How to find a cheap car hire deal in Santa Barbara
Pick up a cheap rental car in Santa Barbara for around $144 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top providers, making it easy to compare prices and book.
$73 is the cheapest daily price offered for a rental in Santa Barbara.
Staying a little longer and want to go further than the usual stops? $395 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.
If smart timing is part of your strategy, book around three weeks ahead to score yourself the best price on a Santa Barbara car hire.
Check out the offers available with Dollar, Budget and Avis. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.
Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Santa Barbara car hire policy, whether with Dollar or any other supplier. Some may leave it out of the standard package and offer it as an extra.
Booking one-way could land you a discount on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved between sites. Just select 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in Santa Barbara.
Spend less on fuel by picking a vehicle that offers a 'Fair fuel policy.' You pick up the car with a full tank and bring it back full, so you only pay for what you use.
Want to explore without stressing about how many miles you rack up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra charges.
Best value car hire options right now
In the number-one spot for value is this company, with average prices of $133 a day.
Offering daily rates of around $147, this provider is next in line.
The third option also delivers savings with every booking. Expect to pay roughly $144 a day for one of their rentals.
After a car that's a safe bet for most journeys? The Intermediate rental category ranks as the top pick for travellers visiting Santa Barbara.
Flying to Santa Barbara? Think about an airport pick-up
Make arrival day easier by booking a car hire at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. If you're flying to Santa Barbara through this hub, simply collect your wheels after landing and head out. The drive to the city centre is about 6 kilometres and takes around 10 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Santa Barbara
Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Santa Barbara puts you on the road for less. These agile, fuel-efficient cars are perfect for city driving and short trips.
Medium: A smart pick when you need something that has a few more features but is still easy to drive. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra room compared to smaller cars.
Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and extra tech features, this Santa Barbara car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and take everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and an open view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged backcountry or gliding down stretches of highway, many come with all-wheel drive to help you take on any road.
Van: Choose this vehicle category when you want a car for rent in Santa Barbara that can handle the big jobs. Typically featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's supplies, suitcases or the whole travel crew.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers your out-of-pocket costs if your Santa Barbara car hire is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, it's worth considering for extra protection. Keep in mind that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you know exactly what's included.
Make life easier when you rent a car in Santa Barbara by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a navigation system to make sure you never miss a turn, or reverse cameras that give you confidence when parking.
Good to know
Generally, you have to be at least 21 years old to rent a vehicle in the United States. Younger drivers aren't always turned away — just be ready for a few added rules or costs. Check the companies' terms and conditions before booking.
Kids coming with you? Car seat regulations vary from one place to another, and the best setup may depend on their weight, height and age. Confirm whether you need to add one to your Santa Barbara car hire booking.
You'll need to bring a few things when collecting your rental car: your physical driver's licence, another form of photo ID, and a credit card with enough balance for the deposit. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. Your booking will show the full list of what's required.
Driving in the United States might take some adjustment for first-time visitors. Keep in mind you'll need to stay on the right side of the road.
Make sure you follow the local speed limits. Usually that's around 40kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signs say otherwise.
In the United States, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you intend to drink, get someone else to do the driving or use public transport instead.
Around 5pm is one of the busiest times for traffic around this destination. Try to avoid peak times generally for a smoother trip.
You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) for day-to-day spending throughout your trip. You may find it handy to carry a mix of cards and cash to ensure you're covered in all situations.
English is the language you'll hear most people speaking in this country.
Best hotels in Santa Barbara for drivers
Pull in and settle straight into your stay at Lemon Tree Inn. Offering parking as well as an outdoor swimming pool and a bar, this hotel is around 3 kilometres from central Santa Barbara.
Hotel Santa Barbara makes things simpler with parking and features such as a cash machine and room service. It's roughly 0.32 kilometres from the city centre.
Need more ideas for your trip? Browse the full lineup of hotels in Santa Barbara. You can narrow things down using the filters — try 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' If your car's electric, there's also an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter.
After you've found a car hire deal in Santa Barbara and the right hotel, it's time to plan where to go first. East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA, Old Mission Santa Barbara and Hendrys Beach are some of the city's best experiences.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Santa Barbara
Keep travelling to Oxnard. Around 56 kilometres southeast of central Santa Barbara, you'll find must-see sights like Santa Monica Mtns National Recreation Area and McGrath State Beach.
Popular accommodation options with parking in Oxnard include Victoria Motel and La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Ventura.
Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in Santa Barbara and then set off for Thousand Oaks. Around 80 kilometres east of Santa Barbara, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Santa Monica Mountains are standout attractions that make the extra drive worth it.
Relax after a day of exploring Thousand Oaks at Best Western Plus Thousand Oaks Inn or Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach Club. These hotels have arrangements for guests with cars.
Still got fuel in the tank? Motor on to Long Beach, around 153 kilometres southeast of Santa Barbara. From Queen Mary to The Queen Mary, it'll bring your trip to a memorable close.
Next on your itinerary is some serious shut-eye. Hotel Maya and Hyatt Regency Long Beach have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Long Beach.
