Car Hire
in Austin

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Austin, 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 Austin.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Austin 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 Austin 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)

Hire cars at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) are not located inside the Barbara Jordan Terminal. All major hire brands operate from an off-site Hire Car Facility at 3819 Presidential Boulevard, Austin, TX 78719.

After collecting your luggage, follow the signs for "Ground Transportation" or "Hire Cars / Hire Car Centre" to reach the shuttle pick-up area outside the terminal. Board the dedicated hire car shuttle, which runs frequently. The shuttle journey is short, but you should allow 15 to 25 minutes for the transfer alone. Alternatively, you can exit the terminal and cross to the Hire Car Facility via marked pedestrian crossings.

Once inside the facility, follow posted signs for your specific hire brand and proceed to the counter. Some brands offer self-service kiosk check-in to reduce wait times.

In total, allow 30 to 60 minutes from baggage claim to driving away, accounting for the shuttle, queueing, paperwork, and vehicle inspection. If you are arriving at Austin late at night, confirm your brand's counter hours in advance, as some close earlier than others.

Counter hours at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Hire Car Facility vary by brand. Generally, airport counters in Austin operate from early morning until late at night, with some brands open until 1:00 AM on weekdays and Sundays, and slightly shorter hours on Saturdays.

Downtown Austin locations, such as the Avis branch at 1104 N I-35 (at 11th Street), operate on shorter schedules, typically Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM and weekends from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. These city-centre locations are not suitable for late-night or early-morning arrivals.

For after-hours returns at Austin Airport, 24-hour drop-off is available at the Hire Car Facility. Follow the signs for the hire car return area, park the vehicle, and use the key drop box. Keep a photo of the fuel gauge and odometer before leaving.

Always confirm the exact hours for your specific brand on your booking confirmation, as hours may change on public holidays.

Yes, Austin has toll roads you will likely encounter, and they are almost entirely cashless. Texas operates several regional toll systems, and the Austin area is primarily served by TxTag, managed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). State Highway 130 (SH 130), which runs east of Austin, is one of the most commonly used toll roads by hirers seeking to bypass I-35 traffic.

Since there are virtually no cash toll booths in Austin or anywhere in Texas, your hire vehicle will already include an electronic toll device (transponder or plate-based billing). At the Austin hire counter, you will typically have two options:

• Unlimited toll package: a fixed daily rate of approximately US$11 to US$25 per hire day, covering all toll usage during your hire
• Pay per use: the hire company bills you the actual toll amounts plus daily or administrative processing fees, which may appear on your card days or weeks after you return the vehicle

If you plan to drive only one or two toll segments during your Austin trip, pay-per-use may be cheaper. If you expect frequent highway driving around Austin, the unlimited package often offers better value. Texas has no congestion charges or emissions zones.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Austin hire.

Since Austin's toll roads, including SH 130 and other TxTag-managed highways, are fully cashless and charges can accumulate across multiple gantries, this benefit helps offset those costs after your trip.

To claim your cashback after returning your Austin hire:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA[Your Confirmation Number]
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the hire agreement signed at collection, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid during the hire period

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. Please note this benefit reimburses toll charges only, not administrative or processing fees added by the hire company.

To collect your hire car in Austin, you must bring the following physical documents. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• Original, unexpired driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. An IDP is also recommended if your licence is not in English. It must be carried alongside your original licence, not as a replacement
• A major credit card physically printed with the main driver’s name, for the authorisation hold. Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted
• Passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United Kingdom)

In Austin, as in all US locations, visitors can generally drive on a valid foreign licence. However, if your licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin script, bring an IDP obtained in your home country before travelling. The AAA in the US does not issue IDPs to non-US licence holders.

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

Yes, one-way hires from Austin are available through several partner brands, including Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and others, allowing you to return the vehicle in a different city such as San Antonio, Dallas, or Houston.

A drop-off fee may apply depending on the route, the hire brand, the vehicle class, and the dates selected. This fee is route-specific and is shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section. It cannot be prepaid and is separate from mileage, fuel, and tolls.

Some general patterns to consider for Austin one-way hires:

• Austin Airport to a neighbouring city in Texas: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance and vehicle class
• Same-city airport to downtown Austin: often no drop-off fee
• Long-distance or cross-state routes: fees are higher and availability may be limited

If you need to change your drop-off location after collecting the vehicle in Austin, contact the hire company in advance. Changing the return location without notice can result in unauthorised return fees. Always verify the drop-off fee shown on your confirmation matches what the counter presents at collection.

Yes, drivers aged 21 to 24 hiring a vehicle in Austin are subject to a daily young-driver surcharge, and most vehicle classes are restricted to drivers aged 25 and over.

Typical daily surcharge amounts by brand for Austin hires:

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

Vehicle classes typically restricted to drivers aged 25 and over include full-size saloons, SUVs, minivans, convertibles, luxury, and premium categories. Drivers aged 21 to 24 in Austin are generally limited to economy, compact, intermediate, and compact SUV classes.

One exception: if you are a Latin American or Caribbean resident aged 21 to 24 and your Hola Car Rentals confirmation explicitly states the underage fee is waived, Avis and Budget may waive the surcharge for the main driver on eligible vehicle categories. Bring your passport as proof of nationality at the Austin counter.

Drivers under 21 cannot hire in Austin or anywhere else in Texas outside of New York and Michigan state rules.

When you collect your hire car in Austin, the hire company places a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge, but it reduces your available credit until the hold is released after you return the vehicle.

For standard vehicles at Austin locations, typical holds are approximately US$300 to US$400 on a major credit card. Premium or speciality vehicles may carry higher holds. The exact amount is set by the hire company at the counter and can vary by brand, vehicle class, and season.

Important requirements for the Austin counter:

• The card must be a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.) physically printed with the main driver’s name
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual card numbers are not accepted for the deposit
• The card must have sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges

After returning your Austin hire, the hold is released by the hire company, but your bank controls when it appears back on your available credit. This can take up to 15 working days. If you are travelling internationally, notify your bank before arriving in Austin to prevent fraud blocks on the in-person authorisation.

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be useful if an unexpected situation arises during your Austin hire, such as a medical emergency or a flight cancellation on your way home.

Core benefits typically included:

• Medical cover for up to 5 passengers (non-pre-existing conditions and accidents)
• Legal assistance in case of a road accident in Austin or elsewhere
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This cover is designed for travellers visiting Austin from abroad. It does not apply to UK or Canadian residents.

If you need assistance during your Austin trip, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

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

Have your full name and Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Please note that this travel assistance does not cover damage to the hire vehicle (that is CDW/LDW) or liability to third parties (that is LIS/ALI/SLI). Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms applicable to your Austin reservation.

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

At collection at the Austin Hire Car Centre or any downtown Austin location, 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 gauge.

When returning your Austin hire, refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive. Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, the hire company may charge:

• A fuel shortfall at the partner's refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the retail pump price
• A refuelling service or administrative fee on top of the fuel cost

For after-hours returns at Austin Airport, leave the fuel receipt in the key drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone as evidence. There are fuel stations near the Austin Airport Hire Car Centre on Presidential Boulevard and along the main access roads, making it straightforward to refuel before returning.

Austin's downtown street layout is one of the more confusing in the United States for first-time drivers, and it is worth understanding before you collect your hire vehicle.

The core issue is a mixed one-way and two-way street grid. Some streets, such as 5th and 6th Streets, remain one-way to accommodate transit lanes and cycle facilities. Others, including 7th, 9th, 10th, and Brazos Streets, have been converted to two-way traffic. This patchwork creates counterintuitive navigation and increases the risk of wrong-way turns, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with Austin's layout.

Additionally, I-35 through central Austin is undergoing a major reconstruction project, the Cap and Stitch programme, valued at approximately US$4.5 billion. This work is lowering the highway trench, adding land bridges, and widening connecting structures, causing ongoing lane shifts and detours that divide downtown from East Austin.

Practical tips for driving your Austin hire in the city centre:

• Use a GPS or navigation app and keep it updated, as road configurations in Austin change frequently due to construction
• Approach intersections carefully on streets you are unfamiliar with, checking for one-way signage before turning
• Allow extra time when crossing I-35 between downtown and East Austin

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

Check your booking confirmation for the line "Additional driver free of charge." If it appears, the first additional driver is included at no extra cost. If it does not appear, the daily fees at Austin counters are:

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

The additional driver must be present at the Austin collection point with a valid driver’s licence and, if required, an International Driving Permit. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement. Anyone who drives the Austin hire but is not listed on the agreement is not covered by CDW/LDW or liability protections.

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

Coverage included in your Austin hire depends on the rate plan selected at booking. In the United States, Hola Car Rentals offers All Inclusive and All Inclusive+ rate plans, which differ in the protections they include.

Common coverages available for Austin hires:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire vehicle. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero deductible
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving in Austin. Some US states require a minimum liability, but not all do. Adding supplementary liability up to US$300,000 is strongly recommended

CDW/LDW does not cover third parties, and LIS/ALI/SLI does not cover damage to the hire vehicle itself. They are separate protections that work together.

Common exclusions to be aware of for your Austin hire:

• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage are often excluded from CDW/LDW
• Driving under the influence or off-road use voids coverage
• Only drivers listed on the Austin hire agreement are covered

Always review your booking confirmation and the hire agreement at the Austin counter to confirm exactly what is included before signing.