Car rentals in Ithaca, New York State

There are parking locations throughout the city with a couple in downtown, such as downtown garage parking, Cayuga Street Parking, and Seneca Street Parking, which make car rentals in Ithaca worthwhile. Traffic in the city is manageable most days, but if you find heavy traffic on highways, you can try your luck on state streets like NY 79 to take you to your location. There are quite a few bordering cities that are car rental worthy, especially with an economy car rental or a luxury car rental in Ithaca. One such nearby city is Rochester, where you can view High Falls, learn photography and visit museums, such as the Eastman Museum & Mansion. Ithaca is extremely walkable with foot-friendly sidewalks, particularly downtown, where you can visit sites like Tompkins Country Heritage & Cultural Center. For a scenic walk, make downtown Ithaca with its scenic neighborhoods part of your tour.

Bearing in mind the different driving laws can prevent unwanted troubles. For one, speed limits in Ithaca are measured in miles per hour. There are specific speed limits on highways and street roads that vary from the roads near parks and other recreational buildings. Distractive driving, such as driving while texting or holding your phone, is strictly illegal. On the other hand, driving under the influence can attract hefty fines, if not legal problems, so ensure not to go over the legal blood alcohol limit while driving. For real-time updates, check with Ithaca’s department of motor vehicles for recent law changes.

Not to worry, New York and the city of Ithaca recognize foreign driver’s licenses. Suppose you’re from a non-English speaking country and want car rentals in Ithaca like an electric car rental or economy car rental. In that case, you may need to accompany your country’s license with an International Driver’s Permit to be eligible for them. It’s best to have automobile insurance, which you can always purchase from your car rental agency. Permanently moving to Ithaca will require that you exchange your license for a permanent New York State License. Bring with you documents to prove your visa status, current driver’s license, and other proof of identity.

To rent a car for a weekend in Ithaca in January, the average price was $55 with cheaper deals starting around $40. For a one-week car rental, Ithaca prices in January average $54 with the best deals starting at $47.

The majority of car rental agencies in Ithaca offer free cancellation. momondo will always tell you whether or not rental car centers such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget, and Avis have a cancellation fee for travelers who have last-minute itinerary changes.

Based on the weather in Ithaca during the month of January, you should rent an SUV. Ithaca in January typically sees, on average, 2″ of precipitation with an average temperature of 24.8 °F. Although the weather may vary from year to year, renting an SUV is your best bet because it can maneuver through snow and ice thanks to the AWD feature. Renting a SUV in Ithaca will cost you $113/day on average.

If you are renting a vehicle in Ithaca, then be aware that the current speed limit within city or town limits is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted. Suburban speed limits around Ithaca will generally have a speed limit of 75 mph. If you are traveling on a highway in Ithaca, then the speed limit is 75 mph.

During the month of December the average temperature in Ithaca is 28.4 °F and the expected precipitation is 2.4″. This information is useful for travelers looking for a car rental in Ithaca.

Travelers looking to leave from Ithaca on a road trip around New York or the surrounding areas during the month of December should expect temperatures around 32 °F and about 3.2″ of possible rain through the month.

Prices for cars in Ithaca refresh daily.

As of December 2023, there are 15 operators available to choose from for cars in Ithaca.

Among different countries, including Ithaca, the minimum age for drivers varies. In numerous EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. To hire a car overseas, you'll generally need to be at least 21, and if you're under 25, a young driver surcharge may be imposed. It's recommended that you review the policy of the rental company you're considering before booking.

When renting a car in Ithaca, all drivers must present a full valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is required if the driving license is written in a language different to that of the country of rental and may be necessary to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you are renting abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend checking with the individual rental company you are booking with.