Hertz Car Rental
Harrisburg

A rental car is strongly recommended if you plan to visit places beyond a single hotel area, like Hershey, Gettysburg, or the Pennsylvania State Capitol, without relying on ride-shares. If your trip is strictly one-site (e.g., a conference with shuttles), you can skip it, but you’ll have less flexibility. For most visitors to the Harrisburg region, renting a car is beneficial.

Yes—MDT is well positioned for easy day trips to popular nearby spots like Hershey and Gettysburg, which are much simpler with your own vehicle. Without a car, stacking ride-shares for multiple stops can get expensive and time-consuming. For day-trip travelers, renting a car is worth it.

Downtown is doable without driving for a short stay, but parking rules and garages mean you’ll need a plan if you bring a car. A rental becomes more valuable the moment you want to leave the downtown core for attractions or suburbs. If your stay is downtown-only, a car is optional.

Driving is generally straightforward, with well-maintained roads and clear signage, and most visitors find navigation simple. The main challenge is timing around commute hours and knowing where to park downtown. Overall, renting a car is practical and manageable here.

Expect the heaviest traffic on major roads during weekday rush hours, typically 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM. Planning airport pickups, returns, and day trips outside those windows can save time. If you’ll be moving around during peak periods, a rental car is still beneficial but plan your timing.

Parking around the Capitol and downtown often requires using garages or metered street parking with time limits and payment rules. It’s very doable, but you should expect to pay and to read signs closely. If you’ll be in the Capitol/downtown area daily, a rental is useful but not strictly necessary.

Yes—Hershey is about 15 miles from Harrisburg, and driving is the simplest way to manage your own schedule and avoid multiple ride-share trips. This is especially helpful for families, late returns, or multiple stops. For Hershey visits, renting a car is beneficial.

It’s possible, but it usually means coordinating limited transit options or paying for long ride-share trips, which adds cost and reduces flexibility. A rental car makes a Gettysburg day trip far easier and more time-efficient. For Gettysburg plans, renting a car is strongly recommended.

Renting at MDT is convenient if you want to start driving immediately and avoid arranging separate airport transportation. If you won’t need a car for the first day or two downtown, waiting can reduce parking hassles early on. If you plan to explore right away, renting at the airport is the better choice.

Parts of central Harrisburg are walkable for dining and short errands, but many common visitor destinations are spread out beyond comfortable walking distance. If you want to explore outside a small radius, you’ll appreciate the freedom of a car. For most itineraries, renting a car is beneficial rather than unnecessary.

Outside rush hours, driving is usually relaxed and straightforward, with most roads easy to follow. Stress tends to come from peak commute traffic and finding downtown parking, not from confusing road layouts. Overall, renting a car is a comfortable choice here.

Yes—toll roads are present near Harrisburg, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and they can impact trip costs. It’s smart to plan routes and understand how tolls will be handled before you hit the road. If you expect multiple regional drives, renting a car is still beneficial but budget for tolls.

Yes, a car makes suburban visits much easier, especially if your hosts aren’t driving you everywhere. Relying on ride-shares for multiple errands or meals can add up quickly. For suburban stays, renting a car is recommended.

If meetings are spread across office parks, suburbs, or nearby towns, a rental car is the most time-efficient option. If your schedule is contained to one downtown location with walkable access, you can skip it. For most multi-site business trips, renting a car is beneficial.

A compact or midsize car is a great fit for typical city and highway driving and can make downtown parking easier. Choose a larger vehicle only if you need extra passenger or luggage space. For most visitors, a compact or midsize rental is the best choice.

Winter weather can bring snow and ice, which can slow driving and make traction more important. Many travelers do fine with a standard car if they drive cautiously, but an SUV can add confidence in poor conditions. If you’re visiting in winter and will drive a lot, an SUV is a beneficial upgrade.

Yes, smaller vehicles are typically easier to fit into garage and street spaces in busy areas. This can reduce stress when you’re circling for parking near the Capitol or downtown restaurants. If you expect frequent downtown parking, a smaller rental is beneficial.

Summer can be busier for travel, and some periods like legislative sessions can increase activity around downtown. During busier times, having your own car can help you stick to your schedule without waiting on ride-shares. In peak periods, renting a car is generally more beneficial.

Weekday rush hours (7–9 AM and 4–6 PM) can add delays on major roads, so build extra buffer time if you’re returning then. Returning outside those windows is usually smoother. If you have a tight flight, renting a car is still fine—just plan your return timing.

Yes, driving is typically direct and convenient, and having a car gives you control over stops, dining, and check-in timing. This is especially useful if you’re staying outside downtown or visiting multiple sites. For most itineraries, renting a car is beneficial.

MDT has a cell phone lot about 2 minutes from baggage claim, designed for quick pickups, and your vehicle must remain attended. Using it helps you avoid circling and reduces curbside congestion. If you’ll be doing airport pickups, a rental car is helpful and convenient.

MDT offers a connected terminal garage and a long-term lot with complimentary 24/7 shuttles about every 15 minutes. That makes it realistic to park at the airport and continue your trip later, though you’ll pay airport parking rates. If you need flexible airport access, renting a car is beneficial.

The long-term lot is about a mile from the terminal and uses complimentary 24/7 shuttles that typically run about every 15 minutes. It’s a practical backup if the garage is full or you want a lower-effort parking option. If you plan to drive to the airport, parking and shuttles make a rental car workable.

Starting Dec. 1, 2025, the garage’s 4th floor closes and capacity may be limited on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you’re traveling in that period, it’s smart to have the long-term lot + shuttle as your backup plan. For winter airport trips, renting a car is still beneficial but plan your parking.

Have a backup plan: use the garage when space is available, but be ready to use the long-term lot with shuttles every ~15 minutes. Also note exactly where you parked (garage level/section or lot shelter number) for an easier return. With basic planning, renting a car remains convenient.

Yes—the garage connects to the terminal, which reduces walking outside with luggage and kids. That convenience can be worth it compared to waiting for a shuttle in winter weather. For families, renting a car is generally beneficial.

For multi-stop days, a rental car is usually more efficient because you aren’t waiting on pickups and you can adjust plans quickly. This matters for places like Hershey and Gettysburg where timing and return plans vary. For multi-stop sightseeing, renting a car is recommended.

Most travelers find it straightforward to refuel near the airport area if they plan a brief stop on the way back. The key is to leave enough time so refueling doesn’t cut into your return buffer, especially during rush hour. If you’re driving around the region, renting a car is still beneficial.

Downtown and the Capitol area commonly use garages along with metered street parking, so visitors usually have options. The main requirement is reading signs and planning for time limits. If you’re comfortable with garage parking, renting a car is practical here.

Roads are generally well signed and maintained, so night driving is typically manageable. The bigger factor is your comfort with navigation and winter conditions when applicable. For most travelers, renting a car remains a beneficial option even with some night driving.

Yes, having your own car can be more reliable than depending on ride-share availability during off-hours. It also helps if you’re traveling with a group or lots of luggage. For odd-hour flights, renting a car is beneficial.

Most congestion is concentrated in weekday commute windows (7–9 AM and 4–6 PM), while other times are usually manageable. If you schedule sightseeing and airport runs outside those peaks, driving is typically smooth. With smart timing, renting a car is beneficial.

Yes—Harrisburg’s location makes it easy to branch out to nearby towns and attractions without complicated driving. You’ll want to factor in toll routes depending on where you go. For road-trip style travel, renting a car is recommended.

If you’re staying downtown, you can often manage with walking and short rides, but a car helps if you’re also visiting other neighborhoods or nearby towns the same day. Parking requires planning around garages and meters near the Capitol. If your day includes multiple areas, renting a car is beneficial.

Snow and ice can slow travel and increase stopping distances, so leave extra time and drive conservatively. Consider choosing a vehicle that feels stable for you, especially if you’re heading out of town. In winter, renting a car is beneficial if you want mobility, but plan carefully.

Most visitors find navigation easy with clear signage and standard GPS directions, and the routes are straightforward. The main thing is avoiding peak commute times when possible. For attraction visits, renting a car is beneficial and simple to use.

A rental can reduce the need for multiple ride-share vehicles and makes it easier to keep everyone on the same schedule. It’s especially useful for day trips and dinner plans outside downtown. For groups, renting a car is usually beneficial.

If your meetings are all downtown and you can walk or use short rides, a car can feel like extra work because you’ll be paying for parking and watching time limits. It becomes valuable again if you have even one offsite meeting or a day trip. For downtown-only business schedules, a rental car is optional.

If you only need a car for a specific day trip (like Gettysburg or Hershey), a one-day rental can minimize parking concerns downtown. If you’ll be moving around daily—suburbs, restaurants, multiple sites—keeping the car is more convenient. For most active itineraries, keeping a rental car for the stay is beneficial.

If you plan to leave your hotel area, visit nearby towns, or do day trips, a rental car will make your trip easier and more efficient. If you’re only doing a short airport-area stay with pre-planned transportation, you can skip it. For most MDT visitors, renting a car is beneficial.