Car Rental in Georgia

Why rent a car in Georgia?

The U.S state of Georgia is often thought by tourists to only consist of the city of Atlanta. While Atlanta is certainly worthy of a visit, it would be a shame to not see the rest of the state. Though a tourist focus in most of the state is the history of the Civil War era, the state has many more sites and activities to make it worth a road trip. It is one of the few states that has both amazing beaches and mountain vistas.   

Top ways to enter USA - Georgia

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) - The main gateway to the state happens to also be the busiest airport in the world. If you’ve ever flown in the United States, particularly with Delta, you have probably had to transfer in Atlanta. The airport has a separate Rental Car Center where you can pick up a rental car and then city the city and the rest of the state. 

Savannah - Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) - Travelers visiting the state’s Atlantic Coast will likely land at SAV, the second-busiest airport in the state; though one shouldn’t get the idea that it is in any way similar in size to ATL. The airport is also the closest airport to the popular resorts on Hilton Head Island. Rental cars are available at the airport’s Rental Car Center, and all of them can also be taken to South Carolina which is just across the Savannah River from the airport.   

Columbus Metropolitan Airport (CSG) - On the completely opposite side of the state from Savannah, CSG serves the city of Columbus and Fort Benning, a major base for the United States Army. Rental cars are available at the airport, which could also be a way of getting to parts of neighboring Alabama. Make sure you don’t confuse Columbus, Georgia with Columbus, Ohio when booking a rental car, though. 

Amtrak - Two Amtrak routes pass through the state of Georgia. The Crescent Line calls at Atlanta, along with Gainsville and Toccoa, on its way from New York City to New Orleans. The Palmetto, Silver Star, and Silver Meteor Lines all connect New York City with Savannah on Georgia’s Atlantic Coast. The Silver Lines continue south to Florida. Though rental cars are not available at the stations as they are in Europe, rental companies’ downtown locations are often within easy reach of the station.   

Top cities and places to visit

• Atlanta - The sprawling capital of Georgia has become one of the most important cities in the United States. Though many may not think of the city as being an important tourist destination, more than 50 million people still visit it every year. The Georiga Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and CNN Center are the most popular attractions. There are also various museums and parks related to the Civil Rights era as the city was home to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A major city of both the Old and New South, Atlanta is a city that can’t be missed in the southeastern U.S.
• Savannah - The former capital of the colony and then the state of Georgia lies roughly 250 miles southeast of Atlanta. This small, charming city is a prime magnet for tourists. It offers a pristine historic district in a small, relaxing atmosphere with incredibly hospitable hosts. Of all the cities on the eastern seaboard, Savannah should be the number one destination for anyone that enjoys colonial cities. 
• Athens - One of America’s premier college towns, Athens was founded to host the University of Georgia, the state’s flagship research university. Just an hour and a half from Atlanta, Athens is the place to be if you want to experience a college football Saturday in the fall or party in the downtown of a college town any weekend of the year.  
• Columbus - Not well-known as a destination for tourists, this city on the Chattahoochee River actually has a lot to offer travelers. The Coca-Cola Space Science Center is a great place to visit with children, and its associated observatory has Astronomy Nights that are both educational and inspiring. Museums worth visiting in the city include the National Civil War Naval Museum, the National Infantry Museum (Fort Benning, an important base of the U.S. Army is located in the city), and the Lunchbox Museum which yes, is a museum dedicated to that special plastic box you took your lunch to school in as a child.  
• The Appalachian Mountains - The northeastern part of Georgia is a gorgeous area thanks to the most southerly reaches of the Appalachian Mountains. Perfect for scenic driving at a leisurely pace, the area is great to visit all year long. Brasstown Bald is the highest summit in the state and offers views to four different states. You can drive almost all the way up the mountain but need to either hike up a short trail or take a shuttle from the parking lot on the mountain. The southern terminus of the famed Appalachian Trail is nearby at Springer Mountain is the most popular starting point for those taking on the trail. Hiking a short section of it is a great day’s activity. 
• Warm Springs - Located midway between Atlanta and Columbus, Warm Springs is best known as the location of the Little White House. It is here that Franklin Delano Roosevelt spent time when not at the actual Whtie House or his home in Hyde Park and also where he died. The house and its grounds have been preserved the way they were in 1945 and are now are open to the public as a State Historic Site.
• Valdosta. Located in the southwestern part of Georgia, arguably the most off-the-beaten-path part of the state, Valdosta is known as the Azalea City thanks to the abundance of the flowering shrubs in the area. There are a number of landmarks in this cozy town, including the Annette Howell Turner Center for Arts and Valdosta Garden Center, but the main attraction of Valdosta is its proximity to the Wild Adventures amusement park, the only one of its kind in Georgia. 

Driver's license requirements

The minimum age for renting a car in Arizona, as in most other states is 21. An underage driver surcharge is charged by almost all car rental companies for those between 21 and 24. Drivers in this age category are also often restricted from renting luxury cars and larger vans. 

If you are traveling from abroad and your driving license from your country of residence is in the Latin script, it is recommended, but not required, to have an International Driver’s Permit. If your driving license is not in the Latin script (for example, Russian, Japanese, or Arabic) then you must have an International Driving Permit or another certified translation of your license. Keep in mind that you must present your actual driving license in addition to the IDP and have it with you at all times. 

Crossing borders

Though most rental companies allow renters to travel to any state, there are a few in Georgia that do not. These include Routes and Sixt. 

Routes charges an extra $8.99 per day if you are going to take the car out of the state and restricts the allowed mileage to 200 miles per day. Sixt only allows its cars to travel to the immediate surrounding states, (that is, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina).  

In addition, Ace Rent a Car also restricts the allowed mileage for any rental that is taken outside of the state.  

Toll roads

There are no longer any toll roads in the state of Georgia. Georiga 400  was formerly a toll road but has been toll-free since 2013. There are, however, Express Lanes on I-285, I-85, and I-75. 

These lanes are free for those with three or more people in their vehicle (including the driver) and are available to others with payment of a toll. Either way, you must have a Peach Pass to use the lanes. Dollar and Thrifty offer their PlatePlass program which allows usage of these lanes for a small daily fee (in addition to the actual toll cost). The equivalent for Enterprise and National is TollPass. Other rental companies have similar programs. 

If you plan to travel to Florida with a rental car that you pick up in Georgia, you need to be aware of the toll situation. On the Florida Turnpike and in the Orlando area, it is possible to pay tolls with cash. However, Georiga’s Peach Pass also works in Florida. This means that if the rental car company offers a Peach Pass with your rental car, you will also be able to use it in Florida.

However, in the off chance that the transponder is neither removable nor able to be switched off, you should be extra cautious. The cash lanes in Florida also accept electronic toll payments. This means that even if you pay in cash, you will still be charged through your rental contract (and if you declined the toll pass, you will be charged an extra, often exorbitant, administrative fee). 

Finally, if you plan to travel all the way to South Florida, keep in mind that tolls in that region of the state are all electronic. This means cash is not accepted. Without a toll pass, you may risk exorbitant fines for using the toll roads. Of course, they can always be avoided. 

Top driving routes

• Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway - A gorgeous route going through the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, this scenic byway is the road to take and a great day trip from Atlanta. The road will take to the Appalachian trail and almost to the top of Brasstown Bald, the highest summit in Georiga. The beautiful mountain scenery will be the highlight of your trip. 
• Ridge & Valley Scenic Byway - In the Northwestern part of the state, the Ridge & Valley Scenic Byway is a route popular with motorcycle riders, but it is also a great drive for those with a rental car. The route makes a circle through the Johns Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The route includes little traffic, hiking trails, waterfalls, and a great scenic overlook on the top of Johns Mountain. 
• The Woodpecker Trail - This scenic route was one of the first routes designated for tourist drivers in the country. It is a great place for a leisurely drive through the southern countryside passing through many small towns. The trail starts in August and continues south to the border with Florida passing by the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Plan an entire day or more for the route. 

Car rental prices in Georgia

• Large cars - from $31 per day
• SUVs - from $37 per day
• Small cars - from $51 per day
• Vans - from $56 per day
• Medium cars - from $31 per day
• Premium cars - from $59 per day
• Convertibles - from $99 per day