Flight lands at Terminal 1 and you’re at the car desk in under 5 minutes
BRD is tiny, so On-site Rental Cars (usually Hertz and Enterprise) sit right inside Terminal 1 near baggage claim. Figure 10–15 minutes from wheels down to keys in hand and exiting the airport, even if you checked a bag. For lake-cabin weeks or fishing trips where you need a car the whole time, this is the cleanest option out of a field with almost no taxis and spotty rideshare in Brainerd.
How it works step by step
- 1. After you deplane at Terminal 1, walk 1–2 minutes to baggage claim; the rental counters sit in the same small hall.
- 2. Head straight to your booked agency (commonly Hertz or Enterprise) and show your license and card; at peak times reviews cite 15–20 minutes for paperwork.
- 3. Sign the contract, confirm fuel and mileage terms, and ask about winter tires if it’s December–March; several winter travelers report getting all-season rubber only.
- 4. Walk outside to the small on-airport lot; it’s right across the drive, usually a 1–3 minute walk from the counter.
- 5. Do a quick walk-around, take time-stamped photos of all four sides and the odometer, then exit the airport access road toward MN-210 or MN-371.
- 6. Plan on roughly 20–30 minutes into Brainerd/Baxter, about 35–45 minutes to Nisswa or Pequot Lakes resorts, and closer to 45 minutes on summer Friday afternoons.
What regulars do
Frequent BRD flyers book weeks ahead for June–August and then call the local branch 24–48 hours before arrival to confirm the reservation; multiple Google reviews mention cars running short on peak summer weekends. Many repeat visitors reserve a midsize or standard SUV instead of the absolute cheapest compact, since that’s what this location tends to have most of, which cuts down on "only pickups left" surprises on the later Delta/SkyWest flight.
Watch out for
Several reviews call out walk-up renters getting turned away when stock runs out, plus limited vehicle choice after the evening inbound, with only higher-priced SUVs or trucks left. A few Minneapolis one-way renters report drop fees that exceed the base rate if booked last minute. If your flight slides into late evening, counters may close before landing; people describe having to call the local number to get someone back or arrange a key lockbox. In winter, expect mostly all-season tires on SUVs, which can feel loose on icy county roads.
Final tip
Use the 20–30 minute drive through Brainerd or Baxter to stop once for groceries and liquor on MN-371, since a lot of lake roads out toward Gull or Pelican Lakes don’t have big stores and you already paid for the car from BRD.