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Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental offers in Bellingham. Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Pick up your car at Bellingham International Airport, downtown or the Guide Meridian area, then head straight to Mount Baker, the San Juan ferries, Seattle or Vancouver. Reserve early for peak summer and ski dates to snag low prices on everything from compact cars to AWD SUVs.
| Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Bellingham International Airport (BLI) |
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| Downtown Bellingham |
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| Guide Meridian/Bakerview Area |
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Airport Rental Process:
Availability Considerations:
On average, car rentals in Bellingham cost around $85 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $35 per day.
Compare pickup spots: Airport is handy but adds about 11 % in fees. If your flight times allow, downtown Bellingham or the Guide Meridian area can be noticeably cheaper.
Tweak your dates: Rates jump during June–September, WWU move-in/graduation and Canadian long weekends. Shifting the rental by even a day into shoulder months (April-May or Oct-Nov) often drops the price.
Weekly vs daily math: In Bellingham a 5-day "weekly" booking can cost less than five separate daily rates. Always run both options in the search box.
Filter for unlimited miles: Planning loops to Mt. Baker, the San Juans or Vancouver? An unlimited-mileage deal beats paying per mile once you crack roughly 150 miles a day.
Downtown:
College Area:
Traffic Rules:
Winter Driving:
A car lets you easily reach the region's mountains, coastline, islands and cross-border cities beyond local transit routes.
Mount Baker Ski Area – ski area, mountain views
North Cascades National Park – wilderness trails, mountain lakes
Chuckanut Drive – coast byway, island viewpoints
Anacortes Ferry Terminal – ferry rides, San Juan Islands
Deception Pass State Park – bridge, cliffs
Vancouver BC – city districts, museums
Do I need a special license or permit to drive to Canada?
You don't need a special license, but you must have a valid driver's license. To identify yourself at the border, you'll need a U.S. passport, passport card or an enhanced driver's license from a participating state. Tell your rental company if you plan to visit Canada.
What are the best times to cross the Canadian border?
You'll usually have shorter waits (15–30 minutes) if you cross on a weekday. Avoid Friday afternoons, Sunday returns and Canadian holiday weekends, when wait times can be over two hours. Early in the morning (before 8 AM), you'll find the shortest waits.
Is a GPS or navigation system necessary?
You don't really need a navigation system in the city, but it's helpful if you're exploring rural areas, mountain routes and trailheads. Cell service can be spotty in the mountains, so it's a good idea to download offline maps.
What type of vehicle is best for winter activities?
If you plan to visit Mount Baker or other mountain areas in winter, we strongly recommend you use an AWD or 4WD vehicle that has good ground clearance. The Mount Baker Highway (SR-542) often requires you to have chains or AWD/4WD when it snows. When signs are posted, all cars must carry chains, even those that have AWD/4WD.
Are there any toll roads in the Bellingham area?
You won't find any toll roads in the Bellingham area or northwest Washington. The closest toll roads are about 90 miles (145 km) south in the Seattle area, including the SR-99 tunnel, the SR-520 bridge and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
How do the ferries work with a rental car?
You can take rental cars on Washington State Ferries. We strongly recommend you make a vehicle reservation if you're going to the San Juan Islands. Pay the vehicle and driver fare at the terminal and arrive 30–45 minutes before the ferry leaves. Let your rental company know if you plan to take a lot of ferry trips.
What are parking regulations in downtown Bellingham?
Most downtown streets have metered parking ($1.00/hour), which you have to pay Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Parking is usually free in the evenings and on weekends. The Commercial Street Parking Garage offers covered parking for about the same price.
Is it worth driving Chuckanut Drive instead of taking I-5?
Absolutely. This 21-mile (34 km) scenic drive between Bellingham and Burlington gives you amazing views of the San Juan Islands and Samish Bay. The drive takes about 15–20 minutes longer than I-5, but it's one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the area.
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