Introduction
If you are looking to rent a car before your cruise from Port Canaveral, which rental car company with a FREE shuttle should you use?
Car Rental Companies with offices near Port Canaveral
Clearly, you must book with a company that offers return (drop-off) services near the Port as well as a free shuttle to your cruise terminal. Here are the rental car companies near Port Canaveral as shown on the map below:
- Budget – free shuttle – visit local website
- Avis – free shuttle – visit local website
- Enterprise – free shuttle – visit local website
- National – free shuttle – visit local website
- Alamo – free shuttle – visit local website
Enterprise – National – Alamo shares a building very close to Port Canaveral.
The map shows the locations and the cruise terminals. Clearly, if you want to minimize shuttle time then Enterprise-National-Alamo is the best choice thanks to its proximity to the port. But Budget and Avis are close enough (less than 4 miles and about 10 minutes) so the distance from the Port is not a major factor when choosing a rental car company.
Insider Tip – If you are fit and able with minimum luggage, it is an easy 0.6-mile walk from Cruise Terminal 1 to Enterprise-National-Alamo! You do not have to wait for a shuttle!
Shuttle Vans at Port Canaveral
The car rental companies use similar shuttle vans and those are wrapped or signed for easy identification (see photos below). Sometimes rental car companies use smaller, standard-looking shuttle vans so also look for a small sign on the side instead of a colorfully wrapped vehicle.
Each cruise terminal has a dedicated parking area for rental car shuttle vans and it is easy to find if you follow the signage.
Insider Tip – It may be more convenient (and time-efficient) to drop your passengers and luggage at the cruise terminal BEFORE heading to the rental car office to return your vehicle! Lines can be long and seating space is limited. It helps if there is only one of you instead of a family of 6!
Shuttles to the Port – The first rental car shuttle buses depart between 10 am and 10:30 am pending the number of bookings and cruise terminal policies. Wait times depend on the number of cruise ships in port and the time of day. 11 am to 1 pm is the peak for drop-offs. Expect to wait about 15 minutes between shuttles and a drive time of 10 minutes or less. Your shuttle may stop at several terminals during the route when not busy. If you drop off before 10 am you will be on one of the first shuttles to the cruise terminal.
Insider Tip – Do not arrive too early at the rental car offices on cruise day! You then have to wait a long time for the first shuttle because they do not depart until the terminals are open for boarding.
Shuttles from the Port – The rental car vans will be waiting in the designated parking areas and you can board as soon as you clear customs. Expect to wait about 15 minutes between shuttles.
BUDGET
Location Name – Port Canaveral Shuttle Service (CC5). This is the name to use as a drop-off/pick-up destination. It is for cruise passengers only because CC5 includes a FREE shuttle to/from the cruise terminals! Note – If you use another location name you will not be able to board the shuttle!
Hours – Typically Sun 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Please call to make sure because hours change depending on cruise ship sailings.
Contact – 321-784-0634, 8401 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral
After Hours Drop Box – No. This important. You MUST return your rental car during office hours!
Membership – Fastbreak is available but you must identify yourself at the service counter.
Notes – This is a very busy office because Budget is known for very competitive rates. Be prepared to wait in line and give yourself enough time on cruise day!
AVIS
Location Name – Cape Canaveral (Y6C). This is the name to use as a drop-off/pick-up destination. It is for cruise passengers only because Y6C includes a FREE shuttle to/from the cruise terminals! Note – If you use another location name you will not be able to board the shuttle!
Hours – Typically Sun 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Please call to make sure because hours change depending on cruise ship sailings.
Contact – 321-783-3643, 6650 North Atlantic Avenue, Cape Canaveral
After Hours Drop Box – Yes. Place the keys in the Drop Box near the front door.
Membership – Avis Preferred is available but you must identify yourself at the service counter.
Notes – This office is efficient and in general, lines are shorter. A good option if you hate waiting in line!
ENTERPRISE – NATIONAL – ALAMO
Location Name – Port Canaveral. This is the name to use as a drop-off/pick-up destination. It is for cruise passengers only because it includes a FREE shuttle to/from the cruise terminals! Note – If you use another location name you will not be able to board the shuttle!
Hours – Typically open on cruise days ONLY from 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Please call to make sure because hours change depending on cruise ship sailings.
Contact – 321-866-0324, 710 Mullet Rd, Cape Canaveral
After Hours Drop Box – Yes. Place the keys in the Drop Box near the front door.
Membership – Enterprise Plus, National Emerald, and Alamo Insider services are available but you must identify yourself at the service counters.
Notes – This office is busy but efficient and nearest to the cruise terminals therefore with faster rides to the cruise terminals and within 0.6 miles walking distance to/from Terminal 1.
YouTube Video of the rental car companies
A 2024 update is in the works but much of the content in this video is still valid! Note – Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty offices are currently closed.
Related Articles
Please check in often for new articles and links to videos with regard to Rental Cars at Port Canaveral and nearby airports such as Orlando, Stanford, and Melbourne.