VERIFIED REVIEWS
About hiring a car with Budget in Philadelphia
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with Budget in Philadelphia include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Philadelphia, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes benefits that no other company can match:
- Free liability coverage starting at US$ 300,000 in case of an accident (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
- Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your hire period
- Premium travel medical assistance providing up to US$ 150,000 in coverage for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of a medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
- No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification
All of this comes at no extra cost, ensuring a fully protected car hire experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Philadelphia.
Will I face unexpected charges at the Budget counter in Philadelphia when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Philadelphia are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.
On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in Philadelphia charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.
The only costs outside this guarantee are:
- Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
- Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)
How does Budget car pickup work at Philadelphia International Airport?
At Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Budget hire collection follows a consolidated off-site process. After landing, collect your luggage at baggage claim, then follow the "Ground Transportation" and "Rental Car Shuttles" signs to Zone 2 on the arrivals roadway.
From Zone 2, board the free shuttle marked "Rental Car Shuttles" to reach the Rental Car Centre at 1 Arrivals Road, Philadelphia, PA 19153. Shuttles run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, arriving every 5 to 15 minutes during the day. Between 11 PM and 7 AM, service runs every 15 to 30 minutes on a single bus, so allow extra time for late-night arrivals.
The shuttle ride to the Budget counter takes approximately 4 minutes. Once at the Rental Car Centre, proceed to the Budget counter to complete your paperwork and collect your vehicle.
If you are a Budget Fastbreak member, you can bypass the counter entirely. The shuttle driver will take you to the Fastbreak canopy, where you select your vehicle from a monitor and exit using your licence and hang tag.
From plane to driving away, expect roughly 25 to 45 minutes if you have checked bags, or 15 to 25 minutes without, plus additional time during peak periods.
What toll roads will I encounter with a Budget hire in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania region use a predominantly cashless toll system, so Budget renters should plan ahead before hitting the road.
The main toll road is the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which uses E-ZPass for electronic tolling and Toll By Plate for licence plate-based billing. There are no cash booths on most sections. Tolls are recorded by overhead gantries and billed through the hire company.
Typical 2026 toll costs for a standard passenger vehicle on the Pennsylvania Turnpike include:
- US$1.94 per common short segment with E-ZPass
- US$3.88 per segment with Toll By Plate
- A longer trip such as Philadelphia to Harrisburg (roughly 100 miles) may total US$8 to US$12 depending on entry and exit points
Your Budget hire vehicle comes equipped with an electronic toll device. At pickup you can choose an unlimited toll package (typically US$11 to US$25 per day) or pay per use. If you opt out, tolls are billed via Toll By Plate at the higher non-E-ZPass rate, plus an administrative fee, and charges may appear on your card days or weeks after you return the vehicle.
Pennsylvania has no congestion charges, emissions zones, or city-centre driving fees. Tolls apply only to specific roads and bridges.
What documents do I need to pick up a Budget hire in Philadelphia?
To collect your Budget hire in Philadelphia, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:
- A valid, unexpired driver’s licence with a photograph, covering the full hire period
- A major credit card in the main driver’s name, with the driver’s name printed on the physical card, for the security deposit hold
- A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad
Digital documents are not accepted. All documents must be physical originals.
If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original licence. For other non-English licences, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and cannot be used without your original licence.
Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit at Budget Philadelphia locations. Bring a major credit card with sufficient available credit to cover the hold, which is typically around US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles in the United States.
Does Hola Car Rentals offer tolls cashback for Budget hires in Philadelphia?
Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Budget hires in Philadelphia, include Tolls Cashback of up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire.
Philadelphia sits near the Pennsylvania Turnpike and several cashless toll bridges, so toll costs can add up, especially on longer drives. This benefit helps offset those expenses.
To claim your cashback after returning your Budget vehicle in Philadelphia:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - Reservation [Your Confirmation Number]
- Attach your Hola Car Rentals confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your original booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.
As an example, if your Philadelphia Budget booking total is US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. If you paid US$18 in tolls, you receive US$18 back. If you paid US$40, you receive the capped US$25.
What local driving rules should I know before hiring a Budget in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has several road characteristics that can catch first-time visitors off guard when driving a Budget hire vehicle.
The most notable feature is the extensive one-way street system throughout Centre City and beyond. Nearly every street in the downtown core is one-way, which can force drivers into zigzagging routes that significantly increase travel time compared to a direct path. Diagonal roads such as the Ben Franklin Parkway cut through the grid at unexpected angles, adding to the disorientation.
Other important points for Budget renters in Philadelphia:
- Roosevelt Boulevard (US 1) is known for high-crash intersections, particularly at Red Lion Road and Grant Avenue. Drive with extra caution on this corridor
- The city is actively expanding automated speed cameras on high-injury corridors under its Vision Zero programme. Fines from speed cameras are the renter's responsibility
- Ongoing road construction and traffic calming projects on the High Injury Network can cause temporary daytime lane closures
- Narrow lanes in older neighbourhoods naturally limit speeds, but bike lanes have replaced car lanes on several streets, reducing available road width
Pennsylvania has no congestion charges or emissions zones, so there are no special permits required to drive a Budget hire into Philadelphia's city centre.
How does the Budget car return process work at Philadelphia International Airport?
Returning a Budget hire at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is straightforward. Follow the "Rental Car Return" signs as you approach the airport, which will direct you to the Rental Car Centre at 1 Arrivals Road, Philadelphia, PA 19153.
Drive into the Budget return stalls at the Rental Car Centre, lock the vehicle, and drop the keys in the designated key drop box. An after-hours key drop is available for returns outside counter hours, so you are not required to wait for an agent.
Before leaving the vehicle, take a photo of the fuel gauge and odometer as a record. Budget Philadelphia uses a Full-to-Full fuel policy, meaning you should refuel before returning. Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Rental Car Centre to avoid the gauge dropping before you arrive.
After dropping off your Budget vehicle in Philadelphia, board the return shuttle from the Rental Car Centre back to your terminal. Shuttles run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with reduced frequency between 11 PM and 7 AM.
Keep your final hire receipt and hire agreement, as these documents are required if you plan to claim Tolls Cashback through Hola Car Rentals after your Philadelphia trip.
What are the hire taxes and airport fees for a Budget in Philadelphia?
Hiring a Budget in Philadelphia involves several taxes and fees on top of the base rate. Philadelphia carries a higher combined tax burden than many other US cities.
Key charges to expect at the Philadelphia Budget counter include:
- Pennsylvania state sales tax of 6% on the hire
- Philadelphia city vehicle hire tax of approximately 17.9%, which is a city-specific surcharge on top of the state tax
- PHL Airport Customer Facility Charge of approximately US$4.50 to US$10 per day for hires picked up at Philadelphia International Airport
- Concession Recovery Fee of approximately 10% to 15% of the base rate, which covers the cost of operating at the airport
If your Hola Car Rentals confirmation shows "Taxes and Fees: Included," these charges should be covered in your prepaid rate. If the confirmation shows an amount due at destination, those local taxes are legitimately payable at the Budget counter in Philadelphia.
If you are charged for something not listed on your booking confirmation, Hola Car Rentals No Extra Charges© Coverage may apply. Keep all paperwork and contact support after completing your hire.
Is there a young driver surcharge for Budget hires in Philadelphia?
Yes, a young driver surcharge applies to Budget hires in Philadelphia for drivers under 25 years old.
In Pennsylvania, the standard minimum age to hire without a surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire from Budget in Philadelphia but will be charged a daily young-renter fee. Based on Budget's standard UK policy, this fee is GBP 13 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum charge of GBP 65 plus taxes for the hire period.
Drivers under 21 are generally not permitted to hire from Budget at Philadelphia locations.
Additionally, certain vehicle classes are restricted to renters aged 25 and older. Economy, Compact, Medium Sedan, Standard Sedan, Compact SUV, and Medium SUV categories are typically available to younger drivers, while Full Size, Premium, Luxury, Minivan, and large SUV classes usually require the renter to be at least 25.
One important exception: if you are a driver aged 21 to 24 from Latin America or the Caribbean, certain Hola Car Rentals rates with Budget in Philadelphia may waive the underage fee. This waiver must be explicitly shown on your Hola Car Rentals confirmation and applies only to eligible vehicle categories. Check your confirmation or contact Hola Car Rentals support to verify eligibility before your Philadelphia pickup.
Does Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance for Budget hires in Philadelphia?
Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Budget hires in Philadelphia, include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection at no extra cost.
This benefit is particularly useful in Philadelphia, where driving on high-traffic corridors like Roosevelt Boulevard or the Pennsylvania Turnpike can involve unexpected situations. Coverage typically includes:
- Travel and medical insurance for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
If you need assistance during your Philadelphia Budget hire, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
- WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
- Email: [email protected]
When you call, have your full name and Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready (format: HOLA1000000), along with your location and a description of the situation.
Important: this travel assistance benefit does not apply to US or Canadian residents. It is designed for international visitors hiring in Philadelphia. Coverage limits and exclusions vary, so review the full terms on your booking confirmation.
Can I add an additional driver to my Budget hire in Philadelphia?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget hire in Philadelphia, either as an included benefit or for a fee paid at the counter.
Check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation first. If it states "Additional driver free of charge" or "Additional driver included," the first extra driver is covered at no cost. If it is not included, Budget's standard UK rate applies: GBP 13 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum charge of GBP 65 plus taxes for the full hire period.
To add a driver at the Philadelphia Budget counter:
- The additional driver must be physically present at pickup
- They must present a valid driver’s licence (and an IDP if their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet)
- Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement
- For Budget Philadelphia locations, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old
Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW and liability cover. If someone drives the Budget vehicle in Philadelphia without being named on the contract, cover may be void and additional charges could apply.
If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a Budget branch in Philadelphia to update the agreement, as phone or chat requests are typically not sufficient.
Can I pick up a Budget car in Philadelphia and return it in a different city?
Yes, one-way hires are available with Budget in Philadelphia, allowing you to pick up at Philadelphia International Airport or another Philadelphia location and return the vehicle in a different city.
A drop-off fee may apply depending on your route. This fee is route-specific and varies by destination, vehicle class, season, and distance. When booking through Hola Car Rentals, the drop-off fee will be shown on the rate details page under the "To pay at destination" section before you confirm your Philadelphia Budget booking. Review this carefully before completing your hire.
General patterns for one-way hires from Philadelphia:
- Philadelphia to a nearby city in the same region: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance
- Philadelphia to a distant city or cross-country: a drop-off fee almost always applies and can be significant
- Cross-border one-ways (for example, Philadelphia to Canada): may be restricted or require special authorisation from Budget
If you change your return location after booking, the hire will be re-priced and the drop-off fee may increase. Mid-hire route changes must be approved by the Budget location directly.
If the counter charges a drop-off fee that differs from what your Hola Car Rentals confirmation showed, keep all paperwork and contact support after completing the hire.
What insurance coverage is included in a Budget hire in Philadelphia?
The insurance coverage included in your Budget hire in Philadelphia depends on the rate plan selected when booking through Hola Car Rentals. Review your confirmation carefully to understand what is covered.
The main coverage types available for Budget hires in Philadelphia are:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the Budget vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage to other vehicles or injuries to third parties
- Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the Budget car in Philadelphia. Some US states require a minimum level of liability; Pennsylvania renters are strongly advised to add supplemental liability cover
- Travel Assistance: included with most Hola Car Rentals bookings for non-US and non-Canadian residents, covering medical emergencies, legal assistance, and flight cancellation during your Philadelphia trip
CDW/LDW does not cover tyres, undercarriage, roof damage, or personal belongings. Only drivers named on the Budget hire agreement in Philadelphia are covered by these protections.
If you are unsure what your specific Philadelphia Budget booking includes, check the rate details on your Hola Car Rentals confirmation before pickup.
What fuel policy applies to Budget hire in Philadelphia?
Budget hires in Philadelphia use a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.
At pickup, verify the fuel level with the Budget agent at the Philadelphia counter and confirm the starting level is recorded on your hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the fuel gauge and odometer as a record.
When returning your Budget vehicle in Philadelphia:
- Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Rental Car Centre at 1 Arrivals Road, Philadelphia, PA 19153, so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
- Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
- Show the gauge at Full when you hand back the vehicle
If you return the Budget vehicle in Philadelphia with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refuelling service fee.
Some Budget Philadelphia counter locations may offer an optional Prepaid Fuel plan at pickup. If you accept it, you pay for a full tank upfront and return the car at any fuel level, but unused fuel is generally non-refundable. Hola Car Rentals recommends the Full-to-Full policy for most renters as the better value option.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.
Suggested Currencies
- $ USD - United States Dollar
- € EUR - Euro
Other Countries
-
Albania
-
Algeria
-
Andorra
-
Angola
-
Antigua & Barbuda
-
Argentina
-
Australia
-
Austria
-
Bahamas
-
Bahrain
-
Bangladesh
-
Barbados
-
Belgium
-
Belize
-
Benin
-
Bermuda
-
Bolivia
-
Bosnia & Herzegovina
-
Botswana
-
Brazil
-
British Virgin Islands
-
Bulgaria
-
Burkina Faso
-
Burundi
-
Cameroon
-
Canada
-
Cape Verde
-
Cayman Islands
-
Central African Republic
-
Chad
-
Chile
-
Colombia
-
Comoros
-
Congo - Brazzaville
-
Congo - Kinshasa
-
Costa Rica
-
Côte d’Ivoire
-
Croatia
-
Curaçao
-
Cyprus
-
Czechia
-
Denmark
-
Djibouti
-
Dominica
-
Dominican Republic
-
Ecuador
-
Egypt
-
El Salvador
-
Equatorial Guinea
-
Eritrea
-
Estonia
-
Eswatini
-
Ethiopia
-
Finland
-
France
-
Gabon
-
Gambia
-
Germany
-
Ghana
-
Greece
-
Grenada
-
Guatemala
-
Guinea
-
Guinea-Bissau
-
Guyana
-
Haiti
-
Honduras
-
Hong Kong SAR
-
Hungary
-
Iceland
-
India
-
Iraq
-
Ireland
-
Israel
-
Italy
-
Jamaica
-
Japan
-
Jordan
-
Kenya
-
Kuwait
-
Latvia
-
Lebanon
-
Lesotho
-
Liberia
-
Libya
-
Liechtenstein
-
Lithuania
-
Luxembourg
-
Madagascar
-
Malawi
-
Mali
-
Malta
-
Mauritania
-
Mauritius
-
Mexico
-
Moldova
-
Monaco
-
Montenegro
-
Morocco
-
Mozambique
-
Namibia
-
Netherlands
-
New Zealand
-
Nicaragua
-
Niger
-
Nigeria
-
Norway
-
Oman
-
Palestinian Territories
-
Panama
-
Paraguay
-
Peru
-
Philippines
-
Poland
-
Portugal
-
Qatar
-
Romania
-
Russia
-
Rwanda
-
San Marino
-
São Tomé & Príncipe
-
Saudi Arabia
-
Senegal
-
Serbia
-
Seychelles
-
Sierra Leone
-
Singapore
-
Sint Maarten
-
Slovakia
-
Slovenia
-
Somalia
-
South Africa
-
South Korea
-
South Sudan
-
Spain
-
St. Lucia
-
St. Vincent & Grenadines
-
Sudan
-
Sweden
-
Switzerland
-
Taiwan
-
Tanzania
-
Togo
-
Trinidad & Tobago
-
Tunisia
-
Türkiye
-
Turks & Caicos Islands
-
Uganda
-
Ukraine
-
United Arab Emirates
-
United Kingdom
-
United States
-
Uruguay
-
Vatican City
-
Venezuela
-
Yemen
-
Zambia
-
Zimbabwe