Cheap Car Rental at Philadelphia International Airport from $51 - FREE Cancellation | Discover Cars (2024)

PHL is a hub for American Airlines and it is, therefore, the main airline at the airport with two entire terminals for its exclusive use. The airport serves as the main base for American flights in the Northeast and transatlantic flights.

American receives competition from other domestic airlines like Delta, and United, but its primary competitor is the low-cost airline Southwest. At the same time, Philadelphia is a focus city for Frontier Airlines. jetBlue and Spirit, two other low-cost airlines, also have flights from and to the airport.

Major international airlines at the airport include Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, Icelandair, and Qatar Airlines.

PHL has six terminals with a total of 126 gates. Terminal A is the international terminal. All non-precleared international flights arrive at this terminal. American Airlines also has some domestic flights in the terminal.

Terminals B and C, which are connected, are used exclusively by American Airlines.

Terminal D hosts the other major domestic airlines (Alaska, Delta, and United) along with Air Canada. It is connected to terminals B and C after security.

Terminal E is the low-cost terminal. This is where you will arrive if flying with Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, or Spirit.

Finally, Terminal F is the airport’s regional terminal and is home to American Eagle. The terminal is unique in that it has special jet bridges allowing passengers to board small regional planes without having to walk on the tarmac.

• Convertibles - from $140 per day
• Large cars - from $51 per day
• Medium cars - from $55 per day
• Vans - from $119 per day
• Premium cars - from $89 per day
• Small cars - from $55 per day
• SUVs - from $53 per day

Unfortunately, the car rental desks at PHL are not inside nor across from the terminal. Each rental company provides its own shuttle for its customers. These shuttles pick up customers from the Commercial Road which can be reached by walking outside of the airport in the baggage claim area and crossing the car road.

Note that Thrifty and Sixt are located just outside the airport and the shuttles take a little more time to reach their rental locations.

PHL is a modern, international airport with all of the facilities and services a traveler would expect of such and more.

Ther airport has many different services for passengers. These include free wifi throughout the terminals along with many charging points, pet relief areas, nursing areas for mothers, 17 ATMs, and currency exchanges, though you are, as always, better off taking out money out of an ATM or bringing it from your home country. The most unique service offered at PHL is the Minute Suites where you can book a room to work, relax, or sleep in by the hour. This is a great option if your flight is delayed or you arrive at the airport early. A Marriot Hotel can be found at the airport along with a few other hotels just outside of the airport’s territory that offer free shuttles. This is helpful if you need to return a rental the night before an early morning flight.

Lounges include four different American Airlines Admirals Clubs, British Airways Galleries Lounge in Terminal A, Delta Sky Club in Terminal d, and United Club between Terminals C and D. In addition to these, there is a USO lounge for members of the military and their families. You can find this lounge in Terminal A.

Finally, you won’t go hungry or thirsty at PHL. Various dining options can be found throughout all of the terminals. These range from fast-food chains to restaurants with table service. Coffee shops and bars are readily available in all terminals, too.

Which gas station at which it is best to fill up prior to returning your rental car at the airport depends on which direction you are coming from. If approaching from the north, a Wawa station on Bartram Ave. is probably your best bet for filling up before returning your rental. Unfortunately, exiting I-95 to reach it is difficult. You must exit as if you are going to the airport, but instead, take exit 12B to SR 291. If you don’t want to make this circle, you can pass the airport and stop at one of the stations mentioned below.

If approaching from the south, for instance from Wilmington, you should exit I-95 at exit 9A onto State Route 420 in Essington. You will almost immediately reach Route 291, Industrial Highway. If you turn right, there is a Sunoco Station. From there, you could return to I-95 or continue along Industrial Highway to the airport. Farther down Industrial Highway is a Valero station, though it is on the side of the road heading away from the airport, and a Pacific Pride Station, which though not a popular brand, is the most convenient station.