Car rental in
Albuquerque, NM
Our top branches in Albuquerque, NM
Our services at Albuquerque, NM
SIXT Car Rental in Albuquerque
Pick up your car rental in Albuquerque from convenient locations like the SIXT branch at the Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). Our large fleet is comprised of a wide variety of vehicles from top brands. You’ll also enjoy flexible booking options and manage your booking via the SIXT app, ensuring a streamlined rental process. When you rent a car in Albuquerque, you’re empowered to discover the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, visit world-class attractions, and venture into the stunning New Mexican landscapes at your own pace. Book your SIXT rental car in Albuquerque for ultimate flexibility.
Recommended Vehicle Options for Car Rental in Albuquerque
- SUVs: Ideal for exploring Albuquerque’s mountainous surroundings, nearby hiking trails, and desert parks.
- Economy cars: Perfect for navigating city streets, attending festivals, and easily finding parking downtown.
- Convertibles: Great for enjoying New Mexico’s abundant sunshine along scenic drives like Route 66 or the Turquoise Trail.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Albuquerque?
The price of your car rental in Albuquerque will depend on a few things:
- Vehicle type: Choose from efficient economy cars, spacious SUVs, or upscale premium models, each coming at a different daily rate.
- Rental duration: Longer-term rentals are typically cheaper per day than daily rentals.
- Pick-up and return locations: Prices are set by your pick-up and drop-off locations.
SIXT Pro Tip: Choose “Best Price” at checkout for the most savings as opposed to flexible payment.
Add-ons & Protection Packages
Personalize your rental by booking extras and choosing your protection level.
- Available extras include GPS, child safety seats, and additional drivers.
- Pick from our different Protection options depending on your needs.
Driving Tips for Albuquerque
Driving in Albuquerque is generally easy, but the city’s unique layout and local ordinances require special attention.
Traffic Rules in Albuquerque
- Downtown and Old Town Albuquerque maintain active pedestrian crossings and enhanced enforcement; always yield at marked crosswalks.
- Exhibition driving, such as racing or performing stunts, is prohibited within city limits.
Road Conditions and Navigation
- The I-25 and I-40 corridors enable efficient citywide navigation, though traffic can increase during peak festival periods and rush hours.
- Stay alert as you’ll be sharing the road with city buses, cyclists, and occasional trams, especially near UNM and Nob Hill.
Parking in Albuquerque
Parking is managed by city-owned garages, lots, and metered systems. Downtown garages and official surface lots provide convenient access to key neighborhoods and attractions.
- Convention Center Parking Garage: Convenient for downtown events and restaurants as well as accessing the convention center.
- Old Town Lot on Central Avenue: Ideal for exploring Old Town’s shops, museums, and cultural sites.
Fueling Instructions
Fueling is self-service throughout the city of Albuquerque. Most gas stations accept major credit/debit cards at the pump or inside.
- Local labels include Regular (87), Midgrade (89), Premium (91–93).
- Always check your rental agreement for the preferred or required fuel type.
SIXT Pro Tip: Ask about our prepaid fuel program to skip topping up your tank before return.
Tolls
No tolls apply for any local roads, highways, or bridges in Albuquerque or elsewhere in New Mexico. However, if you drive to Texas or Colorado, you may encounter toll roads in those states; be sure to check payment methods before travel.
Top Places to Visit by Car in Albuquerque
A SIXT car rental in Albuquerque gives you the freedom to explore the city and its surroundings on your own terms.
Sandia Peak Tramway: Soar Above the City
- Distance from Albuquerque International Sunport: 13 miles (20.9 km)
- Estimated driving time: 25 minutes
The Sandia Peak Tramway delivers stunning panoramic views of Albuquerque and the surrounding mountains. Its 2.7-mile tram ride is one of the longest in North America and offers access to year-round hiking trails.
Old Town Albuquerque: The Heart of History
- Distance from Albuquerque International Sunport: 9 miles (14.5 km)
- Estimated driving time: 15 minutes
Old Town is the city’s historic heart, featuring adobe buildings, artisan boutiques, and New Mexican eateries surrounding the central plaza. Founded in 1706, it’s home to San Felipe de Neri Church and often hosts seasonal festivals.
Petroglyph National Monument: For Ancient Rock Art
- Distance from Downtown Albuquerque: 6.4 miles (10.3 km)
- Estimated driving time: 10 minutes
This historic park preserves over 24,000 ancient petroglyphs carved into volcanic rocks by ancestral Pueblo people and early settlers. Several scenic trails and interpretive areas are accessible by car.
ABQ BioPark: For Family Fun and Nature
- Distance from Downtown Albuquerque: 1.2 miles (1.9 km)
- Estimated driving time: 5 minutes
The ABQ BioPark includes a zoo, an aquarium, a botanic garden, and Tingley Beach. Each facility immerses you in local and global wildlife, lush gardens, and riverside walks, making for an entire day of family fun.
Rent a car in Albuquerque with SIXT and enjoy everything the city has to offer.
Customer reviews & feedback
What our customers are saying
*Our Customer Excitement Score is based on a survey sent to all customers who booked in Albuquerque, NM. The score is an average of all customer responses.
Good to know when renting in Albuquerque, NM
One-way rentals between SIXT locations are generally allowed. Additional fees may apply.
You will need a valid driver’s license to rent with SIXT, plus a passport if your license is not from the US. International renters with licenses that use a non-Roman alphabet like Cyrillic or Arabic will also need an international driving permit.
The minimum age for a SIXT rental in the US is 21. Some specialty and larger car types require drivers to be 25 or older.
Yes. SIXT places a temporary hold on your credit card at pickup for the amount of the deposit. For payments with debit cards, please refer to our rental information for more details about deposits. The amount depends on the location and vehicle. Please check for more details on payment information in this article.
In the U.S., generally a minimum of $200 will be charged to the payment method for security purposes. The deposit for high-value vehicles may be higher. Non-airport locations in Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Illinois have higher minimum authorization amounts. Additional details on the deposit can be found in this article.
Reservations are by vehicle category (“or similar”), not by an exact model. When a "guaranteed model" option is shown for your dates and location, selecting it reserves that specific model. Otherwise, you’ll receive a comparable car in the same group with similar size and performance subject to availability.
The exact mileage policy for your booking is shown during the reservation process, so you’ll know what’s included before pickup.
Vehicles rented at most SIXT locations in the contiguous United States may be driven throughout the contiguous states. Travel into Canada must be in accordance with our geographical restrictions, which can be found in our rental information. Travel to Mexico is not allowed. If you drive outside authorized areas, a fee of $0.50 per mile will apply.
All renters and authorized drivers must present a valid, unexpired, original driver’s license at the time of rental. Renters with a non-U.S. driver's license may also need to provide a valid passport or other government-issued ID. Licenses in non-Roman alphabets (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic) must be accompanied by an international driver’s license. If the license is from a country not in the international driver’s license treaty, an official translation is required. See our rental information for full driver’s license and age requirements.
