Minivan Rental
Seven or eight seats, sliding doors and real luggage space behind the third row — compare minivan rentals for family trips and airport runs.
How many people fit in a rental minivan?
Seven or eight, depending on the layout: two captain's chairs in the second row give seven seats; a second-row bench gives eight. Unlike most three-row SUVs, a minivan still has a usable luggage well behind the third row with every seat in use.
Last reviewed . Rules vary by rental company — check your rental terms before you book.
Why a minivan often beats a three-row SUV
Sliding doors make it easier to load kids in tight parking spots, the third row is easier to reach, and the deep cargo well behind the third row takes suitcases that wouldn't fit in most three-row SUVs.
Minivans also tend to be more fuel-efficient than full-size SUVs, and some are hybrids.
Car seats
Rental companies rent child seats, but availability and condition vary, and they're charged per day. Many families bring their own; most airlines let you check a car seat free of charge.
Minivans usually have several sets of LATCH anchors, making it easier to fit two or three child seats.
Example vehicles
US rental companies book a vehicle class, not a specific model. These are typical examples — you'll get one of them or a similar car.
What affects the price
The search shows live prices for your dates. These are the things that move them.
- Season — school holidays and summer drive demand
- Theme-park and beach destinations, where minivans sell out
- Rental length (weekly rates help on family vacations)
- One-way routes
Minivan Rental tips
- If you need eight seats, confirm the layout — many minivans have seven.
- Book early for Orlando and other family destinations during school holidays.
- Bring your own car seats if you can; rental seats are charged per day.
- Pack soft bags — they fit the cargo well better than hard cases.
Rental requirements
- A valid driver's license, held for at least a year at most companies. Visitors can usually rent on their home license; if it isn't in English, carry an International Driving Permit or official translation alongside it.
- Minimum age is 21 at most major companies, and drivers under 25 pay a daily young-driver surcharge. New York and Michigan require companies to rent to drivers from 18, with surcharges.
- A credit card in the main driver's name. Some locations accept debit cards with extra checks — often a return travel itinerary at airports, a larger deposit or a credit check.
- International renters should also bring a passport.
More detail: What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car? · What Is the Minimum Age to Rent a Car in the USA? · Can You Rent a Car With a Debit Card? Rules & Tips · International Driving Permit (IDP) — Do You Need One and How to Get It
Insurance and deposit
- Collision and loss damage waivers (CDW/LDW) are optional. Before you accept one at the counter, check whether your own auto policy or a credit card benefit already covers rental cars — many do, with conditions.
- Liability cover varies by state and company. Supplemental liability (SLI) raises the limit and is worth considering if you don't have a personal auto policy, including as an international visitor.
- A security deposit is held on your card at pickup and released after the car is returned and checked. It can take several business days to disappear from your statement, and holds are larger on debit cards and premium cars.
More detail: Do You Need Insurance to Rent a Car? · What Is a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)? · How Much Is a Rental Car Deposit? How Holds Work
Fuel policy and additional fees
- Full-to-full is usually the cheapest fuel policy: you collect the car full and return it full. Prepaid fuel only saves money if you return the tank nearly empty, and refueling charges on a car returned short are well above pump prices.
- Airport rentals include airport concession recovery fees and facility charges on top of the rate. State and local rental taxes apply everywhere.
- Other common extras: additional-driver fees, young-driver surcharges, toll-program charges, one-way drop fees, child seats and late-return charges. Read the rental terms before you pay so you know which charges are included and which are added at the counter.
More detail: Car Rental Fuel Policies Explained — Which One Should You Choose? · Hidden Car Rental Fees — The Complete Guide to What to Watch Out For · How are tolls and traffic fines handled? · Can someone else drive the car?
Top cities for Minivan Rental
Florida
Car rental in Orlando
Compare Orlando rental cars at MCO and around the parks — from compact cars to minivans for the whole family.
Nevada
Car rental in Las Vegas
Skip the car for the Strip, rent one for everything else. Compare rentals at Harry Reid International's Rent-A-Car Center for Red Rock, Hoover Dam, Zion and the Grand Canyon.
California
Car rental in Los Angeles
LA is a driving city. Compare rental cars at LAX, Burbank, Long Beach or a neighborhood branch — then hit the Pacific Coast Highway.
California
Car rental in San Diego
Compare San Diego rental cars at the airport's Rental Car Center, a short free shuttle ride from both terminals.
Florida
Car rental in Tampa
Compare Tampa rental cars at TPA's Rental Car Center, linked to the terminal by the SkyConnect train, and explore the Gulf Coast.
Colorado
Car rental in Denver
Gateway to the Rockies. Compare Denver rental cars at DEN and city branches, and pick the right vehicle for mountain roads.
Related
7-Seater Car Rental
Families of 5–7 · Two families sharing a car
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8-Seater Car Rental
Groups of eight · Large families
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SUV Rental
Families · Road trips and national parks
Related guides
FAQ
Minivan Rental — FAQs
Everything you need to know about renting a car
Compare prices for your dates
Enter your pickup location and dates to see which suppliers have cars for this kind of rental and what they cost.
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