Cheap Car Rental in Pittsburgh

Car Rental in Pittsburgh: A City of Historic Beauty

A trip to Pittsburgh is very rewarding. The city is known for being one of the most beautiful in the country due to its wide rivers and rolling hills, and there are plenty of historic things to see as well. In fact, Pittsburgh is a true slice of American history, having been a French fort in the 18th Century and then later a British fort. Pittsburgh has been through almost all of America`s changes and developments, and as a result the architecture and famous landmarks tell a well-varied story unlike anything you will find in other US cities. While Pittsburgh isn`t America`s only historic city, it does have a unique charm. Apart from Pittsburgh`s natural beauty and historic prowess, the city is perhaps best known for its fantastic food, drink and sports scene.

Best Time to Visit

The best times to visit Pittsburgh are the shoulder months of spring and fall. Winter can be quite cold, but as it is one of the snowiest major cities in the region winter time in Pittsburgh can be beautiful as well. If you plan a trip during winter, be sure to rent a car with snow tires and keep a set of tire chains in the trunk. Adversely, mid-summer can be quite hot and humid, which is weather that many enjoy but some find less than optimal. Spring and fall in Pittsburgh are perfect, as the weather is comfortable and there are many outdoor activities to do around the city.

Getting Around

Getting around in Pittsburgh is much easier with a car. It has to be said right off the bat. The way the city sits on a junction of two major rivers, means there are several bridges and tunnels involved in getting from Point A to point B. Public transportation can take a good deal of time depending on your route. The Allegany River and the Monongahela River meet in the center of the city to form the Ohio River and they divide the city into north, south, and east. Renting a car in Pittsburgh is the best way to take in the beauty of the city and get where you need to go in the most convenient way possible.

Car Rental Prices in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a fantastic place to rent a car while you are on the east coast. With prices as low as $30 per day, it is easy to see why so many people choose to rent a car in this great city.

• Kio Rio (economy class) - $32 per day
• Nissan Note (compact class) - $34 per day
• Hyundai Elantra (intermediate class) - $35 per day
• Chrysler 200 (standard class) - $36 per day
• Ford Fusion (fullsize class) - $39 per day

Dollar and Thrifty are both very affordable options when you are looking for quality at a low cost. Both companies have a large range of automobiles at different price points, and they are cheaper than much of the competition. Other companies are also good choices, however, as they offer a few more extras.

The Best Way to Rent a Car Cheap in Pittsburgh

The best way to save on car rentals in Pittsburgh is to book your car for at least one week, and to book during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. In mid-summer, the prices for cars rented for one week are $10 more per day than those rented for the same period in mid-winter. In spring and fall, you find that car rental companies offer a further discount of approximately $10 per day for cars rented for one week.

Renting for shorter periods – such as one day rentals – brings higher rates at all times throughout the year, but increases are steepest in summer.

Renting from the airport is also very important as the prices are far cheaper than those at locations throughout the city.

Travel Tips – General Rules

Driving rules in the United States can look fairly similar from state to state, but when you look a little closer you will notice that each state has their own set of driving laws. Pennsylvania is no different, and there are a few important things to note before renting a car in Pittsburgh.

1. The speed limits in Pennsylvania are varied. On small, residential streets in built-up areas, the limit is usually set at around 35 mph. On small highways or country roads, the limit is around 55 mph, and on major highways it is 65-75 mph.
2. As a general rule, going five miles an hour over the posted limit is not a very big problem, and comes with a small punishment. More than five mph over, though, will bring higher fines.
3. If you are planning a short trip to Pennsylvania, there is no need to obtain an international license. All other licenses are accepted within the state for up to one year.

Headlights need to be on 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise. Headlights must also be on any time it is raining.