Enterprise
Hertz
Budget
Avis
Sixt
National
Dollar

Compare 1,000s of Car Rentals

No Booking Fees

No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars

Find Low Prices

Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals

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.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 542534
Location Rental Options Pros Cons Notes
Salina Regional Airport (SLN) Hertz
  • On-site at airport
  • Convenient for air travelers
  • Very limited flight service
  • Small fleet
  • May not be staffed full-time
  • Call ahead to confirm hours if arriving by air
  • Staff often meet scheduled flights
  • Limited vehicle selection
Downtown Salina Enterprise (W. Crawford St)
  • More vehicle options
  • Consistent staffing
  • Offers pickup service
  • Not at airport
  • Business hours only
  • Closed Sundays
  • Enterprise will pick you up from SLN airport or local hotel
  • Call in advance to arrange
  • Located about 3 miles (5 km) from airport
Alternative Airports N/A - -
  • Many visitors arrive via I-70 rather than flying to Salina
  • Wichita (ICT) and Manhattan (MHK) airports are about 90 miles (145 km) and 80 miles (129 km) away

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car at Salina Airport?

On average, car rentals at Salina Airport cost around $76 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $57 per day.

How to pay less?
  • 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.

  • Stick to an economy car: Kansas highways are flat and well-paved. A compact saves you $10-$20 a day on the rental and a few bucks on gas without limiting where you can go.
Car rental prices at Salina Airport 2025/2026

Local Parking and Driving

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

  • Interstate Commerce: As a trucking hub, Salina sees significant commercial truck traffic on I-70 and I-135
Why rent a car in Salina

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

  • Manhattan – Kansas State University campus

Driving Distances from Salina

FAQs

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:

  • You can drive 75 mph on the rural parts of the highway.
  • You will find rest areas about every 30–60 miles (48–97 km).
  • The Kansas Turnpike section, which is east of Topeka, has service plazas.
  • You can run into strong crosswinds, especially in open areas.
  • In western Kansas, you won't find many services between cities.

Are there any scenic drives near Salina worth taking? Yes, you can take several scenic drives from Salina:

  • Drive about 35 miles (56 km) west on I-70 to Wilson Lake to see limestone bluffs and clear water.
  • Head west on K-140 to get to Kanopolis State Park and Horsethief Canyon near Kanopolis Lake.
  • Follow K-4 west then K-141 south to find Mushroom Rock State Park in the Smoky Hills, which has unique sandstone formations.
  • Drive east to see the rolling tallgrass prairies of the Flint Hills region.

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.