Picking up a hire car at an airport should be straightforward — but anyone who's stood in a slow-moving queue at 11pm after a delayed flight knows it doesn't always feel that way. Here's how to make it as smooth as possible.
On-airport vs off-airport suppliers
Major suppliers (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt) are usually located in a dedicated car hire centre, either:
- In the terminal building — counters adjacent to arrivals, car park accessed by lift or walkway
- In a separate car hire centre — accessible by a short walk or shuttle bus from arrivals
Smaller and budget suppliers are often located off-airport — a shuttle bus to a nearby depot. This can add 20–40 minutes to your collection time but usually saves money. Factor this in, especially with late-night arrivals or early-morning departures.
What to bring to the counter
- Your booking confirmation (printed or on your phone)
- Full driving licence — UK visitors: bring both the photocard and check if a DVLA check code is needed
- Passport
- The credit card you booked with — most suppliers will only accept the same card used at booking for the security hold
The counter experience
Staff will verify your documents, take payment authorisation and inevitably offer additional insurance, GPS, child seats and upgrades. If you've prepared:
- Decline the insurance upsell if you have standalone cover arranged — be polite but firm
- Confirm the fuel policy before you take the keys
- Ask where the car is and how to get there — larger car parks can be confusing
Inspecting the car
Before you drive away, walk around the entire car and photograph every panel, the roof, the windscreen, the wheels and the interior. Do this even if the condition report looks fine. Send the photos to yourself so they're timestamped. If there's any damage not on the condition report, point it out immediately — don't leave the car park hoping it won't be noticed. See our full guide: what to check before driving away.
Reducing queue time
- Book with suppliers that offer priority or express pickup (usually a small premium)
- Use online check-in if available — some suppliers let you upload documents in advance
- Avoid collecting immediately after the busiest flight arrivals — if you're flexible, wait 30 minutes in the terminal
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