Car Service in St. Louis vs a Rental Car for Visitors
If you are flying into Lambert for a short visit and mostly need rides between the airport and one address, a car service in St. Louis can be simpler than a rental car. Lambert's rental car companies operate from off-airport facilities reached by free shuttles, according to flystl.com. Black Car Service meets you at the terminal instead, on a flat fare that starts at $100 in the Cadillac XT6 or Lyriq for airport rides.
How the rental car shuttles work at Lambert
flystl.com says every rental company serving the airport uses an off-airport facility with a free shuttle. At Terminal 1 the shuttles leave from outside exit 17 and from the Brown Level of the Terminal 1 Garage, using Door 15. At Terminal 2 they leave from outside exit 12. The companies listed are Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, National and Payless, plus Hertz, which the airport lists as offsite.
Side by side
| Rental car | Car service | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting to the vehicle | Free shuttle to an off-airport facility | Chauffeur on the arrivals level, or at baggage claim with meet and greet |
| Price | Set by the rental company and your dates | Flat fare shown before you pay; airport rides from $100 |
| Who drives | You | Your chauffeur |
| Room for bags | Depends on the car | Up to 4 bags in the XT6 or Lyriq, 6 in the Escalade ESV or Suburban Premier, 14 in the Sprinter |
| Late arrivals | Depends on counter hours | We run 24/7; pickups from midnight to 5:59 a.m. add a flat $40 |
When a rental makes more sense
- ●You will make several separate trips every day of your stay.
- ●You want to set your own schedule all week with no planning.
- ●You plan long day trips on your own timetable.
When a car service makes more sense
- ●You are staying at one address and need little driving in between.
- ●You land late at night or are traveling with children and bags.
- ●You are in town for one event, such as a wedding, a game or a show.
- ●You would rather not drive in winter weather. NOAA's normal December snowfall at Lambert is 3.2 inches, and January's is 5.7.
What the rides cost
Airport rides are flat fares that start at $100 in the XT6 or Lyriq, $115 in the Chevrolet Suburban Premier, $125 in the Cadillac Escalade ESV and $150 in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Lambert to Clayton measured 10.1 miles by OSRM routing, which is $100 in the XT6 or Lyriq. For a day of visits once you are here, hourly chauffeur service starts at $100 an hour in the XT6 with a 3-hour minimum.
Visiting for the holidays? Book your airport pickup online and see the flat fare before you pay.
Book your ride →Where are the rental cars at STL airport?
At off-airport facilities with free shuttles. According to flystl.com, shuttles leave Terminal 1 outside exit 17 and from the Brown Level of the Terminal 1 Garage at Door 15, and Terminal 2 outside exit 12.
How much is car service from Lambert to Clayton?
Our measured route from Terminal 1 to Clayton is 10.1 miles. In the Cadillac XT6 or Lyriq the fare is $100, the starting airport fare for that class.
Can you pick up visitors on a late flight?
Yes. Our hours are 24/7. Pickups between midnight and 5:59 a.m. add a flat $40 after-hours fee, and your chauffeur follows the flight number you enter.
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