Cheap Car Rental in Flagstaff

Car Rental in Flagstaff: The Dark Sky City

Flagstaff is situated in the northern part of Arizona and is named after its ponderosa-pine flagpole. This pole was crafted by a group from Boston when they came on a scouting party and was to celebrate the 1876 Fourth of July. Flagstaff’s location is a stunning one. On one side is the largest ponderosa-pine forest in the US; and the other has the San Francisco Peaks. Its proximity to some key natural wonders has made Flagstaff a key tourist-spot, ideal as a jumping-off point to the nearby attractions.

What to See In and Around Flagstaff

The big draw here is, of course, the Grand Canyon National Park, but if you are looking for something a little closer to home, then there is a plethora of other activities available as well. Most of the activities are outdoors, so make sure to check the weather when planning your trip. The Historic Downtown and Railroad area is a must. The old railway here turned into the iconic Route 66, though now this area is pedestrianized and offers a delightful historic walk among 1900s buildings. If you wish to remind yourself just how small we are in the world, then the Lowell Observatory is a stunning place to visit. Even kids will enjoy this one, as you can peer through telescopes at far off stars, and the adults can enjoy lectures on black holes and more.

There are some monuments in the area in the form of Walnut Canyon, where there are ancient habitations carved into the rocks, and the Wupatki Monument that covers the Sunset Crater Volcano.

Saving On Car Rental

Prices of rental cars will vary depending on the time of year, the type of car, the length of time you rent it for and even the pick-up location within the city. Generally, though, you can get a car in Flagstaff from anywhere between $25 and $45, depending on the type of car you rent. Below is a generalized list of car prices, all reflecting the daily price for a car rented over the period of a week.

• Kia Rio (economy class) - $26 per day
• Nissan Note (compact class) - $30 per day
• Hyundai Elantra (intermediate class) - $31 per day
• Volkswagen Jetta (standard class) - $34 per day
• Ford Fusion (fullsize class) - $35 per day

To get a more specific quote, simply go to the search feature at the top of the page and input your dates and preferred car type.

Finding Budget Car-Hire

While car hire can be expensive, it doesn’t need to be. By following some of the following tips, you can greatly reduce the cost of your rental car, simply by paying attention and being organized. Though it is always nice to travel to a city at a warm time of year, if the activities you intend to pursue don’t need perfect weather, it can be prudent to travel out of peak season, as this can often see a reduction in the rental cost. If you are an organized person, planning your trip and booking in advance can also see you scooping up a few good deals. Often, last-minute rentals are significantly pricier than those a couple of months from now, with Flagstaff being no exception to this. A car booked a week in advance is usually around $30, but the same car two months in advance is $23. It pays to be prepared.

Think carefully about what you plan to use the car for. If you are planning short urban trips, then a smaller, less-powerful car may suit you just fine. This will save you money on the more expensive, larger cars, as not only is rental higher, but fuel costs increase as well.

The length of time you book the car for will also play a part in the rental cost. For a better budget option, look to rent the car for a week, as this will see the daily price drop, quite often by as much as $4 to $5. If you are not planning a one-way trip, it is also important to make sure that you return the car to where you picked it up from. This is because, otherwise, rental companies will add an extra charge simply for the hassle of having to return the car to its original pick-up point.

Rules of the road in Flagstaff

1. Drive on the right-hand-side of the road
2. Make sure to abide by all intersection stop signs, even if there are no cars
3. Cars should pass bicycles with a gap of 3 feet (many people cycle in Flagstaff)
4. Everyone in the car should wear a seatbelt
5. Be aware of school buses; if you are behind a school bus, you must stop when the bus stops and wait until it moves off again. You must not overtake a school bus that has stopped to let off kids.