Budget car hire at San Jose airport

Budget cars from 7€/day · Electric cars - from 26€/day · Convertibles - from 43€/day

Want to Rent a Car in San Jose airport? Here’s What You Should Know:

Planning a trip to San Jose and need a reliable set of wheels? Renting a car at San Jose International Airport (SJC) is a convenient option for travelers looking to explore Silicon Valley and the surrounding Bay Area. At Bookingautos, we're here to help you find the best car rental deals from top providers at SJC. Here's what you should know before renting a car at San Jose airport:

Car Rental Companies at SJC

San Jose International Airport hosts several major car rental companies, including:

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

All car rental counters are located in the Rental Car Center, which is easily accessible via a free shuttle service from the airport terminals.

Booking Tips

To ensure a smooth rental experience, consider these tips:

  • Book in advance: Reserving your car early often results in better rates and vehicle availability.
  • Compare prices: Use Bookingautos to compare offers from multiple providers and find the best deal.
  • Check for promotions: Look for special offers or discount codes that can save you money on your rental.
  • Consider insurance options: Evaluate whether you need additional coverage or if your personal auto insurance or credit card provides sufficient protection.

Exploring the Area

With your rental car, you'll have the freedom to explore popular attractions in and around San Jose. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the fascinating Computer History Museum in nearby Mountain View or take a scenic drive to the beautiful Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Remember to familiarize yourself with local traffic laws and parking regulations. San Jose and the surrounding Silicon Valley area can experience heavy traffic, especially during rush hours, so plan your trips accordingly.

By choosing Bookingautos for your car rental needs at San Jose International Airport, you'll have access to a wide range of vehicles and competitive prices, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Where to Park Your Rental Car at San Jose Airport

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

On-Airport Rental Car Center

The most convenient option is the on-airport Rental Car Center, located just a short walk from the terminals. Here's what you need to know:

  • Open 24/7
  • Houses all major rental car companies
  • Follow signs for "Rental Car Return" upon entering the airport
  • Located at 1659 Airport Boulevard

Off-Airport Rental Car Facilities

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 terminal
  • Confirm the exact return location when picking up your vehicle

Remember to refuel your vehicle before returning it to avoid additional charges, unless you've opted for a prepaid fuel option.

Good to know

Most Popular Agency

Dollar

Most popular car class

Compact

Average price

26 € / Day

Best price

19 € / Day

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January
€153
February
€123
March
€131
April
€178
May
€193
June
€216
July
€241
August
€243
September
€188
October
€169
November
€139
December
€214

* The average cost of renting a car in San Jose 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 Jose airport is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €19. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.

The best time to rent a car in San Jose airport is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €19, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.

In the summer, you should be prepared for an increase in the cost of rent. Price growth can be about 30-50% with a simultaneous reduction in the range of available offers. For example, the average price during July for Skoda Superb starts from €33 per day.

Alternative car rental offices

Nearest airports

Oakland airport (US)
45.5 km / 28.3 miles
San Francisco airport
49.1 km / 30.5 miles
Monterey Airport
83 km / 51.6 miles
Sacramento airport
151.6 km / 94.2 miles

Nearest cities

San Francisco
62.8 km / 39 miles
Sacramento
140 km / 87 miles

Daily rental price depending on classes of cars

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 the largest selection of cars in San Jose airport. What do we offer:

  • New cars 2024 of the year.
  • Cars of any class from budget to premium.
  • A wide range of models: convertibles, sedans, SUVs, minivans.

You can choose a car of any required category. The following classes are in particular demand among customers:

  • Cabriolet;
  • Business Class;
  • SUV;
  • Minivan.

Also available other models and you can rent them in San Jose airport at a convenient time and on favorable terms.

Recently, in San Jose airport 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 Jose airport, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Tesla Model S.

Required documents for rental cars

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

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.

San Jose airport 1

Book a car 6 weeks in advance

San Jose 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 Jose 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, Citroen C1 or Ford Fiesta. 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 Opel Insignia Estate in San Jose airport will cost €33 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

Rental companies in San Jose airport 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. San Jose airport 2

Check out the fuel policy

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 Jose 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 Jose airport 3

Mileage without limits

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 Jose airport 4

Compare conditions of different rental companies

When choosing a rental car in San Jose 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

It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.San Jose airport 5

Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in San Jose airport are SIXT with an average rating of 9 points and BUDGET (rating - 8.9).

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 Jose 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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