Airport rental taxes hit Budget at ALB just like Avis
Post‑security doesn’t matter here; Budget’s counter sits landside in the main terminal, open roughly 08:00 to 17:00, and every contract carries Albany Airport’s fee stack. Rates often price higher than town because you’re paying the airport premium, not a fancier fleet. Think of this desk as the convenience play for same‑day arrivals and tight schedules, not the cheapest option in the region.
Locals on Reddit keep pointing people to the Budget/Avis branch at Colonie Center, near the back entrance of the old Christmas Tree Shops space, specifically to dodge those airport surcharges. That off‑airport spot usually undercuts ALB by a noticeable margin on multi‑day rentals, but you trade away airport hours and easy walk‑up access. Use it if you’re staying nearby or a friend can swing you over the roughly 5–6 miles from the terminal.
The airport Budget counter pulls from a larger vehicle pool than Colonie Center, so odds of finding full‑size sedans and SUVs tend to be better here, especially on Fridays and Sundays. Reddit threads note that Avis/Budget “try to put their best cars at the airport,” while neighborhood locations sometimes have to “order the cars in,” which means more waiting or compromises on category if you’re picky.
Colonie Center’s Budget/Avis gets repeat mentions for tight weekend hours, no after‑hours drop‑off, and thinner selection, especially on larger vehicles. By contrast, the ALB counter’s 08:00–17:00 schedule lines up more cleanly with daytime flights and usually supports after‑hours returns via the shared car‑rental lot. Tip: price both locations online, then screenshot the cheaper quote before you fly and stick with the one that fits your landing time.