Budget Car Rental Introduce
For residents and visitors in North Carolina, Budget Car Rental offers a centrally located office designed to cater to the diverse transportation needs of the Raleigh metropolitan area. Situated in the heart of downtown, this Budget location provides a convenient option for those requiring temporary vehicle access, whether for business, a weekend getaway, or as a replacement while a personal car is being serviced. As a globally recognized brand, Budget brings a large-scale fleet and the backing of a national network, offering reliability and a broad selection of vehicle types, including both standard cars and specialized van rentals.
This specific location, which operates as both a car rental agency and a dedicated van rental agency, emphasizes on-site services and accessibility. They support modern payment methods like credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, and notably offer special incentives, such as active military discounts, to honor service members in the region. While the convenience and brand recognition are major draw cards, local customers should always proceed with awareness, as recent customer feedback suggests the importance of confirming reservations and vehicle availability directly with the downtown Raleigh office.
The vehicle selection typically ranges from economical compact models perfect for navigating city traffic to spacious SUVs and passenger vans ideal for family travel or group outings across the greater Triangle area and beyond into North Carolina’s mountain and coastal regions.
The Budget Car Rental office is located at a highly central, easily identifiable address in the downtown district: 421 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA. This is situated inside the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, a prime location that serves both hotel guests and local residents working or residing downtown. The central positioning on South Salisbury Street means it is a short distance from the Raleigh Convention Center, government buildings, and numerous downtown businesses.
The location’s integration into a major hotel environment offers certain amenities and conveniences, but it is important to note the specific arrangements for vehicle pickup and return, which may involve using a nearby parking facility or deck. This setup is common for downtown operations and provides ready access to the local street grid. The agency makes a deliberate effort to be inclusive and user-friendly through its accessibility provisions:
- Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The location features an entrance that is accessible for customers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, ensuring the counter service is available to all.
- Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: There are designated parking spots that comply with accessibility standards, simplifying the pickup or drop-off process for individuals requiring these facilities.
- On-Site Parking: On-site parking is available, which is a significant convenience in a busy downtown area. Customers should verify any associated parking fees, especially for personal vehicles left during the rental period.
The operating hours for this specific branch are typically structured around the working week and weekend needs, often providing service from early morning to evening on weekdays, and limited hours on weekends, such as Sunday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Saturday hours are generally 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. It is always recommended to confirm current operating hours by phone before visiting.
As a major national brand operating from a corporate location, Budget Car Rental offers a wide spectrum of services designed to meet most standard vehicle rental requirements for the North Carolina market.
- Comprehensive Vehicle Fleet: The rental options include a full range of sizes, from economical compact cars for budget-conscious local travel up to full-size sedans, various models of SUVs (including standard, premium, and 7-passenger options), and luxury vehicles.
- Specialized Van Rentals: Catering to group transport needs, the agency offers dedicated van rental services, including minivans and larger passenger vans, ideal for group trips to sporting events, family reunions, or corporate outings in the NC Triangle.
- Onsite Services: The downtown location provides direct, in-person rental services, including counter assistance for booking, modifications, and vehicle check-out/check-in.
- Flexible Payment Options: Renters can complete transactions using major Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and modern NFC Mobile Payments, providing a variety of convenient ways to pay.
- Long-Term and Monthly Rentals: Budget offers favorable rates and options for customers needing a vehicle for an extended period, which is useful for residents requiring an emergency car replacement or for long-term visitors to the region.
- One-Way Rental Availability: The option to pick up in Raleigh and drop off at other Budget locations nationwide, or within North Carolina, adds valuable flexibility for extended road trips or travel outside the local area.
The most notable features of this Budget location revolve around accessibility, special pricing, and the convenience of its downtown setting.
- Active Military Discounts: A significant highlight is the availability of discounts and special rates specifically for active military personnel, recognizing and supporting the large military presence in North Carolina. This makes Budget a preferred option for service members and their families.
- Prime Downtown Location: Being situated inside the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel places the rental counter directly in a high-demand, corporate, and leisure-focused area, making it highly accessible for both business travelers and downtown residents.
- Total Payment Flexibility: The acceptance of Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC mobile payments ensures that almost all customers can complete their rental transaction efficiently. Note that debit card rentals may have specific authorization hold requirements, typically higher than credit card holds.
- Full Accessibility Provisions: The commitment to a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot ensures the service is readily available to customers with mobility requirements.
- Brand Program Benefits: Customers can utilize the Budget Fastbreak Program, which is designed to expedite the rental process by allowing members to bypass the counter, a major time-saver for frequent travelers in the Raleigh area.
To make reservations, confirm vehicle types, or address any customer service needs regarding a booking, the Raleigh downtown office can be reached using the following details. Note that if the local line is busy, calls may be redirected to a national customer service line.
Address: 421 S Salisbury St, (Inside Sheraton Hotel), Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
Office Phone: (919) 856-4912
Mobile Phone: +1 919-856-4912
Operating Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Customers planning to pick up a car should always confirm the exact pickup location within the hotel and the procedure for accessing the vehicle lot, which may be located in a nearby parking deck.
Choosing Budget Car Rental at the downtown Raleigh location is primarily beneficial for those who prioritize the convenience of a downtown pickup location, brand reliability, and specific discount programs. The office’s presence inside the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel is a huge advantage for business travelers staying downtown or for local residents who work in the Fayetteville Street district, eliminating the need to travel to the airport or a suburban location.
The availability of Active Military Discounts is a compelling reason for service members and their families in North Carolina to choose Budget, as this represents a direct saving that many competitors do not consistently match. Additionally, the broad fleet selection, especially the dedicated Van Rental agency services, makes this the go-to spot for group transportation needs that go beyond a standard sedan or SUV rental. The multiple payment options, including mobile NFC, also offer transactional ease.
However, potential renters in North Carolina must exercise diligence due to recorded customer service issues. The reviews highlight instances of reservations not being fulfilled, vehicles not being ready or clean, and inappropriate staff conduct. Therefore, while the location and offerings are excellent, customers should take proactive steps to ensure a smooth experience. It is highly recommended to call the office shortly before the scheduled pickup time to explicitly reconfirm the reservation, the availability of the specific vehicle type, and the total cost, thereby mitigating the risk of being charged a no-show fee or facing disappointment upon arrival. For a renter who takes these cautionary steps, this Budget location provides all the essential features and convenience needed for travel across North Carolina.
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
421 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
Budget Car Rental Reviews
pricegentlemancallbumperscamfeenumberdriversparking garagemanager
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1TL;DR- Charged no show fee after they could not fulfill my reservation.I do not normally write reviews, but my experience has been so frustrating that I feel like others need to know to avoid this business. I made a reservation when I was having car issues. I was almost immediately called and told they could not fulfill the request. The representative said they would cancel the reservation and several days later I received a notification of a no-show fee. I have attempted to resolve this multiple times as this occurred back in February and it is now May. I have been told multiple times that I would receive a refund and the case has been escalated at Budget Corporate.
May 07 · Delaney KingThis is one of the worst experiences EVER!! I made a reservation for a 11am pick up. When arriving I was told they didn’t have any vehicles. The man was EXTREMELY RUDE. Maybe my brown skin wasn’t white enough!! I was traveling and moving from out of state so I was desperate for a vehicle. Finally the gentleman found a magically appearing SUV. He didn’t drive the car down I had to walk to the parking deck up 5 floors with my 4 year old to get it myself. Which was weird bc I’ve always done walk arounds when renting vehicles. The car was dirty and had a scratch on the front driver side bumper. I took pictures. I will never rent from here again or step foot in the Raleigh Sheraton budget office again!! If I could have given no stars I would!!
May 10 · SherrellThey let me use my Drivers license and girlfriends credit card to rent a car during the holidays and travel from NY to NC for the holidays. Upon renting our already booked 2nd car to head home the gentleman with the grey beard and cap told me we can’t do that to head home. All of a sudden the policy is that we need the same name on the credit card as the drivers license. We are now stuck in another state with no way home. He did not want to help us and literally walked out the building all rude and disrespectful
December 27 · Alex HarrisPer the attendant, I was charged $25 for return downtown instead of RDU. Actual charges: $94, which was described as $69 for wrong address return + $25 fee for wrong address return.Had the attendant any ethics & disclosed the ~$100 charge, I would have just taken the car to RDU.Also, if you search for "budget car rental + RDU" in Google maps, it doesn't show... because of the merger with Avis.Unethical behavior will only result in no further business with this entity.
December 13 · M GI'm leaving this review because the young lady who coached me on drop-off protocol yesterday when I called in about returning my rental (5th floor of the parking garage across the street) demonstrated high-level customer service I wouldn't have expected from Budget. She offered patient, step-by-step directions for this directionally challenged fellow, all with an upbeat, helpful attitude that made for a great experience.Grateful for this, as well as for Budget's loan of a great vehicle (nicest car I've ever driven, actually — a chance bump-up due to available inventory, which I know full well is a gift from the Heavens) for an inexpensive rate. Felt too good to be true. And it was made all the better by the car-return end game rendered easy by my last-minute call with this on-site employee, whom I subsequently got to see in person when handing off the keys after taking the elevator down from that beautiful 5th floor of the garage (offering a solid vista among the towers)...
November 12 · Jacob Lamoureux
More Car Rental Near Me
Avis Car Rental3.0 (98 reviews)421 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
Enterprise Rent-A-Car3.0 (397 reviews)406 W South St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
Hertz Car Rental - Raleigh - Capital Boulevard3.0 (452 reviews)1313 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27603, USA
Enterprise Rent-A-Car4.0 (476 reviews)3600 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27603, USA
RDU Medtrans Services LLC4.0 (5 reviews)Raleigh, NC 27609, USA
Enterprise Rent-A-Car3.0 (322 reviews)2911 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604, USA
Enterprise Rent-A-Car4.0 (373 reviews)5401 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
Budget Car Rental2.0 (200 reviews)4325 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612, USA
Avis Car Rental2.0 (266 reviews)4325 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612, USA
High and Son Autos llc0.0 (0 reviews)Centerview Dr Ste 204 PMB 756616, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
Renegade Race Rentals0.0 (0 reviews)5540 Centerview Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
Level Up Rent a Car0.0 (0 reviews)5312 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites
Enterprise Rent-A-Car4.0 (232 reviews)
Wagstaff Rental Cars5.0 (26 reviews)
Streamline Automotive Group4.0 (29 reviews)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car4.0 (382 reviews)
Budget Car Rental3.0 (27 reviews)
Budget Car Rental3.0 (89 reviews)Trending Car Rental Blog Posts
What Every Traveler Should Know About Vehicle Type Upgrades
Understanding Collision Damage Waivers: Are They Really Necessary?
How to Handle Roadside Emergencies When Driving a Rental Car in the U.S.
Why You Should Always Review Your Receipt Before Leaving the Lot
How to Choose the Best Rental Car for Towing or Transporting Gear in the U.S.
How to Handle a Delayed or Canceled Flight When Your Rental Car Booking is Affected
