Anyone who has flown into McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) knows the drill at a traditional rental counter: a line that snakes toward closing time, a clerk upselling coverage you may not need, and a final total that somehow climbed well past the price you saw online. There's a simpler way to get on the road in Knoxville — and it doesn't involve a counter at all.
At Cruise Knoxville Car Rentals, we're a locally owned host on Turo. That means you book a specific, well-kept car online, we hand it off to you near the airport (or deliver it), and you're driving within minutes of landing. No concession fees, no membership tiers, no surprise line items.
First, the basics: TYS is Knoxville's airport
A McGhee Tyson airport car rental — you’ll also see it called a TYS car rental or simply car rental at Knoxville airport — starts right here. McGhee Tyson Airport uses the code TYS and sits in Alcoa, about 12 miles south of downtown Knoxville and right on the way toward Maryville, the foothills, and the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a compact, easy airport — which is exactly why a counter line feels so out of place there. You came for the mountains and the lake, not a queue.
Why "without the counter" actually matters
Booking direct with a local owner instead of a legacy rental company changes the experience in a few concrete ways:
- No counter fees. Airport concession recovery fees, facility charges, and vehicle licensing add-ons are a big chunk of a traditional rental bill. You won't see those here — your price and options are shown up front at checkout.
- You know your exact car. Instead of "a midsize or similar," you pick the actual vehicle, see its photos, mileage terms, and reviews before you book.
- You bring the coverage. There is no protection plan sold here, so your own auto insurance is what covers the trip. Not every personal policy covers a rented vehicle — confirm yours with your insurer before you book, and bring your insurance card and licence.
- Local handoff. We're Knoxville people. You're meeting a real host, not clocking in at a kiosk.
💡 Traveling light on time? Ask about airport delivery when you book. We can have the car staged near TYS so it's ready the moment you're off the plane.
How to book your TYS car in about two minutes
The whole process happens online, so you can lock it in before you even pack:
1. Pick your dates and pickup
Open our fleet, choose a car, and set your trip start and end. Add airport delivery if you'd like it brought to you near TYS.
2. Reserve and confirm your coverage
Book right here and everything — price, mileage, taxes and fees — is spelled out before you confirm. Want the full walkthrough? See how it works.
3. Land, meet, and drive
When you arrive, we meet you for a quick walkaround and photos, hand over the keys, and you're off. Most handoffs take just a few minutes.
Which car should you pick for a Knoxville trip?
It depends on why you're here. If it's a business trip, an airport run, or a weekend in town, our fuel-efficient Honda Accord Hybrid keeps your costs low and the ride comfortable. Landing with a group? Our 7-seat Kia Telluride SUV is the one that fits six people and their bags in a single vehicle — we can have it waiting at TYS. Heading up to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge with gear and passengers? A roomier option makes the switchbacks a lot more pleasant. We break this down in our companion guide, the best car for a Smoky Mountains trip.
A few tips for a smooth airport rental
- Book early. Summer and leaf-season weekends fill fast. Reserving ahead protects both availability and price.
- Have your licence and your auto insurance card ready. Booking before you travel means nothing slows you down on arrival.
- Message us with your flight details. If your plans shift or your flight is delayed, a quick heads-up helps us have the car ready right when you land.
- Plan your first stop. Downtown Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, and the Smokies are all easy drives from TYS.
Getting your car at McGhee Tyson (TYS)
A McGhee Tyson airport car rental with us is built around the arrival. Send your flight details when you book and we’ll line up the handoff — at the terminal, from the nearby cell-phone lot, or delivered and staged so it’s waiting when you land. No shuttle to an off-site lot, no counter.
TYS is easy in and out, and it sits in the right spot for an East Tennessee trip:
- TYS → Downtown Knoxville
- About 12 miles · roughly 20 minutes
- TYS → University of Tennessee
- About 13 miles · 20–25 minutes
- TYS → Sevierville
- About 35 miles · 40–45 minutes
- TYS → Pigeon Forge
- About 47 miles · roughly an hour
- TYS → Gatlinburg
- About 53 miles · just over an hour
Headed straight for the mountains? Many guests pair a TYS car rental with a cabin in SeviervilleCheap car rentalGame day or Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge — land, grab the keys, and you’re on the Parkway inside an hour.
Ready to skip the line?
Flying into Knoxville soon? Browse the the fleet, or call or text us with your dates and we'll help you find the right fit. You'll trade the rental counter for a clean car and a local who actually wants your trip to go well.