One day Car rental on a Sunday

My husband and I, along with his three siblings, are taking his mother to Philadelphia July 10 - 13th. She was born and raised in a suburb (near Villanova). We are staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Philadelphia-Center City. We would like to rent a car on Sunday to take her to her house, school, etc. We would only like to rent for the day (to avoid driving and parking downtown) and then drive ourselves to the airport to return the car. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do this?

Maureen

One day Car rental on a Sunday

A lot of rental places are closed or short hours on Sunday. I would call enterprise and see what they have in terms of hours in the city, since they will get you at the hotel.

The hotel concierge might also be able to assist.

This is actually a perfect use for a zip car except for the number of people.

One day Car rental on a Sunday

Enterprise is closed on Sundays, as are most, if not all other car rental downtown locations, but check with the hotel, or call Hertz and Avis- they both have nearby to the hotel locations- just in case one stays open.

One possibility and one definite:

Possibility- 30th Street Station has car rentals and is not far from the hotel. I don%26#39;t know if the rental office is open on Sundays. If not, the definite is for one of you to take the SEPTA R1 train to the airport and pick up a rental car there. 25 minute trip from town.

Enterprise is a good idea. Their location is at 19th and Market Streets, only a block from your hotel (which is at 18th and Market). Unfortunately, Enterprise%26#39;s Sunday hours at that location are 10 a.m. to 1: 00 p.m. and their website doesn%26#39;t appear to offer a way to pick up there and return the car to their airport location. I am sure that you can do it, but probably will have to call them directly.

Other options: Hertz also is at 19th and Market. The Hertz office is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. There is no extra charge to pick up at that location and return the vehicle to the airport.

Avis has a location at 20th and Arch, but they are closed on Sundays.

AAA, corporate or sometimes even credit card offer/discounts are available and will save you money. Even flight magazine or local magazine or other coupons often are available as well. All are worth checking out.

I would call and confirm those Hertz hours. I needed one earlier from them and they were not open when they were supposed to be (it%26#39;s why I didn%26#39;t recommend them)

Loonbeam,

Good thought. I had the very same concern when I noticed that their 30th Street Station location is closed on Saturdays, so I called the 19th and Market Hertz office before I made the last post. Should have known that the experts on the Philly forum would be alert to all details and it is my fault for not mentioning it.

The Hertz recorded message confirmed that they are open on Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 10: p.m., but I waited and spoke to a real, live person who (amusingly) clarified the closing hour to be 9:45 p.m.! Pity the person who returns the car at 9:55 p.m.

My experience with them was the web said open till 9 pm, I got there on at 7 PM and sign on door said 9 pm, but they were closed. When I called the next day, they said that there was not enough returns planned for it to be worth it to stay open... Haven%26#39;t used that office since. (They did credit me back the extra day).

Thank you all for your replies. I made a reservation online at Hertz and since I will be returning the car at the airport I don%26#39;t think I will have a problem returning the car but I am going to call in the morning to make sure they will be open by 9 am on Sunday.

Thanks again,

Maureen

You won%26#39;t have any issues at the airport. The shuttle bus will take you right to the terminal, just hop on the train from there (assuming you are heading back to hotel).

While at 30th Street Station yesterday, I checked. The car rental office is closed on Saturdays but is open on Sundays, roughly from 10-8, depending on your rental agency.