Montpellier car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Montpellier
The best car rental companies in Montpellier are Hertz, Sixt, Europcar. Prices start from €24/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 12%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Montpellier
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€24/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#4
Europcar
No one-way fee within FranceFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Citer
Local pick — no one-way fee within FranceFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€21/day
base rate
View Citer deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-20 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Montpellier
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €24 | Renault Clio | 4 |
| Compact | €29 | Opel Corsa | 5 |
| SUV | €46 | Dacia Duster | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €63 | Volkswagen Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €92 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Montpellier
Airport — Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport (MPL)
About 8km southeast of the city, connected to the center by shuttle bus; a growing airport that added 11 new destinations in 2026.
Downtown — Montpellier city center (Comédie / Gare Saint-Roch)
Desks near the main train station suit travelers who want a car only for a day trip — Pont du Gard, Camargue or Pic Saint-Loup — rather than for the whole stay, since the pedestrian Écusson center itself needs no car.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~12% of base rate | MPL airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €7–12/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee (Montpellier ↔ Nice / Marseille) | €50–250 depending on distance and company | Different pickup/drop-off city — Europcar/Citer/Sixt often waive it within France, Avis/Hertz typically charge |
| Crit’Air sticker | €3.62–3.77 (official price) | Required for driving inside the expanding ZFE-m (low-emission zone) |
| Refundable deposit | €300–500 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Montpellier
- Montpellier’s historic Écusson center has been fully pedestrian since 2004 — there’s no street parking inside it; drivers use peripheral parking garages (Comédie, Préfecture, Corum, Arc de Triomphe) or park-and-ride lots on the tram lines.
- Montpellier’s low-emission zone (ZFE-m) expanded on July 1, 2026 from 11 to all 31 metropolitan communities — Crit’Air 1, 2 and electric (green E) vehicles are currently allowed, but only Crit’Air 1 and electric will be permitted from January 1, 2028. Non-compliance carries a €68 fine.
- A car isn’t needed for the city itself (4 tram lines plus a 57-station bike-share network cover it well), but it becomes valuable for day trips: Pic Saint-Loup (25 min, no train option) and Camargue/Aigues-Mortes have no convenient rail alternative.
- Pont du Gard, the UNESCO Roman aqueduct, is about 55 minutes by car versus a 24-minute train to Nîmes plus an additional onward connection — the direct drive is significantly faster for a half-day trip.
- Coastal one-way rentals along Montpellier–Nice–Marseille vary widely by company: Europcar, Citer and Sixt often waive the drop-off fee within France, while Avis and Hertz typically charge €50–250 depending on distance.
- Nearby beaches Palavas-les-Flots and La Grande-Motte get crowded from mid-afternoon in summer, but both offer free parking (a 700-space municipal lot near the Palavas train station, and several free lots along La Grande-Motte’s seafront).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Montpellier
Do you need a car in Montpellier?
Not for the city itself — the pedestrian Écusson center, 4 tram lines and a 57-station bike-share network cover it well. A car becomes worthwhile for day trips like Pont du Gard, Camargue or Pic Saint-Loup.
Can I park in the Écusson (historic center)?
No — it’s been fully pedestrian since 2004 with no street parking. Use one of the peripheral parking garages (Comédie, Préfecture, Corum, Arc de Triomphe) or a park-and-ride lot on the tram network instead.
What is Montpellier’s ZFE and does it affect rental cars?
The low-emission zone expanded on July 1, 2026 to cover all 31 metropolitan communities. Crit’Air 1, 2 and electric vehicles are currently allowed; most rental fleets qualify, but confirm with your company and carry the correct Crit’Air sticker.
How do I get to Pont du Gard from Montpellier?
By car it’s about 55 minutes direct. By train it’s 24 minutes to Nîmes plus an additional onward connection to the site — the drive is usually faster and more flexible for a half-day visit.
Can I do a one-way rental from Montpellier to Nice or Marseille?
Yes — Europcar, Citer and Sixt often don’t charge a drop-off fee within France, while Avis and Hertz typically do (roughly €50–250 depending on distance). Compare providers before booking.
Is Pic Saint-Loup worth visiting, and do I need a car?
Yes, and a car is essential — it’s about 25 minutes from Montpellier with no train option, making it one of the few nearby sites you can’t reach by public transport.
Nearby trips
