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Madison car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car rentals in Madison

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Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
M
Full-size car
Full-size
M
Luxury car
Luxury
M
People mover car
People mover
M
Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
Commercial car
Commercial
M
Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
M

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Madison

  • Car rental in Madison is a great way to add more flexibility to your journey compared to if you travelled using an alternative mode of transport such as a bus. With a hire car, you can come and go as you please, as well as travel directly to your destination. For example, you can drive to Verona in about 20 minutes. This same journey via bus takes close to 50 minutes, and normally requires a transfer along the way.
  • Madison Airport (MSN) is one of the closest terminals to the city and is a great location to collect your hire car from. Once you have arrived at the airport and passed through Customs, you can locate the car hire agencies easily. For instance, Alamo is located in the airport terminal, whilst Hertz can be reached via a free shuttle. Your Madison car hire company will then ask you to complete your paperwork, show ID and pay before they take you to your vehicle.
  • Car rental in Madison is a great way to explore this city. Drivers are relaxed and polite, which is ideal if you are new to driving on the roads in the city. It’s worth remembering that, even though jaywalking is illegal in the United States, you might get unknowing tourists crossing in areas that aren’t designated for pedestrians. For that reason, you should drive with vigilance in the centre. Madison usually experiences a lot of snow in the winter months, which can make driving particularly hard. If it has been snowing, you should only drive if it’s considered safe to do so.
  • When driving a Madison hire car, you will find that there can be lots of traffic jams, particularly during rush hour when the locals are heading to and from their places of work. This is normally from about 6:00 to 9:00 and around 15:00 to 17:00. If you don't like driving on the roads with lots of cars, it’s recommended that you don't drive at these times and instead use the roads in the late morning and early afternoon. One road that gets very busy is Highway 51, which travels through the heart of the city. An alternative, and perhaps quieter route is a back road, such as Williamson Street.
  • Book your rental car in Madison at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard rental cars in Madison are around 28% cheaper than other car types, on average

Madison car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travellers who hired a car in Madison 
Verified travelerJan 2024
If you book with Avis, check your card for a “uv watermark”, or they will not take your payment.
Verified travelerJul 2023
The people in Madison were helpful.

FAQs about renting a car in Madison

  • How much is the price of fuel in Madison?

    The average price of fuel in Madison is $5.81 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of uel costs between $70 and $93, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Madison?

    Standard (Nissan Rogue or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Madison.

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

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in Madison?

    A Standard car hire in Madison costs $103 per day, on average.

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

    A Special car hire in Madison costs $95 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Mini car hire cost in Madison?

    A Mini car hire in Madison costs $210 per day, on average.

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

    Car rental in Madison is a top idea for those that want to explore the city at their own speed. If you’re staying in the town, then you won’t need much more than a compact vehicle, which will help you manoeuvre on busy streets as well as park in tight spaces. Alternatively, you can blend in with the locals with a larger vehicle, such as an SUV. This type of vehicle will help you if you want to drive on the rural roads, as they are often 4x4 and have superior grip.

  • What’s the speed limit in Madison?

    It’s important that you abide by the speed limits when you’re driving in Madison, otherwise you risk being prosecuted by the police. If you are snapped by a speed camera, then you will automatically be fined by your car hire agency. They will also be required to pass your information over to the police. The maximum speed you can do in the city it 35 mph (56 km/h). On rural roads, you can go as fast as 55 mph (89 km/h), whilst if you’re on a motorway, the top speed is 70 mph (113 km/h).

  • Where are the best places to park in Madison?

    There are lots of places to park in Madison, which makes it great for those with a hire car. For instance, Buckeye Parking Lot costs around $5 (about ₹410) for 3 hours. You can find this car park in the centre on Gorham Street. Alternatively, you can park on State Street Campus Garage on Lake Street. This costs about $1.50 (₹120) per hour or $8 (₹650) for the whole day on weekends.

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

Hertz

Best rated

Cleanliness

5.9

Comfort

6.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.6

Value for money

5.6

3 locations in Madison

Show locations

Locations in Madison

2101 Darwin Road

+1 608 241 5597

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

4000 International Lane

+1 608 241 3803

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

6514 Odana Road

+1 608 833 1118

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

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Evan, Oct 2024

Supplier choice

KAYAK
I couldn't pick up my car

2.0 Poor

Saar adir, Sept 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
Bad bad bad I will never order a rent car from hertz never again !!!

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Supplier choice

KAYAK
Everything was great

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Full-size

KAYAK
Terrible, slow overtime, still trying to contact re additional expense on card.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Standard SUV

KAYAK
poor service when our flight was cancelled. nobody wants to help just take our money.

10.0 Wonderful

Kevin, Jul 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
Being able to drop off right across from airport check in at hours convenient to me.

1 out of 18

Alamo

9.5

Cleanliness

9.6

Comfort

9.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.3

Value for money

9.4

One location in Madison

Show locations

Locations in Madison

4000 International Ln

+1 833 749 2430

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Audilis, Aug 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Price and fast service

Cons:

First car was cleaned but had the maintenance light on and a low pressure tired. The second car was not not too cleaned. Also, I wanted to add an extra day but they would charge me more than twice instead of honoring the same price.

6.0 Okay

Trevor, Aug 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Our car was damaged after we returned it. Unfortunately, we didn't take pictures after we dropped it off and are being charged for it. I understand their policy, and they can do what they want, but it puts a damper on our experience.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was friendly, easy pick up And return

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Very fast pickup and drop off. Clean and quality car. Great price.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Dane County Airport Agent was on point with her details everything was ready for me. Durning this pandemic, vehicle was wiped down prior and could smell the cleanest when I opened the car door. When I dropped off in Charlotte Airport, the attendant was professional. Thank you Alamo!

Cons:

No

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2023

Full-size

KAYAK
Very clean, newer vehicle. The customer service was excellent!

1 out of 3

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.1

Cleanliness

8.1

Comfort

8.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.3

Value for money

7.6

5 locations in Madison

Show locations

Locations in Madison

1864 E Washington Ave

+1 608 242 5000

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

2 Eastpark Ct

+1 608 241 8901

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

200 W Beltline Hwy

+1 608 260 0063

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

4000 International Ln

+1 833 749 2428

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

6646 Odana Rd

+1 608 833 2220

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

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Economy

KAYAK
Kind and Courteous

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, May 2024

Premium

KAYAK
They help less and racist….

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

very friendly staff. clean car. free upgrade due to car I ordered not in lot yet. car worked well. very positive experience.

10.0 Wonderful

alvin, Feb 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was excellent treated very well go to business there again

Cons:

In my opinion they did very well and again I will do business with them again

10.0 Wonderful

Michael, Aug 2023

Standard

KAYAK
Service excellent, efficient, courteous

10.0 Wonderful

Chris, May 2023

Supplier choice

KAYAK
Great experience. The guy’s are super professional. I got a great deal. Would use again if I’m ever in the area. Highly recommend.

1 out of 4

National

8.0

Very Good

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

6.0

One location in Madison

Show locations

Locations in Madison

4000 International Ln

+1 833 749 2429

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Budget

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

7.8

3 locations in Madison

Show locations

Locations in Madison

1136 East Washington Avenue

+1 608 251 2181

Monday14:00 - 17:3007:30 - 12:30
Tuesday07:30 - 12:3014:00 - 17:30
Wednesday14:00 - 17:3007:30 - 12:30
Thursday14:00 - 17:3007:30 - 12:30
Friday14:00 - 17:3007:30 - 12:30
Saturday09:00 - 12:00

2320 Darwin Road

+1 608 242 0429

Monday08:00 - 17:0014:00 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:0014:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:0014:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:0014:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:0014:00 - 17:30
Saturday08:00 - 17:00

4000 International Lane

+1 608 249 5544

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Oct 2022

KAYAK
Dropoff process was overly complicated, was sent a text to open the app to drop off, but then I had to download the app, create an Avis account, and it didn't link the reservation to my account after manually inputting the reservation info. I would've preferred an outdoors key drop-off and a simple text to let them know I dropped off the car, instead of waiting in line for 5 minutes.

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Sept 2022

KAYAK
Great customer service!

4.0 Mediocre

Peter, May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff at pickup was overloaded. Fastbreak was very slow.

Cons:

Fastbreak could have been quicker. The car had a terrible Cigar odor that caused me an the passengers to feel sick to our stomachs. We had to periodically open the windows to try to mitigate the cigar smell and sick to stomach feeling. I'm requesting a credit towards a future car rental. Thank you.

10.0 Wonderful

Malaena, Jul 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Nothing, it was great!

4.0 Mediocre

Mike, Mar 2023

Supplier choice

KAYAK
745 dollars for a 72 hour rental is kind of extreme.

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, May 2022

KAYAK
After I reserved the rental with my debit card, I get to the location to pick the vehicle up and they state that I must have a credit card, not a debit card. I pay cash for everything, have never wanted nor needed a credit card just always use debit. With that being said, i was stuck 1300 miles from home with now way to rent a car to get home because I didnt have a credit card. I have rented vehicles on my debit card at least a dozen times with no issue. Also, with this location you cannot return the car to any other office besides this particular one. So long story short, 3 days later had to make a return trip 1300 miles to drop the car off.

1 out of 2

Avis

Cleanliness

6.9

Comfort

7.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.8

Value for money

6.3

3 locations in Madison

Show locations

Locations in Madison

1136 East Washington Avenue

+1 608 251 1717

Monday07:30 - 12:3014:00 - 17:30
Tuesday07:30 - 12:3014:00 - 17:30
Wednesday14:00 - 17:3007:30 - 12:30
Thursday07:30 - 12:3014:00 - 17:30
Friday07:30 - 12:3014:00 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 12:00

2320 Darwin Road

+1 608 242 0429

Monday14:00 - 17:3008:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:0014:00 - 17:30
Wednesday14:00 - 17:3008:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:0014:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:0014:00 - 17:30
Saturday08:00 - 17:00

4000 International Lane

+1 608 242 0600

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
I was refused service because the system didn't recognize my Real ID drivers license as valid. It's good enough to fly but not rent a car?!

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
I was denied my rental because both of my credit cards “did not have a UV watermark on it”. I have never heard of such a policy, and this was completely unclear to me prior to me booking the rental. I then asked my friend to pay for me because her card had this watermark, but was again denied since the card had to be in my name. So I thought I could book it in her name and add my license too it, but apparently, in order to add my license, they need to add my credit card as well, which, as described above, they apparently couldn’t take. So, I had no choice but to cancel my booking, call the third parter insurance provider to refund my policy plan, and now I am stuck in Madison, unable to return home for a fine print rule I never knew about. Or maybe I just don’t know how car rentals are supposed to work.

6.0 Okay

NFuller, Oct 2022

KAYAK
I got the bait and switch that rental car companies are notorious for. I rented a medium size 'premium' car and got a Toyota Corolla... a long shot from a premium brand or mid-size car. Secondly, I thought I was renting from the Madison Airport location, but it was actually the service center, about 1/2 mile off the airport. No offer from Avis to fix it, or give me a ride, even in a dirty returned car, to the other site. Luckily the weather was nice and I was not in a hurry, so the walk was enjoyable.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2023

Full-size

KAYAK
The pick-up location call to say they would be closed that day. So I had to go to a different location but they didn’t inform me they didn’t open one hour later then the original location. Had to sit around for an hour and got charged extra for airport avis fees. The car had a used glass pipe in the center console and the car smelled like smoke. So no one checked the car before it was given to me. I was already running late from the delay so didn’t have time to change cars.

8.0 Very Good

Lawrence, Feb 2023

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
I used MSN for the pick up location code when I booked the rental. When I got to the Madison airport, the AVIS desk, I was told that was for an AVIS location a mile away. The agent said I could pick it up at the airport, and not the location a mile away, but it would cost $130 more. It was just too much trouble to figure out how to get to the other location so I paid the extra $130. The car was fine, the agent was fine. I was very unhappy about the mix-up on where to pick up the car.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Dec 2021

KAYAK
Terrible - Avis tried to add $113 on to the total rental charge. Didn't take the car at their price.

1 out of 3

Thrifty

Cleanliness

2.0

Comfort

2.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

2.0

Value for money

2.0

One location in Madison

Locations in Madison

6514 Odana Road

+1 608 833 1118

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

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Nishanth, Aug 2023

Compact SUV

KAYAK
Firstly there is no Thrifty in Madison

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in Madison

Locations in Madison

4000 International Lane

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

VIPCars Recommendation

No score available yet

One location in Madison

Locations in Madison

4000 International Lane, Madison, , USA Wisconsin

+1 914 368 0091

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

140 travellers who rented a car in Madison gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.1

Car hire locations in or near Madison

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

When to book a car hire in Madison

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Madison car hire information

Pick-up locationMadison
Car types
Hire locations19
Airport locations8