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Enjoy New Mexico with car rental from Albuquerque Airport
Built at a crossroads in the vast desert of New Mexico, Albuquerque has become a bustling urban metropolis with a touch of the wild spirit. People flock here to take advantage of mountain biking and hiking trails, enjoy the Pueblo culture, and experience local cuisine and breweries. While many pass over Albuquerque in favor of its high-profile neighbor Santa Fe, this unassuming city is well worth a visit.
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Rental car locations at Albuquerque International Airport
Customer service counters for rental suppliers can be found at the Sunport Car Rental Center. This facility is located very close to the terminal and can be accessed by a free shuttle that departs outside the first level of the terminal building every 5 minutes. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Albuquerque Airport car rental companies operating there include Enterprise, Budget, Thrifty, Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Dollar, National, and Ace.
Car rental companies: Comparisons made simple
Finding and booking the right ABQ car rental can be a time-consuming endeavor, so we have brought together options from a wide range of suppliers for easy perusal. Simply enter a few details for your itinerary and you will see a list of what’s available for your specific dates and locations. There’s no need to spend hours comparing Albuquerque rental companies - everything you need to know is presented in a list format. Vehicle features, rental agreement details, and price information are all easily readable and right on the results page.
GoSee is all about convenience. Book your Albuquerque International Sunport car rental now and see the hidden gems of New Mexico.
What you should know for your Albuquerque car rental trip
Albuquerque Airport guide
The airport in Albuquerque is more officially known as Albuquerque International Sunport (IATA: ABQ) and is the largest commercial airport in New Mexico. It has one terminal with four concourses and 25 gates. An array of airlines fly between the airport and many different domestic destinations.
Inside the terminal, you’ll find a few eateries and retail stores pre-security, and plenty more after you pass through to the airside areas. There are plenty of amenities for passengers including a nursing room, pet relief area, meditation room, and free WiFi. The Sunport is known for its distinct Southwest architecture and has a large art collection for visitors to enjoy with rotating exhibits.
The parking facilities cover a variety of covered and uncovered options, and the Car Rental Center is easily accessible via shuttle.
New Mexico driving tips
A small amount of knowledge can set you up for a safe, enjoyable ABQ car rental road trip in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. To ensure the best experience possible, check out our basic tips regarding the road rules and customs or quirks of New Mexico.
- In New Mexico (and all of the USA), traffic drives on the right-hand side. It’s important to acclimatize to this configuration before getting on busy roads, so take some time to adjust if you are used to driving on the left!
- All distances will be posted in miles, and speeds in miles per hour.
- When traveling in remote parts of the desert, you should be well-prepared in case of a breakdown that leaves you stuck for a while. It can be both hot during the day and cold at night, so always have extra clothing, lots of water, hats and sunscreen, food, and a method of communication. Don’t wander away from your vehicle.
- Keep sunglasses on hand when driving your Albuquerque Airport car rental, particularly early and late in the day. Sun glare can be dangerous.
- The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for driving your rental car in New Mexico is 0.08% for anyone 21 and over.
- New Mexico has one of the highest speed limits in the country: 75 miles per hour on certain stretches of highway. Residential areas have a speed limit of 30 miles per hour. Always look for posted speed limit signs for the most accurate information.
- If you are in the mountains, altitude sickness can be an issue. Make sure to drink lots of water and be mindful of any symptoms.
- The weather can be extreme in New Mexico, so be prepared for the possibility of snowstorms, high winds, and monsoon rain, depending on the season.
Destination ideas for your Albuquerque Airport rental car
A rental car makes it easy to explore not only the many attractions of Albuquerque itself but also the desert and urban landscapes nearby. With your own set of wheels, you can visit the national forests, preserves, and parks of New Mexico, make the alien-hunting pilgrimage to Roswell, and cross-state borders for an epic and varied road trip in the southwest of the USA.
If you’re heading out on a long car rental Albuquerque Airport road trip, there are so many fantastic US cities to end up in. Head west to dive to Las Vegas or Phoenix in your rental car. Or head west to Texas and cities like Dallas and Austin.
For a more local road trip that takes in the best of what Albuquerque and its immediate surroundings have to offer, take a look at our suggestions below. These places and attractions are a fantastic starting point for your car rentals Albuquerque Airport itinerary.
Albuquerque Biological Park
This amazing facility includes a zoo, aquarium, botanic garden, and Tingley Beach which sits on the shore of a fishing lake. Considered an “Environmental Museum”, it is a great place to go and experience some of the wonders of the desert. The unique natural environment is part of what makes Albuquerque such a top-notch destination.
Old Town
This beautiful historic part of the city is a fantastic spot for sightseeing, shopping, and visiting museums and cultural centers. Most of the architecture is Pueblo-Spanish style adobe, very colorful and unique. You can park up and join a walking tour to experience Old Town fully.
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
To experience some nature without straying too far from civilization, check out this small but lovely state park on the riverbank just a few miles north of the city center. It offers excellent birdwatching and wildlife spotting opportunities and has some short hiking trails ideal for a simple stroll in nature.
Santa Fe
It’s just an hour and a half in your Albuquerque Airport car rental to Santa Fe, and you’ll find yourself in an earthy, exciting city with lots on offer for visitors. It’s the nation’s highest state capital and like Alburquerque, has many great museums, galleries, and adobe architecture.
Acoma Sky City
You can experience some unique history of the region at the Pueblo of Acoma and its village of Sky City, one of the oldest continually inhabited communities in North America. The pueblo was built upon a towering mesa and demonstrates a mixture of Native American culture and early Spanish colonialism. It is located just an hour’s drive west of Albuquerque.
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Albuquerque Airport car rental: Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to rent a car at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) or away from the airport?
For those arriving by air, getting a vehicle directly from a rental car facility at the airport eliminates the need to pay for other ground transportation to and from the terminal. This can make it a cheaper—and more convenient—option.
Is it easier to rent a car from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)?
Renting a car from Albuquerque Sunport is an easy option, allowing you the freedom of your one set of wheels so you are in control of your itinerary right from the start. All you need to do is to proceed to the rental counter/rental kiosks located at the Albuquerque International Airport and they will be happy to assist you.
However, you also have the option to collect your ABQ car rental from any off-airport budget location, just arrange the free pick up service for your convenience going to their depot.
Which car rental companies in Albuquerque NM have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Most rental suppliers at Albuquerque Airport will have amended policies and processes in response to COVID-19. You can find out more on their websites.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)?
The daily rate of rental cars in Albuquerque Airport varies according to the time of year you are traveling, the type of vehicle you wish to rent, and the supplier you choose. You might pay as little as USD$32 per day for a budget rental car like a compact sedan, or as much as USD$430 per day for a luxury vehicle or large SUV. Please note that monthly car rental or any long-term rentals are way cheaper than daily ones.
To find the rental that suits your budget and your needs, use the simple and user-friendly search panel at the top of this page. You can enter your details and see a list of relevant options. The handy filters will narrow down the options according to your requirements.
Do GoSee's rental partners offer car rental delivery?
Many Albuquerque Airport suppliers offer delivery and setup rental services. Each listing shows whether or not rental car delivery is an option. For example, you wish to have the vehicle delivered to your hotel from a Budget rental location in downtown Albuquerque, you will usually be charged an extra fee for this service.
Do I need insurance to rent a car in Albuquerque NM?
Having insurance coverage seems to be a norm in the travel industry. You may obtain third-party liability insurance before you complete your rental car Albuquerque Airport booking. This will provide you extra protection and lesser out-of-pocket risk.
If you have third-party liability insurance coverage provided already, please check with your company if it includes rented vehicles. Read through the terms and conditions, especially on topics about owner rental vehicle third-party liability protection, and anything about third-party liability claims. It is also important to take note of the statutory minimum underlying limits and if there are minimum financial responsibility limits.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Albuquerque NM?
The minimum age to pick up rental cars Albuquerque Airport is 21 years old with a valid driver's license, home country driver's license or international driver's permit, although there are often restrictions or additional charges for drivers under 25. There are rental car companies that charge a fee for drivers younger than 25, so make sure to check your rental agreement.
Also, the additional authorized driver must present his valid driver's license requirements upon pick up of the vehicle at the rental agency, as only permitted additional driver is allowed to drive the car rental. Please read the driver's license information policy of your chosen supplier for more details.
What is included in the car rental rate?
When you have chosen the best car rental Albuquerque NM Airport for you, press the SELECT button and this will show you what’s included in the car hire, from unlimited mileage to Collision Damage Waiver and 24-Hour Roadside Assistance. This will also give you the option to choose any extra services that you wish to add to your rental.
When you click on the NEXT STEP button, this page will clearly state a summary of the charges and what charges to be paid when you book the vehicle, and which payments have to be made when you collect your keys at the airport location/rental office. Don't worry, there are no booking fees and no hidden charges!
Are one-way rentals allowed?
Yes, major Albuquerque Airport car rental companies offer one-way hires. From Albuquerque, you can discover the rest of the Southern States quite easily as Phoenix, Arizona, El Paso, Texas, and Oklahoma City. Visit our website and see any available pick-up and drop-off rental locations for you. Just take note of the rental locations' policies to avoid any hassle upon returning your rental vehicle.
What is the minimum rental period?
Different Albuquerque Airport car rentals have varying minimum days. This means even if you book for a day, you will still have to pay for the minimum rental time. It would be best to check the listing or with your chosen rental car company.