Minimum Age to Rent a Car, Hotel Room, and Airbnb in Each State (2026)
Turning 18 unlocks a lot — but surprisingly, not always a hotel room or a rental car. Age restrictions in travel and hospitality are driven by insurance, liability, and company policy. Here is a complete guide for 18–24 year olds navigating these restrictions.
Updated March 2026 · 11 min read
At a Glance
Car Rentals
Most companies: 21+
Surcharges until 25
Turo: 18+
Hotels
Most chains: 18+
Some require 21+
Vegas: typically 21+
Airbnb
Platform minimum: 18+
Host discretion applies
No legal restriction
Car Rentals: Age Minimums and Young Driver Fees
There is no federal or state law requiring car rental companies to have a specific minimum age — it is entirely a matter of company policy and insurance. The industry standard has converged on 21 as the minimum for most major companies, with surcharges applied until age 25.
The extra fees are significant: a $25–35/day young driver surcharge on a 7-day rental adds $175–245 to your bill. Planning around this is worth the effort.
| Company | Min. Age (US) | Young Driver Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | 18+ | $25–30/day (under 25) |
| National | 18+ | $25–30/day (under 25) |
| Alamo | 18+ | $25–30/day (under 25) |
| Hertz | 20+ | $27–35/day (under 25) |
| Avis | 21+ | $25/day (under 25) |
| Budget | 21+ | $25/day (under 25) |
| Dollar | 21+ | $27/day (under 25) |
| Thrifty | 21+ | $27/day (under 25) |
| Sixt | 21+ | $14/day (21–24) |
| Fox Rent A Car | 21+ | $20–25/day (21–24) |
| Turo (peer-to-peer) | 18+ | Varies by host (typically $15–30/day) |
Green rows indicate companies with lowest minimum age. Fees and policies change — verify directly with company.
State-Specific Car Rental Rules
Hotels: Minimum Check-In Age by Chain
There is no federal or state law specifying a minimum age for hotel check-in — it is entirely determined by each company's policy. The majority of major US hotel chains set the minimum at 18, treating the check-in as a contract (which requires capacity — i.e., the age of majority).
However, specific properties can set their own higher minimums. Las Vegas and other party-destination hotels frequently require guests to be 21+. Resorts, casinos, and adult-oriented properties almost universally require 21+.
| Chain / Brand | Standard Min. Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott (most brands) | 18+ | 18 at most properties. Individual hotels in Vegas and resort areas may require 21. |
| Hilton (most brands) | 18+ | 18 standard. Some properties (especially casino-connected) require 21. |
| IHG (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, etc.) | 18+ | 18 standard; franchise properties set their own rules. |
| Hyatt | 18+ | 18 standard across most properties. |
| Wyndham | 18+ | 18 standard; always confirm with specific property. |
| Choice Hotels (Comfort, Clarion, etc.) | 18+ | 18 standard at most franchise locations. |
| Best Western | 18+ | 18 at most locations; franchisee discretion applies. |
| Las Vegas Strip hotels (most) | 21+ | MGM, Caesars, Wynn, Venetian, and most casino-hotels require 21. |
| Airbnb-style (VRBO, Vacasa) | 18+ | Platform minimum 18; individual hosts may require more. |
| Extended Stay / Corporate housing | 18+ | Often 18 minimum since these are closer to apartment rentals. |
Always call the specific property before booking if you are under 21. Online booking systems often do not enforce or display age requirements until check-in.
Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals: Platform Policy vs. Host Rules
Airbnb's terms of service require account holders to be at least 18 years old. Creating an account or booking as someone under 18 is a violation of Airbnb's terms and can result in account termination.
Beyond the platform minimum, individual hosts have significant discretion. A host can:
- Require guests to be 21+ or 25+ in their listing rules
- Decline any reservation request without a stated reason
- Review a guest's profile and review history before accepting
- Message guests to ask questions before approving
Tips for Young Airbnb Guests
- · Complete your profile fully — add a photo, verify your ID, and write a bio. Hosts are more likely to accept guests with complete, trustworthy profiles.
- · Build review history through successful shorter stays before booking expensive or long-term rentals.
- · Message the host before requesting to book — introduce yourself and explain your purpose of travel. This human connection often makes the difference for borderline cases.
- · Avoid booking in party-destination areas without established review history. Hosts in Vegas, Miami, and similar markets are highly cautious about young solo or group bookings.
- · Consider VRBO as an alternative — it also requires 18+ but attracts different (often older, family-focused) hosts.
Money-Saving Tips for Young Travelers
Car Rental Strategies
- 1. Use Turo: At 18, Turo (peer-to-peer car sharing) is your best option. Many hosts accept 18+ drivers, and rates are often cheaper than traditional rentals even before factoring in the under-25 surcharge.
- 2. Credit card benefits: Some premium credit cards (including student cards through Chase and Amex) offer rental car collision coverage that applies to cardholders under 25 and may waive or offset young driver fees when you pay with the card.
- 3. Corporate discount codes: Many universities and large employers have corporate discount codes with Enterprise, Hertz, or Avis that waive young driver fees for employees or students. Check if your school has an affinity deal.
- 4. Rent in New York: If your trip includes the New York area, renting in-state can be cheaper for under-21 drivers due to state regulations on young driver surcharges.
- 5. Rideshare instead: For city trips, Uber and Lyft have no minimum age for riders and often beat car rental total costs when you factor in gas and parking.
Hotel & Accommodation Strategies
- 1. Hostels: No age restrictions, often $20–50/night, and a great way to travel cheaply at 18–25. Look at Hostelworld and Generator Hostels for quality options.
- 2. Book directly and call: Calling a hotel directly (not through a third-party site) and asking about their age policy often gets you better information — and sometimes a more accommodating answer — than the corporate website.
- 3. Extended stay hotels: Extended Stay America and similar brands have 18+ policies and weekly rates that can be very economical for trips of 5+ nights.
- 4. AAA and student discounts: Many hotel chains offer AAA discounts (membership is available at 18) and student discount programs. These sometimes also waive age-related fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do car rental companies charge extra for drivers under 25?
Insurance and statistics. Drivers under 25 — and especially under 21 — have significantly higher accident rates than older drivers. Car rental companies self-insure their fleets or maintain large insurance arrangements, and the actuarial risk of renting to younger drivers is priced into surcharges. The 'young driver fee' or 'underage surcharge' is not a legal fine — it is a private business pricing decision. Some states limit how high this fee can be (Michigan and New York have regulations in this area), but nationally it is unregulated.
Are there states where car rental companies must rent to 18-year-olds?
Michigan and New York have laws that limit car rental companies' ability to refuse service based solely on age, requiring companies that rent to adults to rent to all adults (18+). In practice, companies still charge significant young driver fees in these states. Check the specific company's policy for the rental location, as terms can vary by city and airport.
Can I book an Airbnb at 18 for a trip without parents?
Yes — Airbnb's platform policy requires users to be at least 18 to create an account and book properties. There is no upper age verification for most bookings. However, individual hosts can review guest profiles, read reviews, and decline any reservation at their discretion. Some hosts explicitly state age requirements (21+) in their listing rules. Read the listing carefully before booking, particularly for party-heavy destinations like Las Vegas or spring break hotspots.
What happens if I show up at a hotel at 18 without a reservation that mentions my age?
In most states, hotels can legally refuse to check in guests under 21 (or 18, depending on their policy). If you booked online and the hotel's policy requires 21+, you may be denied at check-in even with a valid reservation. If you are denied, you typically have grounds to request a refund from the booking platform. To avoid this, call ahead and confirm the hotel's minimum age policy before arrival.
Does military service exempt me from car rental age restrictions?
Some rental companies offer military exemptions to under-25 surcharges or minimum age requirements for active-duty personnel. Enterprise, National, and Alamo have historically offered military discounts and waivers with valid military ID and orders. Call the specific location to confirm — policies vary and can change. USAA members (military and families) often have special arrangements with car rental companies.
Can I add an older driver to a rental if I'm under 21?
Yes — if an adult who meets the age requirements (21+ or 25+ for some premium vehicles) is listed as the primary renter, you can be added as an additional driver. Additional driver fees may apply. However, if you are the only person who will actually be driving, this is not a compliant workaround — and if an accident occurs while you were driving when you should not have been, insurance coverage may be voided.