Cheap Rental Cars at Atlanta Airport: How to Get the Best Deal at ATL

Looking for cheap rental cars at Atlanta Airport but not sure where to start? Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, and its rental car center is huge—great for choice, but confusing if you want to save money.

This guide walks you through exactly how rental cars work at ATL, where to go, how to compare prices, when to book, and what locals and frequent visitors do to keep costs low.

How Rental Cars Work at Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

All major rental companies at ATL operate from the Airport Rental Car Center (RCC), which is separate from the main terminals.

Address (for planning or GPS):
Atlanta Airport Rental Car Center
2200 Rental Car Center Parkway
College Park, GA 30337

You don’t walk there from the terminal—you take the ATL SkyTrain, an automated train that runs between:

• Domestic Terminal (West)
• ATL Airport MARTA Station
• Airport Rental Car Center (final stop)

The SkyTrain runs frequently, usually within a few minutes, and the ride to the RCC takes about 5 minutes.

Once you arrive at the Rental Car Center, you’ll find multiple rental counters, car pickup levels, and return lanes all in one complex.

On-Airport vs. Off-Airport Rental: What’s Cheaper?

When people search “cheap rental cars Atlanta airport,” they’re usually weighing two main options:

1. On-Airport Rental (at the RCC)

Pros:

• Fast and convenient: Step off your flight, take the SkyTrain, pick up your car.
• Common for late arrivals and early-morning departures.
• Easy, centralized returns right back to the RCC.

Cons:

• Airport concession fees and surcharges are often higher.
• Daily rates can be more expensive than neighborhood or off-airport locations.

2. Off-Airport / Neighborhood Locations

These are rental offices in areas like College Park, East Point, Hapeville, Midtown, Buckhead, or Downtown Atlanta that are not directly in the airport system.

Pros:

• Often lower base rates and fewer airport-specific fees.
• Good option if you’re staying in Atlanta for several days or don’t need the car immediately upon landing.

Cons:

• You’ll need to take MARTA, a rideshare, or a shuttle to get there.
• Less convenient if you are landing late or leaving very early.
• Returning the car before a flight requires extra travel time planning.

Typical Costs: What Affects Your ATL Rental Price

Rental rates at Atlanta Airport can shift a lot depending on:

• Timing: Holidays, major conventions, and big events (like games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or events at Georgia World Congress Center) can push prices up.
• Vehicle type:
  • Cheapest: Economy/compact cars
  • Higher: SUVs, minivans, premium or specialty cars
• Rental length:
  • Daily rates can drop on weekly rentals.
  • One- or two-day rentals around weekends can be pricier.
• Add-ons:
  • GPS, toll passes, extra drivers, and insurance can add significantly to the total.

Most travelers looking for cheap rental cars at ATL stick to economy or compact cars, skip optional extras where possible, and focus on timing and location to save.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Cheap Rental Car at Atlanta Airport

1. Decide if You Really Need a Car the Whole Time

In Atlanta, a car is often helpful, but not always mandatory.

Consider:

• If you’re staying Downtown, Midtown, or near a MARTA station, you may only need a car for certain days (for trips to the suburbs, Stone Mountain, Lake Lanier, etc.).
• For trips focused on Downtown attractions (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, State Farm Arena, College Football Hall of Fame), you might manage a day or two without a car and pick one up later from a neighborhood location.

Cutting even one or two rental days can save more than scoring a slightly lower daily rate.

2. Compare On-Airport vs. Neighborhood Rates

Before committing to the airport rental center, price out:

• Pickup at Atlanta Airport (ATL) Rental Car Center
• Pickup at a nearby location, such as:
  • College Park or East Point (often just a brief rideshare away)
  • Downtown Atlanta rental offices
  • Midtown or Buckhead locations

Sometimes you can:

• Land at ATL, take MARTA or a rideshare to your hotel, then
• Pick up a cheaper neighborhood rental the next morning.

This approach is popular for:

• Late-night arrivals
• Trips mainly centered around central Atlanta with only a few days of driving.

3. Book as Early as Possible and Be Flexible

At ATL, booking early usually matters more than at smaller airports.

To keep prices down:

• Reserve as soon as you know your dates, especially:
  • Summer months
  • Holiday periods
  • Major event weekends
• If your schedule allows, check prices:
  • Arriving on weekdays vs. weekends
  • Adjusting pickup and return times by a few hours
    (sometimes moving from late night to the next morning changes the rate)

If your plan might change, look for reservations you can modify or cancel without a fee so you can recheck prices closer to your trip.

4. Choose the Right Car Category

For cheap rental cars at the Atlanta airport, focus on:

• Economy or compact cars – usually the lowest base rate
• Midsize only if the price difference is small and you need space

Skip upgrades at the counter unless the total, all-in price still fits your budget. Airport agents may offer larger vehicles, but they can come with higher fuel and insurance costs.

5. Watch for Extra Fees That Sneak Up on You

Airport rentals come with several potential fees. Not all apply every time, but be aware of:

• Airport concession or facility fees
• Tourism or local taxes
• Underage driver fees (often for drivers under 25)
• Additional driver fees, except when allowed at no extra charge (for example, certain spouse rules or specific plans)
• Drop-off fees if picking up at ATL and returning somewhere else

Also consider:

• Fuel:
  • Prepay fuel only if you’re sure the tank will be nearly empty at return.
  • Otherwise, refill at a gas station near the airport (areas like Virginia Avenue in College Park often have several stations) before heading to the RCC.
• Tolls:
  • Metro Atlanta does not have widespread toll roads like some other cities, but there are Express Lanes on certain interstates.
  • If you don’t plan to use Express Lanes, you may not need a toll package.

Ask for an itemized estimate at the counter and double-check that it matches what you saw when booking.

Navigating the Atlanta Airport Rental Car Center (RCC)

Getting to the RCC from Your Gate

1. Follow signs to Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation.
2. Look for signs for the ATL SkyTrain.
3. Board the SkyTrain and ride to “Rental Car Center” (last stop).
4. Inside the RCC, follow the signs for your rental company’s counter.

📝 Tip: If you’re traveling with a group, one person can go ahead to the RCC to start the rental process while others wait for checked bags.

Returning Your Rental Car at ATL

1. Drive to the Rental Car Center (use the address or follow airport signs on I-85/I-285).
2. Follow the rental car return signs for your specific company.
3. After dropping the car and keys:
   • Take the elevator/escalator back to the SkyTrain.
   • Ride back to the Domestic Terminal or MARTA station.

Allow extra buffer time during rush hours, as highways near ATL (I-85, I-285, Camp Creek Parkway) can back up.

Cheap Alternatives: When a Rental Car May Not Be Necessary

If your goal is to save as much as possible, it’s worth looking at whether you need a rental at all or just for part of the trip.

MARTA from ATL

The Airport MARTA Station is directly connected to the Domestic Terminal.

From there, you can reach:

• Downtown Atlanta (Peachtree Center, GWCC/CNN Center, Five Points)
• Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown stations)
• Buckhead (Lindbergh Center, Buckhead station)

This can reduce your rental days by:

• Taking MARTA on arrival
• Renting later from a Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead location only when you’re ready to explore further out.

Rideshare and Taxis

Atlanta has:

• Rideshare pickup zones at ATL (signed areas for app-based rides)
• Traditional taxis at the Ground Transportation area

If you’re mainly in-town for meetings or a short stay, combining MARTA + rideshare may be cheaper than renting, parking, and fueling a car.

Time vs. Money: Which Option Makes Sense for You?

Here’s a simple way to think about your options:

Practical Local Tips for Saving on ATL Rental Cars

• Avoid peak traffic for pickup/return
  Driving to/from ATL during afternoon rush (roughly 3–7 p.m.) can eat up time and fuel. If you can, plan your pickup or return in mid-morning or late evening.

• Check your hotel’s parking fees
  A hotel in Downtown or Midtown may charge daily parking, which adds to your total car cost. Sometimes it’s cheaper to rent the car only for days you leave the city core.

• Know local driving patterns

  • I-75, I-85, I-285, and GA-400 can stack up during rush hours.
  • If you’re paying by the day, spending hours in traffic might not be the best value—plan long drives during off-peak times when possible.

• Plan your route before leaving the RCC
  Cell service in the garages can vary. Load your map or directions to places like Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, or Buckhead before pulling out.

Key Takeaways for Cheap Rental Cars at Atlanta Airport

• The Rental Car Center at ATL is easy to reach via ATL SkyTrain and offers convenience—but often at higher airport rates and fees.
• To save money:
  • Compare on-airport vs. neighborhood pickup locations.
  • Book early, especially for busy seasons and event weekends.
  • Stick with economy or compact vehicles and avoid unnecessary add-ons.
  • Consider using MARTA and rideshare for part of your stay and renting only when you truly need a car.
• Always look at the full, all-in cost including fees, parking, fuel, and your time in Atlanta traffic—not just the headline daily rate.

With a bit of planning around when and where you rent, it’s very possible to get a cheap rental car at Atlanta Airport or nearby that fits your budget and your Atlanta plans.