Should I Rent a Car in Baltimore? | Budget Car Rental

Should I Rent a Car in Baltimore?

Your session has expired. Please enter your details and search again.
errors.invalid_concur_awd,budget
We are sorry, the site has not properly responded to your request. Please try again. If the problem persists, please Contact Us.<{{vm.code}}> Reference Number <{{vm.referenceNumber}}>
You are successfully logged in. We have re-started your reservation to ensure your profile preferences are included.
{{vm.errMsgPast}}
Your Member Benefits Have Been Applied!   |   Start Your Reservation Below. Terms Apply

lbl.res.selectOne,budget

lbl.res.bookingFor,budget
Add Customer ID *
{{vm.reservationModel.personalInfoRQ.firstName}} {{vm.reservationModel.personalInfoRQ.lastName}}
{{vm.customer.firstName}} {{vm.customer.lastName}}
{{vm.reservationModel.personalInfoRQ.firstName}} {{vm.reservationModel.personalInfoRQ.lastName}}
{{vm.customer.wizardNumberMasked}}
Benefits Applied {{couponCount}}
Offer Codes {{couponCount}}*
Select Vehicle Type *
Your offer code is invalid. Learn Why?
Your Coupon can't be used for this reservation. Learn Why?
Purpose of Travel is a required field.
Please enter valid membership number.
Please enter valid membership number.
Please provide a valid membership ID, or click the link indicating you do not have your membership ID, and provide your full name and address.
Please enter a valid corporate email address.
Request aborted as otp limit exhausted.
We are unable to process your request at this time.
We are unable to process your request at this time. Please return to the Homepage and start your process again or use the Worldwide Phone Number List to find your Budget Customer Service telephone number.
{{item.description}}

* Optional

Note: Rates are calculated based on details you provide. Modifications may change your rate, and if so, the Car Selection page will redisplay.

Continue
Your Member Benefits Have Been Applied! Start Your Reservation Below. Terms Apply

lbl.res.selectOne,budget

lbl.res.bookingFor,budget
Select My Car Continue

Verify Your AARP Status

Please enter the name and address linked to your AARP account.

Should You Rent a Car in Baltimore?

Maybe! Honestly, whether you should rent a car in Baltimore depends on your itinerary. 

If you’re sticking to the core of the city and the general harbor area for your trip, you can probably do without a rental. It’s a lovely, walkable area with terrific public transportation options.

But if you want to expand your visit beyond those boundaries, hitting up nearby towns or historical landmarks, a rental car is a smart choice.

Baltimore Infrastructure

The city branches out from the Baltimore Inner Harbor on the Patapasco River, and its walkable core is centered right around that area: Fells Point, Harbor East, Canton, Federal Hill. Public transit is especially great in that vicinity, too, although this is Maryland—so you’ll want to bundle up if you’ll be waiting at a bus stop or metro station in the winter.

The city moves out from there, but it’s never as compact and concentrated as around the harbor. Historic neighborhoods like Mount Vernon, Pigtown, and Charles Village are great to explore, but you’ll probably want a car to get there. Same goes for the suburbs, which pop up sooner than you expect.

Are there toll roads in Baltimore?

Yes, although most are concentrated around bridges and tunnels, with some express lanes on I-95. Our Maryland toll guide covers the tolls visitors are most likely to encounter while driving in Baltimore.

Comparing Vacation Transportation Options in Baltimore

Walk Score gives Baltimore a 64, ranking it as the 14th most walkable large city in the United States. You can get a great feel for the city by staying in the general Inner Harbor area and exploring on foot. 

Other local neighborhoods tend to be walkable, too, but you’ll need a ride to get there. If you want to see everything the area offers, renting a car in Baltimore is a good idea.

Baltimore has a solid network of public transportation options. Walk Score gives it a 53, thanks to its mix of buses, trains, subways, and light rail. Most of these are managed under the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). 

If you’re sticking mostly to the central areas of town around the harbor, there’s even a free bus system called the Charm City Circulator. 

Renting a car for vacation in Baltimore still gives you more freedom, but the public transit-savvy don’t necessarily need one.

Did we mention that a good chunk of the city is walkable and there are robust public transportation options? 

You’ll want to hold onto that because Baltimore ranked the 9th-worst US city for traffic in 2025. Congestion is pretty heavy, and the daily commute is among the longest in the nation for locals.

Bottom Line: Should You Rent a Car in Baltimore?

At this point, it shouldn’t surprise you that the answer to whether you need a car rental in Baltimore is a resounding maybe. 

In this particular city, and especially if the majority of your plans involve the greater Inner Harbor area, you can have a great time on foot and with public transportation (some of it free!). 

You’ll want to rent a car if:

  • You intend to explore nearby cities like Essex, Glen Burnie, and Woodlawn.
  • You’ll take a day trip to nearby Washington, DC—although there are rail options for that, too.
  • The cold winter weather puts a damper on walking.

If you choose to rent, Budget is here with outstanding prices. We have convenient car rental locations throughout the Baltimore metro area, including our rental counter at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.