






Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car deals in Salina, Kansas. Compare rates and make bookings in one place. With just a few agencies at Salina Regional Airport (SLN) and downtown, vehicles can book out quickly, so secure low prices early. Grab your car and reach I-70 or I-135 in minutes for easy drives to Wichita, Manhattan, Wilson Lake and beyond.
| Location | Rental Options | Pros | Cons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salina Regional Airport (SLN) | Hertz |
|
|
|
| Downtown Salina | Enterprise (W. Crawford St) |
|
|
|
| Alternative Airports | N/A | - | - |
On average, car rentals at Salina Airport cost around $76 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $57 per day.
Compare pick-up spots: Airport desk is handy but often pricier and has a tiny fleet. The downtown branch usually costs less and offers more cars, plus they'll often give you a free local lift if you ask.
Avoid peak weeks: Prices spike during the Smoky Hill River Festival, summer road-trip season and big sports tournaments. If you can shift your trip to early spring, late fall or a non-event week you'll see smaller numbers on the quote screen.
Start midweek: Rentals that begin Tuesday or Wednesday in Salina tend to have lower base rates than Friday or Saturday pick-ups, because weekend demand drains the limited inventory.
Go for weekly pricing: Need the car 5+ days? A 7-day "weekly" rate can be cheaper than paying the daily rate for six days. Always run both options in the comparison widget before you book.
| Location | Parking Options | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Salina | Street parking, public lots | Free (time limits may apply) | Recent downtown revitalization has improved options |
| Central Mall | Surface lots | Free | Plenty of spaces at this shopping center |
| Salina Regional Airport | Surface lot | Free | Convenient lot close to the small terminal |
| Tony's Pizza Events Center | Large surface lot | Free for most events | Some special events may charge |
| Kenwood Park/Oakdale Park | Surface lots | Free | Parks and recreation areas have plenty of spaces |
Speed Limits: 75 mph on rural interstates, 65 mph on urban interstates, 35–40 mph on major city streets, 25 mph in residential areas
School Zones: 20 mph when lights flashing
Traffic Enforcement: Regular police patrols, especially on Santa Fe Avenue and main arteries
Construction: I-70 and I-135 sometimes have construction zones; reduced speeds strictly enforced
Rent a car to get to:
Rolling Hills Zoo – wildlife museum
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene – presidential museum
Wilson Lake – clear water, limestone bluffs
Coronado Heights – stone castle

Is it necessary to rent a car in Salina? Yes, most visitors will need one. Salina's public transportation is limited to the CityGo bus system which has few routes and short hours. Attractions are also spread out. You'll need a rental car to get around the city and nearby areas easily.
How far in advance should I book a rental car in Salina? The rental companies have a small number of cars, so you should try to book 1–2 weeks ahead for most times of the year. If you're visiting for a special event like the Smoky Hill River Festival or during the busy summer season, it's best to book 2–3 weeks ahead.
Can I pick up a rental car after hours at Salina Regional Airport? The rental companies offer limited service after hours, so you have to set it up beforehand. If your flight gets in late, you should call the rental company ahead of time to work something out. Enterprise offers a pickup service and can often bring the car to your hotel the next morning.
Is winter driving difficult in Salina? On most winter days, a standard rental car is all you need. Road crews are quick to clear snow from major roads and highways. From December to February, you might see a snow or ice storm, but the roads usually clear up in a day or two. Officials may close I-70 for a short time during bad blizzards in western Kansas, so you should always check road conditions before you drive in the winter.
What should I know about driving across Kansas via I-70? I-70 is the main highway that runs east and west through Kansas, and Salina is about halfway across the state. Here are a few things to know:
Are there any scenic drives near Salina worth taking? Yes, you can take several scenic drives from Salina:
How reliable is GPS navigation in the Salina area? Your GPS and smartphone maps will work well in Salina and on the major highways. You'll get good cell service in town and along the interstates. If you plan to explore very rural areas, you might want to download offline maps just in case. It's rare to lose your signal in the places most tourists go.