Planning to Rent a Car in San Antonio? Below is all the information you need:
San Antonio, located in southern Texas, is famous for its historic landmarks and picturesque waterfront. This city of 1.5 million people is visited annually by 34 million tourists. The city is located 240 kilometers from the border with Mexico. This creates a vibrant glory of Mexican and Texan culture in San Antonio. 3/5 of the city's population is Hispanic, which is reflected in everything from music and cuisine to architecture and entertainment.
The city serves San Antonio Airport (SAT). Most flights are domestic, but there are also flights to Mexico.
What to see in San Antonio
The main attractions are located in the city center surrounded by hotels. To visit them, you do not need to rent a car and go on a long trip.
The most popular point of attraction for tourists is the Alamo Fortress, which has now become a museum. The official website is www.thealamo.org. USA important military events unfolded here in the 19th century. Now in the fortress you can see barracks, a church, residential buildings. The museum houses the weapons of famous participants in the Battle of the Alamo.
Many visitors to the city attract San Antonio waterfront. It is located in the central area, 6 meters below street level. The length of the embankment is 32 kilometers. River taxis ply the water along the embankment, and connoisseurs of art, history and architecture will like the buildings on the shore.
There are numerous cafes and restaurants along the banks of the embankment, musical events are held.
The Tower of the Americas is the highest (height229 meters) observation deck in Texas. It is located in the southeast of the central area of the city. In addition to the observation deck, the tower houses a restaurant with a scenic view of San Antonio.
The top of the tower, which houses the restaurant and observation deck, rotates. It takes one hour for the structure to make a full turn.
Where to go near San Antonio
Within a two-hour drive from San Antonio, there are many interesting places that you can go for 1-2 days. It will be convenient to visit them if you rent a car. For example, this can be done through the Bookingautos service. Austin, the capital of Texas, is an hour and a half away. The city is known for its music events, parks, and great food.
Canyon Lake is an hour from San Antonio. It is located on the Guadeloupe River and is considered the "pearl of Texas." The shores of the lake are lined with hiking trails, eight park areas and fishing grounds.
City Fredericksburg will appeal to wine lovers. On its territory there is a large winery, where you can book a tour. Fredericksburg was founded by the Germans, so every year it hosts its own Oktoberfest. You can drive to the place from San Antonio in an hour and a half.
The best restaurants in San Antonio
A wide variety of restaurants are available in the city. The most popular are American and Mexican cuisine.
The highest rated steakhouse in San Antonio is Chama Gaucha. Specializes in selected meat dishes, but there are options for vegans and gluten-free options. Restaurant website www.chamagaucha.com. Located at 18318 Sonterra Pl, San Antonio, TX. Phone +1 210-564-9400.
Bliss takes 3rd place. It offers American and fusion cuisine. It offers specially selected wines, cheeses and pastries of its own production. The address is 926 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX. Phone +1 210-225-2547.
Domingo and Bliss are located in the city center, close to the Alamo Fortress and the waterfront.
Parking in San Antonio
In San Antonio, you can find both paid and free parking. The cost of paid is in the region of $3-$7 per hour, depending on the location. Parking is free after 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On Sunday, city parking becomes free. On Tuesday, the free period starts at 5pm. This is due to the program of Downtown Tuesday events that take place every Tuesday.
You can park near the Alamo at the 3rd St. Lot at 226 Avenue E. Near the waterfront - Navarro St. Garage at 146 Navarro St. The current parking map can be viewed on the city's official website sanantonio.gov.
In the evening, there may be problems in the central part looking for free space. This should be taken into account if you plan to move around the city in a rented car.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
27 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental
January
€200
February
€121
March
€131
April
€142
May
€177
June
€237
July
€239
August
€248
September
€167
October
€119
November
€105
December
€149
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in San Antonio in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in San Antonio is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €18 for a Compact car.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model Skoda Superb is €78per day.
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In San Antonio you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.
What affects the cost of renting a car in San Antonio? These are three indicators: car class, time of year and rental period. The highest prices are in summer, and the lowest are in autumn and winter. The tariff is reduced if you order the service for a long time. Some specific examples: a compact model Opel Astra in March-April costs about€18 per day. But book a car right away for a week - and the price will drop to €23 per day. These are standard prices for budget cars. The middle class will cost an average of €35-€85 per 24 hours. This can be Skoda Superb,Opel Astra Estate or BMW X1. In San Antonio convertibles can be rented for a minimum of €78. Luxury models raise the bar to €175 per day. Some exclusive cars are valued at more than 400€ per day.
Recently, in San Antonio has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in San Antonio, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be VW E-Vision.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind
Download Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book a car in advance
San Antonio is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
The compact model is relevant for city trips in San Antonio. It can be Audi A1 or Opel Astra. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Opel Astra Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €34 per day;
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
Rental companies in San Antonio may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Check out the fuel policy
For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Unlimited mileage
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in San Antonio, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
When renting a car in San Antonio, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in San Antonio, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in San Antonio is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
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Car rental reviews: San Antonio
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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