Car Hire at Boston Airport

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating at Boston Airport, 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 at Boston Airport.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking at Boston Airport 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 at Boston Airport 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)

All hire car companies at Boston Airport operate from an off-site Rental Car Centre (RCC) located at 15 Transportation Way, East Boston. There are no counters inside the terminals.

After clearing customs and collecting your bags, follow these steps:

• Exit baggage claim and follow signs for Ground Transportation, then Shuttle Bus, to the kerbside lower level of your terminal.
• Board a blue shuttle bus (Routes 22, 33, or 55), which runs every 5 to 6 minutes and takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to reach the RCC.
• Inside the RCC, locate your brand's counter (Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, Alamo, National, Dollar, Thrifty, or Payless are all present).
• Present your driving licence, credit card, and booking confirmation. If your licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet, bring your International Driving Permit as well.
• Review the hire agreement, inspect the vehicle for pre-existing damage, and take photos before driving away.

For international arrivals, plan for 60 to 120 minutes from landing to driving away, as customs and immigration alone can take 30 to 90 minutes. Some counters such as Avis and Budget operate 24 hours daily, with 24-hour drop-off available at Boston Airport.

To collect your hire car at Boston Airport, you must bring all of the following physical documents. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• A valid, original driving licence in the main driver’s name.
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, in the main driver’s name, for the authorisation hold.
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID.
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from abroad).
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original licence.

At Boston Airport, hire partners may also ask for proof of return travel. If your licence is in English or issued by an EU/EEA country, an IDP is recommended but not strictly mandatory. However, if your licence uses a non-Latin script, the IDP is required. Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling, as it cannot be issued abroad.

Name mismatches between your licence, passport, and credit card are one of the most common reasons for problems at the counter, so verify all documents match before you travel.

Yes, there are several toll roads near Boston Airport, and all tolling in Massachusetts is fully cashless. There are no cash booths anywhere on the network.

The main toll system is EZDriveMA, which uses E-ZPass MA transponders and a Pay By Plate MA option for plate-based invoicing. Key toll roads you are likely to encounter when leaving Boston Airport include:

• The Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90), including the Ted Williams Tunnel that connects directly to Boston Airport.
• The Sumner Tunnel and Callahan Tunnel.
• The Tobin Memorial Bridge.

Typical toll costs vary. A full-length Mass Pike trip can cost around US$7.45 with an E-ZPass MA transponder, versus US$9.35 with an out-of-state E-ZPass. E-ZPass MA offers discounts not available to out-of-state transponders or plate-billing users.

Hire vehicles at Boston Airport typically come with a pre-installed toll device. At the counter you can choose a pay-per-use toll programme, which charges a daily convenience fee of approximately US$3.95 on days you use a toll road, capped at around US$19.75 per hire period, plus the actual toll amounts. If you do not enrol in any programme and drive a toll road, the hire company will bill you later via Pay By Plate MA, plus their own administrative fees.

Massachusetts has no congestion charges or emissions zone fees.

Yes, all bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Boston Airport hire.

This is especially useful at Boston Airport given the cashless toll roads you will encounter, including the Ted Williams Tunnel on I-90, the Mass Pike, and the Sumner and Callahan Tunnels. Tolls are not included in your rate, but after your hire ends you can submit a claim to recover a portion of what you paid.

To claim your Tolls Cashback:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle.
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number.
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a toll receipt or invoice showing charges paid during your hire period.
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for your booking.

The refund is the lesser of the actual tolls paid or 5% of your booking total. For example, if your booking total is US$500, the cap is US$25. Refunds are issued to your original payment method within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Hiring at Boston Airport adds significant fees on top of the base rate. In total, expect approximately 30% in taxes and fees to be added to your base hire cost.

The main charges that apply at Boston Airport include:

• Airport Concession Recovery Fee (ACRF): a percentage surcharge that hire companies pass on for operating at the airport, typically adding 10 to 20% to the base rate.
• Customer Facility Charge (CFC): a per-day fee for use of the Rental Car Centre at 15 Transportation Way.
• Massachusetts state sales tax of 6.25%.
• Additional city and state surcharges specific to Boston Airport.

As an illustrative example, a 5-day mid-size hire with a US$300 base rate could carry roughly US$90 in combined taxes and fees before any optional extras.

If your booking confirmation shows Taxes and Fees as Included, you should not be billed again for those items at the counter. If you are charged for something not disclosed on your confirmation, the No Extra Charges© guarantee covers that situation. Hiring from a city location rather than Boston Airport can reduce costs by 15 to 25%, since off-airport locations avoid the concession surcharges, though you would need to arrange your own transport from the airport.

Yes, a major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name printed on the card is required at Boston Airport. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or digital-wallet cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold.

At Boston Airport, the typical security deposit hold placed on your credit card is approximately US$300 to US$400 for a standard vehicle, though the exact amount varies by hire brand, vehicle class, and hire duration. Premium or speciality vehicles may carry higher holds.

Key points to bear in mind:

• The hold is a temporary authorisation, not a charge. It reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends, which can take up to 15 working days.
• Even if you prepaid your booking in full, you must still present a physical credit card at the Boston Airport counter for the deposit hold.
• Notify your bank of your travel plans before arriving at Boston Airport to prevent fraud blocks on a high-value, in-person authorisation.
• Bring a backup credit card in your own name in case your primary card is declined.

The card must be physically present. Digital wallet versions of the card are not accepted at the counter.

At Boston Airport, the minimum age to hire without a young-driver surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will pay a daily young-driver surcharge at the counter, and most vehicle classes are restricted to drivers 25 and older.

Typical daily surcharge amounts by brand at Boston Airport:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per hire day, capped at US$65 per hire period.
• Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty: US$13.50 per hire day, capped at US$189 per hire period.
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day.

Vehicle classes typically restricted to drivers 25 and older include full-size saloons, SUVs, minivans, vans, convertibles, luxury, and premium categories. Drivers aged 21 to 24 are generally limited to economy, compact, and intermediate classes at Boston Airport.

One exception applies to drivers aged 21 to 24 from Latin America and the Caribbean hiring with Avis or Budget: the young-driver surcharge may be waived on eligible Hola Car Rentals rates for certain vehicle categories. Check your booking confirmation to see if this waiver is shown.

Massachusetts does not have a statewide law requiring rentals to drivers under 21, so the minimum age at Boston Airport is effectively 21 for most brands.

The standard fuel policy for hires at Boston Airport is Full to Full. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

Here is how to handle fuel correctly during your Boston Airport hire:

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the gauge and odometer.
• Use the correct fuel type. Wrong-fuel incidents are not covered and can generate significant charges.
• Before returning to the Rental Car Centre at 15 Transportation Way, refuel within approximately 10 miles of Boston Airport so the gauge does not drop below full in transit.
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address. For after-hours returns, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, the hire company may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. Refuelling near Boston Airport before returning to the RCC is always the most cost-effective option.

If the tank was not full at pickup, ask the agent to record the exact level on the agreement and return it at that same level.

Most bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if something goes wrong during your Boston Airport hire, such as a breakdown on the I-90 Ted Williams Tunnel, a medical emergency on the highway, or a flight cancellation before you even reach the Rental Car Centre.

Core benefits typically included are:

• Travel and medical cover for up to 5 passengers.
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident.
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline.
• Flight cancellation insurance.

This cover does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. If you are travelling from outside North America and hiring at Boston Airport, this benefit is active for your trip.

To use the assistance, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

• Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your current location, and a brief description of the situation. Always contact the assistance line before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorisation. Check your booking confirmation for the exact cover limits and conditions that apply to your Boston Airport hire.

Driving away from Boston Airport involves several road features and local rules that can catch first-time visitors off guard.

Key rules and road conditions to be aware of:

• All toll roads near Boston Airport are fully cashless. You cannot pay cash at any toll point. The Ted Williams Tunnel on I-90, which connects directly to Boston Airport, is a tolled road.
• Left turns on red are not permitted in Massachusetts, unlike some other U.S. states.
• Rotaries (traffic circles) are common in the Boston area. Vehicles already circulating inside the rotary have the right of way, which is the opposite of what drivers from some countries expect.
• MBTA bus lanes on major roads near Boston Airport are camera-enforced. Hire vehicles that enter bus lanes incorrectly can receive fines billed back to the hire agreement.
• Speed limits in and around the tunnels near Boston Airport are strictly enforced, with a zero-tolerance approach for speeds over 65 mph near tunnel exits. State police use unmarked vehicles and mobile radar on I-90 and I-93.
• The I-93 and I-90 interchange near downtown Boston has complex ramp layouts. Express lanes on I-93 northbound can trap unfamiliar drivers in local-only sections without clear warning.
• Route 1A from Boston Airport passes through Revere Beach with unexpected one-way reversals and sharp turns.

Allow extra time when first navigating away from Boston Airport, especially during morning and evening peak periods.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your hire at Boston Airport, either at no cost if your booking includes it, or by paying a daily fee at the counter if it does not.

Check your booking confirmation first. If it shows Additional Driver Free of Charge, the first extra driver is already covered. If not, the daily fees at Boston Airport counters are:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per day, capped at US$65 per hire period.
• Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty: US$13.50 per day, capped at US$189 per hire period.
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day.

The additional driver must be physically present at the Boston Airport counter at pickup. They must bring their own valid driving licence and, if their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit as well. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement.

Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW and liability cover. Anyone who drives the vehicle without being named on the contract may void those protections.

For Avis, Budget, and Payless at Boston Airport, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a branch location to update the agreement.

Two separate types of cover are relevant for any Boston Airport hire: one for damage to the hire vehicle and one for damage or injury you may cause to others.

Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW) covers damage to the vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover third parties.

Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to other people or vehicles while driving your Boston Airport hire. Not all U.S. states require hire companies to include state-minimum liability, and Massachusetts is one where you should confirm what is included in your rate. Adding supplementary liability cover of up to US$300,000 is strongly recommended.

Common exclusions to be aware of at Boston Airport:

• Damage from prohibited use such as driving under the influence, off-road use, or unauthorised drivers.
• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage are often excluded from CDW/LDW unless a specific add-on is purchased.
• Incidents not reported promptly to the hire partner.

If an incident occurs on the roads near Boston Airport, prioritise safety, contact authorities if needed, and notify the hire partner immediately using the number on your hire agreement. Collect photos, the time and location, and any police report number.

All hire cars collected at Boston Airport must be returned to the same Rental Car Centre (RCC) at 15 Transportation Way, East Boston. Follow signs for Car Hire Return or Rental Car Centre as you approach the airport.

Steps for a smooth return at Boston Airport:

• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of Boston Airport before arriving at the RCC, so the tank is full when you return the vehicle under the Full to Full fuel policy.
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address.
• Follow airport road signs for Car Hire Return to reach the RCC. The same blue shuttle buses (Routes 22, 33, or 55) run from the RCC back to all terminals every 5 to 6 minutes after you drop off the vehicle.
• At the RCC, return the vehicle to your brand's designated area, have an agent inspect it with you, and obtain a return receipt confirming the closing odometer and fuel level.
• For after-hours returns at Boston Airport, use the key drop provided by your hire brand and keep a photo of the full fuel gauge and the vehicle's condition.

Note that toll charges and any other post-hire fees such as traffic fines may be billed to your card several weeks after you leave Boston Airport, as toll agencies process invoices in batches. Review your card statement in the weeks following your return.