Budget Car Rental Introduce
Planning your travels to or around Upstate New York, particularly in the Southern Tier region? Securing reliable ground transportation is essential, and for many travelers flying into the area, the solution begins immediately upon arrival. Budget Car Rental, located conveniently at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ELM), serves as a key local provider of both car and van rentals, offering a gateway to the sights and destinations across the region from its base in Horseheads, NY.
This location acts as a dedicated Car Rental Agency and Van Rental Agency, catering to a diverse clientele from business travelers needing a sedan to families or groups requiring the space of a minivan or larger vehicle. Whether you're visiting for a short business trip, a university visit to nearby Cornell or Ithaca College, or a relaxing weekend getaway to the Finger Lakes wine country, Budget aims to provide a selection of vehicles to suit various needs and budgets.
While the convenience of an on-site airport location is a major draw, prospective customers should also take note of direct feedback regarding customer service and reservation reliability. Public reviews, such as those indicating last-minute unavailability of reserved cars and difficulties reaching the location or receiving help from the general customer service number for flight disruption issues, suggest that proactive communication and flexibility are critical. It is advisable to re-confirm your reservation details directly with the local branch before your arrival.
The Budget Car Rental counter is strategically situated right on the property of the Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ELM), ensuring maximum convenience for arriving passengers. The address places it right in the main hub of regional travel, offering immediate access to major routes for onward journeys in New York State and beyond.
The specific location details are:
276 Sing Sing Rd, Horseheads, NY 14845, USA
As a branch operating within an airport facility, the counter is typically found within or very near the terminal building, often a short walk from the baggage claim area, which is a significant advantage over off-site agencies that require a shuttle ride.
Accessibility is a key priority for this location, with the facility offering:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- On-site parking for convenient pick-up and drop-off of your rental vehicle.
Being based in Horseheads, the location provides excellent access to the Elmira, Corning, and Ithaca areas, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the scenic beauty and cultural attractions of the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions of New York.
As a full-service car rental and van rental agency, Budget at ELM provides a variety of options designed to meet different travel requirements. The services are structured for efficiency and convenience, particularly for air travelers.
- Vehicle Rental: Offering a wide array of cars, from economy sedans to full-size SUVs and specialty vehicles. Popular rental categories often include economy, compact, intermediate, standard, full-size, intermediate SUV, premium SUV, and luxury vehicles, in addition to vans.
- Van Rental: Dedicated services for larger group transport, including minivans (7-passenger) and 12-passenger vans, catering to family vacations, team travel, or large event needs.
- Onsite Services: The presence of a dedicated counter and staff within the airport terminal facilitates a more streamlined process for check-in and vehicle collection, although experiences with staffing and wait times may vary based on public feedback.
- Free Pick-up Service: Subject to specific local policies and advance coordination, the location may offer a complimentary customer pick-up service, generally requiring a direct call to the local branch to arrange the logistics.
- Long-Term and One-Way Rentals: For travelers with extended stays or those planning a road trip with a different final destination, long-term and one-way rentals (returning the car to a different location) are often available, providing flexibility for itineraries across New York or surrounding states.
- Payment Flexibility: Accepts various methods of payment for ease of transaction, including Credit cards, Debit cards (with specific terms and conditions often applying, such as a credit check or additional ID requirements), and NFC mobile payments.
Beyond the core rental offering, the Budget Car Rental location at Elmira Corning Regional Airport promotes several features intended to enhance the customer experience and cater to specific groups.
- Active Military Discounts: The agency recognizes the service of military personnel by offering specific discounts or rates, which should be inquired about at the time of reservation or check-in to ensure proper application.
- On-site Parking: Available for customers, making the process of picking up and dropping off the rental car straightforward and quick, avoiding the need for off-site transfers.
- Wheelchair Accessibility: The facility includes a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot, ensuring the rental process is manageable for all customers with mobility needs.
- Fastbreak Program: For frequent renters, the Budget Fastbreak program allows members to bypass the regular counter line and go straight to their car, a feature that can save significant time, especially during busy travel periods.
- Diverse Fleet: Availability of a wide range of vehicles, including not only standard cars and vans but also SUVs (including models with 4WD, which can be beneficial in Upstate New York weather) and, potentially, specialty or premium models.
- Cross-Border Travel: Policies often permit travel into Canada, provided customers inform the counter staff to ensure the necessary non-resident insurance documentation is included with the vehicle.
While general reservations and inquiries can be handled through a central service, for issues concerning an immediate reservation, flight delays, or local pick-up arrangements at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport location, direct communication is often recommended.
Address: 276 Sing Sing Rd, Horseheads, NY 14845, USA
Phone: (607) 739-5689
Mobile Phone: +1 607-739-5689
Note that the phone number provided is the dedicated line for the Horseheads/ELM location. Customers should be persistent if they face difficulty connecting, as this is the most direct way to resolve location-specific issues.
The Budget Car Rental facility at 276 Sing Sing Rd, located at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ELM), is primarily worth considering for the sheer convenience of its location. For anyone flying into the Southern Tier of New York, the ability to walk directly from the baggage claim to the rental counter and then to the vehicle is a valuable time-saver that minimizes stress after a flight. This is the paramount advantage of choosing an on-airport rental agency.
Furthermore, the wide variety of available vehicles—ranging from economical small cars perfect for solo or couple travelers, to larger SUVs and passenger vans ideal for group tours of the Finger Lakes—makes it a versatile option. The inclusive accessibility features, like the wheelchair accessible entrance and parking, are commendable and ensure that all travelers have a smooth start to their journey. Active military personnel can also benefit from specific discounts, adding to the value proposition.
However, potential customers must weigh this convenience against the recurring themes noted in some customer feedback. Concerns about reservation fulfillment (cars not being available despite prior booking) and unhelpful or inaccessible customer service, particularly during disruption events like flight cancellations, signal that the operational consistency may not always meet expectations.
The primary reason to choose this location is its **unmatched convenience for ELM arrivals** and its comprehensive fleet selection. The key to a successful rental experience here appears to be careful planning and verification. Customers are strongly encouraged to call the local phone number a day or two before arrival to confirm their reservation details and vehicle availability, especially during peak travel times, to mitigate the risk of encountering a last-minute cancellation or vehicle shortage. For those seeking efficiency and an on-site airport solution, Budget at ELM remains a primary option, provided they take these precautionary steps.
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
Parking
- On-site parking
Budget Car Rental Photos








Budget Car Rental Location
Budget Car Rental
276 Sing Sing Rd, Horseheads, NY 14845, USA
Budget Car Rental Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Made reservation 2 months ago. Got off flight and were told they had no cars available and didn't know when they would get them.What is the point of a reservation?Great customer service... Never again for Budget or Avis.
October 10 · Robert MazzaMy son’s flight was canceled. Budgets policy is to hold the reservation for 24 hours if you are late because of a flight disruption. I tried calling several times throughout the day, no answer. I finally called the 800 number. The representative told me the reservation was canceled and there was nothing he could do to help other than make another reservation for a less expensive vehicle but it would be about $150 more than the original reservation. I asked to speak to a supervisor. He refused to let me speak to a supervisor, told me I was holding up an active line, and then hung up. Horrible customer service!
July 02 · Shannon MillerWent to pick up the reservation this morning and dealt with one of the rudest young ladies ever.There was another lady that was really nice but the rude one ruined it all.The reservation was unable to be picked up.Budget had no problem leaving a man with 4 children without a car that he had prepaid for.Instead of helping to find a solution, the young person was just rude.
June 18 · Raymond KuenzliCar was clean and newer, probably 21' or 22' Traverse. Rented online and prepaid, picked up with no issues. Customer service was friendly and quick. Although, this location isn't that busy at any time that I have seen. Returned the vehicle without issue. They did charge me $3.22 for .4 gallons of fuel though. If they had a gas station closer, maybe I wouldn't have used that .4 gallons. I'm not gonna lose sleep over $3 though. Will rent again when needed.
May 11 · kilbrewI reserved a car for a trip in Italy. I feel that I experienced a bait and switch that resulted in over $3400 in additional charges that were not fully explained to me and I felt very pressured that the options offered were the only way I could rent the car. I was charged a fee to upgrade the car to the category I originally reserved (mid-size SUV). I agreed to damage insurance and then was charged 3 other categories of insurance and road side assistance that were never even discussed. Multiple charges were grouped together as "additional products". I spoke with a representative that just kept telling me they were legitimate fees and nothing could be done and no consideration would be offered. I will never use Budget or recommend Budget to anyone!
October 15 · Theresa Campo
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