Where is rental car lot at Centennial Airport APA?

So you’re flying into Centennial Airport, or APA, and your trying to figure out where to get your rental car. It’s a normal question to ask, especialy if your used to flying into big airports like DEN (Denver International). At DEN, you take a big bus, go to a huge building with thousands of cars, and wait in line. It’s a whole process.

But here’s the most important thing you need to know right away…

Centennial Airport (APA) does not have a giant, central “rental car lot” like a commercial airport.

I know, that probably sounds confusing. You’re thinking, “how do I get a car then?” Don’t worry, you can still get one, but the entire process is completely different. It’s actualy a lot easier, but you have to know how it works before you land.

Flying into APA is a totaly different experience because it’s a “general aviation” airport. That’s just a fancy way of saying it’s for private planes, charter jets, and flight schools, not for big commercial airlines like United or Southwest. Because of this, everything is handled through private terminals called FBOs.

Think of an FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) as your own private mini-terminal. It’s where your plane parks, where your pilots hang out, and where you walk in and out of the airport. And it’s also where your rental car will be.

How You ACTUALLY Get a Rental Car at APA

The secret is that the rental cars are not in some faraway lot. They are brought directly to your FBO.

The process is more of a high-touch, concierge service. The major rental car companies like Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise have agreements with the FBOs on the airfield. You dont go to them, they bring the car to you.

You absolutely must book your car in advance. You can’t just walk up to a counter here because, well, there isn’t one.

When you or your flight department is booking your trip, you tell them (or the FBO your using) that you need a rental car. You give them your information, what kind of car you want, and your arrival time.

Then, when your plane lands and taxis to the FBO, your rental car will literally be sitting there on the ramp, just feet from your plane. Or, it might be parked right outside the FBOs front door. Your pilot might even help you load your bags. You just walk inside the FBO, sign the paperwork at the front desk, and they hand you the keys. It’s super fast and incredibly conveinient. No shuttles, no long lines, no hassle.

The Main FBOs at Centennial Airport

To get your car, you first need to know which FBO your flight is using. APA is a big airport and has several of them. Each one is on a different part of the airfield.

Here are the main players at Centennial Airport and how they typicaly handle rentals.

1. Signature Flight Support (North and South)

Signature is one of the biggest FBO chains in the world, and they have two locations at APA.

• Signature North: 7425 S Peoria Cir, Englewood, CO 80112
• Signature South: 7800 S Peoria St, Englewood, CO 80112

They have partnerships with all the big rental agencies. Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise are common partners. You just have to let them know what you need, and they will have the vehicle of your choice staged for your arrival, often planeside if you request it. Their service is top-notch but their rental rates can sometimes be higher becuase of the extreme convenience.

2. Modern Aviation

Modern is another premium FBO that a lot of charter peopel use. They are known for their real nice facility.

• Location: 8207 Interport Blvd, Englewood, CO 80112

Modern Aviation’s website specificaly mentions having Go-Rental Cars on-site and also working with Hertz and Enterprise. Just like with Signature, you arrange it ahead of time, and the car is waiting for you in their lot or on the ramp. The staff inside at the desk will have all your paperwork ready to go. It’s a very smooth process.

3. jetCenters of Colorado

This is another very popular FBO at APA, located on the south side of the field.

• Location: 7625 S Peoria St, Englewood, CO 80112

They also offer full concierge services, which includes arranging rental cars from major providers. You just need to call them or have your flight scheduler coordinate with them. They’ll get everything setup for you so when you land, you can just get in your car and go.

4. Mayo Aviation

Mayo has been at APA for a long time and is a very respected charter and management company that also has FBO services.

• Location: 7735 S Peoria St, Englewood, CO 80112

They can arrange any ground transportation you need, from a simple rental sedan to a limo. Like all the others, the key is to book it in advance. They handle all the logistics so you don’t have to worry about it.

What About Turo at Centennial Airport?

You might also be wondering about Turo, the “Airbnb for cars” app. Can you use Turo at APA?

Yes, you can. Many Turo hosts in the Denver Tech Center and Englewood area offer “delivery” to Centennial Airport. This can be a great option if you want a very specific car (like a Tesla, a big SUV, or a sports car) that the regular rental agencies might not have available.

However, the logistics can be a little trickier. The Turo host can’t just drive onto the ramp and leave the car by your jet. You will have to coordinate a handoff. Most hosts will park the car in the FBO’s public parking lot and then use the app to tell you where it is and how to unlock it (often with a remote unlock or a lockbox).

It’s definately a workable option, but it’s not as seamless as having the FBO handle an Enterprise or Hertz car for you. You’ll have to walk from the FBO lobby to the parking lot and find the car yourself. It’s a minor inconvenience, but Turo can sometimes be cheaper (though FBO parking fees might get added).

Is a Rental Car Even Your Best Bet?

Okay, so we’ve established how to get a rental car at APA. You book it through your FBO, and it’s super convenient.

But now for the big question… do you really need one?

If your just staying in the Denver Tech Center for business meetings, then yeah, a rental car is probably perfect. It’s easy and gives you flexibility.

But… if you’re flying into Centennial Airport to go skiing, you should seriously re-think that plan.

If your destination is Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Steamboat Springs, or any other mountain town, renting a car can be a massive headache. And this is coming from people who drive these roads every single day.

The Problems with Renting a Car for the Mountains

We see people make this mistake all the time. They land at APA, pick up their nice, clean rental SUV, and have no idea what they’re in for.

1. The I-70 Nightmare

Driving Interstate 70 (I-70) from Denver to the mountains can be one of the most stressful drives in North America, especialy during winter. On a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, you could be sitting in dead-stop traffic for hours. A 2-hour drive to Vail can easily turn into a 5-hour drive. After a long flight, the last thing you want to do is sit in traffic and white-knuckle your steering wheel.

2. Colorado Traction Laws

This is the big one. Colorado has strict traction laws for I-70. When it’s snowing (which is often), the “Traction Law” or “Passenger Vehicle Chain Law” is put into effect.

This means your vehicle must have one of the following:

• Tires with a 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.
• Tires with a Mud + Snow (M+S) symbol.
• A 4WD or AWD system.

Here’s the problem. Most rental cars, even the SUVs, are equiped with “All-Season” tires. They might have an M+S symbol, but their tread is often worn down. They are terrible, and frankly, unsafe in a real Colorado snowstorm. You have no gaurantee that the rental car your FBO gives you is actualy safe or legal for mountain driving. If you get caught with the wrong tires, you could face a fine of over $650.

3. Parking is Awful

When you finaly get to the mountain town, where are you going to park? Most resorts and condos have very limited parking, and they often charge a lot for it, sometimes $50 a night or more. In towns like Vail or Aspen, you’ll probably just park the car and never even use it, because the in-town bus systems are so good (and free). Your expensive rental car will just sit in a garage gathering snow.

4. The Cost

Getting a rental car delivered to your FBO is convenient, but it’s not cheap. The daily rates are often much higher than at a normal airport lot. When you add up the high daily rate, plus gas, plus the insane parking fees at your hotel or condo, you could be spending a fortune on a car you barely even use.

The Smarter Choice: A Private Airport Shuttle

Instead of dealing with all that, why not just book a private car service?

This is where a service like Winter Wagon comes in. We specialize in exactly this. We are a private shuttle service that takes people from Denver-area airports, including Centennial Airport, directly to their condo or hotel in the mountains.

Think about the difference.

When you fly into an FBO at Centennial, our driver will be waiting for you right inside the lobby, just like your rental car would be. We’ll load your bags, and you can just relax. You don’t have to worry about the weather, the traffic, or the traction laws. Your vacation starts the second you get in our car, not after 4 hours of stressful driving.

And when it’s time to fly home, we’ll pick you up and get you back to your FBO with plenty of time to spare.

So, To Sum It All Up…

There is no central rental car lot at Centennial Airport (APA).

If you want a rental car, you have to book it in advance through your FBO (like Signature, Modern, or jetCenters). They will have the car waiting for you at their private terminal. It’s very easy, but you have to plan ahead.

But before you book that rental, ask yourself why you need it.

If you’re heading to the mountains for a ski trip, a rental car is often more trouble and money than its worth.

The easier, safer, and more relaxing option is to book a private airport shuttle. A service like Winter Wagon is built for this. We’ll pick you up right at your FBO and take you straight to the mountains, so you can start your vacation right away.