Tip 3: Find the Best Pickup Location for Your Rental Car
Choosing the right pickup location for your rental car can have a big impact on both price and convenience. While airport pickup is often the default choice, it is not always the smartest option.
By comparing pickup locations in advance, you can avoid unnecessary costs, reduce waiting time, and start your trip more relaxed, especially if you rent a car without a credit card.
🎥 Video: Where Should You Pick Up Your Rental Car?
In this short video, we explain why airport pickups aren’t always the best option, and when they actually are.
Airport pickup: convenient, but not always cheaper
Picking up your car directly at the airport is popular because it is easy and fast:
- Drive away immediately after landing
- No need for taxis or transfers
- Rental desks are easy to find
However, airport locations often come with:
- Higher rental prices
- Airport surcharges
- Busy counters and waiting times
This is common at major airports such as Barcelona Airport, Rome Airport and Athens Airport.
City pickup: often cheaper and more relaxed
City locations can be a smart alternative, especially if you don’t need a car immediately after arrival.
- Lower rental prices
- Less crowded pickup points
- More flexible timing
This works well in destinations such as Barcelona, Rome or Athens, where public transport from the airport is easy.
When airport pickup does make sense
In some cases, airport pickup is still the best option:
- If you arrive late at night
- If your accommodation is outside the city
- If public transport is limited
For example, at destinations like Faro Airport or Tenerife Airport, a car is often essential from the start of your trip.
Timing matters: avoid unnecessary fees
Your pickup and return time can affect the total cost of your rental.
- Late-night pickups may include extra charges
- Early returns can still count as a full rental day
- Some locations charge out-of-hours fees
👉 Read how rental days are calculated to avoid paying for unnecessary hours.
Pickup location and no-credit-card rentals
If you want to rent without a credit card, the pickup location becomes even more important.
At traditional rental desks, especially at airports, you often need:
- A credit card in the main driver’s name
- A large deposit blocked at pickup
With MarSoleil, you can select cars with:
- No credit card required
- No deposit
- Full insurance included
This applies across destinations such as:
One-way rentals: flexibility vs cost
In some cases, picking up and returning your car at different locations can make sense.
- Useful for road trips
- Flexible travel planning
- Often comes with an additional fee
👉 Learn more about planning your return in Tip 12.
Compare pickup locations at popular destinations
To see the difference between airport and city pickup, explore:
Related tips
Final takeaway
The best pickup location depends on your travel plans. By comparing airport and city options, timing your pickup carefully, and understanding the conditions, you can save money and avoid unnecessary stress.