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Fasten your seatbelts, flexible car rentals are nearly here!

It won't be long until you can compare and book car rentals at Alternative Airlines. In the meantime, check out what's coming!

Bridge in New York lots of lights

Collect your rental from JFK Airport

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the main gateway into New York City. It's one of the most flown-to American airports, helping millions of tourists visit the City of Dreams each year. 


Looking to make travel around New York easier? Book a car rental online and collect from JFK.


Choose from thousands of rentals with luxury cars perfect for getting you to your next business meeting, minivans to fit all the family, compacts that make parking a breeze and many more available vehicles! 


There’s no need to worry about long wait times and navigating public transport. Enjoy easy transfers when you book your car rental at your arrival airport. Land at your destination with your rental parked up and ready. 🏎️

Car rental airport sign

Where is car rental at JFK airport?

How to collect a rental car at JFK Airport

JFK’s car rentals are located within the Federal Circle Station. To reach the station, take the AirTrain, which operates a 24/7 service from the airport. Please note that while the Federal Circle Station itself is open 24/7, some suppliers may only be available during day hours.


Need additional help? On the arrivals level of each terminal, there will be a car rental desk or designated telephone. Here you'll be able to ask additional questions and find instructions to the car rental site if you're lost. 


How to return a rental car at JFK airport

To return your car rental to JFK Airport, either follow the designated signs as you get closer to the airport facility or type Federal Circle, Jamaica, NY, into Google Maps


Once you've handed in your keys, you'll get the AirTrain back to JFK's terminals. The AirTrain journey takes 10 to 13 minutes and runs roughly every 5 to 15 minutes.

Did you know that you can collect and return your rental to two separate locations?

That’s right! You don’t have to drop off your rental at the same place you collected it! Travel across America without doubling back on yourself when you book a one-way rental!

Electric car

Car rentals available at JFK

These are just some of the available rentals at JFK.


Economy car rentals JFK Airport 🚗

Cars like the Kia Rio or similar. Perfect for the budget-conscious traveller. Economy cars are designed with affordability in mind. While they won't have the most powerful engines or fanciest tech, their affordable pricing makes them a popular choice.


You can make your rental even more affordable by paying in installments. Just select a buy now, pay later option at checkout.


Electric car rentals JFK Airport⚡

Cars like the Nissan LEAF,  Tesla Model 3 or similar. The vehicles of our future. Whether you opt for a more affordable compact option or a top-end luxury vehicle, electric cars ensure a smooth, bump-free driving experience. 


New York has one of the highest number of EV charging points in the US, so you'll never have to worry about running out of juice.

Cars in NYC

Van rentals JFK Airport 🚐

Vans like the Chrysler Pacifica, Chevrolet Express Cargo or similar. Need more space? Then you can't beat a van rental. Minivans and 15-passenger vans are perfect for fitting the whole family into one vehicle. While cargo vans help you carry larger amounts of goods. 


Make sure you're selecting the right van at checkout. Passenger and cargo vans serve entirely different purposes.


Luxury car rentals JFK Airport 🏎️

Cars like the Genesis G80E or similar. The best of the best. Vehicles with the newest tech, nicest interiors and strongest engines. Cruise through NYC in style.


It's not just economy vehicles that buy now pay later makes more affordable. Make financing a luxury car possible when you pay over time!


Please note that the specific cars you see at checkout may vary from those mentioned above. 

Leaning out of car

Pay later on JFK Airport rentals

Want to make your JFK car rental more affordable? Then select one of our buy now pay later partners at checkout! 


NYC is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Whether you’re funding a family vacation or an important business trip, finding ways to cut costs is essential. That’s where we come in. 


Rather than paying for your car rental in full up front, you get the option to pay over time. Have more to spend in the moment when you pay for your rental in later installments.


🎺 Spotlight: Affirm🎺

Our customers love using Affirm! Discover what makes Affirm so special. 

  • Long-term contracts 🗓️ - Affirm’s Monthly Financing lets you spread the cost of your rental over 3, 6, 12 or 18 months!
  • No late fees ⛔ - Affirm is one of the only major buy now pay later lenders that doesn’t charge extra for late payments!


Some other customer favorites include Klarna and Cash App Afterpay.

Put the brakes on expensive rentals. Pay over a timeframe that fits your schedule! 


Please note that at this time, our buy now, pay later car rentals are only available to residents of the USA.

Guy holding car keys

Cheap car rentals JFK Airport

Airport car rentals are usually more expensive than neighborhood pick-ups, especially at major airports like JFK. Discover some handy tips and tricks to keep your rental budget-friendly!


  1. Choose an economy rental 🚗 - Economy cars are among the most affordable rentals available. They get you where you need to be while keeping your finances intact. 
  2. Drive during the off-season ❄️ - Rentals are a lot cheaper during the quieter times of year. New York’s off-season is from January to March. If your plans are flexible, consider renting during this time.
  3. Use a buy now, pay later option 🤑 - Instead of paying a large upfront expense, you can spread the cost of your rental into small installments that suit your paychecks. 
Road in the Catskill mountains

Drive from New York City

Looking for some inspiration on where to go after NYC? These are some of our favourite locations within a 5-hour drive from the city!


Long Island 🏖️

With its beautiful rocky coastline and sandy beaches, Long Island is a great place to walk and relax. You'll find fairground rides across the coast with roller coasters and Ferris wheels that are perfect for a family day out. Long Island is just an hour's drive from JFK Airport.


Philadelphia 🏛️

As one of the most important cities in American history, Philadelphia isn't a place to be missed. If you're a history buff or just interested in learning more about America's past, then visiting Philadelphia's museums and landmarks is a must. Philadelphia is only 2 hours from JFK Airport by car


The Catskill Mountains ⛰️

This beautiful mountain range is ideal for nature lovers. Its vast forest is home to plenty of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, bobcats and black bears. You can navigate the mountain either through one of its many walking trails or along its road routes. The Catskill Mountains are a 3-hour drive from JFK Airport. 

Plane flying over a highway

Book JFK Airport flights & car rentals

We don’t just offer car rentals but flights, too! Book your flights to JFK Airport today and travel stress-free! 


With over 600 airlines to choose from, you get to travel exactly how you want. Looking to spend as little as possible? Choose an ultra-low-cost airline like Spirit or Frontier. Prefer a full-service experience? We have United and Delta available too!


Make planning your trip that much easier when you book your flights and car rentals all in one place! 


From the runway to the road, we’re here to support you every step of the way! ✈️🚗


Please note that while our customers can pay later for flights from a variety of countries worldwide, such as the UK, UAE, and South Africa, our car rental pay-later options are currently only available for US residents.

NYC billboards

Alternative pick-up points to JFK Airport

While JFK offers convenience and an extensive fleet, its rentals can get pricey. Looking for something more affordable? Then a non-airport location in NYC might suit you better.

  1. Locations in Manhattan - Places like Midtown, Greenwich Village and the Financial District. Ideal for exploring iconic NYC landmarks, including Times Square, the Empire State Building, and Central Park.
  2. Locations in Brooklyn - Places like Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Sunset Park. Ideal for art lovers. Home to many galleries and museums. 
  3. Locations in Queens - Places like Elmhurst, Flushing, and Queens Village. Perfect for food-lovers. Praised for its mouth-watering street food. 


At Alternative Airlines, you can book a car rental to collect from all across the USA. Choose the ideal location for you, whether that’s a busy airport or a remote neighborhood.

Book JFK Airport car rentals today!

Book affordable car rentals to collect from JFK Airport. Find a rental that suits your budget and travel needs. Then pay your way with upfront and pay-later options available!

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JFK Airport car rentals FAQs

Can I book car rentals at Alternative Airlines?

Yes, despite our name, we're more than just a flight booking site! 

We offer over 35 car rental suppliers. Choose from economy vehicles, luxury cars, vans, SUVS and more.

Book online and then collect your car rental from one of the thousands of available rental locations within America, including JFK Airport!

Can I book car rentals to collect from JFK Airport?

Yes! You can book car rentals to collect from JFK Airport right here at Alternative Airlines! 

With 10 of our 35+ available suppliers operating at JFK, you'll have plenty of rentals to choose from.

Is it more expensive to book a car rental for JFK Airport?

Yes. Airports in general are usually more expensive than neighborhood pick-ups. 

JFK Airport is one of America's busiest airports, and given its location in NYC, one of the world's most expensive cities, its car rentals can really add up.

Luckily, there are ways to make your car rental more affordable. By booking an economy or compact vehicle for travel during the off-season, you can significantly reduce the price of your rental.

Make financing travel even easier when you select a buy now, pay later option at our checkout. Go easy on your bank account by spreading the cost of your rental into manageable installments.

Can I pay later for car rentals?

Yes! At Alternative Airlines, American residents will have the option to pay for their car rentals over time! Just select one of our buy now, pay later options at checkout! 

Can I drive my rental before I've finished payment?

Yes! Drive now and pay later when you book through Alternative Airlines! 

Depending on your selected plan, you might not have reached the end of your payment schedule before your rental dates. Rather than rushing to make those final payments, you can drive your rental first, then continue paying after your trip! 

When should I book my JFK Airport car rental?

Most customers tend to book their rentals in the weeks leading up to travel.

This way, they're not too early that their rental needs change. But also not too late that they have limited options at checkout. 

Am I eligible to book a car rental at Alternative Airlines?

To book a car rental at Alternative Airlines, you must meet the following criteria: 

  1. Be over the age of 18 if you're driving within New York or Michigan (if you're driving anywhere else, you must be over 21).
  2. Have a valid credit or debit card.
  3. Have a valid driver's license. 
  4. Have a phone number and email address (so that we can send you your e-ticket).
Do I need to be flying to JFK to book an airport car rental?

No! You don't need to be flying to or from JFK to book an airport car rental. 

Airport locations typically offer a wider range of rental options, making them an attractive choice even for people not flying.

Can I drive my car rental outside of New York?

This depends. If you're between 18 and 21 years old, you cannot drive your rental outside of New York. Only New York and Michigan allow under-21-year-olds to rent vehicles.

If you're 21 or over, then yes, you can drive your rental between as many states as you'd like!

Please note that Alternative Airlines only supplies car rentals within the USA, so you won't be able to cross any international borders.

Does New York have multiple airports?

Yes. While JFK Airport is the main gateway into New York, there are plenty of other airports to choose from.

Other major commercial airports include Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

JFK Airport tends to be the best New York airport for collecting a car rental as it offers a larger selection of cars.

Do I need to give my car rental provider my flight number?

No, you don't need to, but it's recommended.

This way, your car rental supplier can track your flight, ensuring your rental is ready upon your arrival. It also means that if your flight is delayed and you're late to collect, the supplier will still hold your rental.

What car rental companies are at JFK Airport?

10 car rental companies operate at JFK Airport. They are:

  1. Alamo
  2. Avis
  3. Budget
  4. Dollar
  5. Enterprise
  6. Hertz
  7. National Car Rental
  8. Payless Car Rental
  9. Sixt
  10. Thrifty

Alternative Airlines offers car rentals with each of these suppliers!

Can I book a Budget Car Rental to New York Airport?

Yes! Budget operates at all 3 major New York airports, including JFK.

To reach the Budget Car Rental collection point from JFK, take the AirTrain from the airport to the Federal Circle Station.

If you're looking for a low-cost rental, then Budget is the perfect supplier for you! Its affordable rentals rival the pricing of many other suppliers.

Can I book a Sixt Car Rental to JFK Airport? 

Yes! Sixt is one of the 10 suppliers operating at JFK Airport. 

To get to Sixt Car Rental from JFK, take the AirTrain from the airport to the Federal Circle Station.

Sixt is a customer favorite. So much so that in 2025, it was named the Best Rental Car Company at the USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice Awards.

Can I book a Hertz Car Rental at JFK airport?

Yes! Hertz is one of the 10 suppliers operating at JFK Airport. 

To get to Hertz Car Rental from JFK, take the AirTrain from the airport to the Federal Circle Station.

Hertz is a global, multi-award-winning supplier. One of its achievements includes being crowned the Best International Car Rental Company in the 2024 Readers' Choice Awards!

Where is Thrifty Car Rental at JFK Airport?

Thrifty Car Rental is located within the Federal Circle Station. To reach the station from JFK, take the AirTrain for roughly 10 minutes.