Car Rental shuttles- run 24 hours?

Question

I have a problem (maybe) I'm needing to rent a car at STL,but I have to return it early a.m. before they actually open. Not a problem except I then need to shuttle back to airport- anyone have experience with the shuttle here? looking at Budget on Natural Bridge rd(airport location).

Answer

Returning a rental car early in the morning at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is common, and most rental companies have procedures to accommodate this. Since you mentioned Budget on Natural Bridge Road, here’s what you can expect:

After-Hours Returns: Budget, like most major car rental companies at STL, allows after-hours returns. You can usually drop your car off in a designated area and leave the keys in a secure drop box. Be sure to check with Budget for their exact after-hours return instructions.

Shuttle Service to the Airport: Rental car shuttles at STL typically run 24 hours, but schedules can vary slightly depending on the company. Here are some details:

Budget provides continuous shuttle service between the rental lot and airport terminals, even for early morning or late-night returns.
Shuttles usually operate on a frequent loop schedule, often every 10–15 minutes during peak hours and slightly less frequently during very early morning hours.
After dropping off the car in the after-hours return area, you can either call the shuttle or follow posted instructions to wait at the designated pickup point for the shuttle to the terminal.

Tips to Ensure a Smooth Early Return:

Confirm the after-hours return procedure with Budget at the time of pickup. This includes where to park, where to leave the keys, and how to access the shuttle.
Keep your rental agreement and ID handy, as the shuttle driver may need to verify your return information.
Allow a few extra minutes for the shuttle during very early morning hours; even if it is running 24 hours, wait times can be slightly longer than during the day.
Check if your terminal has signs or a dedicated shuttle pickup area for rental car shuttles to avoid confusion.

In summary, you should be able to return your Budget rental early in the morning without issue, and the shuttle service should be available 24 hours to get you back to the airport. Confirming the after-hours procedure with Budget ahead of time will make the process smoother and less stressful.

Car Rental shuttles- run 24 hours?

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