Budget Car Rental Philadelphia 201 N 17th St - City Center Car & Van Rental

Budget Car Rental Introduce

Planning your next road trip from the City of Brotherly Love, or just need a reliable ride for your daily commute around the Delaware Valley? For residents and visitors in Pennsylvania, especially those in the Philadelphia area, securing convenient and flexible transportation is key. Budget Car Rental at the Philadelphia 201 Hotel location offers a variety of vehicle options, positioning itself as a central option for your personal, family, or business travel needs. This branch, known for providing both car rental agency and van rental agency services, aims to offer solutions that fit various budgets and travel requirements right in the heart of the city.

Choosing a rental car can significantly enhance your ability to explore all that Pennsylvania has to offer, from the historic sites in Philadelphia to the scenic routes of the Poconos or even heading to the Jersey Shore. While city-center locations often present unique operational challenges compared to larger airport hubs, this Budget branch provides a central pick-up point for those needing easy access from downtown or the surrounding neighborhoods.

Location and Accessibility

The Budget Car Rental office is conveniently located in Center City, Philadelphia. Specifically, you can find the agency at:

Address: 201 N 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA.

This address places the rental office inside the Philadelphia 201 Hotel, which is situated near the intersection of 17th and Race Street, offering a geographically central option for many local users. For those utilizing public transportation or arriving from nearby areas, the central location is a major plus, though users should be mindful that the rental counter is typically situated within the hotel's lobby area, and may require some navigation to find, as noted in customer feedback regarding external signage.

Vehicle pick-up and drop-off is managed within the hotel's parking garage, which is connected to the facility. Accessibility is a key feature of this location, as it provides:

Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

For renters with mobility needs, these provisions ensure a more accommodating experience from the moment you arrive.

When picking up your vehicle, be aware that the process involves a walk from the indoor counter to the parking structure where the cars are located. Given this separation, the time taken for the full transaction, from counter check-in to driving out of the garage, can sometimes take around 10 to 30 minutes, especially during busy periods. Returning the car involves parking the vehicle in the designated return area and proceeding back to the office to drop off keys and finalize documentation.

Services Offered

Budget Car Rental at 201 N 17th St is primarily an agency for renting cars and vans, accommodating a wide spectrum of transportation needs, whether you need a fuel-efficient sedan for a solo trip across the state or a large van for a group outing.

Key services and vehicle types generally available include:

Car Rental: A comprehensive fleet that typically includes vehicles from economy and compact cars for cost-effective travel, all the way up to full-size sedans, premium cars, and luxury vehicles for a more comfortable or upscale experience.
SUV Rental: A selection of SUVs, such as intermediate, standard, and full-size SUVs, perfect for family trips or when you need extra luggage space for outdoor Pennsylvania adventures.
Van Rental: Options often include minivans (7-passenger) and larger passenger vans (like 12-passenger vans) for transporting bigger groups, making it ideal for sports teams, family reunions, or corporate events.
E-Toll Service Options: Essential for navigating Pennsylvania's extensive toll road network, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where tolls are 100% electronic. Renters can choose from two convenient options to manage tolls:
- Standard e-Toll Service: A daily convenience fee plus the cost of all tolls incurred.
- e-Toll Unlimited: A flat daily or weekly rate that covers the convenience fee and all tolls during your rental period—a great option for heavy toll-road users, such as those traveling to places like Atlantic City or across the full length of the PA Turnpike.
Long-Term / Monthly Rentals: Options for travelers or local residents needing transportation for an extended period, which can sometimes offer discounted rates compared to daily rentals.
Optional Add-ons: Services typically available for an additional charge, such as GPS navigation systems and child safety seats.

Features / Highlights

Customers choosing this downtown Philadelphia location can benefit from specific features that aim to make the rental process smoother:

Payment Flexibility: Multiple convenient payment methods are accepted, ensuring a smooth transaction process for various customers. Accepted payment types generally include Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments. Note that specific deposit policies and requirements for debit cards should be confirmed directly with the agency upon booking.
Active Military Discounts: Acknowledging the service of military personnel, Budget offers discounts for active military members, which can provide significant savings on rental costs.
Central Center City Location: Being situated in the heart of Philadelphia offers unparalleled convenience for local residents and visitors staying downtown who need to quickly pick up a car without having to travel to the airport.
Accessibility Provisions: The commitment to accessibility is highlighted by the readily available wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot.

Contact Information

For making a reservation, confirming vehicle availability, or inquiring about specific policies for your rental needs in Pennsylvania, you can reach the local branch directly:

Address: 201 N 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA (Inside Philadelphia 201 Hotel)
Phone: (215) 665-1582
Mobile Phone (Direct Line): +1 215-665-1582

It is always recommended to call the local number if you have questions regarding location-specific details, such as finding the counter within the hotel or confirming operating hours, as these can be subject to change. Standard operating hours are typically Monday to Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and Saturday/Sunday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, but please always check for current times.

What is Worth Choosing

For many Pennsylvania residents and travelers, Budget Car Rental in Center City is a viable choice, particularly due to its convenient urban location and wide-ranging vehicle selection. What makes it a worthwhile option includes:

First, the variety of rental options—from economic city cars to spacious passenger vans—means you can find a vehicle suitable for virtually any purpose, whether it's a brief errand around Philadelphia or a multi-day journey out of state. This versatility is a major benefit for diverse local needs.

Second, the e-Toll Unlimited option is a fantastic feature for anyone planning extensive driving on Pennsylvania's toll roads. Since the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other toll facilities are now fully electronic, having a seamless electronic payment system in your rental car can save you from potential future mailing of toll invoices, administrative fees, and the hassle of managing individual toll payments. The convenience of this single, upfront daily fee for unlimited tolls can provide great peace of mind, allowing you to focus on driving.

Finally, the central location within Center City is an undeniable advantage over traveling to the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) for a rental, saving local users significant time and transportation costs associated with airport travel. The ability to use various payment methods, including debit cards and mobile payments, adds another layer of customer convenience, and the availability of military discounts demonstrates an appreciation for service. While customers should be prepared for the urban nature of the pick-up process—including the potential for short waits or needing to locate the counter inside the hotel—the ultimate benefit is having access to a major car rental brand right in the heart of metropolitan Pennsylvania.

Budget Car Rental Details

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

Pennsylvania Philadelphia County Philadelphia Center City North 17th Street

201 N 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA

Budget Car Rental Reviews

An average rating of ★3.5 from 85 user reviews.

pricesparking garagehotelcigarettesdeskfeepick upsignagesmell30 minutes

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

The rental office is in the back of the Sheraton lobby. There is no signage for it from the outside of the building. We called the office when we couldn't find it but they didn't answer.When we did find it, the office door was locked with no one inside (they open at 8AM, we got there at 10AM). We waited for a bit in case they had to use the bathroom or something and then called the customer service number on the door. After finally getting a real person on the phone (Budget phone tree is awful) the Budget employee working at the desk comes back. She got a little offended that I called customer service and tells me that she had to help someone in the garage. I didn't doubt her but a note on the door saying they'd be back shortly would have been enough to stop me from calling customer service. Her mood ranged from annoyed to super helpful during the rental car pick up. She had me sign off on the condition of the vehicle before we even saw which car was ours (pick up location is in the parking structure away from the office). I'm accustomed to airport pick up locations where this is done at the car where you and the rental employee can mark any damage together. I made sure to get a good look at the car once we got to the garage and was planning on returning to the desk before driving the car in case there was any preexisting damage (there wasn't).I booked the car for 10AM but we didn't leave the garage until 10:30AM with the extra waiting around. I usually book with extra time to spare so this wasn't too big of a deal to me but keep in mind that going from the desk to the car and out of the garage will take you about 10 min.The parking garage underneath the hotel is pretty dark. I had to use the light on my phone to look over the black rental car for any preexisting damage. The car itself was fine. I booked an economy car and was loaned a Mazda CX-50. It had the very handy android auto but kinda smelled like cigarettes. It had an EZ pass reader mounted to the windshield and we slid it in the open postition since we opted for the e-toll unlimited option ($23.99 per day, we had the car for 7 hours.). Google maps said our expected tolls were ~$18.60 (went to Atlantic City and back) so the unlimited option made sense over the $6.95 e-toll daily convenience fee + tolls (charged separately up to several weeks) and saved us from needing to stop at toll booths and needing to have exact change in hand.Returning the car was faster than picking up. No one was in the garage to drop the keys off to so you have to go back up to the office to leave the keys, parking ticket from entering the garage, report the updated odometer reading and gas amount. Lady at the desk had a few customers she was attending to so she didn't check the car for the condition we returned it in.I almost booked Turo for this rental instead but Budget had a lower price. I definitely prefer airport locations to this city center location. Hopefully they can hire a few more people so it isn't 1 employee stuck going between the desk and garage and creating longer wait times. The phone kept ringing during our pick up but she couldn't find the time to stop and answer with the line at the counter.
April 24 · Rocio G
Extremely disappointing experience. Avoid if possible.1. The location never opens on time. I had to wait over 30 minutes twice — once to pick up and once to return the car — because they didn’t open on schedule.2. The car was not properly inspected. Right after I picked it up, a low tire pressure warning appeared. I added air, but the warning came back — and then I got a flat tire in the middle of my trip.3. Completely unfair charges. After the flat tire, I contacted their roadside assistance. Due to the location, their provider couldn’t reach me and kept canceling the service. No one came, yet I was still charged for towing and roadside assistance.This was one of the worst rental experiences I’ve had. Poor service, lack of responsibility, and hidden fees. Think twice before booking here.
July 28 · Jiaxi Lin
I regularly rent cars to travel for work, I will reserve a car at 8am and I show up at 8am. Twice the lady just doesn’t show up for her job. 830am and the door is locked to the office. Twice now she was late to work 30 minutes, which causes me to be late and rush. I’m not coming back after this morning, I’ll go out of my way to bring my business to a more responsible rental division.
July 29 · Sean Tyler
"Pro" My rental was a 2021 VW Tiguan great car perfect for my use, interior of SUV was clean and really nice it also had panoramic sun roof that gave us great views. "Cons" was a dent on Driver door but not a big problem , also car exterior was dirty when picked up.
July 26 · Javier Aponte
Slow service, didn't have the car we reserved, put us in an even smaller car at the same price. The employee wouldn't let us update the list of damages on the vehicle before we signed, she kept saying "that's normal wear and tear" when I pointed out pain damage on the grille and scratches on a fender. Avoid this place.
March 21 · E S