get car and even after paperwork done - more lines !

10.0

Wonderful|Jun 2023

It took almost an hour to locate a car. It seems I reserved the last suv which was a new car that they didn’t want to leave the state. Other then that I was very satisfied and will definitely use their service again.

8.0

Very Good|May 2023

in terms of pickup and drop off in the garage, could have been better. need more signage for pick up. went to desk in garage and told to go " over there" but no one was there. asked another area and told to go somewhere else. finally someone came. was given a midsize car instead of compact that I had signed up for because no compacts available. I just prefer smaller cars for my driving habits/comfort but it worked out. On drop off, went into one of the lanes that said drop off car and was told to go in another lane.

10.0

Wonderful|May 2023

Gary, at the office, was professional, friendly and efficient. I returned using this location. The car was comfortable enough for a one day rental. There was a fast food bag in the car.

2.0

Poor|May 2023

Pick up was terrible. Took over an hour because cars were not ready or available even though I had a reservation. Inefficient process of waiting in a line inside the airport and then another line just as long in the parking deck.

2.0

Poor|Apr 2023

The pickup process at the airport took two hours. Budget/Avis only had one person checking people in at the counter which was not adequate for the number of people waiting to pickup a car. Also, the cars were not available at the airport for pickup so we all had to wait again to be picked up by a shuttle van to drive us to another parking lot to get a car. The entire process took over 2 hours, which is unacceptable. Budget/Avis was the only company at the airport having this issue. I will not rent from them again at the Charleston airport.

1 out of 48

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.7

Good

60 reviews•6 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Aug 2023

Nothing. We were sent over to the Hertz Rent-A-Car window for service.

2.0

Poor|Jun 2023

We ended up not using this car company. They called to get our license information for the pick up the day before we left, then when I mentioned I put 6 pm as the pick up but it’d likely be a little later because that’s when we were landing and is that okay, the representative informed me they close at 6 pm. I had entered the drop off and pick up times, both of which were in the evening due to our flight schedule, and apparently after closing in the search criteria and in the rental information. If I hadn’t said anything, we would have landed and been stranded with no car. I think this location should either modify the hours available for pick up and drop off in the online booking or call people immediately if they enter times at closing or outside their operating hours.

10.0

Wonderful|Jun 2023

Easy process for pickup and drop off. Vehicle was great.

10.0

Wonderful|Mar 2023

The best from start to finish

10.0

Wonderful|Jan 2023

It was a great experience - friendly and helpful staff and clean car!

10.0

Wonderful|Jan 2023

Experience was great. Cost was pricey.

1 out of 20

Hertz

6.8

Okay

67 reviews•5 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Jun 2023

Waited an hour and a half for no service. Everyone in line also waited that long but some people just ended up leaving for renting from another company: this is not HERTZ it’s a franchise working with hertz and the service is extremely slow. Only one person on the counter. Worst service I’ve experienced in a car rental ever: unfortunate for hertz to be represented this way.

2.0

Poor|Sept 2022

I bboked the reservation that morning, because the rate was $60 dollars cheaper than Alamo for the same car. When i got to the counter, there was no one there for 10 mins and when she arrived she asked if i booked the reservation today. When i said yes, she said we have no cars and that was it. Zero help in getting me something. I will not book through Kayak again!!!!

4.0

Mediocre|Jul 2022

I ordered a car prior to my trip and received a conformation. When I arrived to pick it up, I was told that that car was not available, and would be upgraded to a minivan for the same price. I was very adamant with the rep that it was for the same price. She confirmed it was. However, when I paid for it the billing as $100.00 more. I did question it, and was told to take it up with billing. .. I feel this was the old switch and bait game.. When I returned the car, there was only one person checking cars in and out and had no time to help with this. Totally understand. She gave me the info as to where I can sent her this same info and she will look it over.

2.0

Poor|Jul 2022

Took an hour to pick up rental car. Only 2 people in front of me in line and they did not have complex situations which would merit lengthy customer service time. Also was downgraded from a premium car without any further discount.

8.0

Very Good|Jun 2022

Our customer service woman was great, very friendly & personable!! The ONLY issue we have is that she said she was upgrading us & we didn’t feel as though the car she put us in was an upgrade. Other than that everything was perfect!! Would definitely rent from Hertz again!

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2022

Given us the plug in cord so we could have recharged. Staff was excellent at pick up and when we added a driver.

1 out of 23

Avis

5.4

Fair

49 reviews•3 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Aug 2023

They did not have the vehicle size I needed

2.0

Poor|Jun 2023

Received a call 30 minutes prior to reservation informing me they "didn't have any cars".

2.0

Poor|May 2023

Faster pick up

8.0

Very Good|May 2023

Weird pickup spot Pleasant employees Car stunk a bit Car had some body parts missing and scratches

2.0

Poor|Mar 2023

The service upon pick up was terrible, the clerk was extremely rude and not helpful at all.

4.0

Mediocre|Nov 2022

Long lines at Avis in Charleston for cars that were not completely serviced. Caution lights not attended to for low air in tires. Will use them again in the next go especially for the price paid.

1 out of 17

Alamo

9.3

Wonderful

28 reviews•2 locations

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Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Jun 2023

We got a brand new Audi SUV that had only 9 miles on it. Of course it was fabulous. Only one slight issue, it didn’t have a USB port for my phone. The 2 ports it did have I’ve never seen and I didn’t have an adapter for. If I was on a road trip I would have had to buy one.

10.0

Wonderful|May 2023

The car was great and the personal were very helpful.

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2023

Courteous staff, willingness to adjust price due to some inconvenience with navigation system, and for renting a downgraded vehicle. Quentin was very accommodating

8.0

Very Good|Mar 2023

Good experience overall

10.0

Wonderful|Feb 2023

all great, price a little steep.

10.0

Wonderful|Feb 2023

The experience was great. Someone had smoked in our vehicle though which was very unpleasant because we don’t smoke. We didn’t notice as we picked it up because they had just detailed the car and it smelled like cleaning products. We told the person who did the intake on the cars on the return and he was very nice and apologized and reduced the price of the rental for us.

1 out of 10

National

8.0

Very Good

3 reviews•1 location

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Overview

Dollar

6.6

Okay

22 reviews•1 location

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Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|May 2023

We had a confirmation with the confirmation number and they were no cars available.

1.9

Poor|Aug 2021

We never got the car. Dollar had no cars available when we arrived. The attendant kept saying they were washing the cars and one gentleman in line had been waiting for over 2 hours for his car. I will not recommend Dollar to anyone.

7.9

Good|Jul 2021

The car could have been cleaner

2.0

Poor|Jul 2021

We reserved a car rental 3 months out from our trip. When we arrived, the staff at Dollar said there were no cars available and could not guarantee us a vehicle until another was returned. They couldn't say how many vehicles were scheduled to be returned and when. They placed us on a waiting list and said they would call. Then, I was informed that because we were "late" for our reservation (plane was delayed) we were bumped to the bottom of the waiting list. They said they couldn't tell us until 5pm if they had any vehicles turned in. That was 4 hours to wait with our luggage! Then we called back at 5pm they said that they had nothing available and no other Dollar rentals had cars. They said it was in the fine print that this could happen. We ended up booking a car rental through Hertz for 2x the quoted rate but at least they were willing to help us salvage our vacation. Not booking through Dollar ever again.

2.0

Poor|Jun 2021

Nothing to like when you get to the airport and the Dollar rental company tells you you have to pick up your can on an off- site location which closes at 1pm and my reservation was for 1pm and I was standing on line since 12pm and there was nothing they could do, no other cars available only in 24 hours

Horrible experience - how can you accept a 1pm reservation if the place close at 1pm ? Kayak should know it better

8.0

Very Good|Jun 2021

Great staff. Very helpful

We arrived on Saturday to a closed office. Would have been helpful to be altered to the business hours

1 out of 8

Easirent

1 location

Check prices

Quick facts about car hire in Charleston

Get the overview on great hire deals, popular car hire companies, and best car types for your visit in Charleston

Popular Car Types	Compact, Intermediate, Full-size
Cheapest Hire Car	£31
Most Popular Model	Toyota RAV4

The following car types were offered at car hire companies in Charleston in the past 72 hours: Compact, Intermediate, Full-size.

The lowest price for a car hire in Charleston is £31/day. For this area, you can expect average prices starting from £49/day.

The most popular car model to hire in Charleston in the past 7 days is the Toyota RAV4. Our users also prefer the Ford Edge as an alternative.

Search car deals

Driving with a car hire in Charleston - FAQs

Learn everything there is to know about hiring a car in Charleston so you can be properly prepared for your next trip

Is there a fee to cancel my Charleston, South Carolina car hire?

In most cases, there is no fee when you cancel your Charleston car hire. You can check to see whether or not your preferred car hire company in Charleston offers free cancellation when booking with momondo.

What is the speed limit in Charleston, South Carolina?

If you are hiring a vehicle in Charleston, then be aware that the current speed limit within city or town limits is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted. Suburban speed limits around Charleston will generally have a speed limit of 75 mph. If you are travelling on a motorway in Charleston, then the speed limit is 75 mph.

What car hire company has the Chevrolet Suburban in Charleston?

If you’re interested in hiring the Chevrolet Suburban in Charleston, then Alamo is the most popular car hire company in the city that offers this vehicle (as well as other similar SUV hire). Chevrolet Suburban hire in Charleston from Alamo is £78 per day on average.

What is the weather like in Charleston, SC in December?

Those looking for a hire car in Charleston during the month of December should expect temperatures to be around 10 °C and should expect around 79 mm of precipitation. This information can be helpful when choosing which car you’d like to rent.

Is the weather in Charleston similar to the rest of South Carolina?

Those looking to hire a car in Charleston for a road trip to the surrounding areas, please know the weather in South Carolina during the month of December usually is around 8 °C with 86.4 mm of possible rain.

When did momondo last update prices for cars in Charleston?

Prices for cars in Charleston are updated daily.

How many operators does momondo search for cars in Charleston?

As of December 2024, there are 24 operators available to choose from for cars in Charleston.

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Charleston?

Among different countries, including Charleston, the minimum age for drivers varies. In numerous EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. To hire a car overseas, you'll generally need to be at least 21, and if you're under 25, a young driver surcharge may be imposed. It's recommended that you review the policy of the rental company you're considering before booking.

What documentation or ID do you need to rent a car in Charleston?

To rent a car in Charleston, all drivers must have a valid full driving license. If the license is written in a language other than the language of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit may be required to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you're renting a car abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We recommend that you verify with the specific rental company you're booking with.

Why use momondo?

Why should I use momondo to book a car hire in Charleston?

Choosing momondo to search for car hire in Charleston makes sense because it is quick and free of charge. We find all the rental car hire prices and policies, you simply choose what works best for you and your trip.

How does momondo help me find the best car hire deal in Charleston?

Once you have performed a search for a car hire in Charleston, momondo will show the results and enable you to find the best deal by using our filters; here you can narrow your search down by vehicle type, price, agencies and a multitude of policies that can apply.