The Ultimate Guide to Cheap Car Rentals in Orlando: How to Save Big on Your Trip

Sami Al Rayan
Mar 9
6 min read

➟ Tips to Book Discount Car Rentals in Orlando.

➟ Car Rental Companies in Orlando: Competition That Benefits You

➟ Round-Trip Vs One Way Car: Pick the Right Rental

⮞ What is round-trip car rental?
⮞ What is one way car rental?

➟ Need Vs Style: Pick the Right Vehicle

Orlando is the fourth most-visited city in the USA. In 2024, over 5.4 million visitors booked a flight to Orlando or return. Why is Orlando so popular among domestic and international travelers? Being the home to the world’s top theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, the reason is obvious. There is a huge demand for car rentals in Orlando, and that often makes it difficult to get car rentals on a budget.

Tips to Book Discount Car Rentals in Orlando.

Reserve Early, But Be Flexible: Car rental prices in Orlando may be higher close to travel dates, especially around holidays or peak travel. To rent a car in Orlando at an average or below-average rate, book at least a month before your trip. Choose a flexible deal with a minimum or no cancellation or change fee so that you don’t lose much if there is any plan change.

Compare prices: On the car rental results page, use filters – car supplier, car type, mileage type, fuel type, etc., to compare car rentals in Orlando.

Off-site locations: It's easy to rent from Orlando International Airport (MCO) directly, but off-site locations are cheaper.

Skip Extra Insurance If Covered: Check if your credit card offers rental car insurance or if your private insurance has car rental coverage. You do not need to buy an additional if there is already one.

Skip Add-Ons: Bring your GPS, car seat, and cell phone chargers to avoid paying rental fees for these items each day.

Check for Coupon Codes: Look for active car rental coupon codes on Cheapfaremart.

Compare weekly rates: It's sometimes cheaper to rent a car for a week than to rent for five or six days, so be sure to compare both.

Refuel Yourself: Avoid using the prepaid gasoline option — it's likely to be more expensive than refilling at a local service station. Don't forget to refuel prior to returning the car.

Consider Smaller or Economy Cars: If you don't need a lot of space, economy cars tend to be the lowest in cost and best in mileage. But examine prices for larger cars, too — sometimes larger cars receive a discount when demand slacks.

Check Mileage Policies: Some car rental deals come with unlimited mileage, while others have restrictions that can affect costs on a long drive.

Watch Out for Hidden Charges: Be cautious about extra fees like additional driver fees, toll pass plans, or surcharges for new drivers. Ensure you understand everything in advance.

Car Rental Companies in Orlando: Competition That Benefits You

All top car rental suppliers in the USA compete aggressively to get the maximum hold of the Orlando car rental market share. Here are some top brands to compare car rental rates in Orlando.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Popularly referred to as Enterprise car rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a Missouri-based car rental company and the flagship brand of Enterprise Holdings. It has been in the car rental business since 1957. By car rental market share, Enterprise is the largest car rental agency in the USA. From economy cars to exotic vehicles, Enterprise has all the options to suit your Orlando trip. The car rental company has a dominance in North America and Europe and a subtle presence in Asia.

Alamo Rent A Car: Popular for affordable rates and convenient check-in options, Alamo Rent a Car is part of Enterprise Holdings and has been in the car rental business since 1974. The car rental supplier has 1,100+ locations across all continents and is one of the oldest car rental companies in the USA.

Hertz: Headquartered in Florida, Hertz has over a century-old car rental legacy (founded in 1918) in the USA and it has a global presence across 150+ nations. Hertz car rentals are available under all car types from economy and compact to luxury and sport.

Easirent: Easirent is a Dublin-based family-run car hire company. The car rental agency has its pick-up and drop-off locations across strategic locations in Orlando. The car rental supplier in Orlando offers economy cars, SUVs, AWDs, and minivans to meet your road trip requirements in Orlando.

Fox Rent A Car: Fox Rent A Car is part of Europcar Mobility Group, a global provider of mobility solutions. It has been in the car rental business since 1989. The supplier focuses on the low-cost leisure car rental segment in the United States and around the world.

Thrifty Car Rental: Thrifty owned by The Hertz Corporation has been in the car rental business since 1958. Rent a car in Orlando based on your preference - standard, economy, full-size, SUV, or premium car.

Dollar Rent A Car: The Los Angeles-based car rental supplier, Dollar Rent A Car is a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings. Your wish to find a discount car rental in Orlando may come true with Dollar as the supplier focuses on budget-conscious leisure travelers.

Round-Trip Vs One Way Car: Pick the Right Rental

What is round-trip car rental?

In a round-trip car rental, you pick up and return the car to the same rental location. This is the primary option that all car rental companies facilitate. Roundtrip rental is ideal for the below scenarios.

If you are a local, & have an outdoor plan: If you stay in or around Orlando and wish to explore the best amusement parks in Orlando or similar, and then get back home, a round-trip rental saves costs and is convenient.

Business trips: When your meetings and events are in a specific area, returning the car to the same location simplifies logistics.

Weekend getaways: If you’re planning to experience unique things to do in Orlando over the weekends with a fixed start and end point a round-trip rental is usually the most economical option.

Family visits: When visiting relatives in the Orlando area and planning local sightseeing without long-distance travel.

Advantages:

Lower Cost: Round-trip rentals are generally more affordable due to reduced logistics and no relocation fees.

Availability: More car rental suppliers and vehicle options are typically available at the primary pick-up location.

Fewer Fees: Avoid one-way drop-off charges that can significantly add to your rental bill.

Disadvantages:

Limited Flexibility: You must return to the original location, which can be inconvenient if you plan to end your trip in a different city.

Extra Mileage: You might cover more distance than necessary if your route isn’t circular.

What is one way car rental?

In a one-way car rental, you pick up a vehicle in one location and drop it off at another, different location. One-way car rentals are ideal for scenarios such as:

· Relocating to a new city

· Planning a road trip with multiple stops

· Flying into one city and departing from another

· Attending events or meetings in different cities

Advantages:

Greater Flexibility: Perfect for road trips where you don’t plan to return to your starting point.
Time-Saving: Avoid backtracking and make the most of your travel time.
Exploration: Allows you to cover more destinations without the need to return.

Disadvantages:

Higher Cost: One-way rentals often come with additional fees for vehicle relocation.
Limited Availability: Fewer cars may be available, especially for popular drop-off locations.
Drop-Off Fees: Charges can vary widely depending on distance and demand.

Need Vs Style: Pick the Right Vehicle

Compare car rental rates in Orlando across different vehicle types to balance cost and comfort.

Vehicle Meeting Your Needs: Passenger count, luggage space, and driving terrain – you can’t ignore the basic requirements. For example, for four passengers or below, a 4-seater Nissan Versa or similar is an economical choice over a 5-seater Jeep Compass unless the driving demands extra power. Renting one van is more cost-efficient for a group of 10 than renting two separate 5-seater cars.
Vehicle Matching Your Style: If vehicle class matters to your persona, be ready to pay more. Economy cars are usually the cheapest, while SUVs, minivans, and luxury vehicles offer more space and features at higher prices.
Fuel Efficiency: Smaller cars have lighter engines that consume less fuel, saving money on longer trips or extended durations (e.g., for a week or month). On the contrary, SUVs consume more fuel – so, there is a tradeoff between need and desire.
Insurance Costs: The insurance fees are generally higher for premium cars or SUVs.