Ten rental brands sit in PBI’s Main Terminal, all walkable

All on-airport car rental counters sit in the Main Terminal, Level 1, directly across from baggage claim carousels 3–8, so you’re walking maybe 2–4 minutes from most arrival belts. No shuttle bus, no train, just an escalator or elevator down and you’re in front of the desks.

Major players like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty all run from this Level 1 setup, so if you care about points or status with a specific program, you’ll probably find your brand here. Hours vary by company, but most counters align roughly with the flight schedule and target first departures around 5:00–6:00 a.m. and last arrivals up to about 11:00 p.m.

From plane door to rental garage, plan on 10–15 minutes if your bag shows quickly on one of the eight carousels and you walk straight to the counters. After paperwork, the rental car garage sits just across the access road from the terminal, usually another 3–5 minutes on foot depending on where your stall is in the multi-level structure.

Most on-airport rentals at PBI price higher than off-airport spots by roughly $10–$20 per day once you factor in fees and taxes, especially during peak winter dates between December and March. Off-airport agencies sit 5–10 minutes away by shuttle along Belvedere Road and Australian Avenue, so you’re trading a short bus ride for lower daily rates.

Returning a car is straightforward: follow green “Rental Car Return” signs along James L. Turnage Blvd, then split by brand at the garage entrance. Drop-off lanes feed right into the same multi-level structure, and it’s typically a 4–7 minute walk back to the Main Terminal check-in counters once you hand over keys or park in a self-service return row.

One practical tip: if you land after 11:00 p.m. or on the last inbound of the night, check your rental company’s exact counter hours and after-hours pickup rules before you fly, because some PBI locations use lockboxes or remote paperwork and you don’t want to find that out at 12:15 a.m. standing by the Level 1 counters.

Step 1: After landing, follow signs to baggage claim and head to Level 1 near carousels 3–8.
Step 2: Collect checked bags from one of the eight carousels if needed.
Step 3: Walk 2–4 minutes to your rental company’s counter on Level 1.
Step 4: Complete the paperwork; allow 5–15 minutes depending on lines and status.
Step 5: Follow staff directions or signs across the access road to the rental car garage.
Step 6: Find your assigned stall, inspect the car, and photograph any existing damage.
Step 7: On return, follow “Rental Car Return” signs to the garage and park in your brand’s lane.
Step 8: Drop keys as directed, then walk 4–7 minutes back to the Main Terminal departures level.