Car Hire La Crosse Airport

Car Hire

Located on French Island just over four miles from La Crosse, this regional airport is the gateway to La Crosse, the Mississippi River and other nearby attractions. There is no public transportation to take passengers into the city though there are taxis. This makes car rental in La Crosse Airport the best way to access the city and surrounding locations, with La Crosse less than a 20-minute drive to the south.

Who to Book With
A number of international car hire firms have a presence at the airport, including Hertz, Avis and National. Suppliers’ counters are found in the terminal building, yet vehicles are picked up at the designated car rental car park, situated right next to the passenger terminal building.

Need to Know Essentials
Presentation of the following documents on vehicle collection is required:

- Both parts of your UK licence
- The credit card which was used to make the booking
- A document such as a utility bill or passport to confirm your ID
- Booking voucher

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Each US state has different parking restrictions, but generally motorists should expect a fine and towing if parked in an illegal area. Curbs are colour coded according to parking laws, with white, red and yellow zones indicating parking is prohibited. Green allows parking for up to 30 minutes. Most petrol stations have automatic pumps and accept payment by credit and debit card, but it is recommended that UK drivers carry cash in case their card is rejected. RFID transponders are needed for turnpikes and are usually supplied with rental vehicles in areas where tolls are common. Some toll roads also have toll booths that accept cash payment.

For more tips on driving here, see our guide to the US.

Transport

Self-drive is the most convenient and speediest way for passengers arriving at the airport to reach the city. Courtesy phones are available for contacting taxi companies though taxis are an expensive option. Public transport is available on request but only on weekdays.

Trains
La Crosse Amtrak station is a 13-minute taxi ride from the airport grounds. From here, the Empire Builder connects the city to Chicago and Seattle, as well as to plenty of other destinations en route. Tickets to Tomah, one stop to the east, are around £10.

Taxis
Next to the car rental counters is a courtesy telephone where passengers can contact a local taxi company for transportation into the city.

Taxi prices:
La Crosse Airport to La Crosse city centre is around £8

Buses
Local MTU buses stop at the terminal if called via the airport’s courtesy phone. Otherwise, passengers can walk to the bus stop on Airport Road and wait for a passing bus. The number 7 bus takes passengers to the Clinton and Caledonia transfer point where connecting buses can then be caught to the Amtrak station or downtown La Crosse. Buses operate every hour between 06:08 and 17:08 and take around 20 minutes to reach the transfer point. A one-way journey including transfer is less than £1.

Facilities

Terminals
The modern, two-level passenger terminal building is small, with just three gates, and serves around 250,000 passengers annually. No international flights arrive here but UK travellers can arrive via Chicago, Minneapolis or Detroit.

Parking
Three car parks can be found on site, with one dedicated to short-term use and two used for long-term parking. The short-term car park is situated directly in front of the passenger terminal, while the long-term car parks are accessible on foot. Prices run from about £4 to £6 a day.

Wi-Fi
Wireless internet is provided to passengers free of charge throughout the terminal building.

Information Services
Information is available at the airline check-in counters.

Useful Numbers
Contact Center: +1 608 789 7464

Accessibility
Passengers with reduced mobility can avail of assistance at their airline check-in desk. The car parks have spaces reserved for disabled persons, and toilets are wheelchair-friendly.

Restaurants and Bars
Vinny's Runway is the airport’s sole restaurant. It serves up a variety of food and beverages. There are also plenty of vending machines on site where passengers can grab a quick snack.

VIP Lounges
There is no VIP lounge at La Crosse Airport.

Money and ATMs
There is an ATM in the terminal’s public area, but there are no bank branches or money exchange offices.

Shopping
There are no shopping facilities at the airport.