Ruth Haines
Turo is a car rental service that allows users to rent out their vehicles to others. One common question among Turo users is whether it is possible to pick up or drop off a car at different airports or locations. While some Turo hosts offer one-way trips, they can be costly as the renter would have to pay for the host to fly out and drive the car back. Additionally, Turo's policy does not allow hosts to drive guests to a car delivery location outside of the airport. To avoid this, some users suggest leaving the car at a location near the airport, such as a hotel or restaurant parking lot, and having the renter take a shuttle or Uber to the car. Another option is to use a lockbox at the airport with a remote key handoff, although this may require good cellular access. Ultimately, the decision on whether to offer airport pickup and drop-off depends on the host's preferences and convenience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving a Turo car at a different airport | Possible, but expensive and inconvenient for renters |
| Remote key handoffs | Possible at the airport, but renters may be unwilling to take a shuttle bus |
| Lockboxes | Useful for remote pickups, but requires good cellular access |
| One-way trips | Offered by select hosts, but costly due to flying and driving back |
| Different drop-off locations | Possible to modify a trip, but requires host approval and additional charges |
| Airport parking | Short-term and off-site parking options are available, but may be against Turo policy |
| Uber/Lyft | Suggested as a solution to provide convenience for guests |
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What You'll Learn
Remote key handoffs
Turo requires hosts to give a key to their guests, even when the car is accessed remotely, so the guest can use the car normally during their trip. There are two different ways to offer your guests remote check-in and checkout:
Lockboxes
Lockboxes are a low-tech way to share your keys. You can attach the lockbox to the car or somewhere at the pickup location (a door, fence, etc.—as long as it’s your property). Message the lockbox code to your guest after they’ve completed the remote ID verification process.
Remote locking/unlocking mechanism
Many car manufacturers have connected car technology built into the base model options. Most cars released after 2015 have a remote locking/unlocking mechanism included. Check with your car manufacturer to see if you can use this feature, and if so, be sure to use the RF pouch recommendations. If you’re able to use this feature, message your guest using Turo messaging so you know when to unlock the car for them.
To ensure a seamless remote check-in experience, it’s critical to take precautions to help protect yourself and your car. To help make sure the person picking up the car is the same person who booked it, you must confirm the guest's license using the photos they submit in the app. Also, make sure to take clear, well-lit photos that show any pre-existing damage, dirtiness, etc. After you’ve verified your guest’s identity and uploaded all of the pre-trip photos, you’re ready to give them access to your car.
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Lockboxes
Choosing a Lockbox
You can purchase a window mount lockbox from Amazon, as suggested by a Turo host. This type of lockbox can be mounted on your car window, providing a secure way to store the keys.
Key Type
If your car uses a non-bladed key, place it in a radio frequency (RF) signal-blocking pouch before putting it in the lockbox. Bladed keys can go directly into the lockbox without the need for a pouch.
Lockbox Placement
Attach the lockbox to your car or somewhere at the pickup location, such as a door or fence, as long as it's your property. Ensure that the location is easily accessible for your renter and provides a good cellular connection if they need to unlock the box using an app.
Communicating with Your Renter
Before providing the lockbox code, ensure you have the renter's drivers' license photo and a selfie of them holding the license. Clearly communicate the lockbox code and the exact location of the car to your renter via the Turo messaging platform. Also, inform them of any parking fees they may need to pay and how to exit the parking lot.
Documenting the Car's Condition
It is essential to document the condition of your car before and after each trip to maintain your protection plan. Take clear, well-lit photos of both the interior and exterior of your car, following Turo's photo checklist guidelines. This will help you capture any pre-existing damage, dirt, or other issues.
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Parking fees
Alternatively, some Turo users suggest doing a remote key handoff at a location other than the airport, such as the owner's house. This approach can save on parking fees, but it may be less convenient for renters, who would need to arrange additional transportation to reach the car. Some renters may be open to this option, especially if the pickup location has good cellular access and an EV charging option.
Another strategy to minimise parking fees is to coordinate with renters to ensure back-to-back rentals. This way, the car can be quickly turned around and sent out again without incurring extended parking charges. Keeping the car clean and fuelled between rentals can also facilitate this process.
When considering parking fees, it's worth noting that some renters prefer to pick up the car from a nearby parking lot, such as a hotel or restaurant lot, rather than directly at the airport. This preference may provide an opportunity to reduce parking expenses by selecting a more affordable parking location that is still convenient for the renter.
Ultimately, the decision of where to leave the car involves balancing the convenience for the renter with the potential cost of parking fees. Turo owners can explore various strategies, such as lockboxes, remote key handoffs, and coordinating back-to-back rentals, to optimise the pickup process and minimise parking-related expenses.
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One-way trips
Some Turo hosts use airport parking for pick-ups and drop-offs, but this can be expensive and inconvenient for renters. Some airports have free shuttles to nearby hotels, so you could leave the car there and instruct the renter to take the shuttle. Alternatively, you could leave the car in a public parking lot near the airport and have the renter take an Uber or Lyft to the car, which you could pay for as part of the delivery fee.
If you are a renter, you may prefer to avoid one-way trips with Turo due to the potential inconvenience and additional costs involved. Traditional rental companies may be a better option if you need to pick up and drop off at different locations.
As a Turo host, you can make one-way trips more convenient for renters by providing clear instructions and offering to cover any additional transportation costs. However, it is important to be discreet and comply with Turo policies and local regulations to avoid any issues or fines.
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Non-airport pickup/drop-off locations
When it comes to non-airport pickup and drop-off locations for Turo car rentals, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a smooth process for both hosts and renters. Here are some detailed instructions and suggestions for non-airport handoffs:
Remote Key Handoff:
Some Turo hosts prefer to do a remote key handoff at their residence. This option may be more cost-effective than leaving the car at the airport, as airport parking fees can accumulate quickly. However, it's important to consider the convenience and preference of the renter, as some may be unwilling to take a shuttle bus or additional transportation to reach the car.
Lockbox Option:
Another popular method is to use a lockbox for key exchanges. Hosts can leave the keys in a lockbox mounted on the car window, usually in airport economy parking. This provides flexibility for renters, who can access the vehicle by retrieving the keys from the lockbox using a provided code or through the Turo app. Hosts can also include cash in the car to cover any potential exit fees.
Parking Lot Exchange:
Some renters may prefer to pick up the car from a nearby parking lot, such as a hotel or restaurant lot. This option eliminates the need for a shuttle or additional transportation from the airport. Ensure that the parking lot is well-lit and has adequate cellular access to facilitate smooth communication and key exchanges.
Host and Renter Communication:
Effective communication between the host and renter is crucial for a successful non-airport handoff. Hosts should ensure they have uploaded all necessary trip photos, including the driver's license and a selfie of the renter holding their license, before providing the vehicle location or lockbox code. Clear instructions and timely updates ensure a positive experience for both parties.
Turo Delivery Options:
When selecting a Turo host, renters should look for hosts who offer both pickup and dropoff delivery options. This allows for more flexibility during the trip. If the desired delivery option is not initially available, renters can modify the trip after it has started and select the preferred option.
In conclusion, non-airport pickup and drop-off locations for Turo car rentals can be successfully managed through various methods, including remote key handoffs, lockbox exchanges, and parking lot meetups. Clear communication, timely preparations, and consideration for the convenience of both hosts and renters are key to a positive Turo rental experience outside of airports.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to drop off a Turo car at a different location than where you picked it up. However, you will need to find a host that offers "one-way trips" and get their approval ahead of time. You will likely incur additional costs for this convenience.
There are a few ways to arrange an airport pickup for a Turo car. Some options include leaving the car in airport parking with a lockbox for the keys, meeting the renter at arrivals, or arranging for the renter to take a shuttle to a nearby hotel where the car is parked.
Yes, you will likely need to pay for airport parking when leaving a Turo car at the airport. Some airports offer short-term or economy parking options, which may be more cost-effective.
While it is possible to use a non-Turo-friendly parking garage for drop-offs and pickups, it may not be advisable as it can be inconvenient for renters and may result in fines or tickets.
Yes, you can request that the Turo car be delivered to you at the airport. However, this may incur additional costs, and it is important to communicate this request clearly with the host ahead of time.
