Budget Car Rental Introduce
Operating directly out of the consolidated PHX Rental Car Center, Budget serves as a full-service **car rental agency** and **van rental agency**. This means they stock everything from fuel-efficient economy cars perfect for navigating Phoenix traffic to spacious SUVs for desert road trips, and passenger vans for large family outings to attractions like the Grand Canyon or Sedona. The convenience factor is immense, as the company operates with an emphasis on speed and accessibility, offering services like the Fastbreak membership to minimize counter wait times.
While the "Budget" name suggests low prices, it is important to note that airport locations often carry various surcharges. Customers often report a range of experiences, from seamless pick-ups thanks to good staffing and direct access, to significant wait times, even for Fastbreak members' spouses or other non-primary drivers. This location is best viewed as a **dependable, highly accessible, 24-hour service** option, complete with on-site services and special discounts for **active military personnel**, making it a strong choice for those who value national reliability and convenience upon landing in Phoenix.
The official address is: 1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA.
What makes this location stand out is its superior accessibility from the terminals:
- PHX Sky Train Access: Instead of relying on a less frequent shuttle bus, customers can take the **free and convenient Sky Train** directly from the airport terminals (Terminal 3 and Terminal 4) to the Rental Car Center building. This connection runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring quick transit regardless of your arrival time.
- 24/7 Availability: The airport location maintains **24-hour operating hours, seven days a week**, a critical feature for travelers arriving or departing on late-night or early-morning flights.
- Accessibility Features: The facility ensures that all customers are accommodated with a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and a **Wheelchair accessible parking lot** at the center.
- Onsite Service: Being located within the massive, consolidated Rental Car Center means all rental services are kept on-site, providing a central and professional environment for vehicle pick-up and drop-off.
- Standard Vehicle Rental: Offering a wide variety of car classes, including economy, compact, intermediate, standard, premium, and luxury vehicles suitable for all travel types, from business trips to extended family vacations.
- Van Rental Agency Services: Specializing in larger group transport, the location provides **van rental** options, including minivans and full-size passenger vans for up to 12 or 15 people, ideal for team travel or large family reunions.
- Onsite Services: All rental, paperwork, and vehicle management services are conducted directly at the modern Rental Car Center facility for streamlined transactions.
- Insurance Add-Ons: Customers can easily purchase **insurance add-ons** directly at the counter, which many travelers find to be a straightforward process without "pushy upselling," as reported in customer feedback.
- Flexible Payment Options: The agency accepts all major forms of payment, including **Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments**, making the payment process quick and adaptable to customer preferences.
- 24-Hour Operation: A major convenience that allows for **pick-up and drop-off at any time** of the day or night, essential for an international airport location.
- Fastbreak Membership: This loyalty program is designed to **significantly reduce wait times** at the counter. Fastbreak members typically receive an expedited service, allowing them to flash their license, grab the keys, and bypass long lines.
- Direct Sky Train Access: Uniquely, the location is connected to the airport terminals via the **free PHX Sky Train**, eliminating the need for a separate, often slower, shuttle bus ride to an off-site facility.
- Active Military Discounts: Budget is proud to offer special rates and discounts for **active military personnel**, veterans, and their families, a notable benefit for the military community visiting Arizona.
- Clear Pricing & No Pushy Upselling: While final pricing can vary, the reported experience often highlights a clear transaction process with a lack of aggressive upselling tactics, allowing customers to easily add necessary **insurance coverages** without pressure.
Address: 1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA (Located within the PHX Rental Car Center)
Phone: (602) 261-5950
Mobile Phone: +1 602-261-5950
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours, 7 days a week.
The single biggest selling point is the location’s integration with the **PHX Sky Train**. The ability to move directly from baggage claim to the Rental Car Center in minutes, without waiting for a shuttle bus, is an undeniable time-saver for anyone arriving after a long flight or needing to return the car for an early departure. Furthermore, the 24-hour operation ensures that you are covered regardless of flight delays. The availability of **Fastbreak membership** is another powerful incentive, as it is designed to bypass the main desk line, offering a rapid, "flash your license and go" experience for its members.
However, prospective renters should be aware that, as a major airport brand, the pricing may not always feel as "budget-conscious" as the name implies, especially during peak travel times. Furthermore, a persistent customer concern revolves around **long wait times** at the counter for non-Fastbreak customers or when membership benefits, such as those for a spouse, are not automatically applied. Therefore, if you are a local user in Arizona, or a visitor planning a trip:
- Do choose Budget if you value the **24-hour service**, the **Fastbreak program**, and the **direct Sky Train connection** to save significant time and ensure flexibility.
- Do choose Budget if you qualify for the **active military discount**, providing valuable savings for service personnel and veterans.
- Do not choose Budget without considering joining **Fastbreak**. Customer feedback clearly indicates that relying on the standard queue, especially during busy arrival periods, can lead to extended waits that put a serious damper on the start of your Arizona trip.
Budget Car Rental Details
Service options
- Onsite services
Highlights
- Active military discounts
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Budget Car Rental Photos










Budget Car Rental Location
Budget Car Rental
1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Budget Car Rental Reviews
PHXcounterprepaidcheckupsellfastbreakroadside assistanceparking garagechevybudget constraints
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1🚗💼✈️ Most airport car rental agencies feel pretty interchangeable, and this one’s no exception. My only concern was that the pricing wasn’t as "budget-conscious" as it could’ve been, especially given how quiet the location was. On the plus side, there was no pushy upselling, easy insurance add-ons, and it was well-staffed for quick in-and-out service. Best of all, the location doesn’t require a shuttle — just hop on the Sky Train from the main terminals and you’re there in minutes.
October 13 · Harrison C. DaviesEvery. Single. Time. It’s at least one hour to pick up our car no matter the time of day! So annoying. This time it happened to be 1 hour and 35 minutes to get up to the desk. To top things off, I am a fastbreak member but apparently that doesn’t apply to spouses, thus the wait! I love coming to visit my son in AZ, but I always dread the rental car wait time. It never fails to put a damper on my mood.
October 13 · KM HRented a jeep for a week. It took 45 minutes just to get my keys. I got my car and it smelled a bit like smoke. I thought if I drove with the windows down it would go away. It didn’t and got worse. I called and they said to take it to nearest budget to exchange. I was an hour from the airport so I tried one closer to my location. They don’t have any and referred me to one 10 minutes away. They don’t have any. They referred me to another location. I asked them to call to confirm before I drove again. Reluctantly, he did so. They didn’t have one. I called customer service and relayed my experience and they said they found one 20 minutes away and would let them know I was coming. Nope, they didn’t have one. Posted off now, I called and they issued me a credit of $121 to just keep the car and smell like smoke. I finally returned the car and they didn’t apply the credit. I am on the phone now and they said the notes only gave me a $60 credit. After haggling she said she could give me $90. Now I am haggling with the manager. Awful experience and waste of time. Never again!!
October 09 · Chad ChandlerOne of the worst rental experiences ever. The counter agent was extremely pushy and persistent about me getting extra coverage on the vehicle. I advised her my AMEX card came with its own rental insurance and I did not need any. She continued to persist. I told her fine, “I’ll take the basic lowest price coverage”Upon review of my final receipt, to my surprise not only did she pressure me for unneeded coverage but she charged me for Full coverage 42.99 a day the highest price possible.The first vehicle I was assigned the oil light was on. The second vehicle I was given in exchange the sun visor was broke. The Wagoneer symbol was broken off the side and scratches and dings all over the vehicle.In short horrible customer service and unmaintained fleet. I will never rent from PHX budget again, and I would never recommend them to anyone!
August 03 · alicia dealsAbsolutely the WORST customer service in the world!!! I picked up a car at phoenix airport last night - which that itself took 1.5 hours and was a disaster. When I went to the spot they told me it was a different car rented to someone else. They switched the car out and I left - as I get on the freeway an alarm is going off- the tire pressure is low in one tire. It’s after midnight and my girls are exhausted becusee it took forever to get the car. We get to the hotel and this morning try to put air in the fire which is now down to 10psi. There’s a piece of metal in the tire. I call budget they say go the to location near the hotel. I go they say they have no cars and can’t help me. That I had to drive to phoenix. I can’t drive I have a bad tire. I call again. They tell me to call roadside assistance - they want to charge me $390. I call budget again. They tell me they can’t do anything and they will make a case and reimburse me if they charge me . Af this point I have to take an Uber to get my daughter to her rehearsal. NOBODY WILL DO ANYTHING AND THEY GAVE ME A BAD CAR. And I cannot drive it 30 minutes to swap it out! Absolutely insane!!!!! Don’t rent from them ever!!!!! Disgusting customer service. Someone should bring me a car and refund my cost and reimburse my Uber. I’ve never seen anything so horrific in my life.
October 03 · Tracie Acuña
More Car Rental Near Me
Avis Car Rental2.0 (4608 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Fox Rent A Car Phoenix Airport2.0 (4396 reviews)Please Go To Fox Counter, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Goldcar1.0 (1 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Alamo Rent A Car4.0 (5331 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Enterprise Rent-A-Car4.0 (10536 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
National Car Rental4.0 (7509 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Thrifty Car Rental - Phoenix - Sky Harbor International Airport2.0 (1656 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S Intl Ap, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Phoenix Airport Rental Car Center4.0 (17948 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise2.0 (17 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
SIXT Rent a Car Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport4.0 (6765 reviews)Rental Car Center, 1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Payless Car Rental2.0 (1530 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Hertz Car Rental - Phoenix - Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)3.0 (3038 reviews)1805 E Sky Harbor Cir S, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites
Enterprise Rent-A-Car4.0 (349 reviews)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car4.0 (275 reviews)
Hertz Car Rental - Allentown - Lehigh Street3.0 (70 reviews)
Uber Accessible Rides3.0 (7 reviews)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car4.0 (218 reviews)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car4.0 (260 reviews)Trending Car Rental Blog Posts
How to Rent a Car as a Young Driver in the U.S.: Age Restrictions & Cost Tips
Understanding Collision Damage Waivers: Are They Really Necessary?
7 Reasons to Book a Rental Car Instead of Using Ride-Share Apps
How to Plan a Multi-Stop Road Trip with a Rental Car and Stay Within Your Budget
Why Some Rental Cars Have GPS Trackers and What It Means for You
How to Handle Roadside Emergencies When Driving a Rental Car in the U.S.
