Car Hire
in Pennsylvania

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

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

Pennsylvania relies heavily on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76 and I-276) as its primary toll corridor, and most sections are fully cashless with no cash booths. hire vehicles pass through overhead gantries that read either a transponder or the vehicle's registration plate.

At the counter you will typically have two options:

• Enroll in the hire company's transponder programme (roughly US$11 to US$25 per day) and tolls are billed at E-ZPass rates
• Decline the programme and let tolls be captured by Toll By Plate, which bills at a higher rate (often double the E-ZPass amount per segment) plus an administrative fee per toll event

Typical 2026 Pennsylvania Turnpike rates for a standard passenger vehicle are about US$1.94 per short segment with E-ZPass or US$3.88 with Toll By Plate. A longer trip such as Philadelphia to Harrisburg can total US$8 to US$12 depending on entry and exit points. Toll charges are often posted to your card days or even weeks after you return the vehicle, so do not be surprised by a post-hire charge. Pennsylvania has no congestion charges or urban emissions zones; tolls apply only to specific roads and bridges.

Yes, you can use your personal E-ZPass transponder in a Pennsylvania hire car, but you must inform the counter representative at pickup and ask them to deactivate the vehicle's built-in toll device to avoid being billed twice.

A few important points for driving Pennsylvania toll roads with your own transponder:

• Tell the agent at pickup that you have your own E-ZPass and request that the hire company's device be deactivated
• Place your transponder where it has a clear line of sight to the gantry reader, following E-ZPass mounting guidelines
• Do not move the hire company's device to another vehicle, as this can result in penalties
• Keep your E-ZPass account statement for the hire period as proof of tolls paid

If you do not have a personal transponder and prefer not to enrol in the hire company's programme, tolls on Pennsylvania roads will be captured by Toll By Plate and billed to your card after the hire ends, typically at higher rates plus an administrative fee. Hola Car Rentals includes Tolls Cashback on all bookings, so you can recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Pennsylvania hire.

At Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Pennsylvania, no major hire brand has a counter inside the terminal. After collecting your luggage, follow the Ground Transportation or Hire Car Shuttles signs to curbside Zone 2, where free shuttles depart for the off-terminal Consolidated Hire Car Facility (CHCF).

• Shuttles run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, approximately every 5 to 10 minutes
• The journey to the CHCF takes roughly 5 to 7 minutes
• All major partner brands (Avis, Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, Dollar, National, Payless, Thrifty) are located at the CHCF
• Allow an additional 15 to 30 minutes from arrival to reaching the counter, especially during peak hours or if you have heavy luggage

For after-hours pickups, the CHCF and shuttle service operate around the clock, and most brands support key-drop or kiosk returns outside standard counter hours. If you are hiring from a downtown Philadelphia location rather than the airport, you can access the counter directly without a shuttle. Check your booking confirmation for the exact brand and counter location before travelling.

Yes, Hola Car Rentals includes Tolls Cashback on every booking, which means you can recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Pennsylvania hire, including charges on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other cashless roads in the state.

To claim your cashback after driving in Pennsylvania:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number (for example, HOLA1000000)
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a toll receipt or itemised statement showing charges paid during the hire period

The refund is calculated as 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. If you paid US$18 in Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls, you receive US$18 back. If you paid US$40, you receive US$25. Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Pennsylvania has several driving rules that differ from neighbouring states and can catch visitors off guard.

• Hands-free phones: As of June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania law (Paul Miller's Law) prohibits holding a phone while driving. Texting is banned with enhanced penalties if an accident causes injury or death. Keep your phone mounted or use Bluetooth
• School zones: The speed limit in Pennsylvania school zones is 15 mph, lower than the 25 mph limit in neighbouring New Jersey
• Headlights: Required from sunset to sunrise and mandatory in all work zones, which is stricter than some neighbouring states
• Turn signals: Must be activated at least 100 feet before a turn if travelling under 35 mph, or 300 feet if travelling at 35 mph or above
• Left-lane rule: Pennsylvania enforces a no-cruising rule in the left lane; use it only to pass
• Right turn on red: Permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it
• Philadelphia automated cameras: Speed and red-light cameras operate in Philadelphia and issue fines by mail, so violations may arrive weeks after your hire ends

Pennsylvania roads, particularly on I-81, I-80, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike through the Appalachian mountains, are known for potholes, narrow lanes, and steep grades. Winter driving in Pennsylvania can be hazardous due to snow, ice, and fog on mountain terrain.

To collect your hire vehicle in Pennsylvania you must present a complete set of physical documents at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

• Valid driving licence (original, unexpired, physical card) 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 a translation only and must be carried alongside your original licence
• Major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit authorisation. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation
• Passport or valid government photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting Pennsylvania from abroad

If your licence is in English or issued by an EU or EEA country, an IDP is generally not required in Pennsylvania, though some hire partners may request one. Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling, as US issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-US licence holders. All additional drivers must also be present at pickup with their own valid licence and any required IDP.

In Pennsylvania, as in the rest of the United States, hire partners typically place a temporary authorisation hold of approximately US$300 to US$400 on a major credit card at pickup for a standard vehicle. This is an authorisation, not a charge, and it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The exact hold amount varies by hire brand, location (airport versus downtown), vehicle class, and season. Premium or speciality vehicles may carry a higher authorisation hold
• Only a physical major credit card in the main driver's name with the driver's name printed on the card is accepted. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the authorisation
• After you return the vehicle, the authorisation is released by the hire company, but your bank controls when the funds appear back on your statement, which can take up to 15 business days
• Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined

If you are hiring at Philadelphia International Airport or another Pennsylvania airport, notify your bank of your travel plans in advance to prevent fraud blocks on the authorisation.

Most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be especially useful if you experience a medical emergency or other incident while driving in Pennsylvania, including on remote Appalachian mountain roads or during winter weather conditions on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Core benefits typically included are:

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

To reach assistance 24 hours a day, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free) or contact WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: this benefit applies only to non-North American customers. Travellers who are residents of the United States or Canada do not qualify. This cover does not replace CDW or LDW for damage to the hire vehicle, nor does it cover third-party liability. Always review your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your Pennsylvania hire.

Yes, hiring a vehicle at a Pennsylvania airport such as Philadelphia International (PHL) or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) adds charges beyond the base hire rate. These are standard airport-related fees that apply across the United States and are not unique to Pennsylvania, but they can significantly increase the total cost.

Typical airport-related charges in Pennsylvania include:

• Airport Concession Recovery Fee (ACRF): charged by hire companies to recover the cost of operating at the airport, usually a percentage of the hire rate
• Customer Facility Charge (CFC): a flat daily fee, typically US$3 to US$5 per day, that funds the Consolidated Hire Car Facility (CHCF) at airports like PHL
• State and local sales tax: Pennsylvania's base sales tax is 6%, with Philadelphia adding local tax that can bring the combined rate to approximately 8%

If your booking confirmation shows Taxes and Fees as Included, you should not be billed separately for those items at the Pennsylvania counter. If you are charged for something not listed on your confirmation, the No Extra Charges© guarantee may apply. Hiring from a downtown Pennsylvania location rather than the airport can reduce or eliminate some of these surcharges.

In Pennsylvania, the minimum age to hire a vehicle without a young-driver surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire but will pay an additional daily underage fee at the counter, and most vehicle classes are restricted to drivers aged 25 and older.

Typical young-driver surcharges in Pennsylvania by partner brand:

• 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 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 vehicles.

One exception applies to travellers from Latin America and the Caribbean renting through Avis or Budget in Pennsylvania: the underage fee may be waived for the main driver aged 21 to 24 when the waiver is explicitly shown on the booking confirmation and an eligible vehicle category is selected. Check your confirmation to see if this applies to your reservation.

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

Steps to follow during your Pennsylvania hire:

• At pickup, confirm the fuel gauge reads full and ensure the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard
• Use the correct fuel type (petrol or diesel). Wrong-fuel incidents are not covered and can generate significant charges
• Before returning the vehicle, refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full during the drive back
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• For after-hours returns at Pennsylvania airports such as PHL or AVP, leave the receipt in the key-drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, the hire partner may charge a fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a service fee. Refuelling near the return location is always the most cost-effective option in Pennsylvania.

Yes, one-way hires that start in Pennsylvania and end in another state are generally available through Hola Car Rentals partner brands, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on the route, vehicle class, and hire company.

Key things to know before booking a one-way hire from Pennsylvania:

• The drop-off fee is route-specific and varies by distance, destination state, and vehicle class. It is shown under the To Pay at Destination section during checkout and on your booking confirmation
• Cross-border hires between the United States and Canada or Mexico may be restricted or require prior approval from the hire partner
• Premium, luxury, and large SUV classes often carry higher one-way fees or may not be available for one-way routes
• If you change your return location after booking, the hire will be re-priced and the drop-off fee may increase

Pennsylvania is well connected to neighbouring states including New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia, and one-way routes between major cities are commonly available. Always verify the drop-off fee on the details page before confirming your booking, and check your confirmation to ensure the fee matches what was shown at checkout.

Returning a hire vehicle after hours at a Pennsylvania airport is straightforward if you follow the instructions on your hire agreement. Both Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) have consolidated hire car facilities that support after-hours returns.

Steps for an after-hours return at a Pennsylvania airport:

• Follow the Hire Car Return signs to the same Consolidated Hire Car Facility (CHCF) where you collected the vehicle. At PHL this is the off-terminal CHCF; at AVP it is the on-airport facility opened in 2023
• Refuel before arriving. AVP has six on-site fueling stations at the facility; at PHL, refuel at a nearby station within 10 miles of the airport
• Park in the designated return bay for your brand
• Place the keys in the key-drop box for your hire company and keep a photo of the odometer, fuel gauge, and any pre-existing damage
• Retain your final fuel receipt and a copy of the hire agreement
• Take the shuttle back to the terminal; shuttles at PHL run 24 hours a day

Note that the hire company will inspect the vehicle the next business day. If any discrepancy arises regarding fuel or damage, your photos and receipts from the Pennsylvania return will be your best evidence.