Cheap Weekly Car Rentals in Atlanta: How to Find the Best Deals

Looking for cheap weekly car rentals in Atlanta—whether you live here, are flying into Hartsfield–Jackson, or need a temporary car between vehicles—comes down to timing, location, and knowing your options. Atlanta is very car‑dependent, so saving money on a week-long rental can make a big difference.

This guide walks through how weekly rentals work in Atlanta, where to look, how to avoid common fees, and smart ways locals and visitors keep costs down.

How Weekly Car Rentals Work in Atlanta

Most rental companies in Atlanta offer a “weekly rate” that usually means a rental of 5–7 days. The daily price often drops when you book by the week instead of day-by-day.

Common patterns in Atlanta:

• Airport vs. neighborhood pricing:
  Airport pickups are convenient but often come with extra surcharges and fees. Neighborhood branches in places like Buckhead, Midtown, Sandy Springs, or Decatur can be noticeably cheaper for a week.
• Unlimited miles are common, but some low-cost options may cap mileage.
• One-way rentals (for example, pick up in Atlanta and drop off elsewhere) are usually more expensive than round trips.

If your schedule is flexible, shifting your pickup/return by even a day can change which weekly specials apply.

Typical Price Ranges for Weekly Rentals in Atlanta

Exact prices change often, but many Atlanta renters see patterns like:

• Economy / Compact car: lower weekly rate, best for saving money.
• Midsize / Full-size sedan: slightly more, but often similar weekly promos.
• SUVs / Minivans: higher base price, but sometimes discounted during off-peak times.
• Luxury / Premium: usually not “cheap” even at weekly rates.

What affects your price most in Atlanta:

• Pickup location (airport vs. city)
• Dates (holidays, big conventions at Georgia World Congress Center, major games at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium)
• Age (drivers under 25 often pay more)
• Insurance choices and add-ons

Best Places in Atlanta to Look for Cheap Weekly Rentals

1. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Pros

• Huge selection of vehicles.
• Open long hours, convenient for visitors.
• Lots of competition keeps base rates somewhat competitive.

Cons

• Airport concession fees and surcharges raise the total bill.
• Parking and time at the ATL Rental Car Center can add hassle for locals.

If you’re flying in and need a car all week, you may still come out ahead renting at ATL, especially if you’re not familiar with MARTA or rideshare costs into the city.

ATL Rental Car Center address:

Atlanta Rental Car Center
2200 Rental Car Center Parkway
College Park, GA 30337

Accessible by the SkyTrain from the domestic terminal.

2. Neighborhood Rental Branches Around Atlanta

Locals and longer-term visitors often save by renting away from the airport.

Common areas with multiple rental locations include:

• Downtown / Midtown Atlanta – convenient if you’re staying near Peachtree Street, Georgia State University, or the convention district.
• Buckhead – good if you’re based in North Atlanta or staying around Lenox Square/Phipps Plaza.
• Sandy Springs / Perimeter Center – useful for stays near Perimeter Mall or the I‑285/GA‑400 corridor.
• Decatur – convenient for Emory area, East Atlanta, and neighborhoods along Ponce de Leon.
• College Park / East Point – near the airport but often a bit cheaper than renting directly at ATL.

These branches typically:

• Have lower taxes and fees than airport locations.
• May offer local discounts or weekday specials.
• Sometimes have more flexible hours for pickup and return.

3. Renting Weekly from Car-Sharing & Alternative Platforms

In Atlanta, some drivers use car-sharing and peer-to-peer rental platforms for weekly rentals, especially if traditional agencies are expensive or sold out.

Typical advantages:

• Competitive weekly pricing for economy cars in popular in-town neighborhoods (Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, Virginia‑Highland, etc.).
• Easier pickup points if you’re staying in-town without visiting the airport.

Typical tradeoffs:

• Limited availability in some suburbs.
• Stricter rules about mileage, pets, or cleanliness.
• You may need to meet the owner or use a lockbox for key exchange.

When Weekly Rentals in Atlanta Are Cheapest

Prices in Atlanta swing based on season, weekday, and events.

You’ll often see better weekly deals when:

• You avoid major event weeks, such as big SEC games, large conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center, or festival weekends.
• You pick up midweek (Monday–Thursday) instead of Saturday.
• You rent during slower travel months, often after New Year’s and in some late-summer periods outside school breaks.

If your plans allow, use flexible dates and test start days (e.g., picking up Tuesday instead of Friday) to see how the weekly rate changes.

How Locals Keep Weekly Rental Costs Down

1. Compare Airport vs. City Locations

For Atlanta residents, it’s often cheaper to:

• Take MARTA or a rideshare to a neighborhood branch, then rent for the week.
• Compare final totals (with fees) from the airport versus a nearby suburb like College Park, East Point, or Decatur.

Even visitors sometimes ride MARTA from ATL to a city station (like Midtown or Buckhead) and pick up a car there if they plan to stay in-town first and explore later.

2. Book Early—But Keep Watching Prices

In Atlanta, booking 1–3 weeks ahead usually secures better weekly pricing than last-minute reservations, especially during:

• Spring break
• Major sports weekends
• Holiday seasons

Some renters:

• Book a fully cancellable weekly rate as soon as they know their dates.
• Re-check prices a few times before the trip and rebook if a cheaper rate appears.

3. Choose the Smallest Car That Works

Because parking can be tight in areas like Midtown, Inman Park, and East Atlanta Village, smaller cars are often more practical and cheaper.

Savings tips:

• Skip SUVs and minivans unless you truly need the space.
• Consider a compact if you’re mostly driving within I‑285 and taking occasional highway trips.

4. Avoid Add-Ons You Don’t Need

Common extras that add up in Atlanta:

• GPS units – Most drivers use their phone navigation.
• Toll packages – Around Atlanta, you’re mostly dealing with Peach Pass lanes on I‑85/I‑75/I‑575; many locals simply stay in the general lanes to avoid toll programs.
• Prepaid fuel – Only makes sense if you’re truly returning the tank empty.

Rent only what you actually need for a week.

Understanding Insurance and Fees in Georgia

1. Insurance Basics for Georgia Drivers

If you live in Georgia and already have car insurance:

• Your personal policy may extend to a rental, often with similar coverage types.
• Many Atlanta drivers also have credit cards that provide secondary rental coverage when you decline the agency’s collision damage waiver.

However:

• Coverage details vary by insurer and by card.
• If you don’t have your own insurance, the rental company’s coverage can be important but significantly raises the weekly cost.

It’s usually worth calling your insurer before renting to understand what’s covered.

2. Atlanta & Georgia-Specific Fees to Watch For

Common fees that impact total price:

• Airport concession fees and facility charges at ATL
• State and local taxes, which may differ slightly between city and suburban branches
• Underage driver fees for drivers under 25
• Additional driver fees, especially if adding more than one driver
• One-way or different-drop-off charges

Always check the final estimated total before confirming. A seemingly cheap base rate in Atlanta can climb once these are added.

Weekly Rental vs. Other Options in Atlanta

Sometimes a weekly rental is best; other times, combining options can save more.

Weekly Rental vs. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

A weekly rental may be cheaper if:

• You’ll be commuting daily, especially outside MARTA’s core rail area.
• You’re planning multiple day trips to places like Stone Mountain, Lake Lanier, or north Georgia.

Rideshare may be cheaper if:

• You’re staying mostly in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, and only need a car once or twice.
• You’re mainly traveling along MARTA rail lines (e.g., from the airport to Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead/Sandy Springs).

Weekly Rental vs. MARTA + Occasional Rental

For some Atlanta residents:

• Using MARTA for daily commuting plus short-term rentals for weekend trips can cost less than a constant weekly rental.
• This works best if you live or stay near a MARTA rail station and don’t need daily car access.

Handy Overview: Key Ways to Lower Weekly Rental Costs in Atlanta

Practical Tips for Different Types of Atlanta Renters

If You’re Flying into ATL

• Decide if you really need the car immediately:
  • If you’re staying Downtown or Midtown first, you could take MARTA into the city and pick up a car later at a neighborhood branch.
• If you prefer renting at the airport:
  • Plan extra time to reach the Rental Car Center via the SkyTrain.
  • Check your route—if you’ll mostly drive inside the Perimeter (I‑285), a compact is usually enough.

If You Live in Atlanta and Need a Temporary Car

Common situations: car in the shop, between leases, trying life without a car.

• Look at branches close to your home or workplace to avoid long rideshares just to pick up the car.
• Ask about:
  • Local weekly specials
  • Longer-term rental discounts if you might need 2–4 weeks.
• If your car is at a shop, some mechanics in the Atlanta area work with nearby rental agencies for discounted rates—worth asking.

If You’re Driving Long Distances from Atlanta

If your weekly rental includes road trips outside metro Atlanta:

• Confirm unlimited mileage and where it applies (within Georgia, neighboring states, etc.).

• Factor fuel costs—Atlanta traffic on I‑75, I‑85, and I‑285 can be heavy, especially at rush hour.

• Consider:

  • Leaving early to avoid peak congestion.
  • Using navigation to route around known bottlenecks (Downtown Connector, I‑285/GA‑400, etc.).

Where to Go if You Have Rental Issues in Atlanta

If you have a serious dispute with a rental company (unexpected fees, billing issues, etc.), Atlanta-area consumers sometimes turn to:

• Georgia Department of Law – Consumer Protection Division
  2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 356
  Atlanta, GA 30334
  Phone: 404-651-8600 (main line)

This office provides general consumer guidance and complaint options for Georgia residents and visitors.

By focusing on non-airport locations when possible, booking early, choosing the smallest suitable car, and watching for hidden fees, you can usually find cheap weekly car rentals in Atlanta that fit both your budget and your plans—whether you’re commuting from Midtown to Perimeter, exploring local neighborhoods, or road-tripping out of the city for a few days.