If traveling on a budget, taxis are out of the question in Orlando for it may cost a fortune due to the long distances from the airport, to hotels, and between attractions. With so much to see and do in Orlando, the best way to get around and save a lot of money is through a rental car.

 

The Orlando Airport counts with many car rental companies that provide visitors with a wide variety of options to choose from. It is highly recommended to choose one of the car rental companies from the airport which makes it so much easier to pick up the vehicle upon arrival and return it before departing Orlando. Some of these companies are not exactly at the terminal, but most provide shuttle services to take their customers to their facilities.

 

How to get the best deals? Thorough planning and research is the best way to identify good deals in car rentals. Doing some research, even before booking the tickets can be very helpful to save money. It could take some time, but it will be helpful to have an idea of average daily rates for car rentals, and will make it easier to recognize a good offer.

 

The best way to get a cheap car rental is by booking it with enough time in advance. Last minute car rental bookings may result in higher rates and the possibility of not finding the type of car that better suits the traveler’s needs. It is important to remember that car rentals have a limited inventory of cars.

 

   

 

Just like the travel industry, car rentals are affected by high and low seasons; it is always easier to get the best deals when traveling off season. Some car rental companies may also offer special rates for certain days of the week, and most of them offer weekend specials. In addition, these companies offer better deals when renting for longer periods of times.

 

Sometimes online travel sites offer packages that may result in huge savings when booking the car rental in addition to the airline tickets and hotel. Typically, these sites negotiate huge discounts in bulk and are in better position to extend those discounts to its customers. A travel agent may also be a good source to spot the cheap car rentals based on their knowledge, experience, and contacts.

 

Being a member of a car rental loyalty program can be very useful in getting discounts or free upgrades. Once picking up the vehicle, maintaining the contract simple is the easiest way to save money and get a better deal; for instance, designating only one authorized driver. Also, avoiding extras such as including a GPS in the car, which can be very useful when driving around, but it is certainly an added daily cost to the car rental contract. Today, most smart phones include the GPS technology, making it unnecessary to add the one the rental car offers at an extra cost.

 

Picking up the car at the established pick-up time from the car rental and not before is also very important. Some car rental’s charges for that extra time can make a huge difference on the final bill.

 

Finally, some car rental companies require to return the vehicle with approximately the same amount of gas it had when picked up. It is always cheaper to fill the tank anywhere else than to pay the high fees that rental cars charge for gas. Also, returning the car on time, even if it means waiting an extra hour at the airport, can make a huge difference and avoid late charges.