Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car deals in Binghamton, NY. Compare prices and make reservations in one place. Browse live rates from Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Hertz and others at Greater Binghamton Airport, downtown or Upper Front Street, then filter for the size and features you need. From winter-ready AWD SUVs to budget compacts for campus visits, you'll see the full cost upfront and book in a few clicks.
Location | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM) | • Convenient for air travelers • Several rental companies on-site • Direct access after flights |
• Limited flight schedule • Higher rates due to airport fees • Smaller selection than major airports |
Downtown Binghamton | • No airport fees • Central location for exploring • Walking distance to city attractions |
• Limited hours (often close by 5-6 p.m.) • Transportation needed from airport • Reservations recommended |
Upper Front Street Area | • Multiple rental offices • Larger selection than downtown • Near I-81/I-86 junction |
• Not walkable to downtown • Limited weekend hours |
Alternatives (Syracuse, Scranton) | • Potentially more options • Sometimes lower rates • Larger vehicle selection |
• 1+ hour drive to Binghamton • Requires transportation planning |
Major Providers: Enterprise, Avis, Budget and Hertz maintain operations in the Binghamton area at both BGM Airport and commercial areas.
On average, car rentals at Binghamton Airport cost around $79 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $36 per day.
Price-check airport vs downtown pickups; downtown spots avoid ~10 % airport concession fees and are a $25-30 cab ride from BGM.
Use the "grid" effect in our comparison tool: toggle pickup/return times and whole-week rentals—5-7 day bookings often beat 3-4 day rates.
Lock early for peak weekends (BU graduation, move-ins, LUMA fest, golf open). Inventory disappears and late bookings spike in price.
Broaden the search radius—Syracuse and Scranton are only about an hour away and sometimes post lower base rates or bigger vehicle choice.
Free evening and weekend parking in most areas
Binghamton University: Visitor parking available in paid lots and garages
Residential permits required in neighborhoods near campus
Most state parks have plenty of parking spaces for a small entrance fee
Recreation areas along the Susquehanna/Chenango Rivers often have free lots
Standard speed limits: 30 mph in city areas, 55 mph on rural highways
Get a car so you can see:
Finger Lakes – Ithaca, Cayuga Lake wineries
Cooperstown – National Baseball Hall of Fame, Otsego Lake
Upper Delaware River Valley – NY-97 byway, eagles
Pennsylvania Endless Mountains – small towns, Susquehanna River vistas
Do I need to rent a car in Binghamton?
If you're staying only in downtown Binghamton, you might not need a car. However, most attractions, shopping areas and Binghamton University are spread out. A rental car will be very helpful for getting around the area easily.
What's the best way to drive from Binghamton to New York City?
The most direct way is to take I-81 South to I-380 to I-80 East. The drive takes about 3 to 3.5 hours and goes through the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. Another option is to stay in New York by taking NY-17/I-86 East to I-87 South. This route is usually a little longer and you might have to pay tolls once you get on the New York State Thruway.
Do I need an AWD car in Binghamton during winter?
It's not a must, but we recommend you get an AWD vehicle from November to March. Binghamton has a lot of hills and gets heavy snow. This can make driving in the winter difficult, especially if you're not used to it.
Are there any toll roads around Binghamton?
There are no toll roads right around Binghamton. However, if you're driving toward the New York City area, you'll have to pay tolls on the New York State Thruway (I-87). The Pennsylvania Turnpike also has tolls if you drive farther south. The main highways near Binghamton like I-81, I-88 and NY-17/I-86 are all free to use.
What's parking like at Binghamton University?
You can find visitor parking at Binghamton University in certain lots and garages. It usually costs about $1 to $2 an hour. During special events like graduation and move-in weekends, parking gets very hard to find. You might want to use the university shuttle from lots off-campus during these times.
Can I do a day trip to the Finger Lakes from Binghamton?
Yes. You can get to the eastern Finger Lakes in about 1 to 1.5 hours from Binghamton. Ithaca and Cayuga Lake are the closest (about 50 miles / 80 km), so you can easily visit them for a day. If you want to explore multiple lakes or visit a lot of wineries, we recommend you stay overnight.