Car hire in Florida is the only sensible way to see the Sunshine State, where the distances between the Atlantic coast, the Gulf, the Keys and the theme parks are too great for any other transport. Compare cheap car hire in Florida from £20 a day, with real-time availability, no hidden fees and free cancellation on most bookings.
Whether you are renting a car in Florida for the Orlando parks, the Miami beaches or the long drive down the Overseas Highway to Key West, a hire car turns a single-base holiday into a proper road trip. Rental cars to Florida are in huge demand year-round, so this guide covers what you need to collect the car, how the SunPass tolls work, the driving rules that catch visitors out, and where to base yourself. Florida, USA, rewards those who drive.
Florida is part of our wider car hire in the USA guide, and Miami has its own dedicated page below. As across the USA, car hire and car rental mean the same thing here, so you will see both terms used throughout.
Where to Collect Your Car Hire in Florida
Car hire in Florida is easiest collected at one of the major airports, each opening up a different part of the state. Orlando is the gateway to the theme parks and central Florida, Miami and Fort Lauderdale serve the Southeast and the Keys, and Tampa covers the Gulf coast.
Car Hire in Miami
Collect at Miami International (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL). Ocean Drive and the Art Deco district, the drive down to Key West on the Overseas Highway, and the Everglades on the doorstep. Renting a car in Miami is the natural base for the Southeast and the Keys. See our full Miami guide.
Orlando (MCO)
The gateway to Walt Disney World, Universal and the central Florida parks, and the cheapest hub for car hire in Florida thanks to fierce competition. Around 3.5 hours from Miami and 2 hours from Tampa, Orlando is the logical start for a loop of the state.
Tampa (TPA) and the Gulf Coast
Tampa serves St Pete, Clearwater and the Gulf beaches, plus the drive South to Naples, Sanibel and the Everglades western edge. The Gulf coast is calmer and shallower than the Atlantic side, and car hire in Florida from Tampa is well priced outside the winter peak.
What to Know Before Renting a Car in Florida
SunPass Tolls
Florida runs one of the densest toll networks in the USA, and almost all of it is electronic with no cash booths. The state system is SunPass. Most hire cars in Florida come with a transponder, and tolls plus a daily fee are billed through the supplier toll programme. On Florida’s Turnpike, the 417 and 408 around Orlando and the causeways into Miami Beach, the charges add up, so ask how tolls are handled when you collect.
Automatic, Insurance and Age
Almost every hire car in Florida is automatic. The headline rate usually excludes the cover UK drivers expect: Collision Damage Waiver for the car and Supplemental Liability Insurance for third parties, and Florida’s state liability minimums are among the lowest in the USA, so SLI is strongly recommended. The minimum age is generally 25, with a young driver surcharge for ages 21 to 24.
Documents at the Desk
You need a full driving licence held for at least 12 months, a passport and a credit card in the main driver’s name. UK, EU and EEA licences are accepted for car hire in Florida. An International Driving Permit is recognised but not required for English-language licences. There is no need for any vehicle sticker on a hire car; that requirement only applies to taking your own car abroad.
When to Go
Florida’s peak is the opposite of Europe’s. Winter, December to April, is high season with warm dry weather and the highest rates for car hire in Florida. Summer is hot, humid and cheaper, but June to November is hurricane season, so build flexibility into any summer booking. Free cancellation matters more in Florida than almost anywhere.
Car Hire in Florida: Seasonal Costs
Rates for car hire in Florida swing hard by season, and the Florida calendar runs against the European one. The cheapest rental cars to Florida are found in late summer and autumn outside the holidays, while the Christmas, Easter and spring-break windows command the highest prices of the year.
| Season | Period | Typical daily rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak winter | Dec to Apr | £35 to £60/day | Warm, dry, busiest. Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead. |
| Spring break | Mar | £40 to £70/day | Highest demand around the coasts. Book early. |
| Low summer | Jun to Sep | £20 to £35/day | Hot and humid, cheapest rates, hurricane season. |
| Autumn | Oct to Nov | £22 to £38/day | Good value, quieter, still warm. |
| Indicative rates for compact-and-up classes booked online in advance. Hurricane season runs June to November, so free cancellation is strongly advised on summer bookings. | |||
Driving Rules for Car Hire in Florida
Car hire in Florida drives on the right and overtakes on the left. The rules follow the wider USA pattern with a few Florida specifics. For official state guidance see Visit Florida.
Speed Limits
Speed limits are posted in miles per hour: typically 30 mph in residential areas, 55 mph on rural roads and 70 mph on interstates and the Turnpike. Speed enforcement is common, and fines on a hire car are billed through the supplier after the trip.
| Road type | Typical limit |
|---|---|
| Residential / school zones | 20 to 30 mph |
| Urban roads | 35 to 45 mph |
| Rural highways | 55 mph |
| Interstates / Florida’s Turnpike | 70 mph |
| Limits vary and are always superseded by posted signs. School zones are strictly enforced. Move-over laws require slowing and changing lane for stopped emergency vehicles. | |
Florida Specifics
Right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless signed otherwise. Seat belts are mandatory and children must use appropriate restraints. Handheld phone use while driving is restricted and texting is illegal. The drink-drive limit is 0.08% blood alcohol, strictly enforced. Watch for sudden heavy afternoon rain in summer and use dipped headlights when wipers are on, which is Florida law.
Frequently Asked Questions: Car Hire in Florida
Is renting a car in Florida worth it?
Yes, almost always. The distances between Orlando, Miami, the Gulf coast and the Keys are too great for public transport, and car hire in Florida is the only practical way to combine the parks, the beaches and the Everglades in one trip. Outside the city centres, driving in Florida is straightforward and the roads are excellent.
What is the best car hire in Florida for a family?
An intermediate or full-size car hire in Florida suits most families, and an SUV or minivan works for larger groups with luggage and car seats. US classes run larger than UK equivalents, so a Florida intermediate is roomier than you might expect. Book early for the winter peak, when family vehicles sell out first.
How much does car hire in Florida cost?
Rates run from around £20 a day in the low summer season to £60 or more in the winter peak and over spring break. Renting a car in Florida online in advance is consistently cheaper than the airport counter, and three to four weeks ahead is the reliable sweet spot.
Do I need to pay for tolls separately in Florida?
Most hire cars in Florida carry a SunPass-compatible transponder, and tolls are billed through the rental supplier along with a daily fee. Florida is heavily tolled, especially around Orlando and Miami, so factor this into the cost and ask your supplier how their toll programme works.
Are car hire and car rental the same in Florida?
Yes. Car hire is the British term and car rental is the American term for the same service. Whether you search car hire in Florida or car rental Florida, you are looking at the same vehicles and the same desks.
Compare Cheap Car Hire in Florida
From the Orlando parks to the end of the Overseas Highway at Key West, Florida is built for the road trip, and a hire car is the only way to do it justice. Sort your car before you fly, understand the SunPass tolls and the insurance, and let the coasts shape your route. Getcarhire.com compares cheap car hire in Florida from over 500 suppliers, with no hidden fees and free cancellation on most vehicles. Base yourself with car hire in Miami, see the wider car hire in the USA guide, or compare car hire in New York and car hire in Las Vegas for the rest of your American trip.
