KAYAK’s insights & trends for Panama City Beach car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Panama City Beach with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in Panama City Beach?
You should book your car hire in Panama City Beach around 73 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular car to hire in Panama City Beach?
Hires in the SUV category (Class Compact SUV or similar) are the most popular option in Panama City Beach, costing R1 022/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as R627/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Panama City Beach?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Panama City Beach is January at an average cost of R704/day. June is the most expensive month to hire a car in Panama City Beach when prices are R1 232/day on average, which tends to be 26% above the yearly average hire price for Panama City Beach.
Which car hire company in Panama City Beach has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Avis each operate 3 locations in Panama City Beach, more than any other car hire company.
Panama City Beach car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in Panama City Beach by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
4x4
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Small cars
R536 - R1 032
All Car Types
R877 - R1 415
How much does it cost to hire a small car in Panama City Beach?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Panama City Beach?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in Panama City Beach?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Panama City Beach?
How much does it cost to hire a van in Panama City Beach?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Panama City Beach?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Panama City Beach?
Small car hire in Panama City Beach typically costs around R792 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R536 per day, which is about 33% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 34% cheaper than the average car hire in Panama City Beach, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in Panama City Beach typically costs around R1 184 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R629 per day, which is about 47% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 2% cheaper than the average car hire in Panama City Beach, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in Panama City Beach typically costs around R1 387 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R744 per day, which is about 47% less than the yearly average. Large cars are typically 14% more expensive than the average car hire in Panama City Beach but offer more comfort for longer trips.
SUV hire in Panama City Beach typically costs around R1 288 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average R960 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 8% more expensive than the average car hire in Panama City Beach but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van hire in Panama City Beach typically costs around R1 351 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average R1 040 per day, which is about 24% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 12% more expensive than the average car hire in Panama City Beach but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in Panama City Beach typically costs around R1 271 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average R768 per day, which is about 40% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 6% more expensive than the average car hire in Panama City Beach but are ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in Panama City Beach typically costs around R1 782 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average R1 080 per day, which is about 40% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 33% more expensive than the average car hire in Panama City Beach but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Good to know
Most popular car type
Small
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Panama City Beach
Nestled along the Florida panhandle, Panama City Beach is a long, narrow strip that stretches over 13 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. Having a vehicle during your visit gives you greater access to key areas, autonomy, and reduced commuting time. While the city does operate the Bay Town Trolley, the trolley has either limited or no service on holidays and doesn’t operate on Sundays or late at night. Panama City Beach car rentals ensure that you’re not restricted by public transportation and that you have the flexibility to travel on your schedule.
If you’ve secured a car rental in Panama City Beach, you can collect it at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (PFN). At the airport, there are several rental car companies present, including Alamo, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis, to name a few. Desks for the rental companies can be found on the right and left of the terminal as you exit the building. The parking garage is directly outside across the West Bay Parkway.
When heeding navigation guidance in Panama City Beach from your rental car’s GPS, you’ll want to have a clear sense of the major expressways. Two primary roads run along the coast of Panama City Beach: Old State Route 30, which is also known as Front Beach Road, and US Highway 98, which is also known as the Panama City Beach Parkway and sometimes referred to as State Road 30-A. Both Front Beach Road and the Panama City Beach Parkway run east and west across the island area and both connect Panama City Beach with Panama City. Take care to yield to pedestrians along the Front Beach Road, as it’s an active crossing for beachgoers.
Since car rentals in Panama City Beach are a great way to access various parts of the beach-side town, rentals tend to be a popular option. There are only two major roadways and the streets can become quite congested, particularly around rush hours, between 6:30 am and 8:30 am, and 4 pm and 6pm. During peak vacation times, like holidays and Spring Break, if you’re visiting spots in Panama City Beach, you may want to aim to get to your destination earlier in the day, before the traffic gets too heavy and parking spots fill up. During off-peak seasons, like mid-autumn, you’ll find less crowding.
Small hire cars in Panama City Beach are around 43% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Panama City Beach
What type of car is recommended for driving in Panama City Beach?
Since Panama City Beach is tailor-designed for outdoor adventure and sun, you may find that SUVs are suitable for your trip, since they tend to offer additional cargo space and legroom. However, if a convertible is an available option, you may want to rent one to soak up some more sun along with your drives.
What’s the speed limit in Panama City Beach?
Across the United States, drivers can expect residential areas to have speed limits anywhere around 25mph to 35mph, and the same is true in Panama City Beach. You can expect Front Beach Road to have an average speed limit of about 40mph and, because Panama City Beach Parkway is a highway, you can expect the speed limit to be between about 55mph and 65mph.
Where are the best places to park in Panama City Beach?
There are several parking lots along Front Beach Road that provide direct access to the beaches. The variant lots offer various levels of accommodations—on the far east of Panama City Beach, you’ll find smaller lots that have free parking, but no restrooms. For more amenities, try close to Shalimar Beach, where you’ll find larger parking lots with well-maintained restrooms, or by public beach access #64, where you’ll find wooden steps and walkways available to improve accessibility. These spots are also free.
How can I find car hires near me in Panama City Beach?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Small car hire cost in Panama City Beach?
A Small car hire in Panama City Beach costs R862 per day, on average.
How much does a Medium car hire cost in Panama City Beach?
A Medium car hire in Panama City Beach costs R902 per day, on average.
How much does a Large car hire cost in Panama City Beach?
A Large car hire in Panama City Beach costs R935 per day, on average.
Panama City Beach car rental reviews and directory
Paul at the counter was extremely helpful and impressive
2,0 Poor
A1sncday1, Oct 2025
Intermediate
Communication and better customer service
1 out of 1
Budget
8,6
Very Good
Cleanliness
8.6
Comfort
8.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.6
Value for money
8.6
2 locations in Panama City Beach
Locations in Panama City Beach
1602 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
+1 866 671 7282
Opening times not available
8027 Front Beach Road
+1 850 234 3551
Monday
07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday
07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday
07:30 - 17:30
Thursday
07:30 - 17:30
Friday
07:30 - 17:30
Saturday
07:30 - 14:00
Sunday
09:00 - 12:00
Filters
Reviews
10,0 Wonderful
susan, Jan 2024
Economy
The Budget location employees went over and above to make the car rental experience a good one. We added a second driver with no problem and dropping the car off was expeditious. I received an email receipt immediately after bringing the car back. All and all a very positive experience.
1 out of 1
Avis
5,9
Fair
Cleanliness
5.9
Comfort
5.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.9
Value for money
5.9
One location in Panama City Beach
Locations in Panama City Beach
8027 Front Beach Road
+1 850 235 6945
Monday
07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday
07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday
07:30 - 17:30
Thursday
07:30 - 17:30
Friday
07:30 - 17:30
Saturday
07:30 - 14:00
Sunday
09:00 - 12:00
Filters
No reviews available
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
2,0
Poor
Cleanliness
2.0
Comfort
2.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
2.0
Value for money
2.0
3 locations in Panama City Beach
Locations in Panama City Beach
1104 W 15th St
+1 850 872 9206
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Saturday
Sunday
2024 W 23rd St
+1 850 747 1110
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Saturday
09:00 - 12:00
Sunday
557 Richard Jackson Blvd
+1 850 234 5796
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Saturday
09:00 - 12:00
Sunday
Filters
Reviews
2,0 Poor
Courtney, Sept 2024
Intermediate
I had made a last-minute rental reservation the evening before I needed a car. The next morning, I was in an Uber 5 minutes away from the Enterprise when I got a call from the staff saying they actually don't have any cars available. The staff did everything they could for us - gave us advice and tried calling another nearby location to see if they had cars - so this is not on them at all. The system simply shows there are cars available when there aren't, and that should be rectified immediately. Thankfully we were able to find a Hertz that had literally one single car left, because the entirety of Panama City was sold out of cars and we would have been stranded, unable to get home.
10,0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jun 2024
Standard SUV
I like how enterprise location at the airport was still able to accommodate me even though I had picked a location near the airport.
6,0 Okay
Jimmy, May 2024
Intermediate SUV
The staff was very friendly and prompt but the car was very dated, smelled and pulled right when driving.
10,0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Oct 2023
People carrier
Excellent and efficient drop-off.
1 out of 2
Thrifty
5,7
Fair
One location in Panama City Beach
Locations in Panama City Beach
2106 W 15th Street
+1 850 913 9112
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Saturday
09:00 - 12:00
Filters
No reviews available
Hertz
No score available yet
2 locations in Panama City Beach
Locations in Panama City Beach
2106 W 15th Street
+1 850 913 9112
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Saturday
09:00 - 12:00
9998 Hutchison Blvd
+1 850 235 0833
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Saturday
09:00 - 12:00
Filters
Reviews
2,0 Poor
Anonymous, Jul 2025
Compact SUV
We reserved a car and never got one.
2,0 Poor
Anonymous, Jun 2025
Compact
They canceled, no cars
2,0 Poor
Anonymous, Apr 2024
People carrier
Hertz operates different businesses under the same name. I accidentally made the reservation at a hertz location not at the airport. At the airport counter the hertz rep could find my reservation but said it was with a different hertz organization and he couldn’t transfer it or help to rent me a minivan. It was 8:30 at night, and the other store was closed. I have my family of 7 (5kids) at an airport with no transportation. I will never rent from hertz again. Period.
10,0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Oct 2023
Intermediate SUV
Always great with Star!! She takes such great care of us
6,0 Okay
Anonymous, Nov 2022
Having to pay a one way fee when the company has offices in both locations
10,0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Dec 2021
Customer service was outstanding! They made renting a car enjoyable. Great price, great car, great service. I was very happy with the experience.
1 out of 4
14 travellers who hired a car in Panama City Beach gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5,7
KAYAK and its partners wish to use cookies or similar technologies to store and/or access information on and about your device and process personal data such as your IP address, device identifiers etc., in order to improve your experience on the site, to analyse navigation, to offer and measure personalised advertising, and to facilitate sharing on social networks. We also allow the use of third-party cookies (including those from our advertising partners) on our sites.
By clicking 'Accept', you consent to your data being processed by 0 vendors on this web site for the purposes described in this notice. You can review the vendors and their individual processing purposes on the .
To review individual processing purposes and cookie categories, please click ’Select individual purposes’. You can review your choices and withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the ’Privacy Preferences’ link in the page side navigation.
