Car rental prices at Houston Airport

At Houston Airport, an Intermediate car like the Volkswagen Jetta typically costs around $70 a day when booked about a month before an October 2026 trip. An Economy car like the Mitsubishi Mirage averages $61 a day, while a Compact car like the Nissan Versa runs to $71. Leaving your booking to the last 2 weeks edges the Intermediate to $73. November 2026 was the cheapest month overall at $71 a day for an Economy car, while May 2027 reached $120 for an executive model. Check the price checker for your exact dates.

For October 2026 at Houston Airport, holding off pays: booking late saves about 40%, with daily rates dropping from $101 around 9 months before your trip to $73 in the last 2 weeks. For October 2026 specifically, an Intermediate car is $70 a day about a month before your trip and $73 around 2 weeks before pickup. Across the 395 airports we track car hire prices for, 48% of our customers book within 14 days of travel. If you have not reserved yet, you have not missed the lowest rates.

Budget is the cheapest company at Houston Airport for an Intermediate car, averaging $59 a day over the last 12 months from 1,872 prices. Going with Budget means you cannot use a debit card for the deposit, though the desk is at the airport and averages a 9-minute wait. National scores 92/100 from 279 reviews and takes debit cards, but averages $104 a day across 3,507 prices. Thrifty is the closest step up at $61 a day and also accepts debit cards.

The cheapest company can cost you a longer queue or a bigger deposit, so check the review score and desk wait beside each car in the results before you book.

National is the best-reviewed company at Houston Airport, scoring 92/100 from 279 reviews, with an average counter wait of 24 minutes. National averages $104 a day over the last 12 months for an Intermediate car, like a Toyota Corolla. Budget charges $59 a day for the same size and scores 79/100 from 37 reviews, with a 9-minute wait. Alamo has 24 ratings, but does not yet have enough reviews for a score.

Review scores are CarTrawler customers' own, from the last five months; the score and the desk wait sit beside each car in the results.

At Houston Airport, card deposits range from $200 with Budget or Sixt to $299 with Avis, and 4 of the 9 companies accept a debit card. Another 3 companies take a debit card for some cars only, while 2 require a credit card. Filter for debit card payment in the results before comparing rates so you only see vehicles you can secure. Extras charged at the counter are listed under each car with their price.

If you bring your own child seat, check your airline's rules first: most carry one free, some charge.

Unexpected card rules and counter waits that reach 24 minutes cause the main problems for car hire at Houston Airport. While all 9 counters sit on-site, 2 refuse debit cards entirely and 3 accept them only on selected models. Queue times also vary across providers: Thrifty averages 5 minutes, but choosing the highest-rated supplier can leave you standing in line for 24 minutes. Bring a credit card in the lead driver's name to avoid being stranded before you leave the terminal.

Only 51% of prices at Houston Airport are full tank out, full tank back, so read the fuel line under the car before you book.

An Intermediate car like the Volkswagen Jetta is typical at Houston Airport, costing around $70 a day for October 2026. It seats 5 passengers and takes 4 bags, which gives you the boot space needed when driving between distant parts of the city. Stepping down to a Compact like the Nissan Versa seats 5 but takes 3 bags at $71 a day, while a Fullsize like the Chevrolet Malibu seats 6 with 4 bags for $82. Every car offered is automatic at no extra charge, and none are electric or hybrid.