Portsmouth car hire

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Portsmouth car hire information

Pick-up locationPortsmouth
Car types
Hire locations6
Airport locations2

Cheap car hire in Portsmouth

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Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
Standard
Full-size
Luxury
People carrier
Passenger van
SUV
Commercial
Pick-up truck

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Portsmouth

  • Portsmouth car rentals are the ideal options for visitors who want to explore the city inexpensively and conveniently. Renting a car also comes with round-the-clock assistance in case of any mishaps. This will prove crucial when visiting a new city where you might have no one to call for help with a mechanical breakdown, accident or fuel shortage. With your car rental, take a scenic drive from Portsmouth to Seabrook on the New Hampshire Coastal Byway, where you can enjoy historic structures, sandy beaches, rocky shores and local parks.
  • Drivers are required to make sure that all children are properly buckled in and that the right seat is being utilized for their age, height, and weight, as they ride in cheap car rentals in Portsmouth. Kids must ride in a car seat until they turn 12 or reach 4ft 6in, whichever comes first. Rear-facing car seats are required for children under 3 years old, while booster seats with backrests are permitted for children aged 3 to 12 or who weigh more than 50lbs.  It's crucial to read the guidelines carefully while installing a kid seat because it's not always simple and some features include additional safety components.
  • The main airports serving Portsmouth are Portsmouth International Airport at Pease (PSM), 38 miles from the city and Portland International Airport (PWM), 54 miles away. The car rental facility at Portland International Airport is in the baggage claim area. At Portsmouth International Airport, the rental facility is at the ground transportation building in a separate building about a 5-10 minute walk to the left of the baggage claim area. The agencies at the airports for car rentals in Portsmouth include Hertz, Dollar, Avis, Enterprise and National.
  • Visitors who rent electric Portsmouth car rentals can charge them in a number of locations. These include Hanover Parking, Fleet Street Garage, the charging Station near City Hall and Dog Park, Portsmouth International Port's EV Rapid Charging Station, and Lower Parking Lot at City Hall. It's important to note that some of these charging stations require payment, while others may only allow access by scanning a QR code. For more details on how to use the charging station and any expenses involved, you can contact the relevant charging station or present your concerns on arrival.
  • Thankfully driving car rentals in Portsmouth is easy because the streets are not so crowded and the roads are in good condition. However, you should still be vigilant because there might be many pedestrians and cyclists on some routes at specific times or during festivals. Ensure other road users know your intentions by using your signals correctly and use defensive driving tactics to avoid accidents.
  • If you are a first-time visitor and intend to explore the area in cheap car rentals in Portsmouth, it's fundamental that you familiarize yourself with the city's crucial roads. For instance, I-95 is the main road that passes through Portsmouth and links it to other significant New England cities. To navigate I-95, be sure to follow the signs and keep an eye out for exits that will take you to your destination. US-1 is another major road that passes through Portsmouth and links it to other towns and cities in New Hampshire and Maine. To navigate US-1, be sure to follow the signs and keep an eye out for turns that will take you to your destination.
  • The main challenge when driving car rentals in Portsmouth is driving during rush hour. The rush hours span from 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. You can listen to the local radio stations or use online maps to know the best routes to avoid traffic if you want to travel at these times. Winters in Portsmouth come with slippery ice and blinding snow, making driving difficult and hazardous. If the snow is too heavy, consider staying indoors.
  • Book your car hire in Portsmouth at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Economy car hire in Portsmouth are around 68% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Portsmouth

  • How much is the price of fuel in Portsmouth?

    The average price of fuel in Portsmouth is R73,87 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R886 and R1 182, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Portsmouth?

    Economy (Hyundai Accent or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Portsmouth.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Portsmouth?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does an Economy car hire cost in Portsmouth?

    An Economy car hire in Portsmouth costs R530 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Compact car hire cost in Portsmouth?

    A Compact car hire in Portsmouth costs R553 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in Portsmouth?

    A Standard car hire in Portsmouth costs R597 per day, on average.

  • What car is recommended for driving in Portsmouth?

    The ideal category of car rentals in Portsmouth for your trip depends on the number of travelers and where you will be visiting. Most renters pick economy cars for four passengers with two bags. These have exceptional fuel efficiency and are quite affordable but work best when driving on well-paved roads. SUVs suit travel parties of five people with three bags who want to explore rural areas or the cities bordering Portsmouth.

  • Are there restricted roads in Portsmouth, NH?

    Yes. The city has several one-way streets, as well as some roads that are closed to certain types of vehicles. Some of the roads near the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard have restricted access due to security concerns. An example is a section of New Castle Avenue that runs adjacent to the shipyard, which is closed to all traffic except for authorized vehicles.

  • What is the speed limit in Portsmouth?

    The laws in Portsmouth outline ‘per se’  or presumed speeding limits, meaning that when drivers are caught speeding, they are allowed to defend themselves in court and can have their charges dropped if they win. If you lose, your fine is calculated at a graduated rate, and you will have points added to your driving license. Unless indicated, the speed limit in school zones is 10mph, while in urban residential and business districts, you should stick to 30mph. In rural residential districts, the speed limit is 35mph, whereas, in most interstates, the limit is 65mph.

  • What is the age requirement to rent a car in Portsmouth, NH?

    If you're planning on renting a car in Portsmouth, you'll usually need to be at least 21 years old. However, keep in mind that some car rental companies may charge more or require you to be at least 25 years old to rent specific car models.

  • Where are the best places to park in Portsmouth?

    Metered parking spots for car rentals in Portsmouth operate from 9 am to 8 pm on Monday to Saturday and from noon to 8 pm on Sunday. Some paid parking garages in Portsmouth include Foundry Place Garage on 100 Foundry Place and Hanover Parking Garage on 34 Hanover Street. You can also save cash by parking in free spots like Parrot Avenue Lot, South Playground Lot on Junkins Avenue, Four Tree Island Parking Area on Peirce Island Road and City Hall lower and upper lots on 1 Junkins Avenue.

Portsmouth car rental reviews and directory

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7,3

Cleanliness

7.8

Comfort

6.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.0

Value for money

6.9

5 locations in Portsmouth

Show locations

Locations in Portsmouth

155 Mirona Rd

+1 603 431 4707

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

177 Lafayette Rd

+1 603 772 4448

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

400 Spaulding Tpke

+1 603 373 6764

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

42 Airline Ave

+1 603 431 4707

Monday09:30 - 12:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday13:00 - 16:00
Thursday09:30 - 12:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday09:30 - 12:00

647 Us Route 1

+1 603 373 6764

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Dec 2023

KAYAK
Both employees pick up and drop off were friendly and efficient. (Courtney and James)

6,0 Okay

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Drop off was super easy.

Cons:

Outrageously expensive for two days. Extra cost for one-way is not worth it.

2,0 Poor

Jul 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing to like. There was no car. I had no rental. Not good.

Cons:

This was a really stressful really inconvenient experience. There could Actually have been a rental- thaT would have been better. There was no car for me upon arrival or at the main rental site several miles away. Your system needs to interact better with the Enterprise system at Pease, which I guess is a satellite rental location. How was I able to book a car when the rental company has no cars? You need a customer service phone number for when something goes wrong.

8,0 Very Good

Feb 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Drop off was fine; pick up not good

2,0 Poor

Jun 2019

KAYAK

Cons:

They called me and told me they had no cars. Gave me no alternatives and didn’t offer to drop me off in Portland to get a car there. Horrible experience.

10,0 Wonderful

Sep 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

The first vehicle that we got was inundated with cigarette smoke odors, which we are allergic to. The staff was very courteous and quickly put us in another vehicle that was excellent. Thank you!

1 out of 4

Hertz

8,3

Very Good

No reviews available

Best rated

Cleanliness

8.6

Comfort

8.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.8

Value for money

7.7

3 locations in Portsmouth

Show locations

Locations in Portsmouth

104 Grafton Drive

+1 603 422 6707

Monday09:00 - 12:00
Tuesday09:00 - 12:00
Wednesday09:00 - 12:00
Thursday09:00 - 12:00
Friday09:00 - 12:00

115 Flightline Rd

+1 603 422 6707

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00

203 Lafayette Road

+1 603 422 6707

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Easirent

No score available yet

One location in Portsmouth

Show locations

Locations in Portsmouth

Portsmouth International Airport at Pease

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

15 travellers who hired a car in Portsmouth gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.8

Car hire locations in or near Portsmouth

Good to know

Most popular car type

Economy

When to book a car hire in Portsmouth

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches