Car Rental at 'San Antonio Airport'

Airport location, terminals and transportation

San Antonio International Airport was opened as a military airbase in the southern part of Texas in 1941. The airport is located 13 km from the city centre. Since 1953, it has been used for commercial flights. The airport services 8-9 million people per year. San Antonio International Airport features 3 runways and 2 terminals (A and B). The first terminal (A) serves as an international terminal.

It is convenient to reach the city centre of San Antonio by bus number 5. The bus departs from the lower level of Terminal B (at the exit from the baggage claim area). So as to get from the city centre to SAT by this route, you should look for bus number 30 in the city (because bus numbers differ). A ticket for the shuttle provided by Super Shuttle company can be purchased at the baggage claim area. Shuttle service is available from 7 a.m. to 1.30 a.m. A shuttle parking lot is placed behind the baggage claim area. A taxi stand can be found on the lower level of the terminals, at the exit from the baggage claim halls.

Rental offices, how to find them, where to return car

One can take advantage of the services of several car hire companies at SAT. These are Advantage, Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, Budget, Avis, and National. The desks of car rental agencies are placed in Terminal A. They are beside Gate 4 and 5. As for Terminal B, the car rental facilities are found in the baggage claim hall. Shuttles take clients from the terminals to the rental car pick-up area and back. Several floors of the multi-level garage, which lies opposite the terminals, are meant for rental car pick-up and return.

In order to have a car rented one must observe the number of rules. One is required to produce a driver's license issued in Latin characters (a national or international one). The driver must have no serious violations. The driving experience must exceed 1 year and the driver must be aged 25 or over (if the driver is aged between 21 and 24 the years, car rental tariffs will be different). Moreover, one must present a printed voucher (if a preliminary reservation has been made). Supplementary services are paid separately and their cost can be changed without giving notice. Equipment is subject to availability. Local taxes and fees may be added to the rental cost. Order payment is accepted only by credit cards (not debit ones).

Long-term and short-term parking, hotels nearby

If you cross the road next to Terminal A, you will be able to get to a two-level parking lot at once. Besides, the airport comprises a seven-level parking lot, opposite Terminals A and B. Three types of parking are available. These are the Green Parking Lot (economy parking), the Long Term Parking Lot (in the Parking Garage, behind the multi-level public parking lot and the car rental parking area), and the Red Lot (needed when other parking lots and garages are overcrowded). The long-term parking lot includes spaces for parking and recharging electric vehicles. The long-term parking garage can be reached by the walkway from the South Terminal. The first 15 minutes of parking in a short-term parking lot are free of charge.

Such hotels as the Hilton Garden Inn, the La Quinta Inn and others, nestled not far from the airport, provide a free shuttle service to the terminals for their guests.