Car Rental Portland Airport

Car rental at Portland International Airport (PDX) is straightforward and well organized, with most major brands available and easy access from the terminal. The airport serves as a good starting point for exploring downtown Portland, the Oregon Coast, Mount Hood, and the Columbia River Gorge by car.

General overview

At PDX, rental car facilities are located close to the terminal and are designed for quick pick‑up and drop‑off, usually connected by short walks or a shuttle, depending on the company setup at the time of your trip. Most agencies operate long hours that broadly match flight schedules, but late‑night or very early morning pick‑ups may require checking specific desk times in advance.

Rental companies and locations

The typical on‑airport lineup at Portland includes large international brands such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty, plus one or two regional operators. Desks are usually found in a dedicated rental car area connected to the terminal, with vehicles parked in adjacent garages or lots so you can walk from the counter to your car in a few minutes.

Typical prices and popular vehicle types

Prices vary by season, demand, and how far in advance you book, but some broad ranges are:

• Economy/compact: often around 40–70 USD per day with basic mileage included in low or shoulder seasons.
• Midsize/full‑size sedans: frequently in the 60–90 USD per day range.
• SUVs and minivans: commonly from 80–140 USD per day, higher for premium models or winter‑ready vehicles.

The most rented categories at PDX are compact and midsize cars (good for city and light highway driving), midsize SUVs (popular for winter trips to Mount Hood or family travel), and minivans for groups. Hybrids are increasingly available and are a good choice if you plan a lot of city driving or long distances.

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Popular driving destinations from PDX

From Portland Airport, common rental‑car destinations include:

• Downtown Portland: roughly 20–30 minutes, good for hotel stays and exploring neighborhoods, food, and breweries.
• Columbia River Gorge (Multnomah Falls, Hood River): about 45–75 minutes east, famous for waterfalls, hiking, and windsurfing.
• Mount Hood and ski areas: around 1.5–2 hours, where an SUV or car with good winter tires is recommended in snowy months.
• Oregon Coast (Cannon Beach, Seaside): roughly 1.5–2 hours west, popular for weekend trips, beaches, and small towns.

Car insurance explanation

When renting at PDX, you will typically see several insurance/coverage options presented at the counter or during online booking:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW): This is not technically insurance but a waiver that limits or removes your financial responsibility if the rental car is damaged or stolen, often with an excess/deductible.
• Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS/SLI): Adds extra third‑party liability coverage beyond the minimum required by Oregon law, useful if your own policy or credit card does not provide strong liability protection.
• Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Covers medical costs for you and sometimes your passengers after an accident; often unnecessary if you already have good health insurance.
• Personal Effects Coverage (PEC): Protects luggage and personal items in the car up to a limit; many travelers skip it if they have home or travel insurance that already covers belongings.

Many international visitors rely on coverage included with certain credit cards (usually CDW for rentals paid with that card), but it is important to read the card’s terms carefully, check country and vehicle‑type exclusions, and bring written proof. For peace of mind, a common setup is to accept CDW/LDW from the rental company (or use a credit‑card CDW) plus adequate liability coverage, and decline duplicate personal‑effects or medical add‑ons if already covered elsewhere.

TIPS

• Book early and compare prices
  Reserve your car as soon as you know your dates, especially for summer, holidays, or weekends. Prices at PDX can rise quickly close to the travel date, and booking in advance gives you better choice of vehicle (SUVs and minivans sell out first).
• Know your insurance coverage before you arrive
  Check what your personal car insurance and credit card already cover for rental cars (collision damage, liability, etc.) so you can decide at home which extra protections you really need. This avoids pressure at the counter and helps you decline duplicate or unnecessary insurance.
• Choose the right fuel and mileage options
  Prepaid fuel usually only pays off if you are sure you will return the tank nearly empty. For most travelers, “return full” is cheaper as long as you fill up at a gas station near the airport—not on airport property, where prices are higher.
• Plan pick‑up and drop‑off around Portland traffic
  Access to PDX uses busy highways (I‑205 and I‑84), which can be heavily congested during morning and evening rush hours. Try to schedule your car pick‑up or return outside these peaks and add extra time so traffic does not risk missing your flight.
• Inspect the car carefully and photograph everything
  Before leaving the rental garage, walk around the car and check for scratches, dents, windshield chips, and tire condition. Take photos or a short video of all sides and the dashboard (fuel level, mileage) so you have clear evidence of the car’s condition when you picked it up.