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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car deals at Columbus John Glenn International Airport (CMH). Compare prices and make reservations in one place. Simple. See current rates from Enterprise, Hertz, Alamo and more at the airport's 24/7 rental center, jump on the five-minute shuttle and you'll be cruising toward downtown Columbus or Ohio State University in about 15 minutes.
The airport features a consolidated rental car facility located on airport property but not attached to the terminal:
| Facility Details | |
|---|---|
| Location | On airport property, connected via shuttle |
| Shuttle Service |
|
| Facility Size | 900,000 sq ft modern facility |
| Hours | Most counters open for all arriving flights |
| Pickup Process Time | 15-30 minutes (shuttle + transaction) |
| After-Hours Returns | Available via key drop at facility |
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless and Thrifty
On average, car rentals at Columbus Airport cost around $63 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $21 per day.
Skip the airport up-charge – A $15 rideshare to a downtown Columbus branch often saves the 10% concession fee + $6/day facility fee baked into CMH rentals. Worth it if you're in the city for a night or two.
Tweak your calendar – Rates usually dip Tue–Thu and spike on OSU home-game weekends (Sep–Nov). Shift pickup/return by a day on our comparison grid and watch the total drop.
Downsize the wheels – Economy cars cost less to rent and fill. Only move up a class if you truly need the space; Columbus street parking rewards smaller cars.
Compare "pay now" vs "pay later" – Prepaid deals can be 10-20% cheaper. Just make sure the change/cancel rules fit your plans before locking in.
Speed Limits: 65 mph on I-670/I-71 near the airport, 70 mph on I-270 outerbelt
Rush Hours: 7–9 am and 4–6:30 pm on weekdays, especially heavy on I-670 westbound in the morning and eastbound in the evening
Airport Access Roads: I-670 provides direct access to the terminal area
Navigation: Most rental vehicles include GPS, but mobile apps also work well for getting around the area
Get a rental so you can easily:
Downtown Columbus – Short North Arts District, Scioto Mile
Dayton – National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Carillon Historical Park
Easton Town Center – shops, restaurants, cinemas
Hocking Hills – Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls
Is a shuttle required to reach the rental car facility at CMH?
Yes, you have to take a shuttle to get to the rental car building. The shuttles run all day and night, about every 5 minutes, and the ride takes 3 to 5 minutes.
Can I return my rental car after hours?
Yes, all rental companies at CMH let you return cars after they close. You just park in the special return area and put the keys in the secure drop box. An employee will check in your car when the rental counter opens again.
Are there additional fees for renting at the airport versus in the city?
Yes, renting at the airport costs more. The rental companies add about a 10% concession fee and a daily facility fee of $5.50 to $6. You won't find these fees at most rental places in the city.
Do I need to refill the gas tank before returning?
Yes, you need to return your car with the same amount of gas it had when you picked it up, which is usually a full tank. You can find gas stations on Stelzer Road and Hamilton Road near the airport.
Can I use a debit card instead of a credit card at CMH rental counters?
Most rental counters at the airport accept debit cards, but they have strict rules. For example, you may need to show proof of your flight home, pay a higher deposit and provide extra ID. We recommend using a major credit card to make things easier.
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