Boulder car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

Search hundreds of hire car sites at once for hire car deals in Boulder

Here is why travellers choose KAYAK

Save up to 41%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees.

Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.

Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.

Cheap car hire in Boulder

Discover the best prices and deals for you by selecting your travel dates
Choose your dates
Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
M
Full-size car
Full-size
M
Luxury car
Luxury
M
People mover car
People mover
M
Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
Commercial car
Commercial
M
Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
M

Boulder car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travellers who hired a car in Boulder 
PaulOct 2024
A bit far out of the city
RebeccaAug 2024
I selected the option to return the (fully electric) car at any charge level, with no prior experience running/recharging electric vehicles. It was well worth the price I paid for that add-on!

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Boulder

  • Boulder truly is a city for cars and visitors are highly recommended to rent a vehicle during their time in the city. This is especially the case if you plan on taking in any of the natural scenery around Boulder, such as the Flatirons. The Flatirons are one Boulder’s most iconic sights and are just a 2-mile or 8-minute drive from the city center, but they are only accessible via personal vehicle.
  • Chances are good that step one of your itinerary is to pick up your hire car upon arriving in Boulder. For travelers with flights landing at Denver International Airport, you can reach the hire car facilities via the airport’s hire shuttle, which picks passengers up from outside of Jeppesen Terminal on Level 5 at Island 4.
  • One thing to keep in mind when visiting Boulder is that the mountains during winter are often full of snow. Visitors of the area should keep that in mind when planning itineraries, as a sudden snowfall can often lead the roads to get bogged down in the early morning before the snow plows have had a chance to clear them. In the case of snowy mountain roads, just make sure to drive carefully and be aware that it will take your car longer than normal to slow down.
  • Rush hour traffic in Boulder, while not as severe as neighboring Denver, is still worth avoiding if possible. Congestion picks up during the morning rush hour from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., then starts back up in the afternoon at around 4:00 p.m. and slows down again at about 7:00 p.m. I-25 is one of the major congestion culprits in Boulder and those who do not want to get caught up in traffic should avoid it during rush hour.
  • There are toll roads in and around the city; if you plan to book a cheap car hire in Boulder, you should ask your Boulder car hire agency about their toll fee policy. The US 36 Express Lanes between Boulder and Denver are tolled, with drivers having the option to carpool, pay a toll, or use the commuter bikeway. Additionally, the E-470 and the North-west Parkway toll roads connect to the US 36 Express Lanes in the Denver metro area, seamlessly connecting to Boulder. It's important for travellers to be aware of the tolls and their payment options when driving on these roads in Boulder.
  • Obtaining cheap car hire in Boulder is straightforward, but there are roadways that will require extra caution. For instance, Canyon Boulevard is a major road in Boulder that has several intersections and pedestrian crossings, so it's important to be extra cautious while driving on this road. To navigate this road safely, it's important to pay attention to the posted speed limits and be aware of other vehicles and pedestrians. Foothills Parkway is another highway that runs through Boulder and connects to other regions of Colorado. It experiences fast-speed vehicles and will often get congested, so it's important to pay attention to traffic flow and give way to other vehicles when necessary.
  • The legal limit for operating a car in Boulder under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or above. For drivers under 21 years of age, the legal limit is a BAC of 0.02 or higher. If an officer believes a driver may be under the influence, they can administer a breathalyser or blood test, and a BAC at or above the legal limit can result in charges of DUI. Penalties for a first-time DUI offence can include fines, imprisonment, community service, and mandatory alcohol education or treatment programmes. Subsequent offences can result in more severe penalties.
  • Book your car hire in Boulder at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Compact hire cars in Boulder are around 45% cheaper than other car types, on average
See more tips

FAQs about hiring a car in Boulder

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Boulder?

    Like most cities in the U.S., Boulder is blessed with wide roads and large parking spaces. Fortunately for drivers who prefer large vehicles, this means they will have no problem renting even the largest of cars. However, if you plan on embarking on any road trips or would like to be mindful of your carbon footprint, it may be worth renting a smaller vehicle that is more fuel efficient.

  • What’s the speed limit in Boulder?

    Residential areas in Boulder feature speed limits of 20 to 35 mph, while urban roads feature speed limits of 35 to 55 mph. Rural roads, on the other hand, range from 55 to 65 mph. Interstates and highways in Boulder have speed limits of up to 75 mph.

  • Where are the best places to park in Boulder?

    Streetside parallel parking should basically suit your needs for most parts of Boulder, including the downtown area. Additionally, the majority of businesses such as restaurants and shopping centers will have ample parking available for customers. For paid parking such as in garages or private lots, the average cost is around $1.25 per hour for the first three hours and rates variably go up from there.

  • How much is the price of fuel in Boulder?

    The average price of fuel in Boulder is $5.43 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between $65 and $87, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Boulder?

    Compact (Ford Focus or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Boulder.

  • Which car hire agencies are at Denver Intl airport (DEN)?

    Car hire companies onsite at Denver Intl airport include NU Car, Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Sixt.

  • Which car hire companies will pick you up at Denver Intl airport (DEN)?

    The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Denver Intl airport to off-airport locations is Sixt.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Boulder?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Compact car hire cost in Boulder?

    A Compact car hire in Boulder costs $57 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Special car hire cost in Boulder?

    A Special car hire in Boulder costs $62 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Economy car hire cost in Boulder?

    An Economy car hire in Boulder costs $62 per day, on average.

  • What one-way streets are there in Boulder?

    There are some one-way streets in Boulder. Some of the one-way streets in Boulder include 13th Street, which is between Spruce Street and Canyon Boulevard; 14th Street, which is between Pearl Street and Canyon Boulevard; and 15th Street, which is between Pearl Street and Arapahoe Avenue.

  • How can I hire an electric car in Boulder?

    If you’re eco-conscious, you may be interested in hiring an electric vehicle. One of the car hire agencies that offer electric cars for hire in Boulder is Hertz. They have a variety of Tesla models available.

See more FAQs

Boulder car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.2

Cleanliness

8.3

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.1

Value for money

7.0

3 locations in Boulder

Show locations

Locations in Boulder

2745 Mapleton Ave

+1 303 448 9979

Monday07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday07:30 - 17:30
Thursday07:30 - 17:30
Friday07:30 - 17:30
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

4850 Valmont Rd

+1 303 448 9974

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

5472 Arapahoe Ave

+1 303 449 9466

Monday07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday07:00 - 18:00
Thursday07:00 - 18:00
Friday07:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff here are always conscientious about mask wearing, pick-up and drop-off are quick and easy with minimal interactions.

8.8 Very Good

Anonymous, July 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Drop off was super easy and I got an even better car than I expected.

Cons:

The all fees including the deposit should have been included in my reservation details. The location I was originally supposed to pick the car up from was closed and I only found a bit before I was supposed to pick the car up.

1 out of 1

Avis

Cleanliness

6.4

Comfort

7.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.1

Value for money

6.2

2 locations in Boulder

Show locations

Locations in Boulder

2480 49th Street

+1 303 245 0033

Monday07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday07:00 - 18:00
Thursday07:00 - 18:00
Friday07:00 - 18:00
Saturday08:00 - 14:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

4800 Baseline Road Suite D109a

+1 303 499 1136

Monday07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday07:00 - 18:00
Thursday07:00 - 18:00
Friday07:00 - 18:00
Saturday08:00 - 14:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Paul, Oct 2024

Passenger van

KAYAK
All was great

2.0 Poor

Kelby, Oct 2024

Standard

KAYAK
unfriendly and weird staff, refused to rent me a car that I had reserved and gave me no reason as to why. The attendant just said “i can’t rent you a car today.” Completely ruined my vacation plans.

2.8 Poor

Letícia, June 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Everything

1 out of 2

Hertz

Cleanliness

6.6

Comfort

6.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.1

Value for money

6.7

One location in Boulder

Show locations

Locations in Boulder

2515 N. 49th Street

+1 303 443 9122

Monday08:00 - 14:00
Tuesday08:00 - 14:00
Wednesday08:00 - 14:00
Thursday08:00 - 14:00
Friday08:00 - 14:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Rebecca, Aug 2024

Compact

KAYAK
Excellent overall experience

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Dec 2021

KAYAK
Never even rented the car. One of the employees in the store was extremely rude. Not impressed.

10.0 Wonderful

Jonathan, Dec 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Karen Edwards is outstanding! She’s worth more than whatever you’re paying her. She’s ready for much bigger responsibilities!

Cons:

All was fine!

10.0 Wonderful

marcel, Oct 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Very friendly staff

3.6 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff was friendly just understaffed not enough help. Your employee had to attempt to clean cars, rent cars, fill cars with gas at another location. How can hertz justify one employee to do all those jobs and not be able to attend to customers in a timely manner. The car had just returned from Florida wasn’t cleaned to covid standards. There was dry dirt prints on the seats from a dog being in the vehicle. Wasn’t wiped down properly. If you have covid standards then they are not being met! This employee is doing the best he can with all these jobs and hats put on him. I don’t fault your employee I fault hertz corporate rent a car for the sub standards. I don’t know about the higher ups but when I spend $353.00 of my money to rent your car I expect a clean car the outside had bug kill in the hood and windshield. I am disappointed in this transaction and hope you take this into account how you handle your rental business in the future!

Cons:

The car could have been cleaned inside and out that isn’t a far fetched expectation.

1 out of 5

Budget

4.2

Cleanliness

4.0

Comfort

5.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.7

Value for money

3.5

2 locations in Boulder

Show locations

Locations in Boulder

2480 49th Street

+1 303 245 6097

Monday07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday07:00 - 18:00
Thursday07:00 - 18:00
Friday07:00 - 18:00
Saturday08:00 - 14:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

4800 Baseline Road Suite D109a

+1 303 444 9054

Monday07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday07:00 - 18:00
Thursday07:00 - 18:00
Friday07:00 - 18:00
Saturday08:00 - 14:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Standard SUV

KAYAK
I was able to make an appointment to pick up my rental on a Saturday at 2pm. I arrived to find out the office closes at 2pm. The agent told me I was out of luck, made no effort to help remedy the situation, offered no assistance whatsoever; even told me that his system shuts off at 2, while he was finishing checking out a previous customer while it was getting close to 2:10. When I called budget, the customer service rep didn’t help search much of the surrounding areas for another location with the same vehicle, so I ended up having to go to the Denver airport rental office, effectively adding four hours to my rental pickup, and adding cost to the reservation, which the Budget rep refused to waive.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2024

Standard SUV

KAYAK
Car mostly clean, broken window switch I had to notify agent about. Friendly agent and fast service.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
I left my jacket and went back to pick it up the next day and the gunnison budget team informed me they didn’t clean the car and rented it out again so my jacket is lost wherever the next driver took it.

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Easy rental and return. Had the vehicle that we wanted/needed. Vehicle was clean and in good condition.

Cons:

There were no issues.

2.0 Poor

Aubrey, June 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing. Representative was extremely rude on both pick up and drop off. High pressure sales tactics for extra insurance, add ons and lied about the available vehicles. Wanted to charge me extra for " the only available car" being above the tier I paid for.

Cons:

Absolutely everything! Rude service.

1 out of 3

Silvercar

10.0

Wonderful

Best rated

One location in Boulder

Show locations

Locations in Boulder

1799 Exposition Dr

+1 855 359 2227

Monday08:30 - 17:30
Tuesday08:30 - 17:30
Wednesday08:30 - 17:30
Thursday08:30 - 17:30
Friday08:30 - 17:30
Saturday08:00 - 14:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

No reviews available

Sixt

7.3

Good

One location in Boulder

Show locations

Locations in Boulder

4770 Baseline Rd Suite 200

+1 954 860 4396

Monday09:00 - 12:00
Tuesday09:00 - 12:00
Wednesday09:00 - 12:00
Thursday09:00 - 12:00
Friday09:00 - 12:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

5.9

Fair

One location in Boulder

Locations in Boulder

2515 N. 49th Street

+1 303 443 9122

Monday08:00 - 14:00
Tuesday08:00 - 14:00
Wednesday08:00 - 14:00
Thursday08:00 - 14:00
Friday08:00 - 14:00

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

4.9

Mediocre

One location in Boulder

Locations in Boulder

2515 49th Street

+1 303 443 9122

Monday08:00 - 14:00
Tuesday08:00 - 14:00
Wednesday08:00 - 14:00
Thursday08:00 - 14:00
Friday08:00 - 14:00

Filters

No reviews available

53 travellers who hired a car in Boulder gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.4

Car hire locations in or near Boulder

Travelling to a place near Boulder?

Hire a car at Boulder if you plan to visit one of these locations
Breckenridge
Estes Park
Keystone
Castle Rock
Centennial
Golden
Westminster
Longmont
Wheat Ridge
Black Hawk
Manitou Springs
Central City
Englewood
Grand Lake
Lakewood
Idaho Springs
Limon
Lone Tree
Silverthorne
Aurora

Good to know

Most popular car type

Compact

When to book a car hire in Boulder

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Boulder car hire information

Pick-up locationBoulder
Car types
Hire locations12
Airport locations0

Not what you’re looking for? Find thousands of other hotels, flights, car hires and package deals with KAYAK.