Philadelphia works well as a base because you can mix historic streets, museums, food stops, and nearby countryside without rebuilding your day around transport.
Start with the historic core
Begin around Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Old City. Park once, then cover the area on foot.
Keep center city simple
For Reading Terminal Market, Rittenhouse Square, or the Parkway museums, choose a garage nearby and walk between stops.
Add a day trip
With a rental car, you can head toward Valley Forge, the Brandywine Valley, or nearby Pennsylvania towns. Start early if your route uses I-76.
What cars can I hire at Philadelphia Airport?
The best vehicle to rent at Philadelphia Airport depends on your exploration plans. Whether you’re visiting the city centre streets, shopping stops, or going for an intercity journey, Hertz offers you a vehicle well-aligned to your plans.
Vehicle availability can vary by booking date and travel period, but Hertz may offer options such as:
- Compact and economy cars good for lighter luggage, short city routes, and parking around Center City, Old City, University City, or airport hotels.
- Sedans a comfortable choice for couples, solo travellers, and business visitors moving between PHL, downtown meetings, suburban offices, and nearby cities.
- SUVs better suited to families, larger bags, outlet shopping, college visits, or drives toward King of Prussia, Lancaster, New Jersey, or the Poconos.
- MPVs useful when passengers want more room for shared day trips without needing a larger group vehicle.
- Vans a suitable category for group travel, airport transfers, sports events, or trips with several suitcases.
- Premium vehicles a more comfort-focused option for business plans, longer highway drives, or special stays around Philadelphia and the wider region.
Electric car rental at Philadelphia Airport
EV rentals are becoming a more practical choice for travellers arriving at Philadelphia Airport, especially for city stays, business trips, suburban visits, and planned regional drives. Electric car hire at Philadelphia Airport gives you a quieter, lower-emission way to travel while keeping the flexibility of your own vehicle.
With Hertz EV rentals, you can choose an electric model for a cleaner local drive. As charging access continues to grow across hotels, parking garages, shopping areas, and major routes, hiring an EV from PHL can be a smart option for modern travel around Philadelphia and beyond.
Value added services (VAS) – Enhance your rental experience
Philadelphia trips can involve city garages, toll roads, family travel, suburban drives, and longer routes across Pennsylvania or neighbouring states. Hertz optional extras let you adjust the rental around those plans before you leave the airport.
Available VAS products include:
- Loss Damage Waiver: Reduces the financial responsibility you may face for certain damage, theft, or accident-related rental costs.
- Liability Insurance Supplement: Reduces your liability for eligible third-party accident or bodily harm claims that may arise during your rental.
- Infant seats: A useful add-on for babies who need rear-facing seating during airport transfers or road trips.
- Child seats: Suitable for younger children who need a secured seat throughout the journey.
- Booster seats: Helps older children sit in a better position with the vehicle’s standard seat belt.
- Personal Protection Package: Combines Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) and Personal Effects Coverage to offer accidental death benefits, limited medical expense benefits, and, where applicable, reduced liability for accidents or theft.
Explore places within 30 miles of Philadelphia Airport
Independence Visitor Center and Old City
- 9 miles from Philadelphia Airport (approx)
- 612 parking spaces available (approx)
- 2 EV charging stations nearby (approx)
- Open daily, 9 AM to 5 PM
Independence Visitor Center is a good first drive if you want to explore Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Old City, and the historic district in one stop.
Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rocky Steps
- 9 miles from Philadelphia Airport (approx)
- 442 parking spaces available (approx)
- 2 EV chargers nearby (approx)
- Open Sunday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM (Tuesday closed)
Philadelphia Museum of Art works well if you want the Rocky Steps, major galleries, Schuylkill River views, and an easy cultural stop before heading farther into the city.
King of Prussia Mall
- 21 miles from Philadelphia Airport (approx)
- 13,000 parking spaces available (approx)
- 2 EV charging stations nearby (approx)
- Open Monday to Thursday, 10 AM to 6 PM
King of Prussia Mall is a useful drive if you want shopping, dining, indoor time, or a suburban stop outside central Philadelphia. It is one of the region’s biggest retail destinations, so it works well for travellers planning outlet-style shopping or a wider Pennsylvania route.
FAQs
1. Can I get a car rental from Hertz directly at Philadelphia Airport?
Yes. After you land at Philadelphia Airport, follow the signs from baggage claim to the rental car shuttle area on Arrivals Road. The shuttle will take you from the terminal area to the Hertz pickup facility.
2. Does Hertz offer one-way car rentals from Philadelphia Airport?
Yes. This can be useful if Philadelphia is only the first stop on your East Coast route. You may be able to collect the car at PHL and return it in cities such as New York, Washington DC, Newark, Baltimore, or Boston, depending on availability and booking terms.
3. Is it possible to modify or cancel my Philadelphia Airport reservation?
Yes. Changes are usually handled through your Hertz booking before the pickup time. Check the rate conditions carefully, because changing the dates, car group, pickup time, or return location can affect the final price.
4. What are the requirements to get a car hire at the Philadelphia Airport branch?
To hire a car at Hertz Philadelphia Airport, the main driver should bring a valid driving licence, passport for identification, and a payment card in their own name for the security deposit. If the licence is not in English, they should also carry an International Driving Permit along with their national licence.
5. Can I return my car to a different location than specified in my contract?
You can, but it should be arranged before you return the vehicle. If you decide to finish the trip in another city or airport, ask Hertz to update the agreement so the return point and any extra charge are clear.
