Very helpful with changes we made. We made quite a few changes due to organising from Australia
Jenny Witney
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Make moves in Seattle with a rental car from SeaTac
A rental car from Seattle Airport is a fantastic way to see the many faces of the city. Having your own transport will also allow you to go beyond the urban area and explore more of the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, from verdant forests to beautifully desolate beaches. Olympic National Park is nearby—what are you waiting for? Grab a car rental at Seattle Airport and explore Washington today!
Seattle Airport car rental locations
Seattle’s SeaTac airport is serviced by rental car suppliers which are categorised as “on-airport” or “off-airport.” Both require shuttles, but the on-airport suppliers are located in the official airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility and accessed y the airport’s Rental Car Shuttle. These include Hertz, Budget, Avis, Alamo, Enterprise, and National. When returning your car rental in SEA, just follow the Rental Car Return signs to the right-hand entrance into the rental car facility.
Off-airport providers have depots close to the airport and provide their own shuttles for arriving and departing passengers. Europcar is an off-airport provider at Seattle Airport.
Information for your Seattle car rental adventure
Innovative, forward-thinking, green, and exciting—Seattle is all of this and more. Known as the birthplace of some of the world’s biggest brands, it’s also a city of micro-businesses and farm-to-table dining. A scenic setting on the shores of Puget Sound gives Seattle even more charm; bounded by its coastlines, it sprawls north and south with a diverse array of neighborhoods.
Airport guide
Seattle’s primary airport is officially named Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and often referred to as Seatac. It serves both Seattle and Tacoma, and is the largest airport in the state of Washington. The main terminal building is made up of four concourses, and there are two satellite buildings. Planes take off and land on three parallel runways.
Passengers and visitors have access to an array of dining and shopping opportunities both pre-and-post security, ranging from boutiques and sit-down restaurants to newsstands and grab-and-go eateries. Amenities and services include free WiFi, power outlets and charging stations, kids play areas, ATMs and currency exchange, and much more. You can download the airport’s voice app to have your questions answered, and enjoy a fantastic collection of art throughout the terminals.
The Rental Car Facility is five minutes from the airport buildings on a regular free common airport shuttle bus.
Guide to driving your rental car in Seattle and Washington
For a safe road trip that’s memorable in all the good ways and none of the others, prepare yourself with some knowledge of the road rules and customs. Here are a few simple pointers to get you started.
- Drive on the right-hand side of the road! This is, of course, the configuration of all roads across the United States, so take some time to get accustomed.
- Remember that distances are posted in miles, and speed limits in miles per hour.
- Aways stick to the posted speed limit. In Washington state, the maximum speed limit is 70 miles per hour and this is posted on rural freeways. Urban freeways are usually set at 60 mph, and residential areas at 30 mph. Check the posted signs for accurate information when driving during your Seatac car rental holiday.
- Be prepared to share the streets with cyclists! There are many in Seattle.
- Rain and snow can affect the roads in Seattle, so keep an eye on the weather report and try to avoid driving when it’s precipitating.
- If you’re heading to one of the many mountainous areas around Seattle, take care on steep stretches of road and keep a close eye out for wildlife.
- The limit for blood alcohol concentration in drivers is 0.08% in Washington.
Destination ideas for your Seattle car rental
With your own set of wheels from Seatac, possibilities abound. If you’re intending to embark on a longer road trip, you could plan a one-way journey between Seattle and myriad other cities. Try a car rental trip in Las Vegas or San Francisco from Seattle. Another popular option is going on a rental car holiday in Phoenix. Definitely, you won't run out of options for your car hire adventure in the USA. You could even pop across the nearby border to Canada—just check that your rental agreement allows border crossings.
For some ideas a little closer to Seattle, check out our list below of places to visit in or near the city.
Pike Place Market
Satisfy your food cravings when you visit the Pike Place Market during your car rentals Seattle Airport trip. This iconic Seattle market is located downtown on the waterfront, and is a wonderland of eateries, food and retail shops, crafts, and of course farmers market stalls. It’s a fantastic place to hang out, browse, enjoy people-watching, and taste the flavours of the Pacific Northwest. You’ll also find here the Seattle Aquarium, a great attraction that appeals to all ages.
Space needle and surrounds
The needle, offering fantastic views of Seattle, is located in the Queen Anne district, and is surrounded by other attractions and landmarks including the Seattle Center and an array of other venues and parks. Call in to the Museum of Pop Culture, the Pacific Science Center, and the “Artists at Play” children’s playground, all in one small area. Visit these places during your Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA) rental car trip.
Discovery Park
Tucked away at the top of the Magnolia District on a 534-acre piece of coastal land, this park feels like a real wilderness within the city. It’s all here for nature lovers: beaches, cliffs, hiking trails, forests, and the picturesque West Point Lighthouse.
Bainbridge Island
This very popular car rental Seatac Airport day trip destination is located just across the Sound from Seattle, and you can get there via a short ferry trip or take the road trip route down through Tacoma and across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It’s laidback, verdant, and packed with outdoor recreation activities as well as some charming pockets of civilization.
Mount Rainier National Park
You can reach this in around two hours of driving your car rental from Seattle, and it’s well worth the road trip. The mountain is the highest peak in the state. Amidst gorgeous alpine scenery, visitors can ski, hike, rock climb, and just enjoy a stunning part of the country.
What our customers say
Car rental Seattle Airport: Frequently asked questions
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How much does it cost to rent a car at SeaTac?
The cost of car rental at Seattle Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA) will vary according to which supplier and vehicle you choose, as well as the time of year at which you travel. As a general indication, you might expect to pay around USD$50 per day for a cheap car rental from Seattle Airport. A high-end or luxury vehicle (example: convertible car rental) might cost USD$300 per day or more.
Which car rental companies are at Seattle airport?
Car rental companies operating at Seattle-Tacoma Airport (Seatac) include Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, National, Alamo, and Zeeba.
Is it cheaper to get a rental car at the airport?
You may find that the best deals on car rental at Seattle Airport are provided by off-airport suppliers such as Europcar. However, there are plenty of affordable on-airport options. However, there are plenty of off-airport budget location options which offer free pick up service too.
What is the cheapest car rental company at Seattle Airport?
Low-cost rentals at Seattle-Tacoma Airport are provided by companies including Europcar, Hertz, and Budget.
Which car rental companies at SeaTac have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Many rental suppliers at Seatac and across the USA have amended policies and processes in response to COVID-19. You can find out more on their websites.
Can I collect a car from Seattle Airport and return it somewhere else?
Yes, you can! Most rental providers will allow one-way rentals from Seattle Airport to their other locations. Specify your desired pick-up location and drop-off location when searching.
How old do I need to be to rent a car?
Most rental car suppliers in the USA rent to those aged 20+ or 21+. Some rent to customers aged 18+. Young driver fees are common; these can apply up to 25 years of age in some cases. Make sure that the additional driver also satisfied this age requirement because only permitted additional driver is allowed to drive the car.
To make sure that you are seeing the right options for your age category, enter it when you search.
How far is Seattle Airport from downtown Seattle?
The airport is around 14 miles south of downtown Seattle. The drive takes about 15 minutes when traffic is not heavy.
What is the most popular rental car in Seatac?
Economy vehicles (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are the most commonly booked Seattle Airport car rental type. Use the filter feature to check on other vehicle type options and book the vehicle that is best suited to your travel needs.
Can I rent a car for a month or longer in Seattle?
Yes, you can get a SeaTac Airport car rental for a month or longer. Please note that monthly car rental prices will change depending on seasonality, locations, and vehicle availability. To get a better idea of what you’d pay for the particular vehicle you require for your next road trip, use GoSee's search widget to compare and book from a massive selection of rental cars.
For longer trips, please ensure you have obtained sufficient insurance coverage for your entire rental period. Once you have selected the vehicle you are interested in, read the terms and conditions for that vehicle, and information about third-party liability protection, or minimum financial responsibility limits before you complete your car rental from SeaTac Airport booking.
