Car Hire Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport

Car Hire

Brownsville Airport has been in operation since the 1920s, making it one of Texas’ oldest air hubs. Today, the airport is one of the most important gateways into the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Mexico region, boasting more than 85,000 aircraft movements and a throughput of 200,000 passengers each year. Brownsville’s airport, which is commonly referred to as Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, is only four miles from the downtown area. Billy Mitchell Boulevard connects the facility with central Brownsville, so passengers will have no trouble navigating the city using car rental at Brownsville Airport.

Who to Book With
Arriving passengers will find several renowned rental agencies within the terminal. Avis and Enterprise, two of the globe’s leading car hire suppliers, have offices within Brownsville Airport. Try booking online prior to reaching the airport, as this will save time and money in the long run. Just minutes from the terminal are the offices for Budget and Hertz. Compare rates online here prior to travel for the best deals.

Need to Know Essentials
Passengers wanting to rent a car at Brownsville Airport will need to have these documents:

- A driver’s licence, either international or national
- A passport
- Credit card used for reservation
- Reservation confirmation slip

Read our FAQs for more details.

Driving
The streets and highways in Brownsville are in great condition, especially those leading from the airport into the downtown area. Like most American cities, Brownsville experiences heavy traffic congestion during peak hours, so motorists may want to avoid driving in the early mornings or late evenings. Parking is available along residential streets, but there are several parking lots, both at the airport and in the inner-city, for drivers to use. Tourists renting a car for daytrips will find US Highway 77 and Mexico’s Federal Highway 180 to be fast flowing and convenient arterial roads for travel.

See our USA page for more information on driving here.

Transport

From the airport, tourists can opt for several transportation methods. Public buses and shuttle buses are the cheapest way to go, but visitors will find taxis and car rental to be more expedient choices for travel. There is no train service within Brownsville, yet the efficient bus network makes up for this.

Buses
Both private and public bus connections are available from Brownsville Airport. The Valley Metro shuttle links the airport with South Padre Island, one of Texas’ most endearing holiday destinations. Coaches operating with Valley Metro are now cheaper than ever before as fares have recently been reduced to just £0.65 each way. The Valley Transit Company connects Brownsville Airport with the Rio Grande Valley region. Tickets can be reserved online, at Brownsville’s airport terminal or at the central bus station. From the airport terminal, passengers can catch a Brownsville Urban System public bus. The Southeastern Line, otherwise known as Route 30, picks up passengers from the airport. However, patrons can also get into downtown Brownsville via the Billy Mitchell Route. Buses only operate between 06:30 and 20:00 from Monday to Saturday.

Taxis
If tourists are looking for a no-hassle and comfortable approach, then taxis are a great option. There is a taxi rank outside the terminal or passengers can pre-book a cab before reaching the airport. Rates vary depending on where patrons need to go, but the mandatory use of meters makes taxis a stress-free travel option. For a prompt and reliable service, try Yellow Cab Express.

Facilities

Terminals
Brownsville Airport has only one moderate-sized terminal. The building accommodates about 85,000 aircraft movements annually. Commercial flights are served by four carries; Aeromexico Connect, American Eagle, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines. Flights link Brownsville to three cities: Dallas, Houston and Monterrey.

Parking
There are eight different parking options at Brownsville Airport. One option is the short-term hourly parking lot, located just outside the terminal entrance, between the Enterprise and Avis car rental agencies. Prices are around £0.15 per 15 minutes, with a maximum time limit of 1 hour. Adjacent to the hourly lot is the short-term parking area. This has more than 200 spaces that cost £1.30 per hour or £4.30 daily. Long-term parking at Lot F is cheaper than parking in the short-term lots, but Lot I is free of charge due to its remoteness.

Wi-Fi
Free wireless internet is available throughout the passenger terminal building. This allows patrons to visit the web through their own devices or at one of the internet stations provided.

Information Services
There is an information centre for arriving passengers near Baggage Claim. Passengers with enquiries can find an information booth in the main hall of the terminal.

Useful Numbers
Airport information: +1-956-542-4373

Accessibility
Passengers in need of assistance should contact the airline prior to reaching Brownville Airport. Airline staff can assist passengers with reduced mobility.

Restaurants and Bars
The airport terminal is home to a restaurant/bar.

VIP Lounges
No information available

Money and ATMs
No information available

Shopping
The airport has a small gift shop stocking souvenirs and small assorted items.