Car Hire Cleveland Airport

Car Hire

Cleveland Airport, known officially as Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, is the largest air hub in Ohio, serving more than eight million passengers each year. It is one of the smallest hubs for United Airlines and stands just 10 miles from the inner-city districts of Cleveland. Despite the fact that the airport boasts a rapid transit system that directly links passengers to downtown Cleveland, car rental at the airport is still a convenient option for arriving passengers. For a major US city, Cleveland and its traffic remain favourable for motorists.

Who to Book With
Rental cars at Cleveland Airport are not located on site. Instead, they are found just a few minutes’ drive from the terminals, at a purpose-built car hire facility. Some of the largest and most reputable rental agencies on the planet provide vehicles for passengers here, including Alamo, Avis, Dollar, National and Thrifty. It is best to book online before reaching Cleveland Airport, with the best deals had via our comparator site. A shuttle bus takes passengers from the terminal building to the rental car facility every 10 minutes, 24 hours.

Need to Know Essentials
To rent a car in Cleveland Airport, patrons must produce the following documents:

- A national driver’s licence
- A passport with a valid visa
- The credit card used for the reservation
- A confirmation slip or booking receipt

Read our FAQs for more details.

Driving
Cleveland is one of the easiest US metropolises to drive in. Streets are gridded, with very few one-way thoroughfares, which makes navigating easy. Signs are well-posted and routes to the nearest freeways are clearly marked. Despite boasting better traffic conditions than many other US cities, Cleveland still experiences stop-start traffic in the morning and evening rush hour periods. Three of the most important arterial roads that pass through the city include the I77, the I90 and the I480. Motorists should try to avoid driving in the eastern suburbs of the city.

See our USA guide for more information on driving here.

Transport

Passengers will appreciate the transport options available at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. In addition to a plethora of car rental services, the facility boasts expedient rapid transit connections to downtown Cleveland, not to mention convenient bus and taxi options.

Trains
The airport connects to the downtown area via the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Passengers can jump onto the RTA’s Red Line trains at the lower level of the airport terminal. Trains leave every 15 minutes and take about 20 minutes to make the journey into central Cleveland’s Tower City Station. Tickets, which cost around £1.50 each, can be purchased at vending machines at the airport station. Passengers are reminded to keep tickets/cards in case trolling police ask for proof of payment.

Buses
Public buses only connect passengers to downtown Cleveland during early morning hours, when the train lines are closed. Nevertheless, there are several shuttle buses that provide transfers to nearby hotels.

Taxis
Cleveland Airport offers a taxi service that is not only convenient, but relatively inexpensive. Meters are not used, as pricing is pre-determined according to zones. In addition to airport taxis, three cab companies operate at the facility, including Ace Taxi, Yellow Cab Company and Americab.

Facilities

Terminals
There is one main passenger terminal at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, although the building is divided into four concourses. Most flights are domestic, although there are several international routes, including flights to Toronto, Canada, and Cancun, Mexico. United Express is the busiest carrier at the airport.

Parking
There are three separate parking lots on site. The closest lot to the terminal building is the hourly, short-term garage, which charges only £2 per hour. The long-term parking garage is situated adjacent to the short-term lot. Daily prices max at around £6.50 here. A few minutes’ walk from the terminal is the Economy Lot, which will cost motorists £1.30 for the first hour or £5.30 for the entire day.

Wi-Fi
Wireless internet is provided by AT&T free of charge. Passengers need to have their own connection device.

Information Services
Cleveland Airport boasts information booths and airport maps throughout the terminal, in each of the four concourses.

Useful Numbers
Airport Information: +1-216-265-6000

Accessibility
Electric carts, wheelchair-accessible restrooms on all concourses, a service animal pet relief area, specially-designed elevators and emergency telephones are just some of the facilities Cleveland Airport provides for passengers with disabilities.

Restaurants and Bars
The terminal boasts plenty of fast food options, including Cheeburger Cheeburger and Aunty Anne’s Pretzels. Passengers can also find a number of sit-down restaurants, such as Quaker Steak and Lube, Panini’s Bar and Grill, and UFood Grill.

VIP Lounges
The United Club is located near Gate C14 and provides members with services, such as complimentary snacks and beverages, fast internet access, comfortable lounging and much more. The recently opened Airspace Lounge is another VIP lounge that any passenger can visit, granted they purchase an entry pass upon check-in.

Money and ATMs
Charter One Bank operates 12 ATMs throughout the terminal. There is also a Chartway Credit Union ATM in the southern reaches of the Baggage Claim area. The airport’s ATMs are open 24 hours.

Shopping
Within the terminal, AIRMALL operates a range of shopping opportunities. Patrons can find a choice of global, national and local retailers, including Sunglass Hut, Crocs and Swatch. Stores can be found across the main terminal, including on all four concourses.