Those interested in a cheap car rental in San Francisco are probably best off at the local airport, where the prices are the lowest by my comparison. Car rentals along O’Farrell Street and around Union Square are also popular. Compared to car rental prices in other US cities, San Francisco is not out of line.
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Tips for Getting the Best Price for Car Rental in San Francisco
Car rental prices in San Francisco depend on several factors, plus they change almost constantly in both directions:
🗓️ Best Time to Book a Car
The time left until you pick up your rental car also affects the price. In my comparison, it is best to book a car one to two months in advance of the pick-up time.
RentalCars and some car rental companies give customers the option to cancel the reservation for free up to a few hours before picking up the car. So it pays to make a reservation in advance and simply change or cancel the reservation if travel plans change. In addition, the RentalCars comparator offers its clients a lowest car rental price guarantee.
⏳ Date and Length of Rental
Demand for cars varies throughout the year, usually increasing during summer holidays or public holidays, but decreasing after the tourist season. Rental prices more or less follow the demand.
All rental companies set a rental price for every 24 hours. Make sure that the pick-up and return times are the same. If you picked up the car at 10am, for example, but didn’t return it until 11am, you’d be paying an extra day.
🗺️ Location of the Car Rental
Car rental companies are typically most widely represented at airports, where there is the highest demand and the highest competition. Car rental in the city centre is usually smaller, with less choice and usually higher prices.
Airport car rentals also have the advantage of eliminating the non-negligible cost of traveling to downtown San Francisco on the first and last day of your rental. You’ll have your car at your disposal as soon as you arrive, and you can get on the road right away.
🏎️ Class of Rental Car
Car rental companies divide the available cars into several classes, which differ in price, luggage capacity or passenger comfort. The cheapest cars are in the Small and Economy classes, with only basic equipment and limited luggage space.
Cars in the Intermediate and Large classes offer more space and comfort for passengers, and are only about 10% more expensive. San Francisco includes road trips, for which I recommend choosing a car in the SUV category with a higher chassis and high comfort. The price is about 25% higher than the cheapest cars.
Look for the Ford Mustang and other convertibles in the Premium class, which will set you back around 100%. The table below shows the cheapest car rentals in San Francisco for a day. Prices are approximate, as they are affected by the availability of cars at each location.
Economy Large SUV Convertible 
from $36 from $37 from $44 from $57 🔁 Update Price 🔁 Update Price 🔁 Update Price 🔁 Update Price 🔞 Driver’s Age
The age of the driver influences the final price of the rental car. Virtually all car rental companies in San Francisco charge drivers between the ages of 21 and 25 $16.00 to $37 per day. The fee is related to the higher likelihood of damage to the vehicle, and the specific amount varies from rental company to rental company.
Drivers aged 18 to 21 will either not rent a car at all or pay even more in fees.
☂️ Insurance
Car rental companies in San Francisco include compulsory liability and collision insurance in the final rental price. The driver’s deductible is zero, so there is no charge in the event of damage to the car.
Always read the insurance terms and conditions carefully when taking out a contract. If a risk is not sufficiently covered, you can add it for an additional fee.
🛰️ Accessories
For an additional fee, you can add accessories or services to your car to make your journey more enjoyable. The most useful is an extra driver you can take turns driving the car. The usual fee for a second driver is $13.00 to $15.00 per day, for example, with Avis you won’t pay more than $65 for the whole rental period.
Having an additional driver on the contract is important to cover any damage to the car. If damage is caused by someone not named in the contract, it will not be covered by insurance.
If you are travelling with young children, you can buy a child seat or booster seat. An unnecessary extra is almost always expensive mobile internet, which you can get more cheaply with eSIM Airalo. A standalone GPS navigation is also a bonus, for which you can use the free Google Maps installed on your phone.
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Non-binding Price Comparison for Car Rental in San Francisco
Never book with the first company you come across. I recommend comparing prices from as many car rental companies in San Francisco as possible, for example RentalCars.com automatically compares deals from over 200 rental companies. Plus, it guarantees the lowest price to the customer.
For a no-obligation car rental quote, I recommend using the following form, which compares prices from several rental companies in San Francisco and the surrounding area. More rental companies = more chances to save.
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Cheap Car Rental Brands in San Francisco
◻️ San Francisco Airport Car Rentals
San Francisco Airport is one of the largest airports in the USA, so the range of car rental companies is quite wide. You can get a car directly from the airport from Thrifty, Alamo, Sixt, Budget, National, Dollar, Hertz, Avis or Enterprise.
All car rental counters are located in a separate building. A free driverless train, which operates 24 hours a day, will take you from the terminal arrivals hall. Simply take the Blue Circle Line and get off at the “Rental Car Center” stop.
◻️ Car Rentals in Downtown San Francisco
Car rental companies in downtown San Francisco are usually part of a hotel, and the most common ones you’ll see are Sixt, Hertz, Zipcar, Enterprise and Budget. You can also take advantage of the lesser-known Kyte, City Rent-A-Car or 1Car Rental.
Car rental Rating 
Alamo Rent a Car 8.7/10 
Avis Car Rental 8.2/10 
Budget Car Rental 8.1/10 
Dollar Car Rental 8.3/10 
Enterprise Rent-A-Car 8.6/10 
Hertz Rent a Car 8.3/10 
National Car Rental 8.6/10 
SIXT Rent A Car 8.3/10 
Thrifty Car Rental 8.3/10 -
Tips for the Best Road Trips Around San Francisco
1️⃣ Pacific Coast Highway
On the route between San Francisco and Los Angeles, you can drive along one of the most beautiful highways in the world, where more than anywhere else, the journey is the destination. For 466 mi long journey you will need a good 9 hours of pure time without breaks for rest and snacks, with the Pacific Ocean to keep you company. For detailed trip planning, you can check out my Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary.
2️⃣ Las Vegas With Stops at National Parks
The drive from San Francisco to Las Vegas is 586 mi and takes 10 hours. But only if you don’t stop at Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Parks along the way.
The only thing that matters is the amount of time you have to see some of the most beautiful places in the USA. Don’t forget to buy the America the Beautiful Pass $80, which will allow you to visit all US National Parks for 1 year without restrictions. Even better – one card is valid for the whole car crew.
3️⃣ Napa Valley
Napa Valley is a county in the state of California, located about 59 mi north of San Francisco. The Napa Valley area has become known around the world for its vast vineyards, with over 400 wineries alone. Almost every one of them offers tastings and vineyard tours where you can see firsthand how wine is made.
4️⃣ Big Sur
Dramatic oceanfront cliffs are also on offer in Big Sur, which lies just 147 mi south of San Francisco for a change. The California coastline is probably the most beautiful in these parts, which directly encourages hiking and photography.
McWay Falls, a 80 ft high waterfall, is worth a short stop, the water from it falls directly onto the sandy beach. The site is easily accessible from California State Route 1.
5️⃣ Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore is a protected coastal area located 37 mi northwest of San Francisco, an hour and a quarter by car. The coastline hides beautiful beaches and cliffs, and if you want to extend your visit, you can take one of the hiking trails.
The main landmark is the red and white Point Reyes Lighthouse, built in 1870, which has a viewing platform on its roof. There are 313 steps up to 36 ft.
Car Rental in USA
- Car Rental in the USA - How to Save, Tips, and Experiences
- Driving in the USA
- Gas Stations in the USA
Car Rental in…
Boston — California — Chicago — Denver — Florida — Hawaii — Las Vegas — Los Angeles — Miami — New York City — Salt Lake City — San Francisco — Washington D.C.
