Car rental prices at Richmond International Airport

Richmond International Airport car hire costs around $74 a day for an Intermediate, the Volkswagen Jetta size, if you book around a month before an October 2026 trip. An Economy car like the Mitsubishi Mirage averages $59 a day, while a Fullsize Chevrolet Malibu runs to about $80. Waiting until the last 2 weeks drops the Intermediate to $65. Across the year, prices swing between $62 a day in November 2026 for an Economy and $120 in June 2027 for a larger car, so our price checker will give you exact rates for your dates.

For October 2026 at Richmond International Airport, booking around a month before your trip averages $74 a day for an Intermediate car, or $65 in the last 2 weeks. Booking 9 months before your trip averages $78 across the year, so you have missed nothing if you are booking late. When you book barely moves the price at Richmond International Airport, with only a 6% spread across booking windows. Across the 395 airports we track car hire prices for, 48% of our customers book within 14 days of pickup.

Budget is the cheapest company at Richmond International Airport for an Intermediate car, averaging $55 a day over the last 12 months from 1,860 prices. Avis is the next step up at $59 a day and scores 83/100 from 1,249 reviews, while Budget does not yet have enough reviews for a score. All 7 suppliers are located directly at the airport terminal. To take Budget's $55 rate you must hold a credit card, as its counter does not accept 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 Richmond International Airport, scoring 92/100 from 279 reviews with an average desk wait of 24 minutes. Alamo follows closely with 91/100 from 1,450 reviews and a 23-minute wait. National is the priciest supplier on offer at $102 a day, whereas the cheapest option, Budget at $55 a day, does not yet have enough reviews for a score. If you want a shorter queue, Hertz averages a 14-minute wait and scores 85/100.

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 Richmond International Airport, deposits on your card range from $200 with Budget to $299 with Avis, and none of the 7 rental companies accept debit cards unconditionally. 5 of the 7 desks refuse debit cards entirely and demand a credit card, while Hertz and Dollar accept a debit card for some cars only. The deposit and card rule for each vehicle appear beside it in the results, so filter for debit card before comparing prices. Extras charged at the desk 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.

The main catch at Richmond International Airport is paying at the desk, where 5 of the 7 counters reject debit cards entirely. Budget, Alamo, Avis, National, and Enterprise require a credit card in the main driver's name, leaving debit card holders reliant on Hertz or Dollar where debit is accepted only on select models. Desk queues can also delay motorway travel, with National averaging 24 minutes and Alamo 23 minutes. If you arrive expecting to use a debit card, you will likely spend more time negotiating at the counter than driving down the interstate.

Only 50% of prices at Richmond International Airport are full tank out, full tank back, so read the fuel line under the car before you book.

For general driving, pick an Intermediate car like the Volkswagen Jetta at Richmond International Airport, which averages $74 a day booked a month ahead for October 2026. It seats 5 people and holds 4 bags, making it a comfortable fit for interstate travel between business meetings. Stepping down to a Compact Nissan Versa costs the same $74 but takes 3 bags, while an Economy Mitsubishi Mirage costs $59 but holds only 2 bags. 100% of cars offered are automatic, so you get an automatic without paying extra, while electric and hybrid options are absent from the fleet.