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

On average, car rentals at **Wilmington Airport** cost around **$58** per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at **$34** per day.

Car Rental Wilmington International Airport (ILM)

Q: How long does the rental pickup process take at ILM?

- On a normal day, getting your car takes about 10 to 15 minutes. During busy times like summer weekends and holidays, it might take 20 to 30 minutes. You can save a lot of time if you use a loyalty program that lets you skip the counter.

Q: Are there any shuttle services required to reach rental cars at ILM?

- No, you won't need a shuttle. ILM is a smaller airport, and you can find the rental cars parked right outside the terminal. You can just walk to them, which makes it easier than at bigger airports.

Q: What happens if my flight arrives late at night?

- Most rental companies at ILM match their hours to the flight arrival times. If your flight is the last one of the day or is very late, you should add your flight number to your reservation. The company will usually stay open for the last flight, even if it's delayed. If you arrive unexpectedly late, you should call the rental company.

Q: Can I return my rental car outside of office hours?

- Yes, all rental companies at ILM let you return cars after hours. You just park the car in the rental return area and put the keys in the secure drop box. Remember, you are responsible for the car until an employee checks it in the next business day, so it's a good idea to take photos of the car before you leave it.

Q: Is it worth paying for a GPS unit with my ILM car rental?

- Most people find that using a smartphone for directions works just fine in the [Wilmington area](page:rg/cars/rental/usa/wilmington-nc), because cell service is good in the region. If you decide to rent a GPS unit, it will cost about $12 a day. Many of our newer rental cars also work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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Road Genius makes it easy to find great car rental offers at Wilmington International Airport (ILM). Compare rates and make bookings in one place. Simple. Touch down, grab your keys just outside baggage claim and be on the road to downtown Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach in minutes, with deals from Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz ready to lock in before peak season hits.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Alamo · Avis · Budget · Dollar · Hertz · National · Thrifty

Rental Facilities and Providers

Feature	Details
Location	Rental counters in baggage claim area
Hours	Aligned to match flight arrivals and departures
Vehicle Pickup	Cars parked just outside the terminal (walking distance)
Available Agencies	Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz
After-Hours	Key drop boxes available for returns
Reservation Recommended	Yes, especially during summer peak season

Skip-the-Counter Programs: Many agencies offer loyalty programs that allow you to bypass the counter. Enrolling in Hertz Gold, Avis Preferred or similar programs can save time upon arrival.

Car Rental Prices

Average: $58/day
From: $34/day

How to save?

Compare airport vs downtown pick-ups: Airport rentals carry about a 10-15 % fee. If you're staying in the city, grabbing a $25 rideshare to a downtown branch can still work out cheaper on multi-day rentals.
Play with dates and times in the search box: Sliding your pickup a few hours (avoiding Saturday noon peaks) or shortening by a day can knock serious dollars off the total.
Season matters: For summer or festival weeks lock something in 2-3 months ahead. Off-season (Nov–Mar) bargains pop up last minute, so hold off if your plans are flexible.
Choose the smallest car that fits your crew: Parking is tight in downtown Wilmington and at Wrightsville Beach. An economy or compact not only rents for less but drinks less fuel.
Always DIY the last fill-up: Hit the Shell or Speedway on Market St/Airport Blvd five minutes from ILM and avoid the eye-watering per-gallon refill rate at the counter.

Car rental prices at Wilmington Airport 2025/2026

Why rent a car in Wilmington, NC

Book a rental car so you can drive to:

Downtown Wilmington – Riverwalk, museums
Wrightsville Beach – piers, restaurants
Carolina Beach – boardwalk, marina
Southport – waterfront, ferry
Myrtle Beach – boardwalk, golf courses

Local Rental Locations

Driving Distances from Wilmington Airport

FAQs

How long does the rental pickup process take at ILM?

On a normal day, getting your car takes about 10 to 15 minutes. During busy times like summer weekends and holidays, it might take 20 to 30 minutes. You can save a lot of time if you use a loyalty program that lets you skip the counter.

Are there any shuttle services required to reach rental cars at ILM?

No, you won't need a shuttle. ILM is a smaller airport, and you can find the rental cars parked right outside the terminal. You can just walk to them, which makes it easier than at bigger airports.

What happens if my flight arrives late at night?

Most rental companies at ILM match their hours to the flight arrival times. If your flight is the last one of the day or is very late, you should add your flight number to your reservation. The company will usually stay open for the last flight, even if it's delayed. If you arrive unexpectedly late, you should call the rental company.

Can I return my rental car outside of office hours?

Yes, all rental companies at ILM let you return cars after hours. You just park the car in the rental return area and put the keys in the secure drop box. Remember, you are responsible for the car until an employee checks it in the next business day, so it's a good idea to take photos of the car before you leave it.

Is it worth paying for a GPS unit with my ILM car rental?

Most people find that using a smartphone for directions works just fine in the Wilmington area, because cell service is good in the region. If you decide to rent a GPS unit, it will cost about $12 a day. Many of our newer rental cars also work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.