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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Finding a car rental at Bellingham International Airport is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of brands all around Washington State with no booking fees. On-airport pickup lets you hit I-5 toward Vancouver, Seattle or the Mt. Baker Highway in minutes, and handy filters help you lock in the right SUV, compact or one-way rental at a low price.
| Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| BLI Terminal Rentals | On-site counters, no shuttle needed, quick exit | Hours aligned to flight schedules, possibly limited selection |
| Downtown Bellingham | Avoid airport fees, possible savings | Requires transportation from airport, limited weekend hours |
Additional Location Notes:
On average, car rentals at Bellingham Airport cost around $85 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $35 per day.
Compare airport vs downtown pick-up: BLI terminal is super convenient but downtown Bellingham shops often drop the daily rate. Factor in a $15–$20 rideshare from the airport to see if the math works.
Flex your dates and times: Mid-week pick-ups or returns (Tue–Thu) usually avoid weekend surcharges. Even shifting by a few hours can push you into a cheaper 24-hour window.
Book early only for high-demand periods: Lock something in 3–4 weeks ahead for summer or ski-season weekends. For shoulder seasons you can often score a lower last-minute rate, so keep checking and re-booking if prices fall.
Run the "weekly vs daily" test: A 5-7 day booking at BLI often costs 15-25 % less than five separate daily rates. Extend the rental and drop the car early if the weekly total is cheaper (most agencies refund unused days).
Shopping centers and malls: Free spaces with plenty of room
Speed limits: 60 mph on I-5 near Bellingham, 25–35 mph on city streets
Book a rental to drive to:
Vancouver, BC – Stanley Park, Granville Island
Seattle – Pike Place Market, Space Needle
Mt. Baker Ski Area – slopes, Heather Meadows
San Juan Islands ferry – Anacortes terminal, Orcas Island
How early should I arrive at BLI Airport to return my rental car? BLI is a small airport and returning your rental car is quick. You should plan to arrive about 60 to 90 minutes before your flight is scheduled to leave. (Bellingham currently only has flights to places inside the US; if you have a special charter or international flight, you should give yourself at least 2 hours.) The rental return area is just a few steps from the terminal and the process should only take you 5 to 10 minutes. You can find gas stations near I-5 Exit 258 on your way to the airport.
Can I take my BLI Airport rental car into Canada? Yes, most rental companies at BLI will let you drive to Canada for free, since many people drive across the border from here. When you pick up the car, you should tell the rental agent so they can give you the right insurance and registration papers. You will need a passport for everyone traveling and the border agents will ask you some simple questions about your trip and how long you plan to stay.
What type of vehicle is best for winter trips to Mt. Baker Ski Area? If you are traveling to Mt. Baker in the winter (November–April), we strongly suggest you get an all-wheel drive SUV. The Mt. Baker Highway (SR-542) often has snow and ice on it. During heavy snow, you may need to use tire chains on any type of car. Some rental companies offer ski racks as an add-on, but they don't have many. You should reserve them ahead of time.
How do I handle border wait times when traveling to Vancouver, BC? Border wait times can change a lot, from 5 minutes to over 2 hours during busy times. You should check the current wait times on the CBP or WSDOT websites before you leave. The Peace Arch crossing (I-5) is the main one for tourists, but it is often the busiest. You can try other crossings at Lynden (SR-539) or Sumas (SR-9) which may have shorter waits. The lines are usually shorter in the early morning (before 8 a.m.) or evening (after 8 p.m.).
Are there any toll roads around Bellingham? There are no toll roads in Whatcom County or right around Bellingham. If you drive south to Seattle, you may come across toll roads like the SR-520 floating bridge and the SR-99 tunnel that goes through downtown Seattle. These roads use all-electronic tolling, so they do not have cash booths.
Can I take my rental car on the ferry to the San Juan Islands? Yes, you can take rental cars from BLI on Washington State Ferries to the San Juan Islands. You can find the ferry terminal in Anacortes, which is about 40 miles (64 km) south of Bellingham. During the summer (May–September), we strongly suggest you reserve a spot for your car. You can make reservations on the WSDOT Ferries website. You only pay the ferry fare when you travel west to the islands.
What's the most scenic drive near Bellingham? Many people think Chuckanut Drive (SR-11) south of Bellingham is one of Washington's most scenic routes. This winding coastal road gives you amazing views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. It has several places to pull over and trailheads for hiking. The drive connects to I-5 on both ends and is a good alternative to the interstate if you are traveling between Bellingham and Mount Vernon.
How reliable is GPS/cell service in the Bellingham area? Your cell service and GPS should work well in Bellingham, along I-5 and in towns. However, your service might get spotty in areas far from towns, especially in the Mount Baker area, North Cascades and parts of the San Juan Islands. You should download offline maps before you head to the mountains or keep a paper map just in case.
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