Budget Car Rental

- 1 Ferry Ln, Westport, CT 06880

Introduction / Overview

For residents and commuters in Fairfield County, the Budget Car Rental office located within the Westport Saugatuck Train Station is positioned as a convenient option for transportation needs. This branch, situated at 1 Ferry Lane, offers services typical of a major car rental agency, including a selection of vehicles ranging from standard cars to vans, catering to both local residents and travelers needing immediate access to rental options upon arrival in Westport. The facility is advertised as a full-service car and van rental agency, accepting major credit and debit cards for payment. Furthermore, in alignment with company-wide policies, the location highlights a commitment to supporting military personnel by offering active military discounts.

However, potential Connecticut users must exercise extreme caution when considering this specific location. Based on a collection of recent customer feedback, the actual on-the-ground experience at the 1 Ferry Lane, Westport, CT branch appears to be severely lacking and highly problematic. Multiple customer reviews cite deeply concerning issues with service professionalism, billing accuracy, and vehicle condition, indicating a significant disparity between the expected standard of service and the reality of the operation at this counter. Issues include lost reservations, unhelpful staff, vehicle quality concerns (such as strong odors), and erroneous, inflated, and unexplained charges, leading to what customers describe as an "unpleasant," "unprofessional," and "disrespectful" experience.

Due to the severity of these consistent negative reports, this article will proceed by presenting the factual services and logistical information available for the location, followed by a necessary and explicit block detailing the critical consumer warnings provided by local users.

Location and Accessibility

The Budget Car Rental location is strategically placed for commuters and residents in the Westport area, specifically within the Saugatuck Train Station, offering a practical solution for those using the rail network.

Physical Address: 1 Ferry Ln, Westport, CT 06880, USA

The office is conveniently located right inside the Westport Saugatuck Train Station. For customers driving in, general directions advise taking Exit 17 off I-95 North, turning right, and proceeding about a quarter mile until the train station entrance appears on the left. This proximity to a major interstate and local transit hub makes it a highly accessible spot for people traveling to or from the area.

The agency aims to provide a welcoming environment for all patrons, highlighting specific provisions for physical access:

• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot

For pickups and returns, the vehicles are typically located on-site at the Saugatuck Railroad Station. It is highly recommended that customers confirm all specific pick-up and drop-off instructions directly with the local branch during business hours.

Services Offered

As a branch of a nationally recognized brand, the Westport Budget location officially provides the following range of services:

• Comprehensive Vehicle Fleet: The agency offers rentals of both standard cars (ranging from economy to premium/luxury sedans and SUVs) and vans (including minivans and passenger vans), catering to various personal and moving needs.
• Active Military Discounts: Special rates and discounts are available to active military personnel, veterans, and their immediate family members, with specific BCD codes often required for online booking to secure the best rates.
• One-Way Rentals: The option to rent a vehicle in Westport and return it to a different Budget location, which is useful for travelers or those moving across Connecticut or the country.
• Disability Services: Budget, company-wide, offers services such as hand controls, spinner knobs, and other assistive devices upon request, though customers are generally advised to reserve these specialized devices at least 48 hours in advance.
• Accepts Major Payments: The location facilitates rental payments using major Credit Cards and Debit Cards.
• Cross-Border Travel Options: Rentals may typically be driven into Canada, subject to advance notification to the counter and provision of a Canadian Non-Resident Insurance Card, offered at no cost.

Features / Highlights (and Critical Warnings)

The listed 'Highlights' for this location are heavily outweighed by the serious service issues reported by local customers. The factual positive features are limited to:

• Active Military Discounts: A consistent offering from the national brand to support service members.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Provides necessary access for drivers or passengers with mobility needs.
• Prime Transit Location: Positioned within the Westport Saugatuck Train Station for excellent connectivity.

CRITICAL CONSUMER WARNINGS BASED ON REVIEW DATA:

Potential renters should be aware of the following severe complaints before booking:

• Billing Scams and Overcharging: Numerous reports of being charged the full amount twice (despite prepaying online), being charged an "incorrect amount" upon return, and encountering inflated, unexplained fees that staff could not properly clarify.
• Deeply Unprofessional Staff: Staff members are described as unhelpful, passing off work to each other, and prioritizing their own convenience over resolving customer issues, such as refusing to correct bill flaws at the counter and instead promising a refund upon return, which is highly problematic.
• Vehicle Condition Issues: Specific mention of a car smelling "terribly of cigarettes," which violates the company's own smoke-free fleet policy and suggests poor vehicle preparation.
• Reservation Problems: Direct customer feedback noting a prepaid booking "was lost" upon arrival, leading to significant delays and complications.
• Refund and Resolution Hurdles: Customers who attempted to resolve incorrect charges were sent "through hoops by customer service," resulting in exhaustion, exasperation, and a feeling of disrespect.

Contact Information

For all inquiries, reservations, and attempts to resolve disputes with the local branch, use the contact details below:

Address: 1 Ferry Ln, Westport, CT 06880, USA (Located inside the Westport Saugatuck Railroad Station)

Phone: (203) 222-3350

Mobile Phone: +1 203-222-3350

Standard Operating Hours:

• Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

It is noted that after-hours returns are typically not available, meaning the rental vehicle must be returned during office hours to ensure proper check-in and avoid potential issues. Given the billing issues reported in reviews, returning during open hours is especially critical.

What is Worth Choosing (and Why to Avoid)

The single compelling reason to consider the Budget Car Rental at 1 Ferry Lane in Westport is its superior logistical location within the Saugatuck Train Station, making it exceptionally convenient for commuters and transit users in Fairfield County who require immediate roadside access to a rental. The range of vehicles and the existence of an active military discount are standard corporate incentives that may be beneficial.

However, based entirely on the provided, highly critical customer reviews, local Connecticut users are strongly advised to AVOID this specific branch. The consensus from local patrons is one of extreme dissatisfaction, unprofessionalism, and financial misconduct, including apparent double-billing and refusal by staff to correct errors at the counter. The risks associated with "lost" reservations, vehicles that "smell terribly," and being subjected to "unexplained additional inflated fee" outweigh the minor convenience of the location. Customers report feeling "exhausted, exasperated, and frankly disrespected." When choosing a car rental in the Westport or greater Connecticut region, the overwhelming public feedback indicates that choosing this particular branch of Budget Car Rental may lead to a deeply negative, time-consuming, and potentially expensive ordeal. Prudent renters should seek alternative, more reputable branches or agencies in the surrounding area to ensure a stress-free experience.

Budget Car Rental

1 Ferry Ln, Westport, CT 06880, USA