Car rental in Ithaca, United States

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rentals in Ithaca

Compare car rentals on price, ease of pickup, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Ithaca car rental deals you can modify or cancel if your plans change

Select your Ithaca pickup location

There are 7 car rental providers in Ithaca. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pickup spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Ithaca

Renting a car in Ithaca: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car rental companyHertz
Most popular carIntermediate/Standard, SUV
Average daily priceAED 317
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Ithaca

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car rental rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Ithaca car rental search.

How to find a cheap car rental deal in Ithaca

  • Searching for a cheap rental car in Ithaca? The booking magic happens here. With prices averaging AED 317 a day, we compare the best offers so you can book easily, save more, and drive away happy.

  • AED 287 is the cheapest daily price for a rental in Ithaca.

  • Staying a little longer? Grab a weekly rental from AED 1,292 and explore more than just the top attractions.

  • Book early to snag the best price for a Ithaca car hire. As well as cheaper rates, you're more likely to find a car that fits your style or needs.

  • Avis and Budget are trusted providers in the city. Use them as a starting point to compare offers.

  • Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Ithaca car rental policy, whether you go with Avis or another supplier. Some companies treat it as an optional extra instead of bundling it in.

  • Booking one-way could snag you a cheaper rate on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be relocated. Simply select 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in Ithaca.

  • Avoid any surprise charges by booking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.

  • Hit the highway without watching the miles and racking up additional fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and pick 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you explore further.

Best value car rental options right now

  • Taking first place for value is this company, with prices averaging AED 430 a day.

  • Coming in second, this provider offers daily rates of around AED 448.

  • The third option also helps keep costs down. Expect to pay roughly AED 451 a day for one of their rentals.

  • Want a car that handles just about any journey? The Intermediate rental category comes in as the leading choice for travelers visiting Ithaca.

Flying to Ithaca? Think about an airport pick-up

Compare car rental types in Ithaca

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Ithaca may be small in size, but they come with big advantages. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're nimble, great on mileage, and a match made in heaven for city driving.

  • Medium: Not too small, not too big, it's the definition of just right. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of fuel efficiency and interior space and are good for small families and couples.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the bags, the snacks, the lot. Large vehicles have got the space to fit it all in without a hassle. Great for longer journeys, this Ithaca car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel ticket to adventure. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and winding backroads alike.

  • Van: Go for this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in Ithaca that makes light work of heavy loads. Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to carry more, whether that's supplies, baggage or groups of people.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers what you'd otherwise have to pay if your Ithaca car rental is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, it can be a real lifesaver if something goes wrong. Just remember that insurance policies vary between providers, so make sure you know exactly what's included.

  • Make life easier when you rent a car in Ithaca by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep your trip on track, or reverse cameras that upgrade your parking game.

Good to know

  • The minimum age to rent a car in the United States is typically 21 years old. However some providers make their own rules, so check your rental company's terms to find out where you stand.

  • If the kids are coming with you, check if you need to add a child car seat to your Ithaca car rental booking. Whether a legal requirement or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to travel.

  • You'll need to bring a few things when collecting your rental car: an official driver's license, another form of photo ID, and a credit card with enough balance for the deposit. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Any extra must-haves will be shown in your booking.

  • If you're new to driving in the United States, remember that traffic here sticks to the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits may vary, but it's typically around 40kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways. Always obey the road signs.

  • A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08% applies in the United States. The safest way to stay legal to drive is to avoid drinking altogether.

  • Around 5pm is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid busy hours generally for a smoother drive.

  • You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) here. Along with your bank cards, have some cash handy for smaller purchases.

  • The language most often spoken in this country is English.

Best hotels in Ithaca for drivers

  • Pull in and enjoy your stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton Ithaca. Offering accessible parking as well as a laundry and a fitness center, this hotel is about 5 kilometers from central Ithaca.

  • Or take advantage of the parking at The Statler Hotel at Cornell University. The city center is roughly 2 kilometers from this stay, which also features a laundry and an airport shuttle.

  • Need more places to choose from? Browse the full list of hotels in Ithaca. You can narrow things down using the filters — try 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' If your car's electric, you can use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter.

  • Once you've found a car rental deal in Ithaca and your hotel, all that's left to do is decide where to go first. Start your trip with popular attractions like Ithaca Falls Trail, Ithaca Waterfalls and Ithaca Downtown Historic District.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Ithaca

  • Syracuse should be on your itinerary if you'd like to visit The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Armory Square. This city is about 72 kilometers northeast of central Ithaca.

  • Clarion Pointe Downtown and Best Western Syracuse Downtown Hotel and Suites are reliable accommodation options with parking in Syracuse.

  • Alternatively, collect your cheap car rental in Ithaca and drive around 64 kilometers southeast to Binghamton. Featuring Roberson Museum and Science Center and Cutler Botanic Garden, it's every bit as good as advertised.

  • Unwind after a big day out in Binghamton at Red Roof Inn Binghamton - Johnson City or Residence Inn Binghamton. These hotels are a good choice for guests bringing their own car.

  • Take things a bit further and road-trip it to Newark, roughly 274 kilometers southeast of Ithaca. First, swing past New Jersey Performing Arts Center, then spend some time at Newark Symphony Hall.

  • Book a room at Holiday Inn Newark International Airport or Robert Treat Hotel. They make it a breeze to experience everything Newark has to offer. They also come with parking.

Frequently asked questions

On average, renting a car in Ithaca will set you back around AED 317 per day or AED 1,378 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Ithaca is an intermediate SUV. The most popular is Intermediate/Standard, SUV.
The cheapest car rental company in Ithaca is currently Enterprise, followed by Budget.
Scoring the best car rental deal depends on when you book – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. However, according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Ithaca is currently March.
On average, around AED 1,378. But the best price we found for a car rental for a week in Ithaca is AED 1,292.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to rent a car in Ithaca for a whole month is AED 9,045. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Ithaca, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car rental deals with a "full to full" fuel policy as opposed to a "half-full to full" one.

We also clearly highlight car and van rental options in Ithaca that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car rental companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select "Return car to a different location" when you search with us.
Public transportation can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, and for as long as you want. You'll also be able to discover more outside of Ithaca.
Most places – Ithaca included – allow people under the age of 25 to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance deductible for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is AED 296 per day. The average price per day is around AED 330.
Of course. Most major car rental companies like Hertz, Enterprise and Budget offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travelers rated Enterprise as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the Internet for all kinds of vehicle rental deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van rental in Ithaca.