At what time do I need to arrive to pick up my rental car?
You should plan to arrive at the rental desk around the pick-up time shown on your confirmation voucher. Rental fleets operate on carefully scheduled timelines, so arriving at the planned time helps ensure a smooth and quick start to your trip.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Your confirmed pick-up time is clearly listed on the first page of your rental voucher.
f you’re picking up your car at the airport, it’s highly recommended to set the pick-up time about 30–60 minutes after your flight’s scheduled time. This gives you comfortable time to pass through customs and pick up your luggage.
If your arrival is delayed, give the rental supplier a quick call right away using the phone number listed on your voucher.
"I booked and paid for the car for the whole day, so I can just pick it up whenever I want."
Rental cars are scheduled tightly. If you are not there at the scheduled time (plus a short grace period), the system marks the booking as a "No-Show," and the car will be rented to someone else.
"I put my flight number in the booking, so they will definitely wait for me, even if the office closes."
Providing your flight number helps the supplier monitor your arrival, but it does not guarantee the office will stay open past closing time. If your arrival time changes significantly, a quick call to the rental desk allows them to arrange the best solution - such as out-of-hours service if available, which may involve an extra fee depending on the location.
💡 Did You Know?
Arriving earlier than the time shown on your voucher may affect the timing of your rental.
Car rentals are calculated in 24-hour periods, so the moment you pick up the vehicle becomes the start of that period. If the car is collected earlier than planned, the return time may also move earlier on the drop-off day.
Example: If your booking shows a pick-up time of 12:00 PM, but the car is collected at 10:00 AM, the 24-hour rental period starts at 10:00 AM. This means the car would then be due back at 10:00 AM on the return day.
What To Do Next:
Open your rental voucher to confirm the exact pick-up time and the supplier’s opening hours.
It’s also helpful to save the supplier’s phone number from the voucher so it’s easy to reach them if your travel delays.
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