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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Compare car rental prices from leading providers in St. Paul, Minnesota with Road Genius. From affordable cars to premium SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at low prices in convenient locations. Pick up your vehicle downtown, at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport or in nearby suburbs and explore Summit Avenue, the Mall of America and the Great River Road. Book early to dodge event surcharges around Xcel Energy Center and secure free cancellation on most deals.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown St. Paul | • Lower costs (no airport surcharges) • Convenient for city-based travelers • Often shorter wait times • Good if staying in St. Paul first |
• Limited hours (usually 7:30am-5:30pm weekdays, shorter weekends) • No 24-hour service • Smaller vehicle selection • Fewer agency options than Minneapolis |
| MSP Airport | • Extensive vehicle selection • Multiple companies to compare • Extended hours (some 24/7) • Convenient if flying in |
• Higher taxes and fees (11% concession fee, $5.90/day facility fee) • 9-10 miles (14-16 km) from downtown St. Paul • Potential for long lines at peak times |
| Suburban Locations | • May offer better availability • Often locally owned/operated • Potential for personal service |
• Limited hours • Transportation needed to reach them • May be closed Sundays |
Company Availability:
On average, car rentals in St Paul cost around $68 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $24 per day.
Compare pickup spots: Downtown St. Paul locations skip the 11% airport concession tax and $5.90/day facility fee. If your flight lands early, hop the light rail or rideshare into town and collect the car there.
Shift your dates, not just your car class: Rates spike when the Wild play or during the Winter Carnival. Moving pickup/return a day before or after a big event often beats "booking earlier."
Stretch to a weekly deal: In St. Paul a 5-7-day booking can cost less than four individual days. Run the numbers—sometimes adding an extra day (and returning early) still wins.
Trim idle days: Staying downtown with good transit? Rent only for your road-trip portion and return the car before parking fees pile up at your hotel.
Downtown Parking:
St. Paul Snow Emergency Rules:
Local Driving Rules:
Get a car to see:
Minnesota State Capitol – Capitol complex, museums
Summit Avenue – mansions, Cathedral of St. Paul
Mississippi River Boulevard – parks, river overlooks
Mall of America – shopping, entertainment
Stillwater – river town, shops
Duluth North Shore – Lake Superior waterfront, scenery
Where is the best place to park when visiting downtown St. Paul? For short visits, you can find metered street parking all over downtown, but watch the time limits, which are usually 2 hours. For longer stays, you can use public ramps like the Smith Avenue Ramp or Lawson Ramp for all-day parking. They charge about $10-15. When there's a big event at Xcel Energy Center, parking nearby will cost more, around $15-25.
Do rental cars need a special permit for driving near the State Capitol? No, you don't need a special permit to drive near the State Capitol. You can find public parking at meters on the streets around the Capitol and in the Capitol Complex parking lots. When the legislature is in session (January to May in odd-numbered years, February to May in even-numbered years), it might be harder to find a spot.
How do I navigate St. Paul's snow emergency parking rules? St. Paul handles snow emergencies differently than Minneapolis. When the city declares a snow emergency, crews clear "Night Plow Routes" first, so you can't park there from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. The next day, they clear "Day Plow Routes," so parking is not allowed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can download the St. Paul Winter Snow app or sign up for text alerts from the city to get notified about snow emergencies.
Is there a convenient location to rent a car if arriving by Amtrak? Amtrak trains arrive at the St. Paul Union Depot. There is an Enterprise rental office about half a mile from the station. They can pick you up if you arrange it ahead of time. Or, you can take a short taxi or rideshare trip to other car rental offices downtown.
How difficult is street parking in residential areas like Cathedral Hill or Summit Avenue? In most St. Paul neighborhoods, you can find street parking pretty easily. Some areas do require a permit or have time limits. It can be tough to find a spot near the Grand Avenue shopping district or by the universities during busy times. Parking on residential streets is usually free, but you should always read the signs to check for rules.
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