Car hire in Bellingham, United States

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Save big on car hire in Bellingham

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Choose from 10 pick-up spots

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Bellingham?

Our data shows that December is the cheapest month to rent a car in Bellingham. It’s around $165 per day in December, compared to the yearly average of $165 per day.
Cheapest month avgDecember • $165
Yearly avg price$165

Select your Bellingham pick-up location

There are 10 car hire providers in Bellingham. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Bellingham

Avis
Dollar diamond
Hertz
National
Budget
Thrifty

What's the most popular car to hire in Bellingham?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Hyundai Venue is the most popular car to hire in Bellingham, with prices starting from $86 per day. The Nissan Rogue and similar models are also popular drives in Bellingham.
Hyundai Venue
Hyundai Venue19% chose this
Nissan Rogue
Nissan Rogue19% chose this
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla13% chose this
Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Equinox7% chose this
Most popular carHyundai Venue
Why?Small, practical, easy to park

Bellingham's cheapest car hire providers

Alamo has the cheapest car hire in Bellingham right now, with prices from $86 per day. You'll save an average of $88 per day when you book with them.
Alamofrom $86 per day
Budgetfrom $155 per day
Thriftyfrom $173 per day
Nationalfrom $193 per day
Cheapest providerAlamo
Book with them to save around$88 per day

Hiring a car in Bellingham: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyAvis
Most popular carCompact, Crossover
Average daily price$125
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Bellingham

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Bellingham car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Bellingham

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Bellingham and get going for around $125 a day. From solo rides to family outings, we'll find the right wheels for whatever you have planned.

  • The cheapest daily rental price in Bellingham is $86.

  • Planning a longer trip and want to explore beyond the usual highlights? $602 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.

  • Consider this your cheat code for when to book. Around two weeks in advance is when you're most likely to find the best price on a Bellingham car hire.

  • Check out the offers available with Hertz, Enterprise and Budget. They're among the top-rated providers in the city.

  • The coverage Hertz or another supplier includes with your Bellingham car hire can vary, so always check the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will apply a surcharge for it.

  • Booking one-way could snag you a bargain on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved between sites. Simply click 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in Bellingham.

  • Avoid any unexpected charges by choosing a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.

  • Want to explore freely without stressing about the number of miles you cover? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra fees.

Best value car hire options right now

  • The best value can be found with this company, with average prices at $159 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around $220, [this provider](this provider) comes in next.

  • The third option also helps keep your travel costs low. Expect to pay roughly $219 a day for one of their rentals.

  • After a car that makes sense for most travel plans? The Compact rental category is the top choice for travellers visiting Bellingham.

Flying to Bellingham? Think about an airport pick-up

  • If you're flying into Bellingham, hit the road sooner by picking up a car hire at Bellingham Airport. The drive from this airport to the city centre is around 10 kilometres and takes about 15 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Bellingham

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Bellingham gives you the freedom to explore for less. These compact, fuel-efficient rides are excellent for city driving and short trips.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, space and comfort. Easy to handle in traffic and roomy enough for longer drives, they're well-suited to most travel needs.

  • Large: Offering greater driving comfort and enhanced tech features, this Bellingham car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and take everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV is ready to roll. It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for highways, backroads, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also come with extra space and improved safety features.

  • Van: Featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Bellingham takes heavy loads and larger groups in its stride. They're tough, dependable, and ready to tackle whatever task lies ahead.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Bellingham car hire can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of theft or an accident. Insurance policies can vary from one provider to another, so take the time to shop around.

  • From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can make all the difference. Consider which features will help you make the most of your trip when you rent a car in Bellingham.

Good to know

  • You generally have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in the United States. Being younger isn't always a deal-breaker — just be ready for a few added rules or costs. Check the suppliers' terms and conditions before you book.

  • If you're bringing the kids along, check if you need to add a child car seat to your Bellingham car hire reservation. Whether required by local laws or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to ride.

  • You'll be asked to provide some documents when collecting your car. As a rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with room for the security deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and additional photo ID. Your booking will confirm exactly what's required.

  • Driving in the United States may take some getting used to if it's your first time. Keep in mind you'll need to stick to the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits may vary, but it's normally around 40kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways. Always go with what's posted on the road signs.

  • In the United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you think you'll be drinking, pass the keys to someone else or find an alternative way to get around.

  • One of the busiest times to be out on the roads in this destination is around 5pm. Make things easy by driving outside rush hours in general.

  • You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) here. In addition to your credit and debit cards, consider bringing some cash for minor purchases.

Best hotels in Bellingham for drivers

  • Spend less time looking for a parking spot and more time relaxing at Oxford Suites Bellingham. About 5 kilometres from central Bellingham, it comes with parking, a lounge and luggage storage.

  • Home2 Suites by Hilton Bellingham Airport gets things right with accessible parking and features like air conditioning and a laundry. It's roughly 5 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Need more ideas for your trip? Browse the selection of hotels in Bellingham. You can refine your search with the filters — try 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' If you're driving electric, you can select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter too.

  • You're ready to make some memories now you've locked in a car hire deal in Bellingham and your hotel. From Marine Life Centre to Whatcom Falls Park and Lake Padden, you'll never run out of things to do here.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Bellingham

  • Navigate your way to Everett. Around 88 kilometres south of central Bellingham, you'll find must-see sights like Imagine Children's Museum and Hibulb Lookout.

  • They've got hospitality down to a fine art at Sunrise Inn and Extended Stay America Suites - Seattle - Everett - North, two accommodation options with parking in Everett.

  • Alternatively, find your way to Marysville after picking up your cheap car hire in Bellingham. It's roughly 80 kilometres south and packs in attractions like Jennings Nature Park.

  • Relax after a day out and about in Marysville at Hampton Inn Seattle/Everett Downtown or Red Lion Inn & Suites Everett. These hotels are a good choice for guests bringing their own car.

  • Want to head even further out? Bellevue is a top road trip destination that's around 129 kilometres south of Bellingham. Make a few pit stops at Lake Sammamish and Mercer Slough Nature Park.

  • The only thing calling your name now is a bed. Hilton Bellevue and Sonesta Select Seattle Bellevue Redmond have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Bellevue.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Bellingham will set you back around $125 per day or $1,020 per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Bellingham is a compact crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Compact, Crossover.

The cheapest car hire companies in Bellingham are currently Turo and Avis.

Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Bellingham is currently December.

On average, around $1,020. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Bellingham is $602.

If you're looking for freedom to explore Bellingham, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Bellingham that have free cancellation

Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.

Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Bellingham.

Most places – Bellingham included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 

The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $155 per day. The average price per day is around $319.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Avis, Dollar diamond and Hertz offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Avis as the best overall in terms of experience.

We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Bellingham.