$80–$120 a day is typical with Sitka Car Rental
Figure roughly $80–$120 per day for a basic sedan from Sitka Car Rental, depending on season and availability. This is a small, local operation on site at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport, serving flights out of Terminal T1. It tends to draw repeat visitors who would rather deal with a locally owned shop than a national brand counter.
Sitka Car Rental operates directly at the airport, so you walk from the T1 baggage claim to their desk in a couple of minutes instead of waiting on a shuttle into town. Most reports put pickup and paperwork at around 10–20 minutes after you grab bags, assuming your reservation is in their system. Cars are usually parked in the small lot just outside the terminal doors.
Hours generally track the flight schedule, with staff around for the daytime Alaska Airlines bank into SIT between about 10:00 and 18:00, but they may arrange early or late handoffs tied to specific flights. Always confirm your exact arrival time, flight number, and mobile contact; this operator sometimes steps away between flights if the board is quiet. For returns, they’ll usually ask for a specific clock time rather than “any time before close.”
Most renters target compact and midsize cars for driving the 7–10 mile stretch along Halibut Point Road and Sawmill Creek Road. Roads on Baranof Island are limited, so you rarely need an SUV unless you’re hauling gear or a group of 4–5 people. Ask about mileage rules; Sitka’s drivable road network is only about 14 miles end to end, so unlimited miles don’t matter much, but overage fees might.
To book, plan at least 2–4 weeks ahead for June–August and around major events like Sitka Summer Music Festival. Inventory is small, and walk-up rentals after the afternoon Alaska Airlines arrivals can be hit-or-miss. Have your license and a physical or digital credit card ready; debit card policies may be tighter, with deposits in the $200–$400 range.
Step-by-step from gate to keys (T1)
- 1. Land at SIT and walk off into Terminal T1; the building is small, so just follow the “Baggage Claim” signs.
- 2. Pick up your bags from the single carousel by the exit doors, usually within 10–15 minutes of arrival.
- 3. Look for the Sitka Car Rental counter or representative near the baggage area; confirm under your name and pickup time.
- 4. Show your driver’s license and credit card, review the daily rate (around $80–$120) and fuel policy, and sign the contract.
- 5. Walk with the keys to the parking lot just outside T1; do a quick photo walk-around of the car, including odometer and fuel level.
- 6. On return, refill at a local station within 3–4 miles of the airport, park in the marked return area, note the final mileage, and drop the keys with staff or in their lockbox if you arranged an after-hours return.
One last tip: build at least a 20–30 minute buffer before your departing flight for refueling, the short drive back along Halibut Point Road, and the return check-in.