Budget Car Rental Oak Bluffs MA: Seasonal Island Car and Van Hire on Martha's Vineyard

Budget Car Rental Introduce

For Massachusetts residents planning a summer or shoulder-season visit to Martha’s Vineyard, the Budget Car Rental office in Oak Bluffs is a critical transportation hub. Operating seasonally from May 1st to October 31st, this location at 9 Oak Bluffs Avenue is perfectly situated near the ferry terminal and the iconic Flying Horses Carousel, placing you in the heart of the town the moment you step off the boat. The agency operates as both a specialized Car Rental Agency and a Van Rental Agency, providing options that range from economical compact cars to spacious SUVs and Minivans.

The local team is recognized for its capacity to handle high-stress situations with exceptional professionalism, often "saving the day" for customers left stranded by other companies. Reviews highlight staff members like Henry, who are praised for being "friendly, professional, and genuinely cared about making sure we were taken care of." When the service is on point, customers are impressed with "absolutely beautiful," "brand new, immaculate, and spotless inside and out" vehicles, underscoring the team's commitment to quality and pride in their business. This level of service has led customers to "highly recommend this car rental company."

However, the nature of a busy seasonal location can lead to inconsistency. One review noted issues during the 'off season in September,' citing confusion over vehicle types (being offered a less-familiar Tesla when a simple minivan was available) and a disappointing lack of professionalism from some staff. This feedback emphasizes the importance of clear communication during the busy times and the high expectations Massachusetts users have for service quality in prime vacation areas. Despite isolated incidents, the successful intervention and high praise received from customers who needed help most—those without a reservation who were "stressed and unsure what to do"—demonstrate the core competence and value of this Oak Bluffs branch.

Location and Accessibility

The Budget Car Rental office in Oak Bluffs boasts a superior downtown location that provides maximum convenience for travelers arriving via the Steamship Authority ferry. Its seasonal operation is specifically timed to cover the peak tourism months on Martha’s Vineyard.

Address: Seasonal: 01MAY25-31OCT25, 9 Oak Bluffs Ave, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, USA
Seasonal Dates: The office is open from May 1st through October 31st each year, catering directly to the island's primary vacation season.
Prime Landmark: The location is directly across from the historic Flying Horses Carousel, making it exceptionally easy to find immediately upon arrival.
Typical Daily Hours: Sunday through Saturday, generally 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Hours may vary; direct confirmation is highly recommended, especially early and late in the season).

The facility is committed to being accessible to all customers:

Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: Ensures ease of entry into the rental office.
Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Provides designated parking for customers with mobility needs.

Services Offered

As a dual Car Rental and Van Rental agency, the Oak Bluffs Budget branch provides a comprehensive inventory of vehicles and services essential for a complete Martha's Vineyard experience.

Diverse Rental Fleet: Access to a wide range of popular vehicle classes, including:
- Specialty/Fun Vehicles (e.g., Ford Mustang Convertibles, various Jeep models, including the popular Jeep Wrangler).
- Standard and Full-Size SUVs (e.g., Ford Expedition, Kia Telluride, great for family transport).
- Passenger Vans and Minivans (e.g., Dodge Minivan, for large group or family logistics).
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) (e.g., Tesla models, though initial training may be brief).
Last-Minute/Walk-in Service: Demonstrated ability to quickly process rentals for customers without prior reservations, proving to be a "day-saver" for stranded travelers.
Active Military Discounts: Provides special rental rates to active military personnel and veterans as a sign of appreciation.
Convenient Digital Payments: Accepts modern payment methods for a fast checkout experience:
- Credit Cards
- Debit Cards
- NFC Mobile Payments (Tap-to-Pay)
High Vehicle Quality: Commits to providing vehicles that are "brand new, immaculate, and spotless inside and out" when operations are running smoothly.

Features / Highlights

This Oak Bluffs location is highly valued for its potential to deliver exceptional, trip-saving customer service, a key feature in a high-demand vacation market:

Life-Saver Service: The most significant highlight is the ability to assist customers who were "left stranded" by other companies, providing a car "within minutes" and turning a "ruined day... into a wonderful experience."
Outstanding Individual Staff: Team members like Henry are specifically highlighted for their "friendly, professional," and genuinely caring attitude, making the process easy and efficient.
Immaculate Fleet Presentation: When the quality control is successful, the agency delivers "beautiful" cars, reflecting a clear "pride in their vehicles and their business."
Central Oak Bluffs Location: The address places renters right next to the ferry and popular local attractions, minimizing initial travel time upon island arrival.
Modern Payment Flexibility: The acceptance of NFC mobile payments shows a commitment to modern convenience and fast transactions.
Specialty Vehicle Access: Allows access to sought-after island vehicles, including convertibles and large SUVs, to fully enjoy the Martha's Vineyard experience.

What is Worth Choosing

For Massachusetts travelers heading to Martha's Vineyard between May and October, choosing the Budget Car Rental in Oak Bluffs is worth it, primarily because of its unbeatable location and the potential for life-saving, professional customer service. In an environment where securing island transport can be highly competitive and frustrating, the branch's documented success in handling last-minute emergencies demonstrates a critical capability you want backing your vacation plans.

When the local team is operating at its best, you benefit from "fast, quick, and professional" service, an immaculate vehicle, and the supportive guidance of staff members dedicated to your positive experience. The fact that they offer a range of vehicle classes, including minivans and fun convertibles, plus financial benefits like Active Military Discounts and modern payment options, makes the logistics of your trip simple and affordable. While acknowledging that operational consistency, particularly in the bustling summer season, can be a challenge in any high-demand vacation area, the overall potential for a seamless, well-managed rental—especially with commended professionals like Henry on staff—makes this Budget location an excellent and reliable option for securing mobility on Martha's Vineyard.

Contact Information

To ensure your transportation is ready for your seasonal visit to Martha's Vineyard, contact the Oak Bluffs Budget branch using the details below:

Address: Seasonal: 01MAY25-31OCT25, 9 Oak Bluffs Ave, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, USA
Phone: (508) 693-1911

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

Massachusetts Dukes County Oak Bluffs Oak Bluffs Oak Bluffs Avenue

Seasonal: 01MAY25-31OCT25, 9 Oak Bluffs Ave, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, USA

Budget Car Rental Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 70 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Rented a car the day before we arrived on Marthas Vineyard. When we got to the facility it was crazy with employees running all over the place.(was the off season in september) Young lady at the counter, which i could not understand very well, said only have a Tesla. I said ok i never drove onebut i will try. Young man outside gave me a 3 minute explanation on how to work this car, also could not understand him strong accents on both employees. Took the car and went 3 blocks to park so we could walk around and could not figure out how to shut the car off or lock it. Plus the dact it was filthy.Got very frustated as im on vacation so took it back and said i want a different car and the same young lady seemed pissed off that i brought it back. So she got me a very nice Dodge minivan. Dont know why i was'nt offered that car in the first place as it was on the lot when we got the Tesla. As the wife and i were standing in the lot to get the minivan the young lady came out and pulled the Tesla into the lot like a maniac and i had to pull my wife out of the way as she was close to getting hit. I expected better and wont be using budget again. Ina prime vacation area the help should bend over backwords to help and have proper enunciation of the english language, not be rude and angry.
October 12 · rick groger
After being left stranded by another car rental company that “lost” my reservation, this place truly saved the day. I showed up without a reservation, stressed and unsure what to do, and they had a car ready for me within minutes. Henry, the gentleman who helped us was friendly, professional, and genuinely cared about making sure we were taken care of.The car we received was absolutely beautiful—brand new, immaculate, and spotless inside and out. You could tell they take pride in their vehicles and their business. The process was easy, the service came with a smile, and they turned what could have been a ruined day on Martha’s Vineyard into a wonderful experience.Thank you so much! I highly recommend this car rental company! Give Henry a raise!!!
August 11 · Stacey W
What does a car rental place have to do to get 5 stars (IMHO)? Friendly service, no hassle, good communication, and deliver what they said. I was a walk in, no plans to rent on a weekend. Henry told me what they might get with a short wait and put in a reservation without me asking. The car was ready when I got there and they were flexible in holding the reservation in case a more desirable car(my wishlist) was returned earlier than expected. MV prices, but cheaper than the alternatives I was considering, not to mention the freedom of having your own transportation.
September 15 · Dave G.
Absolutely incredible experience renting a vehicle on the island! Henry is THE MAN and took good care of me at both pickup and return. Will absolutely use the same rental car company next time I am out here. Thanks, Henry!
August 29 · Andrew Jacobs
I experienced very good customer service at the Oaks Bluff location. Mark, Henry, and Anna were polite, friendly, very efficient and helpful. We enjoyed our jeep for the day and recommend this is the best way to explore the island. Thank you to the team at Budget Car Rental!
July 03 · MARION AHERN