Salem car hire

Driver's age: 25-65
Car Rental Deals
Booking Insights
Car Rental Deals

Cheap car hire in Salem

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Small car
Small
M
Medium car
Medium
M
Large car
Large
M
Luxury car
Luxury
M
Commercial car
Commercial
M
Pickup truck car
Pickup truck
M
Booking Insights

Good to know

Most popular car type

Small

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Salem car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Salem with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in Salem?

You should book your car hire in Salem around 81 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best car hire company in Salem?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Salem are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.3, 1 review), Hertz (6.8, 14 reviews), and Thrifty (5.6).
Thrifty
Thrifty
Rated 5.6/10
Dollar
Dollar
Rated 5.4/10

What is the most popular car to hire in Salem?

Hires in the Medium category (Jeep Compass or similar) are the most popular option in Salem, costing R1 135/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as R606/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Salem?

The cheapest month to hire a car in Salem is February at an average cost of R503/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in Salem when prices are R1 386/day on average, which tends to be 2 672% above the yearly average hire price for Salem.

Which car hire company in Salem has the most locations?

Hertz operates 4 locations in Salem, more than any other car hire company.

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Salem

  • When visiting Salem, consider renting a car from one of the city's low-cost car rental agencies. A rental car will allow you to explore all of the top attractions inside and outside this bustling city. Within the city, you can drive to the Peabody Essex Museum or the Salem Witch Museum to learn more about the city's history. You can also drive about 2 miles outside of town to Salem Willows Park, a veteran park with a beach, arcade, and eateries serving local fare. If you are traveling with children, you will explore the city in comfort, as all car rentals in Salem come with child seats upon request.
  • You can easily get a rental car upon landing at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), the principal airport serving Salem. The airport has an offsite car rental center, accessible via the airport's free shuttle service, which departs every 5 minutes from each terminal. These blue and white shuttle buses can be found near the baggage claim areas on the lower levels of each terminal. There are a variety of rental agencies available in the Rental Center, including Alamo, Zipcar, Avis, and E-Z Rent-A-Car. Therefore, finding the perfect ride to further destinations should be simple.
  • Although driving a rental car in Salem is not an uphill task, drivers are highly advised to develop defensive driving skills. The city is made up of narrow streets and roads, so always keep an eye out for other drivers to avoid getting into an accident. Driving within the city, especially during the months of November and October, may be challenging as many tourists flock to the historic city to celebrate Halloween. Also, watch out for cyclists, as most of the city's cyclists frequently disregard traffic light regulations.
  • Traffic snarl-ups are not something you should worry about when driving your rental car in Salem. However major roads leading into and out of the city experience some of congestion during rush hour. The city's rush hour typically occurs between 7 am and 9 am. when people leave for work and 5:30 pm to 7 pm. when people return home. It is critical to note that the city has no highway access, so getting to anywhere off a major highway like I-95, RT 1, or I-93 can be challenging. You should also consider getting the right car if you are traveling during the cold months, as the snow makes the roads icy and slippery.
  • Medium hire cars in Salem are around 53% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Salem

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

    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 Salem?

    A Small car hire in Salem costs R925 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Medium car hire cost in Salem?

    A Medium car hire in Salem costs R806 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Special car hire cost in Salem?

    A Special car hire in Salem costs R1 286 per day, on average.

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Salem?

    A small compact car would make an ideal ride for your time in Salem, as the city is made up of narrow streets and roads. Other than being economical, the small car can easily navigate the narrow streets into hidden parking lots. However, a minivan or would serve you better if you plan to travel with more than three other people and more luggage.

  • What is the speed limit in Salem?

    You are not permitted to exceed 20 mph while driving your Salem rental car through a school or residential area. The speed limit in congested areas of the city is 30 mph, but it rises to 40 mph on the city's outskirts, where there is more space. You can drive up to 50 mph on urban highways, while rural interstate highways have a speed limit of 60 mph.

  • Where are the best places to park in Salem?

    Finding a parking spot for your rental car in Salem is relatively easy as the city features on-street parking, garages and parking lots. On-street metered parking is available throughout the city, but parking time is limited to only 4 hours. You can also park safely at the MBTA parking garage, which is located at the northern end of downtown Salem.

Salem car rental reviews and directory

 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Cleanliness

7.3

Comfort

6.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.6

Value for money

6.6

2 locations in Salem

Show locations

Locations in Salem

255 Andover St

+1 978 977 2700

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday14:00 - 14:15
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

312 Cabot St

+1 978 524 9555

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

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2,0 Poor

Sara, Dec 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

The car reeked of cigarettes and there were no others

1 out of 1

Hertz

Cleanliness

5.7

Comfort

6.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

6.8

4 locations in Salem

Show locations

Locations in Salem

171 Boston St

+1 978 745 8977

Opening times not available

211 Rantoul Street

Opening times not available

255 Andover St

+1 978 536 5168

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

33 Bridge Street

+1 978 744 2151

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

Filters

Reviews

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2025

Economy

KAYAK
They cancelled. No cars available. Both bookings.

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Aug 2025

Supplier choice

KAYAK
The car oil light was on the entire time I had the car. I went back to Peabody where picked up car; told me no problem keep using. Was sitting in traffic and stalled out

10,0 Wonderful

Andrew, Nov 2024

Compact SUV

KAYAK
I appreciate the after hours drop off option.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
Excellent

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Oct 2022

KAYAK
The car was old and smelled bad.

8,0 Very Good

Anonymous, Jan 2022

KAYAK
Quick pick up and drop….the price was affordable

1 out of 5

Thrifty

5,6

Fair

2 locations in Salem

Show locations

Locations in Salem

255 Andover St

+1 978 536 5168

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

33 Bridge Street

+1 978 744 2151

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

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

5,4

Fair

One location in Salem

Show locations

Locations in Salem

33 Bridge Street

+1 978 744 2151

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

Filters

No reviews available

Arow Enterprises Corp.

No score available yet

One location in Salem

Show locations

Locations in Salem

63 Jefferson Ave, Salem

+1 978 741 2780

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

No reviews available

10 travellers who hired a car in Salem gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5,5

Car hire locations in or near Salem

Salem car hire information

Pick-up locationSalem
Car types
Hire locations5
Airport locations0

Not what you’re looking for? Find thousands of other hotels, flights and car hire with KAYAK.