You land. You're tired. The humidity hits you the second you step off the plane at West Palm Beach, and honestly, the last thing anyone wants is to stand in a slow-moving line at a rental counter while everyone else heads for the beach.
Avis Palm Beach International—or PBI as the locals and frequent flyers call it—is one of those rental locations that can either be a seamless transition or a complete headache depending on how you play your cards. Most people just show up, wait for the shuttle, and hope for the best. That's a mistake.
West Palm Beach isn't like Miami or Orlando. It’s smaller, sure, but the surges of travelers during "season"—that stretch from November to April when the snowbirds descend—can make even a mid-sized airport feel like Grand Central Station. If you're renting from Avis here, you need to understand the layout, the "Preferred" hack, and what's actually going on with the fleet availability.
Where is Avis at PBI?
First things first. Let's talk about the walk.
At PBI, the car rental counters are located on the Level 1 Baggage Claim area. You’ll see the bright red Avis sign right there. But here is the thing: PBI is a "shuttle-less" airport for the major brands, which is a massive win. You don't have to drag your suitcases onto a crowded bus just to get to a remote lot. The cars are right across the street in the parking garage.
The Walk to the Garage
You grab your bags. You head across the pedestrian bridge.
💡 You might also like: Flights from Newark to Sarasota Florida: What Most People Get Wrong
It’s about a three-to-five-minute walk. If you’ve got a lot of gear—maybe golf clubs because, let's face it, half the people flying into Palm Beach are here for the links—grab a cart. The Avis lot is situated in the Level 2 of the rental car facility.
The Avis Preferred Status is Not Optional
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this: Join Avis Preferred before you book. It’s free.
I’ve seen people standing at the main counter in the terminal for forty minutes while the Preferred members just walk straight to the garage, find their name on the electronic board, and get in their car. It’s the difference between starting your vacation at 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM.
Basically, the "Preferred" bypass allows you to skip the terminal counter entirely. You go straight to the Level 2 parking garage. There is a small booth there. If your name is on the board, your keys are already in the car.
Expert Tip: Sometimes the app glitches. If your name isn't on the board in the garage, don't run back to the terminal. Go to the booth in the garage. They can usually pull up your reservation right there and hand you the keys without the wait.
What Kind of Cars Are Actually There?
Don’t expect a fleet of exotic supercars just because it’s Palm Beach.
Avis at PBI carries a pretty standard mix. You’ve got your Toyota Corollas and Ford Edges. However, because this is South Florida, the SUV inventory is usually much deeper than the sedan inventory. Families heading to Disney (it's a two-and-a-half-hour drive north) or groups going to the breakers often snag the Suburbans and Tahoes quickly.
📖 Related: Finding Airline Tickets to Miami Without Getting Scammed by the Algorithm
If you’re looking for something "Palm Beach," Avis does keep a decent stock of Mustang and Camaro convertibles. Driving A1A with the top down is a vibe, but keep in mind that Florida rain is unpredictable. You’ll be putting that top up and down ten times a day.
The Luxury Tier
Occasionally, you'll see some BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class models in the "Signature Series" spots. If you want these, book them specifically. Don't rely on the "upgrade at the counter" gamble during the winter months. Everything gets booked out.
Navigating the PBI Return Process
Returning a car at Avis Palm Beach International is actually one of the easier experiences in Florida.
You follow the signs for "Airport" and then "Rental Car Return." The entrance is on the north side of the terminal.
Watch your fuel. There is a gas station—a Sunoco—right near the airport entrance on Belvedere Road. It is notoriously expensive. Like, "I can't believe I'm paying this much for gas" expensive. If you have time, fill up about five miles away from the airport. If you're coming from the south on I-95, exit at Forest Hill Blvd or Southern Blvd and find a Wawa or a 7-Eleven. You’ll save significantly per gallon compared to the stations immediately bordering the airport property.
Once you pull into the Avis return lane, an agent usually meets you with a handheld scanner.
- Check the backseat for iPads and chargers.
- Grab your receipt (or wait for the email).
- Walk across the bridge back to the terminal.
Common Issues People Complain About
No rental location is perfect. Avis at PBI has its quirks.
The most common complaint involves the "mystery fees"—usually the SunPass toll charges. In Florida, most toll roads don't take cash anymore. Avis uses a system called e-Toll. If you drive through a toll without your own transponder, Avis will charge you the toll plus a daily convenience fee.
Honestly? It's kind of a rip-off.
The daily fee can be around $5.95 to $6.00 plus the cost of the tolls. If you’re here for a week, that adds up. If you have your own portable SunPass or Uni transponder, bring it. Just make sure to register your rental's license plate in your SunPass account app so you don't get double-charged.
Another thing? The "Cleanliness" factor. During peak holidays, the turnaround at PBI is incredibly fast. Sometimes a car might have a bit of sand in the floorboards from the previous renter who spent their last hour at Juno Beach. If the car is truly messy, speak up immediately before leaving the garage. Once you drive off, it’s yours.
The Local Area: Where to Go First?
Once you have your keys from the Avis Palm Beach International lot, you're literally minutes from everything.
If you're hungry, skip the airport food. Drive five minutes to The Square (formerly CityPlace) in downtown West Palm. There’s plenty of parking garages, and the food options are 100x better than anything you’ll find in Concourse C.
If you want the "Palm Beach" experience immediately, take Southern Boulevard east across the bridge onto the island. You’ll pass Mar-a-Lago on your right and hit the ocean in about ten minutes. It’s the fastest way to feel like you’ve actually arrived.
Actionable Steps for a Better Rental
To make sure your Avis experience at PBI doesn't ruin the start of your trip, follow this checklist:
👉 See also: Lake Habeeb Allegany County: Why This Blue Water Gem Is Actually Worth the Drive
- Download the Avis App: This is the only way to swap cars or see your stall number before you even get to the garage. It saves so much time.
- Book the "Pay Now" Rate (Carefully): You can save 10-25% by paying upfront, but only do this if your plans are 100% locked in. Cancellations on "Pay Now" rates usually come with a fee.
- Check the Tires: South Florida heat is brutal on rubber. Do a quick 30-second walkaround and check if the tires look bald. You don’t want a blowout on I-95.
- Bring an Extra Charging Cord: Newer Avis cars have USB-C ports, but some of the older fleet models still rely on the old-school USB-A or even just the 12V "cigarette lighter" outlets.
- Check for the "Toll" Shield: Most Avis cars have a little gray box behind the rearview mirror. Ensure the "shield" is closed if you are using your own transponder, or open if you want to use theirs.
Renting a car at PBI shouldn't be a chore. If you avoid the terminal counter, bring your own toll pass, and fill up your gas a few miles away, you'll bypass the typical tourist traps that make renting a car so annoying. Just get your car and get to the water.