Car Hire at Richmond Airport

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

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

The rental car counters at Richmond Airport are located inside the terminal, directly in the baggage claim area on the first floor. No shuttle, people mover, or off-site rental car centre is required.

After clearing immigration and collecting your bags, follow the airport signs towards baggage claim. You will find counters for brands such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, Hertz, and Dollar in or immediately adjacent to the baggage claim hall. Vehicles for Avis and Budget are parked just outside the baggage claim exit, whilst Enterprise vehicles are a short walk to the car park on the north-east side of the terminal.

The terminal address is 1 Richard E Byrd Terminal Dr, Richmond, VA 23250. From the moment you reach baggage claim, the walk to your counter is typically 5 to 10 minutes, making Richmond Airport one of the more straightforward pick-up experiences among UK airports.

Counter hours at Richmond Airport vary by brand, and none of the major providers operate 24 hours a day, so planning your arrival time is important.

• Avis and Budget: Monday to Friday 6:30 AM to 12:00 AM, Sunday 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Saturday 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• Enterprise: daily 6:00 AM to 11:59 PM

If your flight lands close to closing time at Richmond Airport, factor in immigration processing (which can take 30 to 90 minutes for international arrivals) plus baggage claim time before you reach the counter. Arriving after a counter closes means you cannot collect your vehicle until the next operating window.

After-hours vehicle returns are available. Follow the airport signs for Car Hire Return to the north-east side of the terminal or the car park, park in the return lane, note your mileage and fuel level, and drop the keys in the designated box for your brand. The vehicle will be checked the next business day, and you remain responsible for it until that inspection is complete.

To pick up a rental car at Richmond Airport you must present a set of physical documents. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• A valid, original driver’s licence with a photograph, valid for the entire hire period
• A major credit card with the main driver’s name printed on the card, used for the authorisation hold
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID (required for international visitors)
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight tickets or travel itinerary showing your return date

If your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a translation alongside your original licence. The IDP is not a standalone document and is invalid without the original licence.

At Richmond Airport, some brands may ask non-U.S. and non-Canadian licence holders for additional government-issued documentation such as a passport. Photocopies of any document are not accepted. Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined at the deposit stage.

Yes, Richmond Airport is directly connected to a tolled road network, and drivers should be aware of several specific routes before leaving the terminal.

The Richmond Airport Connector (RAC) is a tolled expressway spur off the Pocahontas Parkway (Route 895) that serves as the primary access road to and from Richmond Airport. The Pocahontas Parkway itself charges US$4.85 for standard 2-axle vehicles and US$7.15 for 4-axle trucks. Virginia uses E-ZPass as its primary electronic toll system across the state.

Other toll roads you may encounter near Richmond Airport include:

• Powhite Parkway: US$0.75 for 2-axle vehicles
• I-66, I-95, and I-395 Express Lanes: dynamic pricing based on real-time traffic

Rental companies at Richmond Airport offer toll management programmes so you do not need to handle cash at toll plazas:

• Enterprise TollPass and National TollPass: US$4.95 per day plus actual tolls
• Budget e-Toll: US$6.95 per day plus actual tolls

These daily fees apply for every day of the hire, regardless of whether you use a toll road that day. If you drive a toll road without enrolling in a programme, the rental company will bill the toll amount plus an administrative fee to your card after the hire ends. Unpaid tolls may also result in a violation notice from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Yes, all bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire, including tolls on the Pocahontas Parkway, the Richmond Airport Connector, and other Virginia toll roads.

How it works: Hola Car Rentals refunds the lesser of the total tolls you paid or 5% of your booking total. For example, if your booking total is US$500, the cap is US$25. If you paid US$18 in tolls, you receive US$18 back. If you paid US$40, you receive US$25.

To claim your cashback after returning your vehicle at Richmond Airport:

• 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 toll receipt or statement showing charges paid

Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your rate; you still pay tolls normally and claim reimbursement afterwards.

At Richmond Airport, the rental company will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card at the time of pickup. This is not a charge but it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends.

For standard vehicle classes at UK locations, typical holds range from US$300 to US$400. Premium or speciality vehicles may carry higher holds. The exact amount is set by the hire desk and can vary by brand, vehicle class, and season.

Important requirements for the deposit at Richmond Airport:

• The card must be a major credit card (not debit, prepaid, or virtual) with the main driver’s name printed on it
• The card must be physically present at the counter
• You must have sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges

After you return the vehicle, the hold is released. Your bank or card issuer controls how quickly it reappears in your available balance, which can take up to 15 working days. Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not always required at Richmond Airport, but whether you need one depends on your licence.

If your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an IDP is mandatory. It serves as a translation and must be carried alongside your original licence at all times. The IDP is not a standalone document and will not be accepted without the original licence.

If your licence is in English or uses the Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required. However, some hire brands at Richmond Airport may ask non-U.S. and non-Canadian licence holders to present additional government-issued documentation such as a passport.

Key points to remember:

• Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling. UK organisations such as the AA do not issue IDPs to non-UK licence holders
• All documents must be physical originals. Photocopies and digital versions are not accepted at Richmond Airport counters
• Your licence must be valid for the entire duration of the hire period

When hiring at Richmond Airport, two main types of cover are worth understanding before you reach the counter.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire vehicle itself, including collision, theft, and vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero. CDW and LDW do not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.

Third-Party Liability (LIS, ALI, or SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others whilst driving. In Virginia, not all hire locations are required by law to include minimum liability cover, so confirming this on your hire agreement at Richmond Airport is important. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding Liability Insurance Supplementary (up to US$300,000) to your booking.

Common exclusions to be aware of:

• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage are often excluded from CDW and LDW
• Cover is void if an unlisted driver operates the vehicle
• Prohibited use such as off-road driving or DUI voids all cover

Check your booking confirmation to see which protections are already included in your rate before accepting add-ons at the Richmond Airport counter.

Yes, most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this applies to hires picked up at Richmond Airport. However, this benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada.

Coverage typically includes:

• Medical assistance for up to 5 passengers (non-pre-existing conditions and accidents)
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident, which is particularly relevant on Virginia toll roads and highways near Richmond Airport
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This cover does not include damage to the hire vehicle (that is CDW and LDW) or liability to third parties (that is LIS and SLI).

If you need assistance during your hire, for example after a breakdown on the Pocahontas Parkway or the Richmond Airport Connector, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

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

Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Always check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your hire at Richmond Airport, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a daily fee paid at the counter.

When a fee applies, typical daily rates at Richmond Airport are:

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

The additional driver must be physically present at the Richmond Airport counter at pick-up. They must bring their own valid driver’s licence and any required IDP, and they must sign the hire agreement. If they are not listed on the agreement and drive the vehicle, all protections including CDW and LDW may be void.

For Avis, Budget, and Payless at Richmond Airport, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. Check your booking confirmation to see whether your rate already includes one additional driver at no charge before accepting a fee at the counter.

Yes, drivers aged 21 to 24 are subject to a young-renter surcharge at Richmond Airport. The standard minimum age to hire without an additional fee in Virginia is 25.

Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire at Richmond Airport but will pay a daily young-renter fee on top of the base rate. Vehicle class options are also restricted for this age group. Categories typically available to under-25 renters include Economy, Compact, Intermediate, and Compact SUV. Premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible classes generally require the main driver to be at least 25.

One exception applies to certain Hola Car Rentals rates fulfilled by Avis or Budget: drivers aged 21 to 24 who are citizens or residents of Latin America or the Caribbean may have the underage fee waived when the waiver is explicitly shown on the booking confirmation. This exception applies to the main driver only and covers eligible vehicle categories such as Economy, Compact, Medium Sedan, Standard Sedan, Compact SUV, and Medium SUV.

Regardless of age, all hire drivers at Richmond Airport must present a valid driver’s licence and a major credit card in their name for the authorisation hold.

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

Steps to follow:

• At pick-up, 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 odometer and fuel gauge
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Richmond Airport return area before dropping off the vehicle
• 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 will charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than pump prices, plus a service fee.

Note that regular petrol in the Richmond area averages around GBP 2.85 per litre, slightly above the Virginia state average. Locating a fuel station near the Richmond Airport return area before your drop-off time is recommended to avoid last-minute delays.

Yes, one-way hires are available at Richmond Airport, allowing you to pick up in Richmond and return the vehicle at a different location. Brands such as Avis offer one-way options including to other locations within their network.

A drop-off fee may apply depending on your route. This fee is route-specific and varies by hire company, destination city, vehicle class, and season. The fee is not included in your pre-paid rate and is payable at the Richmond Airport counter or the destination location.

How to check whether a drop-off fee applies to your trip from Richmond Airport:

• During booking, select your different return location and review the details page for a line labelled Drop-Off Fee under the To Pay at Destination section
• If no fee appears, your route does not carry a one-way surcharge
• After booking, verify the fee on your confirmation before travelling

Cross-border one-way hires, for example returning a vehicle in Canada, are often restricted or carry significantly higher fees. Always confirm cross-border permissions on your hire agreement before driving out of Virginia. If the counter charges a different drop-off fee than what your confirmation shows, keep all paperwork and contact support, as the No Extra Charges© guarantee may apply.