KAYAK’s insights & trends for San Luis Obispo County Airport car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in San Luis Obispo County Airport with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
You should book your car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport around 86 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular car to hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
Hires in the Medium category (Toyota RAV4 or similar) are the most popular option in San Luis Obispo County Airport, costing €55/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as €40/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
The cheapest month to hire a car in San Luis Obispo County Airport is February at an average cost of €45/day. June is the most expensive month to hire a car in San Luis Obispo County Airport when prices are €54/day on average, which tends to be 5% above the yearly average hire price for San Luis Obispo County Airport.
Which car hire company in San Luis Obispo County Airport has the most locations?
Hertz operates 3 locations in San Luis Obispo County Airport, more than any other car hire company.
San Luis Obispo County Airport car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
4x4
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
€40 - €52
All Car Types
€65 - €91
How much does it cost to hire a small car in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a van in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in San Luis Obispo County Airport?
Small car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport typically costs around €47 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average €40 per day, which is about 15% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 38% cheaper than the average car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport typically costs around €58 per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average €43 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 23% cheaper than the average car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport typically cost around €64 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average €55 per day, which is about 15% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 15% cheaper than the average car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport typically costs around €79 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average €63 per day, which is about 21% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 6% more expensive than the average car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport typically costs around €116 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average €87 per day, which is about 25% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 36% more expensive than the average car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport typically costs around €100 per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average €45 per day, which is about 55% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 25% more expensive than the average car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport but are ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport typically costs around €97 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average €54 per day, which is about 45% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 23% more expensive than the average car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport typically costs around €92 per day. The best time to book is December, when prices average €68 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 19% more expensive than the average car hire in San Luis Obispo County Airport but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular car type
Medium
Top tips for hiring a car at San Luis Obispo County airport
One of the biggest advantages of a car rental at San Luis Obispo County Airport is the mobility. With limited public transportation options available around the city and surrounding areas and everything fairly spread out, renting a car is a fast and cheap way to travel. This lets you get into town, visit California Polytechnic State University and travel out to the beaches without having to rely on public transportation or lug your luggage around. And it's much more affordable than using a taxi.
While there are public transportation options available from the airport, taking a bus or shuttle will add time to your journey. The SLO Transit shuttle from the airport to downtown San Luis Obispo runs every hour and takes about 30min to reach the city center. With a San Luis Obispo County Airport car rental on the other hand, the 3.3 miles to downtown can be over in less than 10min. From there it is only 20min to the beach, while a bus would take around an hour.
The peak time for flights out of the San Luis Obispo County Airport is early morning. San Luis Obispo County Airport TSA recommends arriving at least 90min before your flight, but if you are returning a rental car, you may need to budget more time accordingly. If you are picking up a car rental at San Luis Obispo County Airport, then expect a rush if you are flying in around noon, as this is also a peak time at the airport.
When it comes time to return your car rental at San Luis Obispo County Airport, the process is simple. Just return your rental car to the parking lot where you first picked it up, return the keys to the rental counter and you will be on your way. Some companies make the process even smoother, by offering key drops or after hours returns. In the case of Budget, with their Fastbreak service, you can skip the line completely. All you have to do is record the mileage and fuel level of the car on your rental agreement and leave that in a drop box. A finalized rental agreement will be mailed to you within two days.
Book your car hire at San Luis Obispo County airport at least 5 weeks before your trip in order to get a below-average price
FAQs about hiring a car at San Luis Obispo County airport
Where is the location of the rental car center at San Luis Obispo County Airport?
The San Luis Obispo County Airport rental car center is located by the baggage claim. There you will find a desk with the most internationally recognized companies. Due to the small size of the airport, you can walk to pick up your car and will not require a shuttle. However, some of the smaller rental companies are not located directly in the terminal.
What amenities are available at the San Luis Obispo County Airport rental car center?
The San Luis Obispo County Airport rental car center is small, but offers several amenities to make your time more comfortable. There is some seating available to rest while you wait, an ATM should you need to withdraw money, and a stack of flyers with information on the area.
What documents are required to rent a car at San Luis Obispo County Airport?
In order to rent a car from San Luis Obispo County Airport, the company will ask you to provide your driver’s license (which must include a picture), as well as a major credit or debit card. The minimum age limit to rent a car is 21, though you will be charged extra per day if you are between the ages of 21-24. You will also need to provide proof of your own coverage should you decide to forgo the rental agency’s offered insurance.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at San Luis Obispo County airport?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from San Luis Obispo County airport to off-airport locations include Avis, Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Hertz.
San Luis Obispo County Airport car rental reviews and directory
Quick check in and check out. Car was clean and new.
2.0 Poor
Mark, Apr 2026
Luxury
Avis promised a Cadillac, a full luxury car. Instead, they provided a Kia with 35,000 miles on it. It was a mediocre exchange. I asked for a financial compensation for that downgrade and I was told that Avis may take care of it later. It feels like a bait and switch to me.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Jan 2026
Standard SUV
Our pickup was in the back side of a motel with NO signs anywhere that said Avis. Hard to find and had to call Avis representatives to find office. The desk representative was not helpful and not very friendly… didn’t show us where the car was, how to work it, NOTHING.. I give her a zero. The car was nice and the drop off in Tuson was easy to find and the representative was very friendly and helpful.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Mar 2025
Pick-up truck
The entire experience was wonderful. The front desk staff was fantastic to work with.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Sept 2024
Standard
Pro:Easy check in. Improvement: Needed to call earlier that they were closing right when we were going to pick up car. Did not realize they closed same time we were to pick up car.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, May 2024
Intermediate
Just about perfect. Newer car, clean, no smells. Pickup & dropoff at 2 different airports, were quick and easy.
Counter service was a little slow but the agent was friendly. Walk to /from lot to the terminal is a bit inconvenient.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jul 2025
Intermediate
Please contact me
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jul 2025
Intermediate SUV
Rental agent was exceptionally helpful and very nice!
6.0 Okay
Daniel, May 2025
Economy
I requested a child’s booster seat and when I made the reservation, it didn’t cost extra. It just showed my total cost with seat included free. When I arrived for pickup, they informed me that it was an additional $15 per day. This obviously is frustrating for a renter to find out at this point. Not cool
10.0 Wonderful
Elizabeth, Sept 2024
Intermediate
TOO NOTCH!
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Jul 2024
Economy
The man at the desk was really pleasant and helpful and got me into a car quick , even unpgraded me to a wonderful orange Tacoma for minimal fee. He was kind and made it a great experience overall. Thank you to him.
United Dropped me in DC and I had to Rent a Car to Drive myself home to VA Beach. I requested a FULL SIZE Car and got a Little KIA. It didn't even have Electric Seats or a Rear Window Wiper. The Driver who took us from Airport to Avis was Very Rude and insisted on playing his Radio Loud even when I explained I needed to Make an Important Phone Call.
The windows were not clean, inside and out. I had to buy cleaning solution and paper towels the next morning to clean them so I could see. Ridiculous !
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Dec 2024
Compact SUV
Great and easy collection, very helpful staff and easy drop off! Would use again for a rental car.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Nov 2024
Intermediate
When I went to pick up the car my credit card wasn't working when putting in the machine. The representative said he couldn't enter it manually. Finally it worked but almost had a heart attack if it didn't. Then on my on 2nd to last day the battery went bad had to call road side assistance and was told it would be a $55 charge. The AAA driver said it was the original battery and wouldn't hold a charge and probably would have to call the next morning. Fortunately I ran the car for about an hour and half and it did start the next day and the enterprise representative waived the fee.
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