Last Updated on August 29, 2022 by Kristin
Flying into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)) in New York City? Located in the borough of Queens, the busiest airport serving the Big Apple and the sixth-busiest in the country is a gateway for more than 90 airlines with nonstop or direct flights to destinations in all six inhabited continents. Here’s what you need to know for your JFK airport car rental.
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The airport features six different numbered terminals—1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8—all linked by the AirTrain, which also provides connections to parking lots, hotel shuttles and the main rental car location.
Rental Cars at JFK Airport
While JFK does not have a consolidated rental car center, most of the major rental car companies are located near each other at Federal Circle, reachable via the AirTrain. Federal Circle is located on the airport’s northern edge, just south of the Belt Parkway.
To reach Federal Circle, go to the baggage claim area and follow the signs for the AirTrain stop in each terminal. From there, take the train to the Federal Circle stop. Note that there are two AirTrain lines—Jamaica and Howard Beach—and both service the Federal Circle station.
AirTrain is free unless you start or end your journey at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations. There, the fee is $7.75 USD, payable only by Metrocard. There are Metrocard machines located at both Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations.
Nine major car rental companies have locations at Federal Circle.
Alamo Rent a Car (844) 648-1611
Available Services: Online check-in and self-service kiosk. Online check-in offers the option to “skip the counter” and go straight to your car.
Return Location: 308 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the Alamo drop-off location.
Location Hours: Location is open 24/7.
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Avis Rent a Car (718) 244-5400
Preferred Services: Avis Preferred available. Check your smartphone or the Preferred board inside the rental car facility to find your preassigned vehicle. You have the option to change your pre-selected vehicle for a similar one in the Select & Go Exchange Area, or get a nicer car in the Select & Go Upgrade Area. Prices are on the cars’ hangtags.
Return Location: 305 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the Avis drop-off location.
Location Hours: Location is open 24/7. In a hurry? Leave your completed contract and keys in the dropbox located in the returns area.
Budget Car Rental (718) 656-1890
Preferred Services: Look for the Fastbreak line or kiosk. Show your ID, and you will receive the rental agreement, keys and instructions for finding the car.
Return Location: 310 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the Budget drop-off location. Fastbreak members do not have to go to the counter to return the car.
Location Hours: Location is open 24/7.
Dollar Rent a Car (866) 434-2226
Return Location: 318 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the Dollar drop-off location.
Location Hours: Location is open 24/7.
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Enterprise Rent-a-Car (844) 648-1609
Return Location: 69 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the Enterprise drop-off location.
Location Hours: Location open daily 6 am-12 am. For drop-offs outside these hours, leave keys in the dropbox.
Hertz (310) 568-5100
Available Services: Self-service kiosks.
Preferred Services: Gold Canopy Service, Gold Choice and Prestige Service are available.
Return Location: 318 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the Hertz drop-off location.
Location Hours: Location is open 24/7.
National (844) 648-1610
Preferred Services: Emerald Aisle and Drop & Go are available.
Return Location: 308 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the National drop-off location.
Location Hours: Location is open 24/7.
Payless Car Rental (718) 244-8277
Return Location: 305 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the Payless drop-off location.
Location Hours: Location is open daily 7 am-11 pm.
Sixt Rent a Car (888) 749-8227
Return Location: 318 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the Sixt drop-off location.
Location Hours: Location is open Mon.-Thurs. 9 am-6 pm, Fri.-Sun. 9 am-5 pm.
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Thrifty Car Rental (877) 283-0898
Return Location: 312 Federal Circle, Jamaica, Queens. Put the address in a GPS system, mapping application or Waze. When approaching the airport, look for road signs indicating the rental car return area. Follow the signs for the Thrifty drop-off location.
Location Hours: Location is open 24/7.
More Off-Airport Rental Cars
Several other rental car companies, including Fox, have locations further west in a neighborhood called South Ozone Park.
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