How Does the Airport Car Rental Process Work? Ways to Pick Up Your Vehicle Just 10 Minutes After Landing

If you want to quickly join city traffic or head straight to your route after landing at the airport, planning the airport car rental process correctly is essential. Between the aircraft landing, baggage claim, and reaching the pick-up point, knowing every step — from reservation to pre-authorization — helps you avoid losing time. Especially when working with professional brands like Europcar, which have strong operational networks at airports, the time from leaving the aircraft to receiving your car can truly drop to 10 minutes.

The guide below covers all the details about fast pick-up, delay management, late-night arrivals, and how airport rent a car operations work.

Benefits of Making a Reservation Before Landing

Demand for airport car rentals is always high. Making last-minute decisions after landing often leads to risks such as no available vehicles, higher prices, or long queues. Booking before your flight lands saves both time and money.

First, early reservations generally offer lower airport car rental prices. While instant prices rise during peak hours, early bookings provide more favorable options. Additionally, when you book in advance, the rental company can add your flight number to the system and track your landing. This means your reservation will not be canceled even if the flight is delayed, and your vehicle will be kept ready.

Early booking also provides advantages in terms of vehicle segment selection. Economy, mid-size, SUV, or automatic options run out quickly at airports. Having your car prepared before you even touch the runway allows you to step out of the terminal and reach the pick-up point seamlessly.

In short, booking a car before landing ensures speed, better pricing, and more vehicle choices.

How Do Car Pick-Up Points Work at Airports?

Every airport has a different rent a car layout. There are three main models: in-terminal offices, parking lot pick-up points, and off-terminal offices accessed by shuttle.

In in-terminal offices — such as Europcar airport offices — procedures are completed directly inside the terminal. This is the fastest pick-up method. After signing the documents, customers are directed to the parking lot.

Some airports have their car delivery points located inside the terminal’s parking area. In this model, Europcar staff direct you straight to the designated parking zone after your reservation, which helps save time since you do not need to search for an office in the terminal.

At off-terminal offices, companies may offer shuttle services. Europcar usually provides in-terminal offices at major airports, so shuttles are often unnecessary — but at some locations, a quick shuttle connection is available.

No matter which airport you land at, simply reading the pick-up instructions in your reservation confirmation is enough to avoid getting lost in the terminal.

Documents Required for Fast Pick-Up and the Approval Process

If you want to speed up your airport car rental, preparing your documents beforehand is the most critical step. Most delays occur due to missing documents. The required items are clear: a valid driver’s license, ID or passport, and a credit card.

Most companies require at least one year of driving experience; some request two years for higher segments. For identity verification, a national ID card is sufficient for local customers, while foreign customers can use a passport. A credit card is required for pre-authorization, though some companies may request additional verification for extra drivers, deposits, or guarantees.

The key to a faster approval process is completing all information accurately during reservation. Many companies offer a digital check-in feature, allowing the customer to fill out the contract beforehand, cutting waiting time in half.

If your documents are ready and you’ve completed digital check-in, receiving your car at the airport can truly take just 10 minutes.

How Pre-Authorization and Deposit Transactions Work at Airports

The car rental pre-authorization process is one of the steps that takes the most time at airports, so understanding how it works makes things easier. Pre-authorization is a temporary hold placed on your credit card by the rental company. It acts as security for possible extra charges such as fuel differences, traffic fines, or damage.

At airports, pre-authorization is carried out instantly through POS devices. However, in some cases, bank security checks can cause a 1–2 minute delay. If your card limit is insufficient, the process may take longer. The best solution is to check your card limit before traveling.

Some companies use a deposit car rental model instead of pre-authorization. In this case, a certain amount is collected in cash or via debit card. Cash deposits are less common at airports but may still exist among certain local companies.

The hold is released at the end of the rental. If the vehicle is returned without issues, the block is typically lifted within 1–7 days, depending on the bank.

Different Pick-Up Models of Airport Rent a Car Companies

Each airport rent a car company has different vehicle delivery procedures. Some use an express pick-up model, while others prefer conducting the full inspection with the customer. Knowing these models helps you anticipate the process.

In the express pick-up model, the car is prepared in advance, the contract is signed at the counter, the keys are handed over, and the customer walks directly to the vehicle. This is the fastest method and is commonly labeled as fast check-out during peak hours.

In the classic model, the representative accompanies the customer to the vehicle, checks existing scratches, notes them, photographs fuel levels, and then hands over the keys. This method is safer for the customer but takes slightly longer.

Some companies offer VIP meet-and-greet, delivering the vehicle directly at the terminal exit. This model is typically used for high-segment rentals or special reservations.

Because the delivery model is one of the biggest factors affecting speed, asking about it during reservation helps you plan ahead.

Key Tips for Matching Your Landing Time with Vehicle Pick-Up Time

If you want to align your landing time with a fast vehicle pick-up, a few strategic steps help. The first is providing your flight code in the reservation. Since the company tracks flight movements automatically, your car will be held for you in the event of a delay. Without a flight number, the system may mark you as a “no-show.”

Second, consider baggage claim time. If you are traveling with only cabin luggage, you will reach the vehicle much faster. If you have checked baggage, add 15–20 minutes to your landing time.

Third, check whether the office is in-terminal or shuttle-based. Off-terminal offices require a 5–10 minute shuttle transfer. Planning this avoids a chaotic arrival.

Finally, if you are landing at peak hours (11:00–14:00 or 18:00–21:00), choosing express delivery provides major benefits.

Late-Night Airport Car Rental: How to Find Open Offices

As late-night flights become more common, finding an open airport rent a car office has become increasingly important. At major airports (Istanbul Airport, Sabiha Gökçen, Antalya, Izmir, Ankara), 24/7 offices are usually available. However, this may differ in mid-sized airports.

If you are planning a late-night pick-up, confirm the following during reservation:
 Is the office 24/7 open? If not, is there after-hours staff? Is there a late pick-up fee? Is the office in-terminal or does it require a shuttle?
 If a shuttle is needed, guaranteeing late-night transportation is crucial.

For late-night arrivals, choosing large global brands usually provides a safer and faster experience.

What Happens to Your Car Reservation During Flight Delays?

Flight delays are common in airport car rentals. To prevent your reservation from being canceled due to delays, some rules apply. If you have provided your flight information, the company tracks the delay and keeps your car for a defined period.

If no flight information was provided, the company may classify you as a no-show and give the car to another customer during busy periods. This is why informing the company via mobile app or customer service is crucial in case of delays.

Some companies do not charge extra for delays, while others may apply rescheduling policies during high demand. However, most do not treat flight delays as customer error and act with a solution-oriented approach.

In short, providing your flight number is the golden rule to protect your reservation from flight delays.

Fast and Comfortable Airport Car Pick-Up with Europcar

If you want to continue your journey without wasting time after landing, you need a reliable partner. Europcar car rental simplifies airport pick-up processes with 24/7 airport offices, fast delivery options, a wide vehicle fleet, and flight tracking.

Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, you can reach your car within minutes after your flight with Europcar and start a comfortable and safe journey immediately.

Make your reservation now and pick up your car at the airport without waiting:
 Europcar Türkiye → https://www.europcar.com.tr

Comfortable, fast, and safe travel — Europcar is by your side on every journey.