Ford Transit Van or similar – Austin, TX

The Ford Transit Van is our 12-passenger van in Austin: 12 seats, 10 large bags, up to 15 city / 19 highway mpg, and Ford's reliability for $296 a day before multi-day discounts. You reserve the category and we deliver a Ford Transit Van or a similar 12-passenger van of the same class and year range, clean and fuelled, to your door in Austin or to the curb at Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS). Delivery is free.

Why rent a Ford Transit Van in Austin

• Austin traffic on I-35 and MoPac rewards a car that is easy to park and cheap to fill.
• Most visitors stay a week: SXSW, ACL, a UT weekend, a work assignment at the Domain. Weekly rates cut the daily price.
• The Hill Country, Lake Travis and the wineries around Fredericksburg are an hour away and are the reason to have your own car.
• It is the right vehicle for group airport runs, wedding parties, church and sports teams, and family reunions that move together.

What is included

• Free delivery and collection anywhere in Greater Austin, including Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS)
• A recent-model Ford Transit Van or similar 12-passenger van, automatic, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Basic liability coverage; full-coverage options and a refundable deposit explained before you pay
• Multi-day and weekly discounts; monthly rates quoted directly
• No counter, no shuttle, no hidden fees at delivery

Rates in Austin

From $296 a day. Three days or more are cheaper per day, a week cheaper still, and for a month or longer we quote directly: call or text 512-851-0490. Day trips to Lake Travis, Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs and the Hill Country loop fit inside the mileage allowance.

12 passenger van rental in Austin: one van, the whole group

Austin is a group city. Bachelorette weekends on Rainey Street, Hill Country weddings, church retreats, youth sports tournaments, a dozen colleagues in town for a conference: when everyone rides together, a 12 passenger van beats a convoy of cars or a stack of rideshares. Our Ford Transit or similar has 12 seats and room for 10 bags, and one person drives.

What it takes to drive a 12 passenger van in Austin

A regular driver's license is enough; a 12 passenger van does not need a commercial license. The driver must be 21 or older. Choose someone who is comfortable with a long vehicle and who stays sober for the night.

The Transit is longer and taller than anything most people drive, so a few local habits help:

• Garages. Many downtown parking garages have low clearance. Check the posted height before you turn in, and plan on surface lots or hotel valet instead.
• Drop and go downtown. On weekend nights the busiest blocks of East 6th Street close to traffic, and Rainey Street is narrow and packed. Drop the group at the end of the street, park a few blocks away, and agree on a pickup point.
• Turns and lanes. Downtown has one-way streets and tight corners; take turns wide and slow. On I-35 and MoPac, stay in the middle lanes and leave room to merge.

Van or two SUVs?

Two Hyundai Santa Fe or similar SUVs carry ten people with eight bags, but they need two drivers, two parking spaces and a group that splits up at every stop. For groups of six to twelve, the van keeps everyone together for a single daily price. For five or fewer, our largest SUV, the Jeep Grand Cherokee or similar, is the easier drive.

Group trips we see in Austin

• Airport runs. A team, a band or a family reunion landing at AUS together: we meet you at the arrivals curb with the van. Note that with all 12 seats full, 10 bags is the limit, so ask the group to pack light. See the Austin airport rental page and our guide to skipping the counter at AUS.
• Bachelorettes and wine days. Dripping Springs is about 35 minutes west and Fredericksburg about an hour and a half; a full day of wineries and barbecue is simple when nobody has to find their own ride. Our Hill Country day trips guide has routes.
• Weddings. Shuttle the wedding party between hotels in town and a venue in Dripping Springs, Wimberley or Driftwood.
• Church and sports teams. Tournaments in Round Rock, Georgetown and Cedar Park are 20 to 40 minutes north of downtown; we deliver there too, see car rental in Round Rock.
• Festivals. For SXSW and ACL, book early; read what to book for SXSW and ACL.

To hold a van for your dates, call or text 512-851-0490.

Frequently asked questions

Will I get exactly a Ford Transit Van?

You reserve the 12-passenger van category. Most of the time it is the Ford Transit Van; when it is not, it is a similar vehicle of the same class, seats and year range, at the same price.

Do you deliver to Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS)?

Yes. Send us your flight number and the vehicle is at the curb when you land. Airport delivery in Austin is free.

What do I need to rent in Austin?

A valid driver's license, a major credit or debit card, and a minimum age of 21. We confirm everything by phone within the hour of your booking.

Do I need a special license to drive a 12 passenger van in Austin?

No. A regular, valid driver's license is enough for a 12 passenger van; no commercial license is required. The driver must be at least 21, and there is no young-driver surcharge.

How many people and bags fit in the Ford Transit?

12 seats, including the driver, and up to 10 bags. With every seat taken, ask your group to bring carry-on size bags so everything fits.

Where can I park a 12 passenger van in downtown Austin?

Many downtown garages are too low for a passenger van, so check the posted clearance first and plan on surface lots or hotel valet. On weekend nights, drop your group off near East 6th Street or Rainey Street and park a few blocks away.

See the whole economy fleet in Austin or the Austin economy car rental page.