Car Rental in Portsmouth, United States

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How to book the best car rental deals in Portsmouth

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Portsmouth car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Portsmouth

  • Travel at your own pace with a cheap rental car in Portsmouth. With prices averaging $180 a day, you get freedom without the high price tag. From economy models to full-size family cars, we'll help you find the right ride at the right price.

  • Daily home prices in Portsmouth start from just $133.

  • Taking a longer break? Grab a weekly home from $929 and explore more than just the top attractions.

  • Book early to snap up the best price for a Portsmouth car hire. On top of better deals, you'll be choosing from the full lineup, not what's left.

  • The coverage offered for your Portsmouth car hire can vary between companies, so make sure you know what you're agreeing to. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will charge extra for it.

  • Booking one-way could score you a discount on your home. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Simply choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in Portsmouth.

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. You won't get hit with overpriced refueling charges either.

  • Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up extra fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you roam without limits.

Best value car hire options right now

  • Coming in first for value is this company, with prices averaging $235 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around $225, this provider comes in next.

  • The third option won't break the bank either. You'll pay roughly $235 a day with this supplier.

  • Want a car that's the reliable option for most getaways? The Fullsize home category is the top choice for travellers visiting Portsmouth.

Compare car hire types in Portsmouth

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Portsmouth may be small in size, but they're big where it counts. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to drive, light on fuel, and perfect for city driving or short trips.

  • Medium: A reliable pick when you need something that has a few more features but is still easy to drive. This category covers compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra room compared to smaller cars.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and improved tech features, this Portsmouth car hire category includes full-size cars. With bigger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: SUVs are your four-wheel ticket to adventure. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for city streets and country routes alike.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Portsmouth big enough for a small crowd (and their luggage), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're best suited for group trips, business needs or moving.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but is something you should consider. If your ride is damaged, no matter how minor, it can save you from paying a hefty excess fee. Different Portsmouth car hire providers have different insurance policies and cover levels, so check the details before booking.

  • From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can seriously upgrade your ride. Consider which features will help you make the most of your trip when you rent a car in Portsmouth.

Good to know

  • To rent a car in the United States, you generally have to be at least 21 years old. Some companies may rent vehicles to younger drivers for an additional fee, so always go over the policies before securing your ride.

  • If you're bringing the kids along, find out if you need to add a child car seat to your Portsmouth car rental booking. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to ride.

  • You'll need to show some documents when you get to the home counter. As a rule, bring a valid driver's license, a credit card with enough funds for the excess (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will outline the exact requirements.

  • For first-time drivers in the United States, remember that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits are often about 40kph through urban areas and around 110kph on highways. Check the road signs, as limits may vary.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in the United States is 0.08%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink anything at all.

  • Around 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination. Try to avoid peak travel times generally for a more relaxed drive.

  • The United States dollar (USD) is the currency you'll be using for everyday purchases and activities. Pay with your card when it's possible, but carry a little cash for places that don't accept electronic payment.

Best hotels in Portsmouth for drivers

  • Spend less time worrying about where to park and more time enjoying your stay at The Davenport Inn. About 0.32 kilometres from central Portsmouth, it comes with accessible parking, Wi-Fi and luggage storage.

  • The Sailmaker's House keeps guests happy with parking and features like a games room and room service. It's roughly 0.64 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse the selection of hotels in Portsmouth for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find the perfect fit. You can even use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to include places with charging facilities.

  • Once you've found a car hire deal in Portsmouth and the right hotel, the only thing left is figuring out where to head to first. Kick things off with big attractions such as Prescott Park, Strawbery Banke Museum and Water Country Water Park.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Portsmouth

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Portsmouth?

Our data shows that December is the cheapest month to rent a car in Portsmouth. It’s around $58 per day in December, compared to the yearly average of $158 per day.
Cheapest month avgDecember • $58
Yearly avg price$158

Select your Portsmouth pick-up location

There are 12 car hire providers in Portsmouth. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Portsmouth

Hertz
Dollar
Thrifty
Enterprise
Turo

What's the most popular car to hire in Portsmouth?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Chevrolet Equinox is the most popular car to hire in Portsmouth, with prices starting from $133 per day. The Ford F-150 and similar models are also popular drives in Portsmouth.
Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Equinox34% chose this
Ford F-150
Ford F-15034% chose this
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla34% chose this
Most popular carChevrolet Equinox
Why?Spacious, practical, good for families

Portsmouth's cheapest car hire providers

Enterprise has the cheapest car hire in Portsmouth right now, with prices from $133 per day. You'll save an average of $34 per day when you book with them.
Enterprisefrom $133 per day
Hertzfrom $151 per day
Turofrom $183 per day
Cheapest providerEnterprise
Book with them to save around$34 per day

Hiring a car in Portsmouth: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyHertz
Most popular carFullsize, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$180
Best time to book1 week before

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Portsmouth will set you back around $180 per day or $1,266 per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Portsmouth is a compact SUV. The most popular is Fullsize, 4-5 doors.

The cheapest car hire company in Portsmouth is currently Hertz, followed by Enterprise.

Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Portsmouth is currently December.

On average, around $1,266. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Portsmouth is $929.

Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Portsmouth for a whole month is $3,682. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!

If you're looking for freedom to explore Portsmouth, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Portsmouth that have free cancellation

Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.

Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Portsmouth.

Most places – Portsmouth included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 

The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $133 per day. The average price per day is around $168.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Enterprise as the best overall in terms of experience.

We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Portsmouth.