Rental Car Dropoff

[cathymct]

There are four of us planning on renting a van or car with a big trunk and will drop it off at Ft Lauderdale. Is there a rental car dropoff (and pickup) at the port or do we drop it off at airport and then shuttle or taxi to port?

[cruise_lover]

I think your best bet is to ask the car rental agent that you are speaking with which is the closest place to drop the car/van off. I know my one of my sister's supervisor drove from San Antonio to Galveston and did a one-way rental there. Since Houston is the closest airport to Galveston he dropped his family off at the port, drove his car to the neartest car rental place in Galveston and then took a taxi back to the port to meet his family on board.

 

Hope this helps.

[Ephraim]

Most (but not all) major rental companies in Florida don't charge a drop charge, if you drop the car elsewhere in Florida. But they do charge a drop charge if you bring it from state-to-state.

[kalkan]

We just returned from Tampa last week. Rented our car at the airport, used it for 3 days to visit family, etc. then returned it near the cruise terminal when it was time to sail.

 

We had to rent through Hertz, as they were the only company which had a convenient dropoff. There was no extra charge for the different return location, which was a Marriot about 3 blocks away. The nice young man at the return Hertz desk told us to leave our things in the car and he drove us to the terminal, dropping us off right at the door. He even refused a tip! Our car was cramped for the short drive with all our luggage, but otherwise a very simple and pleasant arrangement.

[Eurobikefan]

Hi, This past March we did just what you are planning--we rented a car to drive to Ft. Lauderdale port (cheaper than taking our car and parking it there). We rented from Avis locally and dropped it at FLL (airport), which is really close to the port. The Avis guys at the airport dropoff (which is inside the airport parking garage) asked if we were going to the port---so they pulled up one of their minivans, loaded us and another couple and all our stuff and took us right to our ships. No charge (but we gave him a nice tip). Can't beat door to door service! Dunno if other rental agencies do this or not.

 

Oh yeah, remember to fill the gas tank before you return the car---if you are returning to the airport, there is a gas station just south of the airport on the west side of the road.

[Desert Cruisers]

Call the Fort Lauderdale office of your rental agency to confirm what you can do. Most of the major rental firms at the Ft. Lauderdale airport are located in a "unified" garage on the airport grounds. There is a bus that will transport you from the garage to the port.:)