Which car rental companies have a shuttle to the port?

[dskib]

I've heard that some car rental companies are much closer to the port (Canaveral) than others. We are staying at the Country Inn the night before and will be returning our car in the morning. Just hoping to find the most accessible company.

Thanks!

 

[Capt_BJ]

all run shuttles

 

[OKW Lover]

In addition to the good info @Capt_BJ has posted above you might want to check out this thread. http://www.disboards.com/threads/car-rental-agencies-near-port-canaveral.3086959/

I'd also note that "much closer to the port" equates to just a couple of more minutes on the shuttle. I wouldn't let that short distance difference deter me from a better deal with one of the "further" ones.

 

[mmouse37]

I book our rental based on price, not on distance since the distance from one to another is negligible.

Hertz would be the MOST convenient if staying at CI&S but for us usually the most expensive.

MJ

 

[Tama-chan]

I rented from National both ways. Their shuttle service was excellent.
On the way to the port, we have one couple getting on Carnival, so we went through Carnival terminal first so that took us a bit longer than I expected but wasn't too bad.
On the disembarkation day, we did express walk out, and as soon as we were out, 2 shuttles from National/Alamo/Enterprise were waiting already! So we got on the first shuttle while I saw ppl were waiting for their shuttles to even show up. We were off to AK within 30 mins from disembarkation!

 

[timrousbeastie]

I rented from National both ways. Their shuttle service was excellent.
On the way to the port, we have one couple getting on Carnival, so we went through Carnival terminal first so that took us a bit longer than I expected but wasn't too bad.
On the disembarkation day, we did express walk out, and as soon as we were out, 2 shuttles from National/Alamo/Enterprise were waiting already! So we got on the first shuttle while I saw ppl were waiting for their shuttles to even show up. We were off to AK within 30 mins from disembarkation!

We've rented from Budget for all our 3 cruises. For both our previous trips, we got off the ship early and could walk straight up to a shuttle. For our most recent cruise, someone else had taken one of our bags by mistake and we had to wait an hour in the baggage claim while DCL sorted that out. When we finally got out through customs, there was a 45 minute line. We overheard that Budget had around 150 rentals that morning. There were virtually no lines for the other car rental companies so I won't use Budget again, even if the prices are higher for their competitors.

 

[MickeyD]

I have to agree with timrousbeastie. We have used Budget numerous times, but this last experience with them will be our last. In Feb we were sailing on the Fantasy and had a 10:30 PAT, we got to Budget a little after 10 and waited OVER an hour to get the shuttle! People were lined up all over waiting for shuttles. Then when we returned we did the express walk off and waited quite a while for the shuttle (watching all the DCL buses leaving) and then since they do not have Fastbreak in PC, we had to wait quite a bit of time to pick up our rental for the return to the airport. It was frustrating to say the least. I would go with one of the less popular choices (meaning NOT Budget or Avis) because the rental car places can't seem to keep up with the increased demand in PC. By the way, the day we left, there were five ships in port, the day we came back, we were the only ones.

 

[Capt_BJ]

if you know how to look

the shuttle service varies in direct proportion to the number of the ships in port that day.

Some days, ONE ship flips and ALL the shuttles are waiting for you . . . .

and some days there are 5 ships here . . . . .

do the math ....

ALL our rental offices are SMALL as compared to the typical airport office . . .

 

[OKW Lover]

If you find a long line for the free shuttles, consider taking a taxi instead.

 

[Tama-chan]

We've rented from Budget for all our 3 cruises. For both our previous trips, we got off the ship early and could walk straight up to a shuttle. For our most recent cruise, someone else had taken one of our bags by mistake and we had to wait an hour in the baggage claim while DCL sorted that out. When we finally got out through customs, there was a 45 minute line. We overheard that Budget had around 150 rentals that morning. There were virtually no lines for the other car rental companies so I won't use Budget again, even if the prices are higher for their competitors.

I didn't have a good experience with Budget either. I rented from Budget in Hawaii, Big Island. And they did not check the car damage before giving to us and we told them that we see some damage but they did not care. BUT of course when we returned, they pointed out the damage and told us that we need to pay for it.
We argued that we informed at the time of pick up and eventually managed to get out from that penalty but decided not to rent from Budget again.

 

[OKW Lover]

I rented from Budget in Hawaii, Big Island. And they did not check the car damage before giving to us and we told them that we see some damage but they did not care.

Its always best to check out your rental car when you pick it up looking for pre-existing damage. Take pictures of anything you see right there in the company's lot before you drive off. On the way out of the lot, ask them to note the damage on your rental form. Insist on that if they try to blow you off.

 

[Tama-chan]

Its always best to check out your rental car when you pick it up looking for pre-existing damage. Take pictures of anything you see right there in the company's lot before you drive off. On the way out of the lot, ask them to note the damage on your rental form. Insist on that if they try to blow you off.

I should have done that....pictures also show the date/time so that's a good proof.

 

[Billinaz]

I have used Budget and Avis. I just book where I get the best price. Using one of the codes online, you can get the cost to $100 for a minivan or less than $50 for a full size car.

It seems Budget takes longer to get their shuttles to the port. For some reason Avis had more, larger shuttles running.

Our next cruise is going to be Avis.

We have stayed at Country Inn and Suites since they opened...... then off to the rental agency in the AM (usually around 9:30). Lately Budget has been argumentative and insisting you cannot get to the port early that they will not let you get on a shuttle even though it is going empty.

After our last cruise they refused to let us get on the shuttle and said the port will not let them in with passengers. I grabbed the taxi in the parking lot, and no problems getting to the parking garage (they let you in through the upper level).

 

[PrincessShmoo]

and said the port will not let them in with passengers.

That's true. We used Avis last time. When we went down to where the rental car shuttle were picking up, the line for Budget was Looooog. The Avis shuttle had just left, so we figured it would be about 20 minutes for the next one. There was only us and one other party in the Avis line.

Carnival was also in port that day. Suddenly an Avis shuttle showed up. He said he was supposed to be picking up at Carnival, but there was no one waiting for Avis at Carnival, so he swung by DCL. He said that the port doesn't allow shuttles that are picking up people (prior to 11:00) to have other passengers on them when entering, and since he hadn't picked up anyone at Carnival, he was able to come and check the DCL pick up.

 

[Billinaz]

I have been on the shuttle (family of 5) several times at 10AM and never had any issue getting dropped off. Last time, we jumped in the taxi, and no problem getting through at 10AM.

 

[steves100]

I work for Avis/budget, in have had issues with the Budget location, never the Avis

 

[Syd Macs Mom]

If you find a long line for the free shuttles, consider taking a taxi instead.

Any idea what an estimated cost would be to take a taxi?

 

[bumbershoot]

I'd also note that "much closer to the port" equates to just a couple of more minutes on the shuttle. I wouldn't let that short distance difference deter me from a better deal with one of the "further" ones.

Agreed.

National/Alamo looks forever away on that map, but it was a hop skip and a jump away. According to google maps, it's 4.2 miles.

 

[mcurrence]

Any idea what an estimated cost would be to take a taxi?

I would love to know too...also, has anyone used Uber to get to and from the rental offices to the ships?
Thanks!

 

[Billinaz]

Any idea what an estimated cost would be to take a taxi?

Cost us $20 with tip from the Budge to the port.