Cheap car rental at San Francisco airport

Transparent pricing · Insurance and taxes included in your rental

Thinking About Renting a Car in San Francisco airport? Find All the Details Below:

Planning a trip to the Golden City? Renting a car at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can be the perfect way to explore the Bay Area and beyond. Bookingautos is here to help you find the best car rental deals from all major international and local companies operating at SFO.

Why Rent a Car at San Francisco Airport?

Renting a car at SFO offers several advantages:

  • Convenience: Pick up your car right after landing and start your adventure immediately
  • Freedom: Explore the city and surrounding areas at your own pace
  • Cost-effective: Often cheaper than relying on taxis or ride-sharing services for multiple trips
  • Easy access to nearby attractions like Muir Woods National Monument or the scenic Pacific Coast Highway

Car Rental Options at SFO

San Francisco International Airport hosts a wide range of car rental companies, including both international brands and local providers. Some popular options include:

  • Hertz
  • Enterprise
  • Avis
  • Budget
  • Alamo
  • National
  • Sixt

With Bookingautos, you can easily compare prices, vehicle types, and rental terms from all these providers to find the best deal for your needs.

Tips for Renting a Car at SFO

Book in advance: Securing your rental car early often leads to better rates and ensures availability, especially during peak travel seasons.

Consider parking costs: San Francisco is known for its limited and expensive parking. Factor this into your budget when deciding on a rental.

Choose the right vehicle: While a compact car is ideal for navigating the city's steep hills and tight parking spots, you might want a larger vehicle for longer trips or family vacations.

Check for tolls: Many Bay Area bridges have tolls. Ask your rental company about their toll policies and consider options like FasTrak for convenience.

With Bookingautos, finding the perfect rental car for your San Francisco adventure is easy and stress-free. Compare offers, read reviews, and book with confidence, knowing you're getting the best deal available at SFO.

Where to Park Your Rental Car at San Francisco Airport

When returning your rental car at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), you have several convenient parking options:

Rental Car Center

The most common place to park your rental car is at the Rental Car Center. This centralized facility houses all major rental car companies and offers:

  • Easy access via AirTrain Blue Line
  • 24/7 operation
  • Clear signage for each rental company

Alternative Parking Options

If you're running late or need temporary parking, consider these alternatives:

  • Hourly Garages: Located near each terminal for short-term parking
  • Long-Term Parking: Ideal for extended stays, with shuttle service to terminals
  • Cell Phone Lot: Free waiting area for picking up arriving passengers

Remember to allow extra time for returning your rental car, especially during peak travel periods.

Good to know

Most Popular Agency

Budget

Most popular car class

Standard

Average price

33 € / Day

Best price

24 € / Day

Estimated cost for 7 days rental

January
€162
February
€141
March
€172
April
€202
May
€245
June
€297
July
€270
August
€280
September
€248
October
€187
November
€137
December
€183

* Prices are based on orders processed over the previous 2 years.

The best month to rent a car in San Francisco airport is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €22. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.

The best time to rent a car in San Francisco airport is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €22, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.

In summer, the demand for car rental reaches its peak. The choice of available cars is decreasing. At the same time, the price of the service almost doubles! For example, in July, the average rental price of the popular car model Audi A4 reaches €38 per day.

Alternative offices in the closest cities

Nearest airports

Oakland airport (US)
19.3 km / 12 miles
San Jose airport
49.1 km / 30.5 miles
Monterey Airport
120.4 km / 74.8 miles
Sacramento airport
140.7 km / 87.4 miles

Nearest cities

San Francisco
18.3 km / 11.4 miles
Sacramento
133.1 km / 82.7 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

We have a large selection of different car models in our fleet in San Francisco airport. You can rent convertibles, sedans, SUVs or minivans. You can easily select a car to your budget through a convenient online booking system.

The cost of renting a car depends, first of all, on its class and period of use. The longer the rental, the lower its daily rate. The price for economy class cars in high season starts from €15 per day, for a medium class car you will have to pay €43-€28, for a business class car - €44 and above. In summer, during the high season, the cost of renting increases significantly, especially convertibles and rare models. For example, the minimum daily rental price for BMW 4 Cabrio, a very popular in San Francisco airport, would be around €71 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 BMW i3 when ordering in San Francisco 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 Key Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience

Download Google maps offline

All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.

San Francisco airport 1

Book a car 6 weeks in advance

San Francisco 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 Francisco 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

Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Audi A1 or Ford Focus. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting BMW 5 Series Estate in San Francisco airport will cost €38 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 advice

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 Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco airport 3

Unlimited mileage

According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.

San Francisco airport 4

Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies

When choosing a rental car in San Francisco 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.

How to choose a rental company

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

San Francisco airport 5

Our clients name the top companies in San Francisco airport - SIXT with an average rating 9 points and BUDGET with 8.9 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

You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.

Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.

Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.

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 Francisco 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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