Car rental at San Diego airport

Transparent rental pricing · Insurance and taxes are included in every contract

Planning to Rent a Car in San Diego airport? Below is all the information you need:

Planning to rent a car at San Diego International Airport? Bookingautos has got you covered with all the essential information you need for a smooth and hassle-free experience. San Diego Airport, also known as Lindbergh Field, offers a wide range of car rental options to suit every traveler's needs and budget.

Car Rental Companies at San Diego Airport

The airport hosts several major car rental companies, including:

  • Alamo
  • Avis
  • Budget
  • Dollar
  • Enterprise
  • Hertz
  • National
  • Thrifty

These companies, along with other local providers, offer a diverse fleet of vehicles, from compact cars to luxury SUVs.

Rental Car Center Location and Shuttle Service

The Rental Car Center is located off-site, about a 10-minute drive from the airport terminals. A free, 24/7 shuttle service runs every 10 minutes, connecting passengers from the airport to the Rental Car Center. Look for the bright green shuttles labeled "Rental Car Center" outside the baggage claim areas.

Booking Tips

1. Book in advance: Especially during peak travel seasons, booking early through Bookingautos ensures better rates and vehicle availability.

2. Compare offers: We compile the best deals from various providers, allowing you to easily compare prices and features.

3. Check for special promotions: Look out for discounts on extended rentals or weekend specials.

Exploring San Diego

With your rental car, you'll have the freedom to explore San Diego's attractions at your own pace. Don't miss out on visiting the world-famous Balboa Park, home to numerous museums and the renowned San Diego Zoo. For a scenic coastal drive, head to La Jolla Cove, where you can enjoy breathtaking ocean views and possibly spot some seals and sea lions.

Remember, Bookingautos is here to help you find the perfect car rental for your San Diego adventure. With our extensive network of providers and competitive rates, you're sure to find a great deal that suits your needs and budget.

Where to Park Your Rental Car at San Diego Airport

When returning your rental car at San Diego International Airport, you have several convenient parking options:

On-Airport Rental Car Center

The most common place to park your rental car is at the Rental Car Center, located at 3355 Admiral Boland Way. This facility houses most major rental car companies and offers:

  • Easy access via free shuttle buses from all terminals
  • 24/7 operation
  • Clear signage for each rental company

Off-Airport Rental Locations

Some rental companies have off-airport locations. In this case:

  • Follow the specific instructions provided by your rental company
  • Allow extra time for shuttle transportation to the airport

Remember to refuel your rental car before returning it, unless you've opted for a prepaid fuel option. Always check your rental agreement for specific return instructions and policies.

Good to know

Most Popular Agency

Mex

Most popular car class

Standard

Average price

28 € / Day

Best price

20 € / Day

Average cost for 7 days of rent:

January
€171
February
€147
March
€167
April
€201
May
€205
June
€265
July
€268
August
€227
September
€181
October
€170
November
€159
December
€226

* The average cost of renting a car in San Diego airport for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.

The best month to rent a car in San Diego airport is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €18. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.

The best time to rent a car in San Diego airport is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €18, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.

Convertible cars in San Diego airport are in high demand during the summer. This is not surprising. After all, a trip on such a car gives a feeling of freedom and independence, allows you to relax and forget about the problems of the world around you. Although you should be prepared for an increase in rental prices and possible problems with the range of available cars. If we talk about the price Mini Couper Cabrio - it will be from €73 per 1 day.

Rental locations in nearby cities

Nearest airports

Orange County airport
122 km / 75.8 miles
Palm Springs Airport
137.1 km / 85.2 miles
Ontario airport
152.1 km / 94.5 miles
Los Angeles airport
175.3 km / 108.9 miles
Burbank airport
194.6 km / 120.9 miles

Nearest cities

Palm Springs
136 km / 84.5 miles
Los Angeles
176.1 km / 109.4 miles
Santa Monica
185.6 km / 115.3 miles

Average daily prices by car class

4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day

Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In San Diego airport 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.

Car rental costs in San Diego airport depend on its duration, car class and specific season. A budget category Ford Focus or VW Up are available for just €42-€39 per day. When booking through Bookingautos.com, the price will be from €18. The higher segment will cost more. The daily fee for Toyota Camry, VW Tiguan, BMW 5 Series Estate will be about €42. There are also available minivans, luxury cars, electric cars and business class cars. Their rental starts from €48 and can reach several hundred euros per day.

The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Hyundai Ioniq when ordering in San Diego airport will cost quite a modest amount.

Documents required for car rental

Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!

A valid international driver's license is required!

10 Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental

Download desired area of Google maps for offline access

Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.

San Diego airport 1

Book in advance

San Diego airport is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in San Diego airport. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.

Which car to choose for rent

Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car VW Up or Ford Focus. These models are the most popular with our customers in San Diego airport.

In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. BMW 5 Series Estate will cost €47 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.

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

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

San Diego airport 2

What types of insurance are available for car rental?

  • Third Party Liability (TPL). 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 Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
  • Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms

When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting San Diego airport for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.

San Diego airport 3

Rent without mileage limit

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.

San Diego airport 4

Compare conditions of different rental companies

When choosing a rental car in San Diego airport, 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

Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.

San Diego airport 5

Our clients name the top companies in San Diego airport - SIXT with an average rating 9 points and GREEN MOTION with 9 points.

We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.

Getting a car at a rental office

Getting a rented car in San Diego airport 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.

Our main advantages

24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees

Car rental reviews: San Diego airport

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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