KAYAK’s insights & trends for Santa Clara car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Santa Clara with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in Santa Clara?
You should book your car hire in Santa Clara around 79 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car hire company in Santa Clara?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest hire cars were found at Budget (€31.12/day), Avis (€33.21/day), and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (€33.74/day). The cheapest car hire price was found at Budget 2390 Lafayette St (1.3 km from city centre).
What is the most popular car to hire in Santa Clara?
Hires in the Small category (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are the most popular option in Santa Clara, costing €61/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as €21/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Santa Clara?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Santa Clara is January at an average cost of €33/day. June is the most expensive month to hire a car in Santa Clara when prices are €49/day on average, which tends to be 0% above the yearly average hire price for Santa Clara.
Santa Clara car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in Santa Clara by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
4x4
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
€21 - €41
All Car Types
€48 - €68
How much does it cost to hire a small car in Santa Clara?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Santa Clara?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in Santa Clara?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Santa Clara?
How much does it cost to hire a van in Santa Clara?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Santa Clara?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Santa Clara?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in Santa Clara?
Small car hire in Santa Clara typically costs around €30 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average €21 per day, which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 50% cheaper than the average car hire in Santa Clara, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in Santa Clara typically costs around €48 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average €31 per day, which is about 36% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 19% cheaper than the average car hire in Santa Clara, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in Santa Clara typically costs around €59 per day. The best time to book is July, when prices average €34 per day, which is about 43% less than the yearly average. Large cars are usually the same price as an average car hire in Santa Clara.
SUV hire in Santa Clara typically costs around €63 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average €47 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 7% more expensive than the average car hire in Santa Clara but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van hire in Santa Clara typically costs around €93 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average €55 per day, which is about 41% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 37% more expensive than the average car hire in Santa Clara but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in Santa Clara typically costs around €55 per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average €34 per day, which is about 39% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 7% cheaper than the average car hire in Santa Clara, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in Santa Clara typically costs around €76 per day. The best time to book is November, when prices average €46 per day, which is about 40% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 23% more expensive than the average car hire in Santa Clara but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in Santa Clara typically costs around €100 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average €74 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 41% more expensive than the average car hire in Santa Clara but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular car type
Small
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Santa Clara
If you have previously been inconvenienced by public transport when traveling or paid exorbitant taxi prices, then you may want to opt for a rental car when traveling to Santa Clara, CA. Driving can be a great way to experience the city without needing to worry about when or where to start or stop your daily journey. It’s a good way to take in what Santa Clara has to offer, which is quite substantial, at your own convenience. Imagine having the flexibility to drive as far as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is about 78 miles away, in just an hour, or driving to Big Sur, about 99 miles away, at your own pace.
Once you arrive at the San Jose International Airport, you’ll find the Rental Car Center across from Terminal B. If you arrive at Terminal B, it’s a short walk across Airport Drive from the baggage claim, and if you arrive at Terminal A, take the airport blue shuttle bus directly to the Rental Car Center. From here, pick up the car you rented through KAYAK from Santa Clara car rentals, including Alamo, Avis, Hertz, and National. These companies have a wide range of cars that will suit your budget and capacity needs.
It’s understandable that in a new city, you may want to use your phone in transit. However, throughout all of California, it’s prohibited to use your phone while driving. Getting a cell phone ticket in Santa Clara is as easy as getting a red-light ticket, both of which you should avoid to fully enjoy your trip. When driving through Palo Alto in your rental car, be wary of cyclists that may get too close without warning.
Hwy 17 can be quite congested in the morning and evening rush hour, which could be anywhere from 6am to 9am and 3pm and 7pm. If you need to travel during these times, give yourself extra time, especially if it rains, if there’s an accident, or if there’s ongoing construction. If possible, it would be ideal to stay in the right lane to be more comfortable as a driver in a new city. The same case applies for Hwy 1 on all counts.
Small hire cars in Santa Clara are around 41% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Santa Clara
What type of car is recommended for driving in Santa Clara?
Santa Clara is a city for on-road vehicles. With minimal traffic and many parking areas, you can rent nearly any car you need from car rentals in Santa Clara. If you’re here with your family, consider getting an SUV or a minivan, and if you’re here alone, a coupe or sedan will do just fine.
What’s the speed limit in Santa Clara?
Once you pick your vehicle from car rentals in Santa Clara, be watchful of the speed limits stipulated in the city. The school zones areas are especially strict with speed limits of 25mph, while others may have as low as 15mph. Watch for posted speed signs or children crossing the streets. The default speed limit on highways is 55mph and 25mph in residential areas, while alleys, blind intersections, and railroad crossings are 15mph. Beyond that, you should decrease to 10mph when passing streetcars, trolleys, and buses. Be careful as there are live traffic cameras in various parts of the city.
Where are the best places to park in Santa Clara?
In Santa Clara, you’ll find that there are parking meters all over the city. A majority of them run for 1h-2h, but you may be able to find one that runs for half an hour or one that goes as far as 4h. Parking meters charge between $1 and $2 per hour, depending on location. Be sure to read the posted signs at meters to understand how long you have. You’ll find free 2h parking at 70W, next to the West Wing.
Which car hire agencies are at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
Some Santa Clara car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend always be aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Santa Clara.
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a no-deductible option to your Santa Clara car hire.
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