Budget Introduce
Introduction / Overview: Your Reliable Travel Partner at Trenton-Mercer Airport
Budget Car Rental at 34 E Piper Ave, near the Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN), is a key provider of essential car and van rental services for both air travelers and local New Jersey residents. Functioning as a high-volume car rental agency and a van rental agency, this location provides a vital link for those needing short-term transportation, whether for personal leisure, business trips, or temporary vehicle replacement. As an on-site service provider near the airport, convenience is a major pillar of their operation.
Customer feedback offers a dual perspective on the experience here. On one hand, the location is celebrated for its commitment to excellent, personalized service, often delivered by dedicated team members. One enthusiastic review specifically praises an individual named Andre, describing him as "the entrepreneur who runs this location and provides excellent service every time," highlighting the quality of a "spotless new Toyota Camry." This positive experience speaks to a strong focus on vehicle quality and the value of professional, individual attention—even advising new customers to "Be patient as he’s handling all aspects of the operation but rest assured you will be treated well." This suggests a locally-managed approach that values strong customer relationships.
Conversely, the realities of high-volume logistics and policy enforcement can sometimes lead to friction. Another customer review noted a breakdown in communication and a frustrating experience when dealing with a late return, stating they "dealt with the worst person" after their trip was delayed. This incident involved arguing and being hung up on when trying to ensure they weren't unfairly charged. This points to the importance of standardizing customer service, especially during complex situations like late returns, where a clear, professional approach is paramount. For New Jersey users, this means that while the front-end pickup experience can be fantastic, proactive communication and adherence to the rental agreement's terms—especially regarding return times and fees—are crucial to avoiding potential disputes.
Overall, this Budget location is a convenient and generally well-regarded choice, offering a wide array of vehicles to meet the diverse needs of the Central Jersey area.
Location and Accessibility: Near TTN Airport
The Budget Car Rental branch is situated at 34 E Piper Ave in Trenton, New Jersey, which places it in the immediate vicinity of the Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN). This makes it highly accessible for New Jersey residents traveling via air and for visitors arriving in the region. Although the precise address is listed in Trenton, the location is part of the airport's operations in the Ewing area, providing excellent access to major regional routes such as I-95, facilitating travel to Philadelphia, Princeton, and the greater Delaware Valley.
Address: 34 E Piper Ave, Trenton, NJ 08628, USA
The hours of operation are designed to accommodate a busy travel schedule: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Local customers should note that while the counter may be inside the terminal for air travelers, the overall location is geared toward smooth car retrieval and return. Crucially, the location offers vital physical accessibility features, ensuring equal access for all members of the community. This includes both a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and a dedicated Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot on-site. The provision of On-site Parking for customers adds a layer of convenience when picking up a rental.
Services Offered: Comprehensive Fleet and Flexible Options
This Budget location offers a complete suite of services aimed at making the rental process as efficient as possible for the Trenton/Mercer County region:
- Diverse Fleet Selection: Provides a broad array of vehicles, including cost-effective Economy cars (like the Kia Rio), sedans (such as the Toyota Camry), various size SUVs (like the Toyota Rav4 and Chevrolet Suburban), specialty luxury cars, and even electric vehicles.
- Van and Commercial Rentals: Operates as a full Van Rental Agency, featuring popular options like the Chrysler Pacifica minivan and larger passenger vans (such as the Ford Transit), ideal for group travel, moving, or large-capacity needs.
- Onsite Services: The location provides all rental services directly on-site, which includes vehicle pickup and drop-off, making the process faster for both local users and airport customers.
- Active Military Discounts: Consistent with the Budget corporate policy, this location offers discounted rates for active military personnel and veterans as a sign of appreciation for their service.
- Flexible Payment Acceptance: Accepts a variety of modern payment methods, including major Credit Cards, Debit Cards (subject to specific rental requirements), and the swift convenience of NFC Mobile Payments.
- Grace Period and Late Return Policy: Offers a standard 29-minute grace period for returns. However, customers are strongly advised to call and officially extend their rental if they anticipate being late to avoid hourly charges after 30 minutes, or potential full-day charges and an additional late fee if delayed by more than seven hours without notification.
Features / Highlights: Customer-Centric and Accessible
Several features distinguish the service offered at the 34 E Piper Ave branch, making it a competitive choice in the New Jersey market:
- Exceptional Individual Service: The location is noted for key personnel, like the manager Andre, who provides "excellent service" and a "fantastic experience," demonstrating a commitment to personalized, high-quality interactions that are greatly valued by repeat local customers.
- Active Military Discounts: A key highlight for the community, providing a valuable discount program for service members and veterans.
- Full Accessibility: The provision of a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance and Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot ensures the facility is easily navigable and welcoming to all customers, underscoring inclusivity.
- On-site Parking for Customers: The availability of on-site parking adds convenience, allowing local renters to easily leave their personal vehicle while utilizing a rental.
- Well-Maintained Fleet: Reviews consistently mention receiving "spotless new" vehicles, suggesting the branch maintains a focus on vehicle cleanliness and quality, which is essential for a comfortable journey.
Contact Information: Connect with the Budget TTN Team
For making or managing a reservation, or for any operational inquiries, the Budget team at the Trenton-Mercer Airport location can be reached during their posted business hours:
Address: 34 E Piper Ave, Trenton, NJ 08628, USA
Phone: (609) 882-8130
Mobile Phone: +1 609-882-8130
What is Worth Choosing: Personalized Service with Caution on Returns
For residents and visitors of Central New Jersey, choosing the Budget location near Trenton-Mercer Airport is worth it for its optimal convenience and often stellar customer service. The location's close proximity to the airport and major highways, coupled with its excellent accessibility features, makes it a practical and inclusive choice for diverse travel needs—from a weekend rental of a clean, new sedan like the Toyota Camry to securing a large van for group transport. The presence of key individuals like Andre, who are singled out for their commitment to going above and beyond, reinforces the idea of receiving professional and helpful treatment. This personalized touch is a significant competitive advantage that fosters loyalty.
However, the contrasting experience with the late return emphasizes a critical point: while personal service can be exceptional on pickup, transactional and policy-driven elements, such as late returns and charges, must be handled with strict adherence to the company's rules. The negative interaction involving a staff member arguing over a late return highlights that the customer must be vigilant. The company policy grants a 29-minute grace period, but anything beyond that incurs charges and requires professional communication to avoid a frustrating outcome.
In conclusion, the Budget location at 34 E Piper Ave is an excellent and reliable choice in the Trenton area due to its great fleet, valuable active military discounts, and the highly praised efficiency of its best staff members. To ensure a completely "fantastic experience," New Jersey customers should prioritize prompt communication for any changes and strictly adhere to the agreed-upon return time, or formally extend the rental period by phone well in advance of the deadline.
Budget 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 Photos










Budget Location
Budget Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Always a fantastic experience at this Budget car rental. Spotless new Toyota Camry. Andre is the entrepreneur who runs this location and provides excellent service every time I’m in town. Be patient as he’s handling all aspects of the operation but rest assured you will be treated well.
October 28 · Pete PreviteI really wanted to give this place a 5 start because the person I dealt with at the beginning was awesome and worked with me. But today (9/8/2025) turning the car back i dealt with the worst person. I dropped the car off late due my trip being delayed, I call this morning to make sure everything is OK, the person who picked up the phone started to argue with me after I asked about the car due to.var still being my responsibility and i didn't not want to get charged for turning the car in late and then I call back and got hanged up on.
September 08 · Carla MendozaI want to start by saying the female counter staff were very nice and professional. The management has NO garbage pails on premise for customers. I was told to walk off the property to a dumpster to throw stuff away or to go into a public bathroom to throw a coffee cup away. Seriously??? I can only assume this is another cost savings tactic from management. That's completely unacceptable. The shuttle is ABSOLUTELY disgusting. The double door doesn't even shut. I could have fallen out. I honestly don't understand how Budget allows this place to remain open. It's an embarrassment and thoroughly disgusting.In the end I believe the man at the counter...strong accent....honestly does not care. He had no hesitation to tell a grown woman to take a hike through the parking lot and walk to a dumpster to throw a coffee cup away. So disrespectful. Again I can't believe Budget, the main company allows this site to operate like this. It's a true blemish for the organization.
January 27 · Nina RobertsI recently rented a car at Trenton Mercer Airport through Budget Car Rental. I had the pleasure of dealing Andre who was extremely helpful and accommodating, even after a last minute change in flight schedule and off hour car return. I would highly recommend Andre and his team at Budget.
April 07 · David RueLast week, I picked up my month-long rental in Cleveland, OH. Yesterday, an alert came on the screen stating "Maintenance Required - drive to nearest dealer." After calling the Budget customer service line, I was directed to go to this Trenton Mercer location for an exchange. Andre had a new car ready and I was back on the road in an hour. Despite the exchange being an inconvenience, I am grateful for your service!
July 01 · Julianne Spittal
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