Cheap car hire in Gainesville, United States

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There are 10 car hire providers in Gainesville. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Gainesville

Hiring a car in Gainesville: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyHertz
Most popular carPremium/Luxury, Pickup Regular Cab
Average daily price68 €
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Gainesville

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Gainesville car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Gainesville

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Gainesville for around 68 € a day and drive off happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the major providers, so you can quickly compare prices and book.

  • The cheapest daily price for a rental in Gainesville is 50 €.

  • Staying on a bit longer? Grab a weekly rental from 220 € and say yes to more adventures.

  • Timing makes all the difference when it comes to finding the best price on a Gainesville car hire. Try booking around two weeks before you go.

  • Check out the offers available with Budget, Dollar and Hertz. They rank among the city's most trusted providers.

  • Whether you book with Budget or another supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your Gainesville car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others charge extra for it.

  • Booking a one-way car hire is often a great hack for finding a deal. Click 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often need to move vehicles from one location to another, which means you can score some great one-way prices on a car for rent in Gainesville.

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your ride with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. No surprise refueling fees tacked on at the end either.

  • Want to explore more without worrying about how many miles you rack up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra fees.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average 92 € a day.

  • Next in line is this provider, offering daily rates of around 91 €.

  • The third option also keeps costs reasonable. Expect to pay roughly 93 € a day for one of their rentals.

  • If you're not quite sure which ride is right for you, consider something from the Premium rental category. It's the most commonly booked vehicle type in Gainesville.

Flying to Gainesville? Think about an airport pick-up

  • Make arrival day easier by picking up a car hire at Gainesville Regional Airport. If you're flying to Gainesville through this hub, simply collect your ride after landing and go. The drive to the city centre is about 11 kilometres and takes around 15 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Gainesville

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Gainesville gives you the freedom to explore for less. These compact, fuel-efficient cars are ideal for short trips and city driving.

  • Medium: Not too big, not too small, this just-right ride is calling your name. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of fuel efficiency and interior space and are good for couples and small families.

  • Large: Long drives are effortless in this Gainesville car hire category. Also known as full-size, they've got the engine power for lengthy trips. The extra legroom and comfort make them an excellent choice for groups of friends and families.

  • SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV goes wherever you do. It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for highways, country roads, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also promise extra space and advanced safety features.

  • Van: Go for this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in Gainesville that can handle the heavy stuff. Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to carry more, whether that's equipment, suitcases or whoever's along for the ride.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Gainesville car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of an accident or theft. Insurance policies can vary from one provider to another, so compare before you commit.

  • From GPS units to mobile Wi-Fi, the right extras can totally transform your drive. Consider which features will help you make the most of your trip when you rent a car in Gainesville.

Good to know

  • To rent a vehicle in the United States, you usually have to be at least 21 years old. Some locations may rent vehicles to younger drivers for a surcharge, so carefully review the policies before securing your wheels.

  • Add a car seat to your Gainesville car hire reservation if you're planning to travel with the kids. Requirements change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their size, age and weight is always the safest choice.

  • You'll need to bring a few things when picking up your rental car: an official driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds for the security deposit. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Your booking will show the full list of what's required.

  • Driving in the United States might take some adjustment for first-time visitors. Be aware that traffic travels on the right side of the road.

  • Keep within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 40kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless road signs indicate differently.

  • A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08% applies in the United States. The most reliable way to be safe to drive is to avoid drinking completely.

  • One of the busiest times for traffic in this destination is around 5pm. Make travel easier by steering clear of peak periods.

  • The United States dollar (USD) is the currency you'll be using for general expenses and excursions. Pay with a credit or debit card when it's convenient, but have some cash handy when electronic payments aren't an option.

  • The language most commonly spoken in this country is English.

Best hotels in Gainesville for drivers

  • Pull in and enjoy your stay at Holiday Inn Gainesville-University Ctr. Offering parking as well as a fitness centre and an outdoor swimming pool, this hotel is about 2 kilometres from central Gainesville.

  • Or make use of the parking at Hampton Inn Gainesville. The city centre is roughly 6 kilometres from this option, which also features a fitness centre and internet access.

  • Explore the full lineup of hotels in Gainesville and choose the stay that suits your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to your needs — like 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.

  • It's time to start sightseeing now you've locked in a car hire deal in Gainesville and your hotel. From The Hippodrome State Theatre to Butterfly Rainforest and Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, you're spoiled for choice on things to do here.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Gainesville

  • Shift gears and make tracks to Jacksonville. Around 97 kilometres northeast of central Gainesville, you'll find must-see sights like St. John's Cathedral and San Marco Historic District.

  • They've perfected the guest experience at Southbank Hotel Jacksonville Riverwalk and San Marco Inn East - Jacksonville, two reliable accommodation options with parking in Jacksonville.

  • Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in Gainesville and then head out to Ocala. Roughly 56 kilometres south of Gainesville, Appleton Museum of Art and Blue Spring are top attractions that make the drive worthwhile.

  • Ocala has some great places to stay including Avid Hotel Ocala Downtown by IHG and Shamrock Cove Inn. Both give you somewhere to leave your car while you're here.

  • Keep the wheels turning and road-trip it to St. Petersburg, about 209 kilometres south of Gainesville. First, visit Chihuly Collection, then take your time exploring St. Petersburg Pier.

  • Check out the room availability at Quality Inn & Suites at Tropicana Field or Holiday Inn ST. Petersburg West. They're an ideal base for exploring everything St. Petersburg has to offer. They come with space for your wheels too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Gainesville will set you back around 68 € per day or 344 € per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Gainesville is a premium pickup. The most popular is Premium/Luxury, Pickup Regular Cab.
The cheapest car hire companies in Gainesville are currently National and Dollar.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Gainesville is currently September.
On average, around 344 €. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Gainesville is 220 €.
If you're looking for freedom to explore Gainesville, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Gainesville that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Gainesville.
Most places – Gainesville included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is 61 € per day. The average price per day is around 84 €.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Hertz, Florida Van Rentals Inc. and National offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Dollar as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Gainesville.