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McGhee Tyson Airport · Rental cars

Rental cars at TYS.

Eight companies rent from counters inside the terminal, and you return the car steps away in the garage. Here is who is there, where to go, and a comparator that shows what a quote really costs.

Compare quotes The counters

Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Short answer

Eight rental companies have counters at McGhee Tyson: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Payless. The counters are on the lower level near baggage claim, and returns go to the first floor of the parking garage off Airport Loop Road. Hours vary by company, and the airport recommends reserving ahead.

Companies verified on the airport's Car Rentals page, Oct 19, 2026

Knox Nonstop is an independent guide, not the airport. For live parking, flight status and official notices, use flyknoxville.com.

At a glance

Renting at TYS

8rental companies with counters in the terminal.

1floor of the new garage set aside for rental car operations.

45.3miles from the terminal to Gatlinburg.

0airport-run shuttles off the property.

Interactive

What does that quote really cost?

A low daily rate can hide a big total. Enter up to three quotes from the checkout screens and see them side by side.

True-cost comparatorYour quotes, side by side

Rental days: 4

Quote 1 Company Base rate per day ($) Taxes and fees, total ($) Extras: seats, coverage, tolls ($) Fuel: prepay or your estimate ($)

Quote 2 Company Base rate per day ($) Taxes and fees, total ($) Extras: seats, coverage, tolls ($) Fuel: prepay or your estimate ($)

Quote 3 Company Base rate per day ($) Taxes and fees, total ($) Extras: seats, coverage, tolls ($) Fuel: prepay or your estimate ($)

Quote 1Enter a base rate?

Quote 2Enter a base rate?

Quote 3Enter a base rate?

Enter at least one quote to see its true total.

Total = base rate × days + taxes and fees + extras + fuel. Use the figures from each company's final checkout screen, the only reliable source for taxes and fees.

The counters

Company	Local counter phone
Alamo	(865) 342-3210
Avis	(865) 342-3224
Budget	(865) 342-3224
Dollar	(865) 342-3251
Enterprise	(865) 342-1659
Hertz	(865) 342-3234
National	(865) 342-3240
Payless	(865) 342-3224

Local numbers as listed by the airport (page updated Feb 25, 2025). Avis, Budget and Payless share a number there. Counters are on the lower level near baggage claim; hours vary by company.

Drop-off

Returning the car

Where

The airport says the return area is on the first floor of the parking garage, reached from Airport Loop Road.

When

Build the return into your airport time. The airport asks travelers to be in the terminal 2.5 hours before departure. Our planner works backward from your flight.

What is changing

The new garage, due in summer 2027, includes a floor for rental car operations. The airport's 2030 terminal plan also relocates the Hertz maintenance building.

Aerial view of Neyland Stadium, the University of Tennessee's football stadium in Knoxville, with its double-deck stands wrapped around the field

Game weekends

Book early for home games.

The airport forecast Thursday, Sept 24, 2026 as its peak rental car day of the record Tennessee vs Texas weekend. Any home-game weekend is a good time to reserve well ahead.

Game-day planner

Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

More airport guides

Questions

Which rental car companies are at the Knoxville airport?

Eight, per the airport: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Payless.

Where are the rental car counters at McGhee Tyson?

On the lower level of the terminal near baggage claim. Counter hours vary by company.

Where do I return a rental car at TYS?

The airport says the Rental Car Return area is on the first floor of the parking garage, reached from Airport Loop Road (page updated February 2025). Follow the signs, since garage construction continues into 2027.

Do I need a rental car in Knoxville?

Often, yes, if you are heading beyond downtown. The airport offers no off-property shuttle, downtown is about 14.5 miles away and Gatlinburg about 45.3 miles. Rideshare and taxis work for downtown and UT trips.

When are rental cars hardest to get at TYS?

Big event weekends. The airport forecast Thursday, Sept 24, 2026, the start of the Tennessee vs Texas weekend, as its peak rental car day, and it urged travelers to prebook ground transportation.

Is there a rental car shuttle at TYS?

The counters are inside the terminal and returns are in the garage next to it, so the airport lists no rental shuttle. The airport offers no off-property shuttle service in general.

Sources