Car rental in Philadelphia
Our top branches in Philadelphia
Our services at Philadelphia
Hire a Car in Philadelphia
Philadelphia – home to the Liberty Bell and authentic Philly cheesesteaks – offers visitors a unique blend of American history and modern culture. A car hire gives you the freedom to explore this historic East Coast city at your leisure, whether you're interested in colonial heritage or visiting for work commitments.
SIXT operates multiple locations throughout Philadelphia, including Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and branches nearer to the city centre. Our fleet features premium vehicles at competitive rates, backed by excellent customer service to ensure your journey starts smoothly.
Driving Tips in Philadelphia
Every destination has its own road culture and regulations. Here are essential tips for navigating Philadelphia in your car rental:
- Speed regulations: City streets maintain 35 mph speed limits, while highways permit speeds of up to 65 mph.
- Emergency protocol: Pennsylvania law prohibits photographing or filming within 150 metres of accident scenes. Reduce speed when approaching emergency vehicles or construction areas.
- Toll motorways: The Pennsylvania Turnpike serves as Philadelphia's primary toll route and experiences heavy congestion during peak commuting times.
- Narrow one-way streets: Philadelphia's one-way streets can be quite tight. Pay close attention to directional signage to avoid driving the wrong way.
- Weather conditions: Rain occurs throughout the year in Philadelphia, so be prepared for wet road surfaces in any season.
These practical tips will help you navigate confidently, whether you're driving from New York to Philadelphia or exploring the local area.
Best places to visit in and around Philadelphia
Having your own vehicle in Philadelphia means you control your schedule and can discover the city's highlights at your own pace:
- Independence National Historical Park: This significant park houses America's most treasured historical landmarks. Walk through Liberty Hall, visit the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and view the iconic Liberty Bell.
- Reading Terminal Market: For authentic Philly cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches, this market is unmissable. Situated in downtown's centre, it's easily accessible by car and offers convenient parking options nearby.
- Washington, D.C. day excursion: America's capital lies approximately 2.5 hours' drive south. The city features impressive monuments, world-class museums, and the opportunity to see the heart of American government.
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What our customers are saying
*Our Customer Excitement Score is based on a survey sent to all customers who booked in Philadelphia. The score is an average of all customer responses.
Good to know when renting in Philadelphia
If your plans are up in the air, don’t stress. When you choose the “pay later” option you can cancel your booking at any time, for free.
Debit cards are accepted at some SIXT branches with 2 forms of government-issued ID. Check with the branch before booking for their payment policies. Major credit cards are accepted at all locations.
The minimum age to rent a car with SIXT is 21, and an underage driver fee will be charged to those under 25. Some larger and specialty car categories require drivers to be 25.
Yes. SIXT places a temporary hold on your credit card at pickup for the amount of the deposit. For payments with debit cards, please refer to our rental information for more details about deposits. The amount depends on the location and vehicle. Please check for more details on payment information in this article.
In the U.S., generally a minimum of $200 will be charged to the payment method for security purposes. The deposit for high-value vehicles may be higher. Non-airport locations in Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Illinois have higher minimum authorization amounts. Additional details on the deposit can be found in this article.
Reservations are by vehicle category (“or similar”), not by an exact model. When a "guaranteed model" option is shown for your dates and location, selecting it reserves that specific model. Otherwise, you’ll receive a comparable car in the same group with similar size and performance subject to availability.
The exact mileage policy for your booking is shown during the reservation process, so you’ll know what’s included before pickup.
Vehicles rented at most SIXT locations in the contiguous United States may be driven throughout the contiguous states. Travel into Canada must be in accordance with our geographical restrictions, which can be found in our rental information. Travel to Mexico is not allowed. If you drive outside authorized areas, a fee of $0.50 per mile will apply.
All renters and authorized drivers must present a valid, unexpired, original driver’s license at the time of rental. Renters with a non-U.S. driver's license may also need to provide a valid passport or other government-issued ID. Licenses in non-Roman alphabets (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic) must be accompanied by an international driver’s license. If the license is from a country not in the international driver’s license treaty, an official translation is required. See our rental information for full driver’s license and age requirements.
