Budget Car Rental
in Texas

EASTER  45% OFF   

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in Texas, including Budget, 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 rental 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 Budget rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Texas.

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

To pick up a Budget rental car in Texas, you must bring all of the following physical documents to the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

• Original, unexpired driver's license in the main driver's name
• International Driving Permit (IDP) if your license uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. For Latin-alphabet licenses not in English, an IDP is strongly recommended
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted
• Passport or valid government photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

At Budget counters across Texas, name mismatches between your license, passport, and credit card are one of the most common causes of delays at pickup. Make sure all names match before you travel.

Texas has one of the most extensive cashless toll networks in the United States, and it directly affects every Budget rental in the state. Major metro areas each operate their own system.

• Dallas and Fort Worth: North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) with TollTag, plus TEXpress Lanes on routes such as the North Tarrant Express and I-635 LBJ Managed Lanes
• Houston: Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) with EZ TAG
• Austin and San Antonio: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with TxTag, plus State Highway 130 near Austin

Cash booths are rare or nonexistent on most Texas toll roads. Your Budget rental vehicle comes equipped with an electronic toll device, either a transponder or a plate-based billing system.

At the Budget counter in Texas you have two options. You can purchase an unlimited toll package for approximately US$11 to US$25 per rental day, which covers all toll usage during your rental. Alternatively, you can pay per use, in which case Budget charges you the actual toll amounts plus daily administrative or processing fees billed after the rental ends, sometimes weeks later.

If you plan to drive frequently on Dallas, Houston, or Austin toll highways, the unlimited package is usually the better Budget choice. For occasional use, pay-per-use may cost less overall.

Toll costs on a Budget rental in Texas vary depending on which metro area you drive in and how often you use toll highways. The estimates below are approximate daily figures for typical driving patterns.

• Dallas and Fort Worth: approximately US$5 to US$20 per day
• Houston: approximately US$5 to US$20 per day
• Austin: approximately US$3 to US$15 per day
• San Antonio: approximately US$2 to US$10 per day

Choosing express or managed lanes, such as the TEXpress Lanes in the Dallas area, increases costs because those lanes use dynamic pricing without a transponder (called ZipCash), which is higher than the standard transponder rate.

Texas has no congestion charges, emissions zones, or city-center driving fees similar to those found in some European cities, so the only road fees you need to plan for are standard tolls.

If you expect to use toll roads regularly during your Budget rental in Texas, compare the unlimited toll package (approximately US$11 to US$25 per day) against your estimated per-use costs before deciding at the counter.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Budget rentals in Texas, include Tolls Cashback of up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your rental.

Given that Texas toll roads in Dallas, Houston, and Austin can add up to US$5 to US$20 per day, this benefit can meaningfully offset your toll costs.

To claim your cashback after returning your Budget rental in Texas, email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return. Include the following documents.

• Your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation
• A copy of the rental agreement signed at the Budget counter
• A receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid, such as a toll provider invoice, the final rental invoice with an itemized toll line, or a transponder statement for the rental period

Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number. Refunds are issued to the original payment method used for your booking and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted.

Budget operates at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas with a 24-hour counter, so you can pick up your rental at any time of day or night without worrying about counter hours.

From the terminal, you will need to take a shuttle to the rental car center, which is approximately a 10-minute ride. Follow the signs for rental car shuttles at your arrival terminal and board the Budget shuttle. At the rental car center, Fastbreak members can check the Fastbreak monitor and proceed directly to their assigned vehicle, skipping the counter line entirely.

For returns at DFW, follow the airport signs for rental car return and drop the vehicle at the Budget lot within the rental car center. Because the counter is staffed around the clock, after-hours returns are handled normally without the need for a key drop box.

Budget also operates at Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) in Texas, where the counter is open daily from 6 AM to midnight. A courtesy bus from DAL takes approximately 8 minutes to reach the rental lot. Early morning flights departing between 4 AM and 6 AM are accommodated with staffing during those hours.

Budget counter hours vary by airport across Texas, so it is important to check the hours for your specific pickup location before you travel.

• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW): open 24 hours daily, every day of the year
• Dallas Love Field (DAL): open daily from 6 AM to midnight, with early staffing from 4 AM for early departures
• San Antonio International (SAT): open Sunday through Friday from 7 AM to 1:30 AM, and Saturday from 7:30 AM to 1:15 AM
• Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS): open Sunday through Friday from 7 AM to 1 AM, and Saturday from 7 AM to midnight
• George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) in Houston: hours are not fixed in publicly available data; contact the Budget location directly to confirm

If your flight arrives outside counter hours at a Texas Budget location, after-hours key drop options are available at some airports. Austin has a gray mailbox for keys and contracts. San Antonio requires returns during staffed hours. Always confirm after-hours procedures with your specific Budget location in Texas before your trip, as policies differ by site.

Yes, Budget charges a young driver surcharge in Texas for renters between the ages of 21 and 24. Drivers under 21 cannot rent from Budget in Texas.

The standard Budget underage fee in the United States is US$13 per rental day plus applicable taxes, with a maximum charge of US$65 plus taxes for the rental period.

In addition to the daily surcharge, Budget in Texas restricts younger drivers from renting certain vehicle classes. Categories such as full-size sedans, full-size SUVs, minivans, vans, convertibles, luxury, and premium vehicles are generally reserved for renters aged 25 and older. Economy, compact, and intermediate vehicles are typically available to drivers aged 21 to 24.

One important exception applies to drivers aged 21 to 24 who are citizens or residents of Latin America or the Caribbean. On eligible Hola Car Rentals rates fulfilled by Budget in the United States, the underage fee may be waived for the main driver when the waiver is explicitly shown on the booking confirmation and the driver presents a passport or ID proving their nationality or residency. This exception does not apply to additional drivers or to travelers from other regions.

When you pick up your Budget rental in Texas, the counter agent will place a temporary authorization hold on your credit card. This is not a charge; it reduces your available credit until the hold is released after you return the vehicle.

For standard vehicles in the United States, typical holds range from approximately US$300 to US$400, though the exact amount depends on the Budget location in Texas, the vehicle class, and the length of your rental. Premium or specialty vehicles may carry higher holds.

Important requirements for the deposit at any Budget counter in Texas.

• The credit card must be a major credit card (not debit or prepaid) with the main driver's name printed on the card
• The card must be physically present at the counter; digital wallets and virtual card numbers are not accepted
• The card must have sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges

After you return the vehicle, Budget releases the hold. Your bank or card issuer controls how quickly the credit reappears on your account, which can take up to 15 business days. Bringing a backup credit card is recommended in case your primary card is declined.

Most Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Budget rentals in Texas, include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is especially relevant if you experience a medical emergency or other travel disruption while driving through Texas, which has long stretches of highway between major cities such as Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso.

Core benefits typically included are as follows.

• Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This coverage does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It is designed for travelers visiting Texas from other countries.

If you need assistance during your Budget rental in Texas, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free), via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001, or by email at [email protected]. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

This benefit does not cover damage to the Budget rental vehicle itself (that requires CDW/LDW) or liability to third parties (that requires LIS/ALI/SLI).

Whether your Budget rental in Texas includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) depends on the specific rate plan you selected at booking. Check your booking confirmation to see if CDW or LDW is listed under your coverage details.

CDW and LDW reduce your financial liability for damage to the Budget rental vehicle caused by a collision, theft, or vandalism, up to the limits stated in the rental agreement. A deductible or excess may still apply unless your confirmation explicitly shows zero deductible.

Important exclusions to be aware of when driving in Texas.

• CDW and LDW do not cover third-party liability, meaning injuries or property damage you cause to other people or vehicles. Separate coverage (LIS/ALI/SLI) is needed for that
• Damage caused by prohibited use such as off-road driving, driving under the influence, or use by an unauthorized driver is not covered
• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage are often excluded unless a specific add-on is purchased

At the Budget counter in Texas, verify that CDW or LDW appears on your rental agreement before signing. All drivers must be named on the agreement for coverage to apply.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget rental in Texas, either as part of your rate or by paying a fee at the counter.

If your booking confirmation states that an additional driver is included at no charge, the first extra driver is free. If it is not included, Budget charges US$13 per rental day plus taxes, with a maximum of US$65 plus taxes for the rental period.

For Budget rentals in Texas, additional drivers must meet the following requirements.

• The additional driver must be present at the Budget counter at pickup with a valid driver's license
• For Budget in Texas, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may be charged the underage fee or may not be accepted as additional drivers
• The additional driver must meet the same document requirements as the main driver, including an IDP if their license uses a non-Latin alphabet
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement

Only drivers named on the Budget rental agreement in Texas are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW and liability coverage. Anyone who drives the vehicle without being listed on the contract may void those protections entirely.

Budget rentals in Texas follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

To avoid any disputes or unexpected charges at the end of your Texas rental, follow these steps.

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the Budget agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• Take a photo of the full gauge before returning the vehicle

If you return the Budget vehicle in Texas with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refueling rate, which is typically higher than the retail pump price, plus a refueling service fee.

Texas has many gas stations near major airport return locations in cities such as Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Ask the Budget agent at pickup to point you toward the nearest station to the return lot if you are unfamiliar with the area.

Yes, Budget offers one-way rentals in Texas, allowing you to pick up in one city and return in another. However, a drop-off fee may apply depending on the specific route.

Budget has locations across Texas in cities including Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso, as well as at smaller regional airports. This makes one-way travel between major Texas cities generally feasible.

How the drop-off fee works for Budget rentals in Texas.

• The fee is route-specific and varies by the cities involved, the vehicle class, and the season
• Same-city airport to downtown routes often carry no drop-off fee
• City-to-city routes within Texas typically do carry a drop-off fee
• The fee is shown during the booking process under the section labeled as amounts due at destination on your confirmation
• This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid at the Budget counter at pickup

If you are considering a one-way Budget rental across state lines from Texas, cross-border one-ways may be restricted or carry higher fees depending on the destination. Always confirm the route is permitted and review the drop-off fee shown on your booking confirmation before finalizing your reservation.