Hire Car

Exploring Cincinnati by Hire Car

Cincinnati is Ohio’s most exciting city with the most attractive recreational opportunities in the wider area.

To mention just a few examples, there are the fabulous Cincinnati Bengals football games and Cincinnati Reds baseball games to marvel at

, among others.

Why always just go to Munich? Cincinnati also has its Oktoberfest, considered the largest in the US.

The city is not otherwise stingy with events and sights. There are many beautiful places in the surrounding area that can be easily reached by hire car.

Taking over the hire car

You will find numerous hire car agencies at the Cincinnati airport. A shuttle that leaves every five to ten minutes near the baggage claim area will take you there. Before you book a car, just make sure that your rental company is also accessible by shuttle. After all, if it is only located near the airport, you may have to take a costly taxi to get to your hire car.

Booking the right hire car

If you plan to use your car primarily to get around Chicago’s urban area, a small car is recommended, as it will make it easier to find a parking space. If, on the other hand, you want to explore the charming surrounding countryside on well-developed highways, you should go for a large and comfortable car to be able to cover the sometimes long distances comfortably.

Hire car prices

Most of the time, renting a car in Cincinnati is an expensive pleasure. You can often get the best deals by booking well in advance of your trip and using our handy price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Cincinnati

Insuring the car properly

Even in the dense city traffic of Cincinnati, an accident can happen quickly with an unfamiliar hire car. If you’ve booked a car with comprehensive coverage with no deductible, you’ll be well covered in the event of a claim. With the liability, it is important to pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros.

This gives you at least some protection if people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved. If you find that your rental company’s coverage is too low, you can add extra security with a traveler’s policy. Consult your insurance provider to make sure your policy covers you in the US.

age limit

The age limit is 21 for virtually all of Cincinnati’s rental companies. No cars are rented to drivers younger than that. And drivers younger than 25 usually pay an additional fee. It’s best to check your rental company’s terms and conditions before booking.

Accessories

Also in Cincinnati, you must always order accessories separately from your rental company. Make reservations well in advance so that a child seat or navigation device is actually available at your station on the day of the rental.

Free kilometers

There’s so much to explore around Cincinnati that you should definitely reach for a car with all the miles free.

Tank control

There are rental companies in Cincnnati that require their customers to purchase the first tank of gas for an additional fee. The car can then be returned with an empty tank. To save this extra fee, book with a hire car company where you will receive the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank.

Bail

If your rental company actually charges the deposit for the hire car to your credit card, you may have to wait longer to get the money back after you return the car. Better book with a rental company that just blocks the amount.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Most customers are quite pleased with the hire car service in Cincinnati. However, some complain about trying to sell additional insurance on the spot. Make sure your car is adequately insured at the time of booking. And then consistently refuse to take out additional insurance in Cincinnati.

The exterior condition of some vehicles is also cause for complaint in some cases. If you notice defects such as dents or scratches on your hire car when you pick it up, you should have the damage confirmed in writing in a protocol. Keep the document in a safe place. Then, when you return the car, you can prove that it was not you who caused the damage to the vehicle.

Safety Hire Car

Although most hire cars in Cincinnati are roadworthy, there can be exceptions. Before you leave your rental company’s parking lot, make sure all of the vehicle’s lights are working. And also do a quick brake test before the trip begins.

Sights in Cincinnati

Carew Tower: Impressive view
First get an overview and start the stroll at Carew Tower. At 175 metres, it’s the tallest building in the city. An elevator takes you up to the 49th floor. With good visibility, you can enjoy not only the view of the city, but also of the states of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Roebling Suspension Bridge: Bridge with History
Afterwards, you may feel like crossing the Roebling Suspension Bridge. It was already built in 1876. Roebling later created the famous Brooklyn Bridge in New York based on this design.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: History of Slavery

The escape of slaves to the North is the subject of the exhibit at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which you’ll find very close to the bridge. A ticket costs $12, and the exhibit is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fountain Square: Spectacular Fountain
You can see a spectacular fountain at Fountain Square. It was built in 1871 and represents the spirit of water.

Rosenthal Museum of Contemporary Art: Modern Art
An extensive collection of modern art is offered at the Rosenthal Museum of Contemporary Art, located nearby. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. On weekends, you can visit the exhibition from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Monday, the museum opens at 10:00 am and closes at 9:00 pm. A ticket costs $7.50. On Monday, admission is free after 5:00 pm.

Cincinnati Art Museum: the art of Europe
Another museum worth visiting is the Cincinnati Art Museum. Here, the focus of the exhibition is on European art. However, there are also works from the United States on display. The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is free.

Bicential Commons at Sawyer Point: Charming Park
A stroll through the Bicential Commons at Sawyer Point park would be a good way to end your sightseeing. The pretty park is located right on the Ohio River. Modern sculptures and beautifully landscaped green spaces make the walk a relaxing experience.

Find a good restaurant

Many good restaurants beckon with tasty cuisine. We recommend Skyline Chili. As the name suggests, the restaurant specializes in chili dishes, which you can order in many variations.

Find a good hotel

You can also discover some good hotels in Cincinnati. Nostalgic travelers reserve their room at the Cincinnatian Hotel. They reside in a Victorian building dating back to 1882 and enjoy the comforts of modern times.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Indianapolis: Heaven for motorsport fans
Fans of motorsport can steer the hire car to Indianapolis. For the 180 kilometers you need about two hours. In Indianapolis the legendary “Indianapolis 500” car race takes place, which has been held since 1911. You can visit the race track, the Indianapolis Speedway.

A bus tour is offered where you can explore the track. Afterwards, at the Hall of Fame Museum, you will learn details about the history of the traditional race and can also admire 75 race cars. On the return trip, you’ll have plenty of time to think about what destinations around Cincinnati you’d like to visit next.

Suggestion for a trip by hire car

Louisville: Birthplace of a Boxing Legend
A trip by hire car could take you to Louisville first. In about an hour and a half you will be there. Old Louisville in particular, with its streets lined with Victorian homes, is well worth the visit. Sports fans might want to check out the Loisville Slugger Museum first. The Louisville Slugger is a baseball bat that is prized throughout the country.

During the tour, you’ll learn all about its manufacture. The exhibition around Muhammad Ali Center is dedicated to the boxer Muhammad Ali, who saw the light of day in Louisville on January 17, 1942. There you can also see an impressive film about the life of the boxing legend. You can learn a lot about the history of the region at the end of your stroll when you visit the Frazier International History Museum.

Lexington: All About Horses
Continue your journey to Lexington, which you’ll reach in about an hour and a half. There you will find yourself in a sophisticated city that owes its wealth, among other things, to the breeding of racehorses. Consequently, you should also visit the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, which can be found a little outside the city.

A theme park introduces you to equestrian sports. Numerous racehorses that live here await admirers. And in the Museum of the Horse, you can learn a lot about horses. If you want to explore the surrounding countryside on horseback yourself, you can contact Whispering Woods. The company offers guided horseback riding tours.

Frankfort: Picturesque Capital
Before you return to Cincinnati with your hire car, you can still make a stop in Frankfort. You can be there in just over half an hour. The picture-perfect capital of Kentucky awaits you, with less than 30,000 inhabitants. With the Old State Capitol you can visit the place where the parliament resided from 1827 to 1910.

And the Kentucky History Center will teach you about the state’s history. An hour and a half drive now separates you from Cincinnati, where you can review the day’s events and plan your next excursions in a hire car.

conclusion

Cincinnati is a wonderful base for road trips in a hire car. There is plenty to see in the city and the surrounding countryside beckons with numerous delightful destinations, all of which can be easily reached by car. With our practical price comparison you will quickly find a car at favourable conditions.

Get best prices on your

Hire car

here!

Search now »

Advisor Articles

How to protect yourself from potential hire car rip-offs!

Wet roads, new car: here are helpful tips!

How to steer the holiday car with automatic transmission.

Tips & tricks for hire car. What to look out for!

How to drive the hire car better through mountain and valley!

Extreme cold - challenge for rental vehicles

What to watch out for when renting a car with jet lag

Is it possible to rent the hire car without a credit card?

Master long driving distances well prepared.

Choosing the right rental vehicle from the hire car company.

How to protect yourself from a hire car theft

Break down with your holiday car? Here's how best to respond.

What to look for in a hire car accident

What insurance coverage you need when renting a car

What rules apply to hire cars regarding mandatory winter tires.

Exploring the USA by hire car

Road Trip USA - Part 2