Car hire at San Francisco Airport from €28/day

Kia Soul

or similar SMALL

€28/day

Toyota Corolla

or similar MEDIUM

€28/day

Chrysler 200

or similar MEDIUM

€31/day

Toyota Camry

or similar LARGE

€30/day

Nissan Quest

or similar VAN

€48/day

Ford Expedition

or similar SUV

€47/day

Infiniti Q50

or similar LUXURY

€39/day

Toyota RAV4

or similar SUV

€32/day

Class Compact SUV

or similar SUV

€33/day

Class Standard SUV

or similar SUV

€35/day

Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.

Car hire at San Francisco Airport is a great way to explore the Californian coastline and busy city. You have many excellent choices of established companies to hire vehicles from in the airport’s consolidated car rental areas, both on and off-site. Remember that America is largely an automatic gear shift driving country, so if you are used to driving manually you will need to specify that on your booking. Popular car choices for the region and terrain include convertibles for coastline cruising, economy city cars for low fuel costs and SUVs for comfortable, large drives with bigger groups.
If you need add-ons, they will be charged as a separate fee from your booking. Make sure you check your rental conditions to get prices on baby car seats, booster seats for toddlers, Sat Nav, which is always a good idea for tourists, and second driver options. You can find a host of additional add-ons so check with your car hire company to see what they offer and how it would benefit your trip.
Most car hire at San Francisco Airport will offer standard insurance on their cars such as liability coverage, theft coverage and sometimes a collision damage waiver. They are all different and you should ensure that your basic insurances are covered beforehand. If you want to take additional personal effects insurance, you will have to cover that cost.
A money-saving trick when hiring a car at San Francisco Airport is to ensure you drop off your vehicle at the same time as you collect it. As most car hire charges are per a 24h period, even if you are a couple of hours late you may get charged for an additional day. Either ensure you call them if you are stuck in airport traffic or drop the car off at an alternative location.
25% of our users found a car hire at San Francisco Airport for €39 or less
Book your car hire at San Francisco Airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

Where is the car rental area in San Francisco Airport?
San Francisco Airport is large and very busy, but you will be able to find the car hire areas easily enough. You will find several companies located on the actual airport grounds in Arrivals but there are an additional five off-site locations. You can catch a shuttle or the free AirTrain which runs 24h a day to take you, on the blue line, to the car rental centres. Check with your agency which site they are based on and there will be a shuttle or train to take you there.
Which rental car companies are easiest to use at San Francisco Airport?
San Francisco Airport car hire only partners with reputable and reliable car hire companies so you can rest assured you will always be getting a fair deal. However, if speed is an issue for you, look at booking from one of the companies based at the airport terminal such as Europcar. Alamo offers an online check-in and self-service kiosk to push you to the front of the queue while Enterprise offers free second driver options. SIXT has one of the widest ranges of add-ons and Silvercar is rated the highest by KAYAK customers based on service and deals.
How old do I have to be for San Francisco car hire?
In the US you must be 21 to hire a car. You will possibly still get charged a youth fee if you are under 25 years of age, depending on the car rental company. You also must have owned a driver’s licence for a period of one year. This also applies to tourists’ home country licences.
What documentation is needed for car hire at San Francisco Airport?
For San Francisco Airport car hire you will need to present your valid driver’s licence, your international driver’s licence if you are a tourist and photographic identification such as a passport. Certain car hire companies will request proof of residence that is no older than three months. You will also need your credit card with enough credit.
How much does it cost to hire a car at San Francisco Airport?
On average a car hire at San Francisco Airport costs €46 per day.
What is the cheapest car hire company at San Francisco Airport?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Budget (€28/day), Avis (€30/day) and Europcar (€32/day).
What is the best car hire company at San Francisco Airport?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies at San Francisco Airport are Alamo (8.9, 100 reviews), Sixt (7.7, 114 reviews), and Budget (7.2, 180 reviews).
Which car hire companies will pick you up at San Francisco Airport?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from San Francisco Airport to off-airport locations include Dollar, Thrifty, Budget, Fox, Hertz, and Alamo.

Sixt

7.7

Good

Read 64 reviews

Cleanliness

8.2

Comfort

8.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.6

Value for money

7.6

One location in San Francisco Airport

Locations in San Francisco Airport

780 N McDonnell Rd

+1 888 749 8227

Monday	06:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Thursday	06:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday	00:00 - 01:0006:00 - 23:59
Saturday	00:00 - 01:0006:00 - 23:59
Sunday	00:00 - 01:0006:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Full-size

Excellent from beginning to end

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Intermediate SUV

CSR at pick up was very friendly and helpful!

10.0 Wonderful

CAROL, Jun 2024

People carrier

Went very well. Quick at the counter and easy return. The car didn't have all the bells and whistles but it was clean and worked

2.0 Poor

Sarah, Dec 2023

Intermediate

I was not given a damage slip or told to look at the damage ahead of time on my rental car. I was told (through an email) that a scratch was there that had not been there before my rental. I drove the car the entire time with the exception of valets at my hotel and did not cause damage. Because I did not get to inspect it and was not given a form to do so, I do not have evidence that something happened under my watch and just have to take their word. I also would have liked them to tell me when I turned the car in, as I did not have a chance to see what they are saying I did. It all feels pretty unfair. This could have been resolved if they had given me a damage form ahead of time.

10.0 Wonderful

Fanny, Dec 2023

Standard

I like the ease of registration & pickup. Appreciated the free upgrade too.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Standard

Staff friendly and efficiient. Product amazing. The only negative with the whole experience was the lengthy line at pick-up.

Budget

7.2

Good

Read 92 reviews

Cleanliness

7.8

Comfort

7.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.3

Value for money

6.8

One location in San Francisco Airport

from€42/day

Locations in San Francisco Airport

780 Mcdonnell Road

+1 650 877 0998

Monday	00:00 - 01:00
Tuesday	00:00 - 01:00
Wednesday	00:00 - 01:00
Thursday	00:00 - 01:00
Friday	00:00 - 01:00
Saturday	00:00 - 01:00
Sunday	00:00 - 01:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Sept 2024

People carrier

The van was not charged when picked up.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Economy

It was advertised as "you will only be charged if you pick up the car" but was then charged even though I was unable to pick up the car on account of changes travel plans. I am really unhappy with this service.

10.0 Wonderful

Janet, Jul 2024

Intermediate SUV

The representative was nice and helpful

6.0 Okay

S, Jun 2024

Luxury

We didn't get the car we chose on Kayak

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2024

Luxury SUV

The agent. Was one of the best I have had.

10.0 Wonderful

Gretchen, Apr 2024

Full-size

Great!

Fox

6.2

Okay

Read 82 reviews

Cheapest deal

Cleanliness

7.0

Comfort

6.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.6

Value for money

6.1

One location in San Francisco Airport

from€29/day

Locations in San Francisco Airport

435 South Airport Boulevard

+1 415 917 2713

Monday	05:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	05:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	05:00 - 23:59
Thursday	05:00 - 23:59
Friday	05:00 - 23:59
Saturday	05:00 - 23:59
Sunday	05:00 - 23:59

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Full-size

Excellent

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2024

Premium

It would've been great if it was at the airport.

8.0 Very Good

Martina, Oct 2020

Pros:

Jose was great and super helpful. I also had an incident with lost keys and Philip was incredibly responsive and accommodating especially when there was a mix up.

Cons:

The lost and found process could have been more organized/smoother.

7.6 Good

Anonymous, Jan 2020

Pros:

the dropoff was quick and easy. Pickup was a 2 hour wait in a line only to find a clerk who didn't know how to handle long-term rentals, and another wait for the manager.

Cons:

more help at the pickup line, or better staffing for expected surges.

8.4 Very Good

Anonymous, Jan 2020

Pros:

Yes, staff were very helpful.

Cons:

At first they offered us a smelly old Toyota RAV from Utah, with the windows open. That was a clue - really smelly. And we wanted a SUV for the all-wheel drive; that one was only 2-wheel drive.

2.8 Poor

Briana, Jan 2020

Cons:

Outrageous daily fees for tolls. Did not give me the car I asked for; gave me a car with less comfort and worse mileage.

Thrifty

5.4

Fair

Read 158 reviews

Best rated

Cleanliness

7.0

Comfort

6.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.4

Value for money

5.5

One location in San Francisco Airport

from€31/day

Locations in San Francisco Airport

780 Mcdonnell Rd

+1 877 283 0898

Monday	00:00 - 01:00
Tuesday	00:00 - 01:00
Wednesday	00:00 - 01:00
Thursday	00:00 - 01:00
Friday	00:00 - 01:00
Saturday	00:00 - 01:00
Sunday	00:00 - 01:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Intermediate

Terrible. Just pay the extra $20-40 and go with Alamo. They were not ready with our car, they were not giving updates, we waited an hour. Finally we went to the Alamo counter and asked how quickly we could get a car... it was immediately. I tried to cancel my thrifty reservation that was free to cancel and the chat support was giving me attitude and not allowing me to cancel. After some back and forth I called and canceled with ease. THEN, the car was "ready"... Never again!

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Compact

They overcharged us without explanation. They also have no clear support line in solving these issues

2.0 Poor

Wesley, Sept 2024

People carrier

In advance of our trip I made a reservation for a van for my family of 6. When we arrived they did not have one available. They gave us a Traverse which is a SUV with a third row. There was room for my family to sit in it but there was no room for our luggage. I expected at making a reservation for a specific vehicle that it would be there. Isn't that the whole point of a reservation? I also felt very pressured to buy a bunch of their rental options even after saying no.

2.0 Poor

nav, Aug 2024

Intermediate SUV

Internal panels were squeaking, didn't feel like it was a 2023 model. Plus all tyres had different tyre pressure

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2024

Intermediate SUV

Excellent

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Mar 2024

Compact SUV

Already did survey with thifty.

Dollar

4.9

Mediocre

Read 96 reviews

Most popular

Cleanliness

6.6

Comfort

6.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.0

Value for money

5.2

One location in San Francisco Airport

from€30/day

Locations in San Francisco Airport

780 Mcdonnell Rd

+1 866 434 2226

Monday	00:00 - 01:00
Tuesday	00:00 - 01:00
Wednesday	00:00 - 01:00
Thursday	00:00 - 01:00
Friday	00:00 - 01:00
Saturday	00:00 - 01:00
Sunday	00:00 - 01:00

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Rav, Oct 2024

Standard SUV

A bit of a line but other than that it was good

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Convertible

Terrible. Did not have a car for me. Could not refund me.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Full-size

Drop off was easy. Other than that, horrible experience. Did web check in so I could skip the line (their words). Ha! Had to wait in 2 lines. Took over an hour. Then was given a car with over 60K miles, no floor mats, holes in the interior , weird stains everywhere. I would have taken it back or refused it but we were already tired of waiting in line.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Supplier choice

Very long waiting time to pick up. They charged me for the fuel even I filled the tank. Now I have to call them and spend time to correct their mistakes.

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Jun 2024

Compact

I chose this Kayak/Dollar deal because it was cheaper than other options, but then I ended up paying an additional $120 upon check in and the desk clerk was not able to tell me what it was all for. She also wouldn't guarantee that the hatch back car would have a trunk cover which is a ridiculous risk for a rental car company to take in the Bay Area. Thankfully the guy who gave me the keys was very kind and switched out the car for one where my bags would not be exposed to potential thieves.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jun 2024

Full-size SUV

I am not confident or satisfied with the uplift of service I received.

Alamo

8.9

Very Good

Read 46 reviews

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

9.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.0

Value for money

8.4

One location in San Francisco Airport

from€49/day

Locations in San Francisco Airport

780 North Mcdonnell Rd

+1 844 370 8302

Monday	06:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:59
Thursday	06:00 - 23:59
Friday	06:00 - 23:59
Saturday	06:00 - 23:59
Sunday	06:00 - 23:59