San Francisco Bay Area car rentals
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Cheap car hire in San Francisco Bay Area
Top tips for hiring a car in San Francisco Bay Area
- If you intend to drive in the Bay Area, keeping in mind the region’s car seat rules for safe navigation of rental cars is crucial. Parents driving with children under eight years old must secure them in car seats or booster seats in the rear of the vehicle. Toddlers under two years old and less than 40 inches or 40 pounds must be secured in rear-facing car seats at the back of the car. All passengers under eight must use seat belts or a booster seat.
- Parking can be hard to find in the Bay Area, especially around major cities. There are metered and garage parking options. When parking in a permit-only zone, avoid exceeding your time limit as it leads to steep charges. If you intend to parallel park facing uphill, ensure your wheels are turned away from the curb in case of parking brakes failure. Avoid parking along streets or tunnels or neighborhoods with reserved parking for its residents. Breaking the area’s parking rules can lead to towing, so ensure to follow all parking laws.
- Driving under the influence can be a severe offense for car rentals in the Bay Area. If the blood-alcohol level is above 0.8%, avoid driving. It is also illegal to smoke in a vehicle when there is a pedestrian under eighteen in the car. Distracted driving is also prohibited, and it includes using cellphones, applying makeup, or changing clothes when driving. Reckless driving is also illegal and might lead to steep charges on the rental bill.
- Drivers that intend to drive car rentals in the Bay Area must have a valid driving license. The validity of the driving permit must cover the entire period you intend to rent the car. If you are a foreigner, ensure the driving license is in English. Non-English-speaking foreigners can acquire an International Driver’s Permit for translation purposes. Some car rental companies do not accept digital licenses and the license provided must have a photograph of the driver. Any additional drivers must be present when signing the rental contract.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in San Francisco Bay Area for $76 or less
- Book your rental car in San Francisco Bay Area at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in San Francisco Bay Area are around 53% cheaper than airport locations on average
- Compact rental cars in San Francisco Bay Area are around 10% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in San Francisco Bay Area
Should I hire a car in San Francisco Bay Area?
A car rental is ideal for exploring the Bay Area. Car rentals allow travelers to save time as they are faster than public transport means. A car rental in the Bay Area allows you to explore the region in comfort and style like the rest of the locals. Certain parts of the Bay Area can be hard to access with public transport or taxis. With car rentals, you can easily explore the region without worrying about being stranded. Plus, car rentals save you the hassle of dragging luggage around.
What is driving like in San Francisco Bay Area?
Driving in the Bay Area is an adventurous experience due to its charming neighborhoods and historical attractions. The region has plenty of one-way streets; keep an eye out for road signs. Ensure you are traveling in the correct direction and keep a map for alternative routes. Pedestrians have the right of way, so always yield to them. It is prohibited to pass any light rail vehicles on their left. Gas stations are few in the Bay Area, so ensure to fill up the gas tank whenever you get the chance. Keep an eye out for cyclists as they tend to ignore red lights and avoid honking unless it is necessary to give a warning to another road user. Drivers might encounter sobriety checkpoints along highways, which require drivers to stop. Some cities in the Bay Area use red-light cameras, so ensure you always follow traffic laws.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in San Francisco Bay Area?
You must be at least twenty one years old to get car rentals in the Bay Area. Drivers over seventy and under twenty five may have an extra daily fee imposed due to their ages. Drivers under twenty five may also be limited to specific car categories.
How much does it cost to hire a car in San Francisco Bay Area?
On average a car hire in San Francisco Bay Area costs $101 per day.
What is the most popular car hire in San Francisco Bay Area?
Compact (Kia Soul or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in San Francisco Bay Area.
What is the cheapest car hire company in San Francisco Bay Area?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Fox ($54/day), Hertz ($57/day) and Dollar ($65/day).
What is the best car hire company in San Francisco Bay Area?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in San Francisco Bay Area are Alamo (8.6, 246 reviews), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.0, 271 reviews), and Sixt (7.4, 331 reviews).
How can I find car hires near me in San Francisco Bay Area?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Where should I hire a car in San Francisco Bay Area?
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in San Francisco Bay Area are San Francisco (99% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in San Francisco Bay Area) and South San Francisco (1%).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in San Francisco Bay Area?
On average a car hire in San Francisco Bay Area costs $732 per week ($105 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in San Francisco Bay Area?
On average a car hire in San Francisco Bay Area costs $3,136 per month ($105 per day).
Car rental locations in San Francisco Bay Area
Car rental directory
Hertz car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
62 Locations
Enterprise Rent-A-Car car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
55 Locations
Avis car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
26 Locations
Budget car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
26 Locations
Thrifty car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
18 Locations
Dollar car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
17 Locations
National car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
10 Locations
Sixt car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
9 Locations
Sunnycars car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
8 Locations
Alamo car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
7 Locations
Zeeba Rent-A-Van car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
6 Locations
Airport Van car hire locations in San Francisco Bay Area
5 Locations
Good to know
Most popular agency | Thrifty |
|---|---|
Most popular car type | Compact |
Average price | $105/day |
Good deal | $76/day |