Car rental in Atlanta

Car Rental in Atlanta: Exploring Georgia’s Unique Countryside by Car

With over 5 million residents in its larger urban area, Atlanta is incredibly diverse and busy, but still retains the sweet-tea hospitality of the South. Visit the city’s major sights and historical landmarks, and then make the most of your visit by exploring Atlanta’s neighborhoods before heading out into Georgia’s unique and beautiful countryside. Book your rental car today!

Atlanta summers are quite hot, but still a great time to visit the city. For the most comfortable weather, visit during the shoulder seasons. To take the most advantage of summer festivals, visit between May and August.

The de facto national language of the United States is English, which is also the most widely spoken language of Atlanta. The most commonly spoken indigenous languages of the area were Muskogee Creek and Cherokee before these nations were relocated in the 1830s.

Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone, UTC-5.

The currency throughout the United States is the dollar. Credit cards are accepted at the vast majority of businesses and ATMs are also quite frequent.

Automobile hire is available in over 15 locations throughout Atlanta, including at the Atlanta Airport, downtown Atlanta, on Peachtree Road, and at Atlanta North.

Chattahoochee National Forest, located 2 hours north of Atlanta, is a great option for a day trip to get out of the bustle of the city. Savannah and nearby Tybee Island are also well worth the visit, whether for the day or a weekend, located just less than 4 hours southwest.

Visa Regulations

38 nationalities can enter the United States as tourists without applying for a visa, though if you are among these nationalities, you are still required to fill out the ESTA in advance. Visit esta.us for more information. Visitors to the United States will be fingerprinted and biometrically photographed upon entry. If your nationality is not included in the visa-waiver program, you will be required to apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa in advance of your arrival.

Driving in Atlanta

If you can avoid driving during morning and evening rush hour, you’ll find that Atlanta is an eminently drivable city. Do as the locals do and navigate the city and its surroundings via personal automobile. Book your rental car today!

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road throughout the United States.

Speed Limits

• In the city: 25 to 35 mph (40 to 55 km/h)
• On the urban interstate: 65 mph (104 km/h)
• On rural interstates: 70 mph (112 km/h)
• On unpaved country roads: 35 mph (56 km/h)
• On all other roads: 55 mph (88 km/h)
• Roads are typically packed during morning and evening rush hours during the week and at peak times on the weekend.

Other Regulations

1. Street parking is often available and typically free throughout Atlanta. If you’re having trouble finding parking during one of Atlanta’s busy hours, take advantage of frequent paid parking lots.
2. The state of Georgia has driver’s license reciprocity for some countries, meaning you can drive in the state with your valid driver’s license during visits of up to one year. In other cases, having an international driver’s permit is recommended.
3. Only Express Lanes are tolled in Georgia, which are helpful to avoid traffic jams. If you plan to use them, ask your rental company if your car is equipped for electronic tolling.
4. While the minimum driving age in Georgia is 17, you will typically have to be at least 21 to rent a car. Drivers younger than 25 are also likely to face surcharges.

Other Tips

• Be sure to enter zip codes and street names exactly into your GPS or satnav when navigating Atlanta; you’re likely to find that many streets have very similar names. “Peachtree,” for example, is a favorite for a variety of streets, lanes, and avenues.

Cheap Car Rental in Atlanta

Automobile hire in Atlanta typically starts at around $25 a day. Here are some of the best deals in Atlanta:

• Toyota Yaris or similar (economy class) – $25/day
• Nissan Versa or similar (compact class) – $26/day
• Toyota Corolla or similar (intermediate class) – $27/day
• Hyundai Sonata or similar (standard class) – $28/day
• Chevrolet Malibu or similar (fullsize class) – $28/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Atlanta

Cars are typically slightly more expensive in the spring and summertime in Atlanta, though you’re still likely to find great prices if you book your rental car 1 to 4 months in advance of your trip.

The most inexpensive place to pick up your rental car is Atlanta International Airport, where the most variety in rental car agencies is available. One of the cheapest rental agencies at the airport is International Supplier, which can often beat the prices of other rental agencies by over $5 a day!

You can also typically save over $10 a day by extending your rental period to over a week.