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Finding a rental car in Lancaster, Pennsylvania is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of brands in Pennsylvania with no reservation fees. Pick up at Lancaster Airport, downtown spots, or nearby Harrisburg International and explore Amish Country, covered bridges and the Route 30 outlets on your own schedule. Book a few weeks ahead to lock in low rates and the car class you need during busy summer and fall weekends.
| Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Airport (LNS) |
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| Downtown Lancaster |
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| Shopping Centers (Park City, Tanger Outlets) |
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| Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) |
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On average, car rentals in Lancaster cost around $70 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $29 per day.
Compare pick-up spots: Downtown Lancaster desks usually skip the 10% airport surcharge. If your flight lands at LNS, price out both locations—sometimes it's worth a short rideshare into town to grab the keys.
Shift dates away from peak: Summer weekends and September–October foliage bring 10-25% higher rates. If you can swing mid-week or early spring, the same car can be much cheaper.
Think "economy" for Amish backroads: Narrow lanes and tight downtown parking make small cars easier to handle and about $10-20 cheaper per day than full-size.
Book a week, even for 5-6 days: Weekly rates around Lancaster often beat daily pricing by 15-25%, so test both options on the comparison site.
| Parking Type | Availability | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Street Parking | Moderate | Metered Monday-Saturday 8AM-6PM; use the Lancaster Parking Authority app |
| Downtown Garages | Good | Multiple options including Duke Street, Prince Street and Water Street |
| Shopping Centers | Abundant | Free at Park City Center, Tanger Outlets and other retail areas |
| Amish Country Attractions | Ample | Most attractions offer free spots; some farm tours have designated areas |
| Central Market | Limited | Consider nearby garages on market days (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday) |
Local Driving Rules:
Rent a car to visit:
Amish Country (Intercourse, Bird-in-Hand) – farms, markets, bridges
Strasburg – Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg Rail Road
Lititz – Wilbur Chocolate, Lititz Springs Park
Hershey – Hersheypark, Chocolate World
Is it necessary to have a car in Lancaster County?
Yes, you'll find very little public transportation outside of downtown Lancaster. You'll need a rental car to really explore Amish Country and the places around it.
What's the best way to experience Amish Country by car?
You'll get the best views of Amish farms and daily life on the scenic backroads east of Lancaster, especially on Routes 340, 741 and 772. Drive slowly, respect private property and be prepared to share the road with horse-drawn buggies.
How far is Lancaster from major airports?
Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) is about 30 miles (48 km) west (a 45-minute drive), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is about 75 miles (121 km) east (a 1.5-hour drive) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is about 90 miles (145 km) south (a 1.5- to 1.75-hour drive).
Are there any special driving considerations in Amish Country?
You'll need to share the road with horse-drawn buggies, especially on country roads. Pass them slowly and leave plenty of space. Don't honk your horn near horses because you might scare them. If you take photos, be respectful and don't go onto private property.
What's the parking situation in downtown Lancaster?
In downtown Lancaster, you can find metered street parking and several parking garages. You have to pay for street parking from Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM. For longer visits, you can use the Water Street, Prince Street or Duke Street garages. The Lancaster Parking Authority app lets you pay for meters from your phone.
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