Crew guide
Renting a car on a layover when time is tight
A layover is a strange little window. You land, you've got maybe 18 to 36 hours, and you want to actually see the place — or just get to a quieter hotel, a beach, a relative across town — rather than spend it waiting on shuttles. A rental car makes a short stay feel twice as long. The trick is getting one without burning your limited time at the counter. Here's how crew do it efficiently.
Pre-book before you land — always
The single biggest time-saver: book the car before you're standing in arrivals. Walking up to a counter cold means queues, whatever price they feel like, and the risk they're sold out. Booking ahead means you've locked the crew rate, you know the car's waiting, and you can often skip straight to a faster pick-up desk. Because you usually know your roster in advance, you can do this days before the trip.
Book before you fly
Lock in a crew rate for your layover in about two minutes — small deposit, free cancellation if the trip changes.
Search car hire →Choose an airport pick-up, not downtown
On a short layover, every minute counts. Picking the car up at the airport rather than a city-centre branch saves you the trip into town just to collect it — you're mobile the moment you land. Just check whether it's an on-site desk or a shuttle to a nearby lot, so you know what to expect.
Keep the booking flexible
Layovers are the definition of plans that can change — a delay, a swapped trip, a duty extension. Book a rate with free cancellation and free amendments (standard up to 48 hours before pick-up on crew bookings) so a schedule shift never costs you. Pay the small deposit, keep the freedom.
Crew shortcut: pre-book an airport pick-up on a flexible crew rate. You step off, grab the keys, and your layover just got a lot bigger — with nothing lost if the roster moves.
Pack the essentials for a fast pick-up
- Driving licence — plus an International Driving Permit if you're somewhere that needs one.
- Crew/airport ID — some suppliers may ask for proof of travel-industry employment.
- The card used to book and your booking reference.
Having these ready turns the counter step from ten minutes into two.
Right-size the car
For a quick layover you want small, cheap and easy to park — not a big SUV you'll fight through narrow streets and pay to fuel. Save the bigger vehicles for trips that need them.
Make the most of your next layover
Compare crew rates worldwide — no booking fees, free amendments if your roster shifts.
Search crew car rates →Frequently asked questions
Should I book a rental car before or after I land?+
Before, every time. Pre-booking locks in the crew rate, guarantees availability, and saves you queuing at the counter — important when a layover is short.
Is it better to pick up at the airport or in the city?+
On a short layover, the airport — you're mobile the moment you land instead of travelling into town to collect the car first.
What if my layover changes or gets cancelled?+
Book a flexible crew rate. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up is standard, so a schedule change doesn't cost you.