Budget Car Hire
Portsmouth

Upon arrival at Portsmouth International Airport, walk from your gate to the main terminal building. You’ll find the car hire counters, including the Budget desk, located inside the terminal. Look for the overhead signs for "Rental Cars" or "Ground Transportation". The airport is compact and easy to navigate, so the counters are only a short walk from baggage reclaim.

After completing your paperwork at the Budget counter inside the terminal, you’ll be directed to the car hire car park. It’s conveniently located just a short walk from the terminal exits. While it’s not directly outside baggage reclaim, it is on airport grounds and doesn’t require a shuttle bus. The close proximity makes it easy to manage your luggage as you head to your vehicle.

Portsmouth International Airport is well lit, so getting around at night is straightforward. Inside the terminal, follow the illuminated overhead signs for "Rental Cars". After visiting the Budget counter, the walk to the car hire car park is along a well-lit route. The parking area itself is also illuminated, so you can safely locate your vehicle and get settled before driving off.

On a typical weekday, the process at a smaller airport like PSM is usually efficient. In general, allow around 30 to 45 minutes in total. This includes getting off the plane, walking to baggage reclaim, collecting your luggage, completing the rental agreement at the Budget counter, and walking to your car. Timing can vary depending on how many passengers arrive at the same time, but it’s usually smooth.

A convenient and practical meeting point is the baggage reclaim area. It usually has enough space for everyone to gather with luggage without blocking foot traffic. Once everyone is together, one person can walk over to the nearby Budget counter to handle the paperwork while the rest of the group waits with the bags.

The best place for the rest of your party to wait is the main baggage reclaim hall. It’s just past arrivals and before the main exits, so it’s a central, logical spot. Seating is usually available, and it keeps the group and luggage together. The person collecting the car can then return with the keys to help move everything to the vehicle.

Your rental paperwork and key fob will typically include the vehicle details, including the licence plate number and the assigned parking space number. The car park at PSM is organised with clear signs for rows or sections. Match the number on your paperwork to the space signage to find your car quickly.

The best place to get organised is before you leave the car hire car park. After loading your luggage, take a few minutes in the parking space to adjust mirrors, connect your phone to the car system, and enter your destination into your navigation app. This lets you get settled without moving traffic around you, helping you start your journey more safely.

The most common point of confusion for first-time visitors is the Portsmouth Traffic Circle, a short drive from the airport. This large roundabout links several major routes, including I-95 and the Route 1 Bypass. It’s important to be in the correct lane and to follow the signs for your intended exit to avoid heading the wrong way.

For a straightforward route, take International Drive out of the airport and follow signs for Route 33 East (Greenland Road). This will lead you towards downtown over several miles. Closer to the centre, Route 33 becomes Middle Street, which takes you right into the heart of Portsmouth. It’s direct, well signed, and avoids the more complex traffic circle.

For overnight parking in downtown Portsmouth, the most practical and reliable option is the Hanover Street Parking Garage. It’s centrally located, open 24/7, and offers a secure place to leave your vehicle. This avoids the hassle of limited on-street parking and time restrictions. Many hotels are within easy walking distance.

The Hanover Street Parking Garage is the most popular and centrally located choice for exploring downtown Portsmouth. You can park once and walk easily to Market Square, the waterfront, Prescott Park, and plenty of shops and restaurants. For shorter visits, metered on-street parking is available, but the garage is less stressful for longer stays because you don’t need to watch the clock.

Portsmouth’s historic centre has many one-way streets, so patience helps. Rely on your sat nav, but drive slowly and watch street signs. If you miss a turn, don’t worry—just go round the block, as the grid is fairly small. Using a public car park as your base and exploring on foot is often the least stressful option.

Strawbery Banke Museum has its own dedicated visitor car park, which is the most convenient option. The entrance is on Hancock Street, giving you direct access to the museum grounds. If it’s full, there is often on-street parking on nearby roads such as Marcy Street, just a short walk away.

Parking for events at Prescott Park can be difficult, so arriving early is wise. Many visitors look for on-street spaces along Marcy Street and in nearby residential areas. Another great approach is to park at the Hanover Street Garage and enjoy the scenic 10–15 minute walk through downtown to the park, avoiding the stress of searching right by the venue.

The drive from Portsmouth to Kittery is very short, crossing either the Memorial Bridge or the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. For a walkable visit, head towards Kittery Foreside. You can find public parking near Wallingford Square and on Government Street. Parking there makes it easy to explore shops, restaurants, and the waterfront on foot.

For the least stress at the Kittery Outlets, aim for a weekday morning, as weekends can be very busy. The outlets are spread along Route 1, and each cluster has its own large, free car park. You can drive between centres and park right by the area you want to browse.

In summer—especially on sunny weekends and during holiday periods—expect notable delays on the bridges between Portsmouth and Kittery. Traffic into Maine is often heaviest on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, while traffic back into New Hampshire tends to peak on Sunday afternoons. Travel off-peak where possible or allow extra time.

The most direct route to Hampton Beach is Route 1A South, a scenic coastal drive. When it’s busy—particularly on summer weekends—parking can be challenging. The best approach is to arrive very early to get a space in the state-run car parks along the main strip. Otherwise, expect to pay for private parking, which may be several blocks from the beach.

For a quieter beach such as Jenness Beach or Wallis Sands in Rye, plan ahead because parking is very limited. The state-run car parks are small and often fill before 9 a.m. on sunny summer weekends. Your best option is a weekday visit or arriving extremely early at the weekend. Once full, there are very few alternatives, so an early start matters.

For a low-stress trip to Ogunquit, drive north on I-95 and take the exit for Route 1. Rather than trying to park in the congested centre, use one of the large municipal car parks on the outskirts. From there, you can walk or take the convenient town trolley, which stops at the main beach, Perkins Cove, and the village centre, so you can explore without moving your car.

In Kennebunkport, it’s best to use one of the paid public car parks a short distance from Dock Square. On-street parking exists but is very limited and has strict time limits. A designated car park lets you park once and explore Dock Square’s shops, galleries, and restaurants on foot.

Driving from Portsmouth to Portland is straightforward: head north on I-95 for about an hour. In Portland, the simplest parking plan is to use one of the public parking garages in the Old Port district. That gives you a central spot for the day, and you can explore the historic waterfront, shops, and well-known restaurants entirely on foot without needing to move the car.

Newburyport is an easy trip from Portsmouth, typically under 30 minutes south on I-95. After taking the Newburyport exit, follow signs for downtown and the waterfront. There are several convenient municipal car parks near Market Square that are visitor friendly. Parking there makes it easy to walk to the waterfront, shops, and restaurants.

At peak travel times—especially in summer and autumn—I-95 around Portsmouth can be heavily congested. Friday afternoons often bring busy northbound traffic as people head to Maine and the New Hampshire Seacoast. Sunday afternoons and evenings typically see very heavy southbound traffic as visitors return home. If possible, plan travel outside these peak windows.

For a simple, well-lit night drive, stick to the main roads. From the airport, the Route 1 Bypass is a good choice: it’s a major divided road with good lighting and access to many local hotels. Route 33 (Greenland Road) is another primary, well-travelled road that provides direct access to downtown and its accommodation.

The most common mistake happens at the Portsmouth Traffic Circle. Drivers unfamiliar with the roundabout can end up in the wrong lane and take the I-95 North exit when they meant South, or vice versa. Read the overhead signs well before entering the circle and move into the correct lane early to avoid last-minute, confusing manoeuvres.

An easy scenic loop is to start by heading to New Castle via Route 1B to see Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse. Then continue out of New Castle and follow signs for Route 1A South. This coastal road takes you through Rye, passing Wallis Sands State Beach and Odiorne Point State Park. You can loop back to Portsmouth via Route 101, or continue south for more coastal scenery.

On scenic coastal roads such as Route 1A and 1B in summer, drive attentively and at a relaxed pace. These roads are popular with cyclists, runners, and pedestrians, so be ready to share the road and give plenty of space. The routes are winding with frequent turns, so staying alert and keeping a safe speed matters more than rushing.

A compact or mid-size SUV often offers the best balance for family travel around Portsmouth. It provides enough boot space for a pushchair, luggage, and gear without feeling cramped, while remaining manoeuvrable for narrow downtown streets and the sometimes tight spaces in car parks and on-street parking.

Before you accept the vehicle and leave the car park, do a quick luggage test. With multiple large suitcases, an SUV or minivan is almost always better than a saloon. Look for a deep, square cargo area, which stacks rigid bags more efficiently. A quick check confirms everything fits comfortably and doesn’t block your rear view.

The most practical place to fit a child seat is in your assigned parking space in the Budget car hire area. If you need extra room to fully open doors, try for a space at the end of a row or next to an empty bay. Taking time to install the seat correctly before starting the engine is best, so you’re not rushed or obstructing traffic.

Before driving off, do a quick systems check. Switch on the headlights to confirm they work, test the windscreen wipers, and glance at the dashboard for any tyre-pressure or other warning lights. It’s also worth locating the USB ports for charging. This simple five-minute check can prevent hassles later.

For an easy, scenic autumn drive, take the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16) north from Portsmouth towards the Lakes Region. It’s a major road with great colour and is simple to follow. You can go as far as you like towards Conway or the Kancamagus Highway and return the same way, keeping navigation stress free.

In winter, visitors are often surprised by on-street parking bans during snowstorms to allow ploughing—always check for signs indicating a snow emergency. Streets can also become much narrower due to snowbanks, so manoeuvring takes extra care. Watch for icy patches, especially in shaded areas and on bridges, even when main roads look clear.

The simplest day trip to the White Mountains is to take the Spaulding Turnpike (Route 16) north directly from the Portsmouth area. This road goes all the way to North Conway, the eastern gateway to the mountains. It’s easy to navigate because you stay on the same main route for most of the drive, letting you focus on the increasingly scenic landscape.

Route 16 to North Conway has several easy places to stop. Rochester is one of the first larger towns, with plenty of petrol stations and coffee shops right off the road. Further north, the Wakefield area around Union is another simple stop. These towns offer convenient places to stretch your legs without a major detour.

As you approach Portsmouth International Airport, watch the road signs closely. You’ll see a split between "Terminal / Departures" and "Rental Car Return". Follow the lane specifically marked "Rental Car Return". This takes you to a dedicated entrance for the rental lots and helps you avoid the passenger drop-off and pick-up loops.

For a smooth early-morning return, refuel the night before if needed. On the morning of your flight, set off a bit earlier than usual. Follow signs for "Rental Car Return", park in the designated Budget area, and gather your belongings. Note your final mileage and have the keys ready for a quick drop-off before walking to the terminal for check-in.

It’s straightforward. First follow the airport signs for "Departures" or "Passenger Drop-Off" and pull up at the terminal kerb to unload passengers and luggage. Once they’re safely heading into the terminal, pull away and loop back around the airport road system, this time following signs for "Rental Car Return" to drop off the vehicle.