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Ithaca car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car hire in Ithaca

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Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
M
Full-size car
Full-size
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Luxury car
Luxury
M
People mover car
People mover
M
Passenger van car
Passenger van
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
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KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Ithaca

  • Traveling to a new city can be both exciting and unnerving at the same time. Having to deal with bus schedules or train timetables and fitting them into your itinerary can also present a challenge. You could make your trip easier by renting a car from Ithaca car rentals because modern rental cars come with high-tech navigational systems that’ll help you get exactly where you want to go. You'll have the flexibility and convenience to travel to places like the Northeast Classic Car Museum, about 65 miles away, or drop in at the Pleasant Valley Wine Co, 44 miles away, for some wine tasting, all at your own pace.
  • The Ithaca Tomkins Regional Airport has a designated car rental counter that you will find inside the baggage claim. The cars are located right outside, eliminating any need for airport shuttle transfers. This is the same area where you return the car once your trip is over. From the counter, you'll find several Ithaca car rentals, including Budget, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. You can book a car through KAYAK and pick it up at the airport at your convenience.
  • Jaywalking in Ithaca is quite notorious, to the point that the Ithaca police had considered having a jaywalking patrol. A lot of pedestrians ignore crosswalk signs, so be on the lookout to avoid accidents. Potholes are something else to watch out for on Ithaca roads. Roads like Spencer Street, Cayuga Street, Buffalo Street, Marshal Street, and many more, especially when you venture out to rural areas, can pose a challenge.
  • Morning rush hours in Ithaca spans from 7am-10am, with its heaviest around 9am. Sometimes it stretches to 11am before resuming regular traffic. Route 13 bears most of the congestion, so avoiding it during these times may save you a headache. Keep in mind that there are traffic cameras to catch any unlawful behavior.
  • Book your car hire in Ithaca at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard hire cars in Ithaca are around 12% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Ithaca

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

    When choosing a vehicle from car rentals in Ithaca, opt for a truck or a 4WD if you’d like to explore the wildlife and nature around Cayuga Lake, like Ithaca Falls and Hemlock Gorge. If you plan to go camping at the Robert H. Treman State Park, an SUV would be preferable. If you're here for business endeavors or want to go to places like Gola Osteria in Collegetown, consider renting a luxury car or convertible. You can pick a standard, full-size, or mid-size car depending on your capacity needs.

  • What’s the speed limit in Ithaca?

    The maximum speed limit allowed in Ithaca, along any highway or streets within the city, is 30mph. There's a speed limit of 15mph along highways, streets, or within several parks in the city, including Stewart Park, Cass Park, and the Newman Golf Course. Route 89 is exempted from this rule, along Cass Park. While driving through school zones in your rented vehicle, keep in mind that the speed limit is 15mph between 7am and 6pm. Right turns on red signals are prohibited.

  • Where are the best places to park in Ithaca?

    Ithaca offers easy parking options, whether in the streets or garages. On-street parking is enforced between 9am, and 6am Monday-Friday, and charges about $1.50 per hour for 2h, after which you must move the car. Free parking is allowed on the streets between 6pm and 9am and during weekends. If you download the Parkmobile App, you could pay with your smartphone and get a reminder about 15min before expiry. In downtown and Collegetown, you’ll find parking garages that charge $1 per hour. There are four garages conveniently located in Ithaca, all of which feature elevators and fully automated systems. These garages include Green Street Garage, Seneca Street Garage, Dryden Road Garage, and Cayuga Street Garage.

  • How much is the price of fuel in Ithaca?

    The average price of fuel in Ithaca is $5.64 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between $68 and $90, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Ithaca?

    Standard (Toyota RAV4 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Ithaca.

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

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

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

    A Standard car hire in Ithaca costs $121 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Special car hire cost in Ithaca?

    A Special car hire in Ithaca costs $112 per day, on average.

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

    A Compact car hire in Ithaca costs $121 per day, on average.

Ithaca car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.6

Best rated

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

8.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

9.0

3 locations in Ithaca

Show locations

Locations in Ithaca

2621 Corning Rd

+1 607 796 5300

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

803 Cascadilla St

+1 607 275 9000

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday10:00 - 14:00

991 State Route 13

+1 607 758 9000

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2024

People mover

KAYAK
Best agents ever.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
Great experience. Great car that road like a dream. Really made the trip great.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2024

Pick-up truck

KAYAK
They did nothing to help me

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2023

Intermediate

KAYAK
Staff was very helpful, polite and quick in getting me in to my rental car.

9.2 Wonderful

Anonymous, Sept 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Very friendly and competent staff at both pickup and drop off. Helpful under difficult circumstances.

Cons:

Initially we were told that no car was available despite our reservation, making me panic. Issue was resolved though.

4.0 Mediocre

Tuesday, June 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

The original car smelled of smoke. I asked to change the date of the rental and if that would also change my rental price. I was told no, but later they charged me more and unfortunately there was no way to dispute it since it was my word against theirs.

1 out of 3

Budget

8.6

Cleanliness

9.1

Comfort

9.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.3

Value for money

8.1

One location in Ithaca

Show locations

Locations in Ithaca

1 Culligan Drive

+1 607 257 0441

Monday07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday07:00 - 18:00
Thursday07:00 - 18:00
Friday07:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Shannon W, May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

Drop off

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was excellent

4.4 Mediocre

Michael, Dec 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

convenient drop off

Cons:

everything else

1 out of 1

Avis

Cleanliness

7.6

Comfort

7.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.1

Value for money

7.6

2 locations in Ithaca

Show locations

Locations in Ithaca

1 Culligan Drive

+1 607 257 0441

Monday07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday07:00 - 18:00
Thursday07:00 - 18:00
Friday07:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

276 Sing Sing Road Suite 9

+1 607 739 5689

Monday07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday07:00 - 18:00
Thursday07:00 - 18:00
Friday07:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Joe, Feb 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
Excellent

10.0 Wonderful

Joseph, May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff was friendly, helpful and professional.

2.0 Poor

Michael, Aug 2023

Passenger van

KAYAK
The vehicle provided was fine, but not the one/size reserved. Rented an 11-passenger van months ahead (to transport a wedding party). Got the rental, and it was a 7-passenger Yukon Denali. The person at the counter said, "we never get 11 passenger vans here." The rental person was totally unhelpful. She said they usually call people in advance to warn them, but for some reason, they didn’t call us. She said they'd be glad to rent us a second Yukon (at full cost to US!). After we expressed our dissatisfaction, she said she could check Elmira or Syracuse and we could drive there to exchange it. After calling, no passenger vans were available. They charged us over $1900.00 for a week long rental that we couldn't even use for the wedding. We ended up getting an ACTUAL 11 person van from Enterprise and our Avis rental sat in the driveway all week. I will never recommend Avis to anyone!

10.0 Wonderful

Jenni, Mar 2023

Open-air all-terrain

KAYAK
Very friendly personnel, super quick service.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, May 2022

KAYAK
They over booked car, never got it.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2022

KAYAK
Fast, easy, and comfortable~

1 out of 3

Hertz

Cleanliness

7.9

Comfort

7.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.9

Value for money

6.2

One location in Ithaca

Show locations

Locations in Ithaca

1 Culligan Drive

+1 607 257 8677

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday10:00 - 14:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2022

KAYAK
Everything was going perfectly but after dropping off the car I got charged with extra $30 and I was not sure where that was coming from. Probably never going to use KAYAK, other rentals might be bit expensive but at least they never charge you snikey extra money.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, June 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

You idiots! The rental was cancelled 5 minutes after it was made. There was no rental event. Why don't you know that? You have no back-feed from Hertz to your system?? I got notices from you that my car was ready, which was totally wrong and made me have to contact Hertz again. So much for using cheapflights again.

Cons:

Cheapflights could have done their job and understood the situation.

1 out of 1

Easirent

4.6

Mediocre

2 locations in Ithaca

Show locations

Locations in Ithaca

Elmira/Corning Regional Airport

Opening times not available

Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

AutoEurope

No score available yet

One location in Ithaca

Show locations

Locations in Ithaca

Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

36 travellers who hired a car in Ithaca gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.7

Car hire locations in or near Ithaca

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

When to book a car hire in Ithaca

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

Ithaca car hire information

Pick-up locationIthaca
Car types
Hire locations5
Airport locations4