How to find a cheap car hire deal in San Francisco
Grab a cheap rental car in San Francisco and be on your way for around $121 a day. From solo rides to family outings, we'll help you find a rental that suits your trip.
$55 is the cheapest daily price for a rental in San Francisco.
For longer trips, book a weekly rental from $249 and make room for more adventures.
Timing makes all the difference when it comes to finding the best price on a San Francisco car hire. Try booking around one week before you go.
Browse the offers available with Thrifty, Dollar and Hertz. They're some of the top providers in the city.
Whether you choose Thrifty or a different supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your San Francisco car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as an optional extra.
Booking one-way could score you a discount on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Simply select 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in San Francisco.
Skip the hidden fees by choosing a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, and pay only for what you use.
Go wherever the road takes you by picking a rental with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, it means you can go as far as you want without paying more.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll find the best deal with this company. Prices average $168 a day.
Coming in second is this provider, offering daily rates of around $120.
The third option also comes in as one of the cheaper suppliers. Drive off in one of their rentals for roughly $166 a day.
If you're having trouble deciding what kind of wheels you need, choose something from the Intermediate rental category. It's the most commonly booked type of vehicle in San Francisco.
Flying to San Francisco? Think about an airport pick-up
Take the hassle out of arrival day by booking a car hire at San Francisco International Airport. If you're flying to San Francisco through this hub, simply collect your ride after landing and go. The drive to the city centre is about 21 kilometres and takes around 25 minutes.
Compare car hire types in San Francisco
Small: These cheap rental cars in San Francisco may be small in size, but they're big where it counts. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to manoeuvre, fuel efficient, and a match made in heaven for short trips.
Medium: Not too big, not too small, this is the rental that's juuuust right! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of fuel efficiency and interior space and are suited to couples and small families.
Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and advanced tech features, this San Francisco car hire category includes full-size cars. With roomier rear seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and take everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and an open view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're carving through winding trails or cruising down long stretches of highway, many come with all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.
Van: With options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in San Francisco makes light work of big hauls and group travel. They're spacious, versatile, and ready for whatever the journey demands.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your San Francisco car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of theft or an accident. Insurance policies can differ between rental providers, so give them a quick comparison.
Make life easier when you rent a car in San Francisco by adding some handy extras. Think things like a GPS unit to be your trusty co-pilot, or reverse cameras that give you confidence when parking.
Good to know
To rent a car in the United States, you typically have to be at least 21 years old. Some places may allow younger drivers to rent vehicles for a surcharge, so always check the terms before locking in your reservation.
Add a car seat to your San Francisco car hire booking if you're bringing the kids. Rules change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their size, weight and age is always the safest option.
You'll need to hand over a few things when picking up your rental car: your physical driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds for the security deposit. Debit cards aren't widely accepted. Any additional requirements will be listed in your booking.
Familiarise yourself with your rental. Fix your seat and mirrors, find the lights and blinkers, and get a feel for its handling before you set off. And remember to stay on the right side of the road in the United States.
Local speed limits may vary, but it's normally around 40kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways. Always obey the posted signs.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in the United States is 0.08%. Since alcohol's effects vary from person to person, the surest choice is to avoid drinks so you remain legal to drive.
One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 5pm. Make travel easier by steering clear of peak periods.
The United States dollar (USD) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day expenses and activities. Pay with a card when you can, but have some cash ready when electronic payments aren't possible.
English is the language used most widely across the country.
Best hotels in San Francisco for drivers
Spend less time worrying about where to park and more time enjoying the comfort of Hotel Kabuki, Part of Jdv by Hyatt. About 2 kilometres from central San Francisco, it comes with accessible parking, luggage storage and room service.
Chelsea Inn is another practical pick for a trip that's big on driving. It features parking, along with air conditioning and a 24-hour front desk. Make this your base and you'll be roughly 3 kilometres from the city centre.
Explore the full lineup of hotels in San Francisco and pick the stay that fits your itinerary. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to what you need — like 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with on-site charging.
You're ready to make some memories now you've found a car hire deal in San Francisco and your hotel. From Golden Gate Bridge to Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island, there's loads to keep you busy here.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from San Francisco
Around 64 kilometres southeast of central San Francisco, San Jose easily earns a place on your itinerary. Steer straight toward must-see sights like Japantown (San Jose) and Winchester Mystery House.
Popular accommodation options with parking in San Jose include Uptown Oasis San Jose Airport and Alura Inn.
Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in San Francisco and then set out for Fremont. About 48 kilometres southeast of San Francisco, Flight 93 Memorial and Mission Peak Trail Head are highlights that make the drive more than worth it.
Fremont has some comfortable accommodation options such as DoubleTree by Hilton Newark-Fremont and Courtyard Newark Silicon Valley. Both are convenient choices for guests with cars.
Looking to cover more ground? Stockton is a top road trip destination that's around 105 kilometres east of San Francisco. Consider making a few pit stops at Historic Stockton Chinatown and Stockton Art League Goodwin Gallery.
Browse the room options at University Plaza Waterfront Hotel or Red Roof Inn Stockton. They're an ideal base for exploring everything Stockton has to offer. They come with room for your wheels too.
