Question 1

Will my U.S. driver’s license work for renting a car in Guadalajara? Do I need an International Driving Permit?

Accepted Answer

Your valid U.S. (or Canadian/European/etc.) driver’s license is all you need to rent a car in Guadalajara an International Driving Permit (IDP) is not required in Mexico for visitors. Rental agencies accept a license printed in Roman alphabet, which covers licenses from the US, Canada, UK, EU, and many other countries. An IDP is basically just a translation of your license you might obtain one for peace of mind if your license isn’t in English/Spanish (or if you plan to drive outside Mexico too), but for most travelers it’s optional. The key is that the name on your license must match your passport and credit card, and the license should be valid (not expired) for the duration of the rental. So pack your home country license (and carry it when driving), and you’ll be good to go. The rental counter will not ask for an IDP if your license is in English or Spanish.

Question 2

I’m 21 years old can I rent a car at Guadalajara Airport?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! The minimum age to rent at most companies in Mexico is 21. Since you’re 21, you qualify, but be aware of the Young Driver surcharge. Renters under 25 usually incur an extra fee of around $10 USD per day (varies by company). It’s automatically added in your quote when you input your age with us. If you were under 21, very few mainstream companies would rent to you though some local agencies rent to 18-20 year-olds with a higher fee and possibly a limited vehicle selection. At age 21, you’ll have access to economy through standard car categories pretty much everywhere. Some higher-end vehicle categories (luxury cars, large vans) may require drivers to be 25+. One tip: if you have someone 25+ in your group, compare costs of having them as the renter sometimes it can save the fee (but then they’d have to do all the driving). Additional drivers under 25 would also typically pay a fee. In summary: at 21, you absolutely can rent at GDL, just budget for the under-25 fee in your rental cost.

Question 3

Is it easy to pick up my rental car at GDL Airport? Where do I go when I land?

Accepted Answer

Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Intl Airport (GDL) is fairly user-friendly for rental car pickups. After you clear customs and collect your baggage, you’ll find the car rental counters in the Arrivals area of the main Terminal (Terminal 1). Major companies have desks right by the exit of baggage claim look for signs for “Renta de Autos”. Once you fill out paperwork at the counter, many of the rental lots are actually a short walk just outside the terminal GDL has a dedicated rental car area on the airport grounds. The staff will direct you. A few companies are located just off-site (a few hundred meters away), and for those, you’ll take a quick shuttle. For example, Enterprise/National might shuttle you to their office about 500m from the terminal. The shuttle pickup point is usually right outside the arrivals hall (they often have you call from a courtesy phone or there’s a representative waiting). But rest assured, the process is quick the airport is not huge. Many travelers report being in their rental car and on the road within 20-30 minutes of landing (assuming no huge lines at the counter). When returning, you’ll generally bring the car back to the same area on-site if it was on-site, or the off-site office will shuttle you back to your departure terminal. All of this will be explained in your rental agreement. If in doubt, ask the counter staff for the return procedure and exact location.

Question 4

Do I really need a rental car if I’m just staying in Guadalajara city?

Accepted Answer

If your plans are to stay within Guadalajara city proper (mainly the central neighborhoods) and you don’t have kids or mobility issues, you could manage without a car. The city has Uber, which is inexpensive for getting around the urban area, and there’s a decent light-rail train (Tren Ligero) plus buses for public transit. In fact, parking in the city center can be a bit of a challenge, so some travelers without day trips planned opt to go car-free in the city. However, there are a couple of scenarios where having a car is still beneficial in the city: 1) If you’re traveling with young children or seniors having your own vehicle is way more convenient (you can use your own car seats, stop when you need to, etc.). 2) If your itinerary includes going out at night to multiple spots (e.g., you want to try restaurants in Providencia, then a bar in Chapultepec, etc.), having a car saves you from trying to find Ubers late at night (they’re available, but you might face surge pricing or a wait). Also, some parts of the metro area like the zoo or suburban shopping centers are easier reached by car. One strategy some visitors use: rent a car but keep it at the hotel when you know you’ll be just walking/Ubering around busy areas, and use it for specific excursions. Guadalajara’s traffic is not as crazy as Mexico City’s, so driving around is relatively stress-free, especially midday or on weekends. In short: you can explore Guadalajara without a car, but having one gives you comfort (AC in the heat, a secure place for belongings) and flexibility, even for in-city exploration. If you do skip the car, you can always rent one for a day or two later if you decide to venture out our downtown rental locations have you covered too.

Question 5

Can I drop off my Guadalajara rental car in another city (one-way)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many rental companies allow one-way rentals within Mexico. You could, for example, rent a car at GDL and drop it in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Cancún or elsewhere. When booking on our site, just choose a different drop-off location and we’ll show you options. Keep in mind, almost all one-way rentals will include a drop-off fee that varies by distance. For instance, dropping off at Puerto Vallarta or Mexico City might incur a fee around $100–$200 USD. Dropping in Cancún (much farther) could be higher. We factor this fee into the price we display, so it’s transparent. Is it worth it? For some itineraries, absolutely. Example: you want to do a road trip through the Bajío region and end up in Mexico City a one-way saves you the time of backtracking to Guadalajara. Just budget for the fee. One tip: stick to larger companies for one-ways, as they have more locations to accept returns (and sometimes lower fees due to frequent transfers). Another tip: if you’re under 25, that young driver fee still applies on one-ways too. Logistically, the drop-off in another city is simple you return the car to that city’s airport or downtown branch as instructed. Make sure to note the closing time of the drop location (24-hour airports are easiest for flexibility). In summary, one-ways from Guadalajara are doable and common just plan for the fee, and enjoy the freedom of a multi-city road adventure!

Question 6

Can I rent a car in Mexico without a credit card (using cash or debit)?

Accepted Answer

Major rental car companies in Mexico generally require a credit card in the primary driver’s name for the security deposit. A debit card might be accepted by some suppliers, but often with additional requirements (proof of round-trip flight, two forms of ID, etc.) and sometimes a higher deposit. Renting with only cash is typically not possible at the airport locations even if you pay the rental cost in cash, the agency will still want a card for the deposit hold. If you absolutely have no credit card, a few local agencies may rent with a debit card plus a sizable cash deposit, but this is not the norm and usually not available at airport counters. Avis and Budget in Mexico have been known to accept debit cards for the deposit if you purchase their full insurance, but policies vary. Our advice: assume you’ll need a credit card. It will make your experience smoother. The card needs enough available credit for that deposit hold (which, as mentioned, can be a couple thousand dollars if you decline insurance). If you plan to use a debit card, be sure to check the rental company’s terms beforehand or contact us we can help identify which partner might accommodate it. And if you only have cash… it’s worth getting a prepaid travel credit card or similar before your trip. Rental companies just won’t hand over a car without some form of financial guarantee.

Question 7

Are there tolls on the way to Puerto Vallarta (or other major routes from GDL)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you’re driving from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta (or to cities like Aguascalientes, León, Mexico City, etc.), you will encounter toll roads. For Puerto Vallarta: you’ll pay several tolls on the route via Tepic/Compostela expect around 4-5 toll booths. The total one-way cost to PV in tolls is roughly MX$600-700 (about $30-35 USD). The toll road segments are faster and safer than the old winding free roads, so it’s money well spent. Other routes: going north to Tepatitlán/Aguascalientes has some toll sections; heading to León/Guanajuato via Irapuato has tolls; driving to Mexico City you’ll also pay multiple tolls on the Arco Norte or Hwy 15D. Always keep pesos ready some booths give change in pesos only. If you’re curious about exact amounts, tolls are usually listed at traffik or SCT websites, or we can provide an estimate if you ask. But as a rule of thumb, think in the range of MX$100 for shorter hops and MX$300+ for long stretches. One more thing: if you’re planning a round trip, keep the toll receipt tickets in a few cases, showing previous toll receipts at the next plaza can get a slight discount (this is done on a couple of toll circuits). It’s not common around Jalisco, but a habit worth having. And don’t try to avoid tolls by taking “libres” unless you really want the scenic slow route; toll roads here have a strong safety record for instance, the new toll highway to Vallarta significantly improves safety by bypassing curvy segments. So, budget some cash for tolls as part of your road trip expense, and enjoy the smooth ride.

Question 8

Is it safe to drive from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta (or other long-distance routes)?

Accepted Answer

Driving in Western Mexico is generally safe, especially in daylight. The road to Puerto Vallarta, for example, is a common route for locals and tourists alike and it’s perfectly safe during the day if you’re a reasonably confident driver. The biggest hazards are natural: the section between Compostela and Las Varas towards PV is curvy and requires caution (don’t rush, and avoid overtaking on blind curves, as that part of the highway has memorials indicating it can be dangerous if you drive recklessly). By taking the new toll portions and driving attentively, you’ll be fine. As a rule, avoid driving long stretches at night. Visibility is lower, and in rural areas, you might encounter animals on the road or slow-moving vehicles without proper lights. If you’re driving to PV, try to leave Guadalajara in the morning so you’re descending towards the coast by afternoon. For other routes: driving to Tequila very safe by day, just moderate traffic. Driving to Mexico City safe by day; there are plenty of rest stops and it’s a busy toll road. Petty crime like car break-ins can happen at tourist stops, so use secure parking and don’t leave valuables visible (we’ve mentioned this, but it’s worth repeating). Also, consider local advice: if there were any temporary security issues (road closures due to protests or an incident), locals usually update quickly on Google Maps or Waze. But these are rare and typically resolved fast. The bottom line: Western Mexico’s roads are safe for tourists who use common sense. Keep your doors locked in city traffic (to prevent opportunistic window washers or such from surprise-opening again, rare but a simple precaution). And if you ever feel unsure, stick to main highways and daylight travel. Thousands of visitors drive these routes every month without incident, so you can too, with the right preparation and caution.

Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) Van & Car Rental | Airport Van Rental

Why rent a car at Guadalajara International Airport