Peter Greenberg: Renting Cars Away From the Airport

No matter what you city you are going to visit, you can save a few bucks by not renting a car at the airport. Doing so usually costs more, both in the daily rate and in such hidden extras as airport taxes and fill-up fees.

 

Here are a few places near, but not in, Phoenix, where you can rent a car cheaply. You can either take a taxi to the places or follow the suggestions for public transit listed below each one.

 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Tempe-West, 3 miles from airport

1131 West Broadway Road

480-829-3970

(There is no pickup from airport, but an employee can give you a ride back to airport at end of your rental.)

 

Hertz

Central Mesa

2025 West Main Street

480-668-1300

(There is no airport pickup, but a light-rail train passes the location.)

 

Budget

Tempe

3255 South Rural Road

480-446-9402

(Again, there’s no airport pickup, but you can take the red line bus for $2 and call them when you get to downtown Tempe. They’ll pick you up there.)

 

The following Phoenix Transit Bus routes serve the Airport: Routes 13, 15, and 40 and the Metro Light Rail, in conjunction with the free Phoenix Airport Shuttle.

 

Seniors and people with disabilities can access Dial-A-Ride daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please call 602-253-400.

 

The following taxis are contracted to pick up passengers at Phoenix Sky Harbor:

AAA Cab: 602-437-4000

Allstate: 602-275-8888

Discount: 602-266-1110

Rates remain the same regardless of cab company, number of passengers, and number of bags. The first mile is $5. Each additional mile is $2. Each hour of traffic delay is $20. The minimum fare is $15. Each per-trip airport surcharge is $1. Taxis pick up at Terminals 1, 2, and 3 on the north curbside on level 1.