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Find the Best Car Rentals in San Francisco, CA

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Cheap Car Rentals in San Francisco

All car rental rates above were last found on:Jan 17, 2025 at 6:49 AM EST. Rental cars may have additional taxes and fees. Displayed rates are based on historical data, are subject to change, and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking.

Book a Car Rental in San Francisco, CA

Comparison of rental deals helps you find affordable Car Rentals in San Francisco. Check the availability of car rentals and compare the rental rates by car rental company, mileage type, fuel type, car category, and car type on Cheapfaremart, one of the best car rental sites in the USA. The Cheapfaremart car rental website is operated by the namesake IATA-accredited online travel agency in Florida.

Popular Car Types to Rent in San Francisco

  • Economy Car Rental: Get the best round-trip or one-way car rental in San Francisco with an economy car. Economy vehicles like Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Spark, or similar are fuel-efficient cars or vans for an affordable solo or family trip to San Francisco. The economy car rental for a day in San Francisco costs around $83 with limited mileage. With unlimited mileage, it could cost approximately $120.
  • Compact Car Rental: Compact cars under regular or SUV models like Jeep Compass, Nissan Versa, Ford Focus, and B4 NISSAN KICKS are a perfect mix of affordability and style. Available with limited or unlimited mileage, compact car rentals help you cruise through crowded places like Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, and similar with ease. A compact car daily rental (limited mileage) in San Francisco costs $69 (approx). The unlimited mileage car rental can be around $120.
  • Full-size Car Rental: For family or group travel, full-size car rentals like 5-seater Chevrolet Impala, 7-seater Nissan Pathfinder, 7-seater Nissan Quest, 12-seater Ford ClubWagon, 12-seater FORD TRANSIT or similar are a good choice. Get extra space for passengers and cargo over regular sedans or compact cars. The one-day rental for a Chevrolet Impala can be as low as $87 while with a 7-seater GMC YUKON, it could be around $534.
  • SUV Rental: From intermediate or compact SUVs to full-size SUVs like Nissan Pathfinder, SUV rental in San Francisco offers options to meet your travel requirements. Enjoy more space for seating and cargo. The daily SUV rental with limited mileage could be $69 (approx). With unlimited mileage, the rental could be $102.

Popular Car Rental Companies in San Francisco

Fox: Fox Rent a Car, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, offers affordable rental options, including sedans, SUVs, and vans. The rental company focuses primarily on leisure and business travelers. 
  • Dollar Rent a Car: Headquartered in Florida, Dollar Rent a Car is a dominant car rental company with rental services available via a high-end fleet of economy, intermediate, compact, full-size, SUV and luxury cars.
  • Thrifty Car Rental: Thrifty Car Rental, owned by the Hertz Corporation, offers cheap car rentals in San Francisco under standard, compact, intermediate, or SUV rental categories.
  • Hertz: Hertz, headquartered in Estero, Florida, is a global car rental leader offering a wide range of vehicles, including compact, intermediate, full-size, and luxury cars and SUVs. 

Things to do in San Francisco 

Season/Month

Couples

Families with Kids

Nature Lovers

Adventure Seekers

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Dine at cozy restaurants in the Mission District or explore holiday lights at Union Square.

Visit the holiday ice rink at Embarcadero Center or enjoy Children’s Creativity Museum.

Take winter walks along the Marina Green or visit Fort Funston for dramatic coastal views.

Try indoor climbing at Dogpatch Boulders or adventure courses at House of Air.

Spring (Mar-May)

Stroll through Golden Gate Park or visit Twin Peaks for sunset views.

Explore the California Academy of Sciences or the San Francisco Zoo.

Hike the trails at Lands End or enjoy Glen Canyon Park.

Try kayaking in the San Francisco Bay or biking the Golden Gate Bridge.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Have a romantic picnic at Crissy Field or enjoy a cruise around the bay.

Visit Pier 39 for sea lions and rides; Explore Exploratorium for hands-on fun.

Enjoy outdoor spaces like Muir Woods or Alamo Square Park.

Try windsurfing in the bay or enjoy an Alcatraz Night Tour.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Take a ferry to Sausalito or enjoy wine tasting in nearby Napa Valley.

Ride the historic cable cars or enjoy pumpkin picking at nearby farms.

Explore the trails of Presidio or enjoy fall colors in Golden Gate Park.

Go paddleboarding at Aquatic Park Cove or hike Mount Davidson.

Check our San Francisco flight deals page to know more about the destination. 

Frequently Asked Questions: Car rentals in San Francisco

When is the best time to book a cheap car rental in San Francisco?
The best time to book cheap car rentals in San Francisco vary by the tourism season as follows.

Season

Best Time to Book

Spring (March-May)

2-3 weeks in advance

Summer (June-August)

3-4 weeks in advance

Fall (September-November)

2-3 weeks in advance

Winter (December-February)

2-3 weeks in advance

Which car rental companies are available in San Francisco?
Dollar, Fox, Thrifty, and Hertz are popular car rental companies in San Francisco.
Which car do people usually rent in San Francisco? 
Travelers prefer economy, compact, full-size, or SUV car rentals in San Francisco.
How much does an economy car rental for a week cost in San Francisco?
With unlimited mileage, the weekly car rental cost for an economy 5-seater Ford Fiesta in San Francisco (Pickup/Drop off - SFO Airport) could be around $360, provided the reservation is confirmed a month before the San Francisco trip. Dollar has cheap airport economy car rentals.
How much does an SUV car rental for a week cost in San Francisco?
The weekly SUV rental with a 5-seater Chevrolet Bolt ELECTRIC or similar vehicle in San Francisco with an unlimited mileage option may cost around $335 when booked a month before the trip. 
Which companies offer the cheapest car rates in San Francisco? 
Dollar and Thrifty have the cheapest car rental rates in San Francisco. 
Can I book a car rental upon arrival at a San Francisco airport?
Yes. You can directly rent a car upon arrival at all popular airports in San Francisco including San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and San Jose International Airport (SJC). All top car rental companies serve these airport locations. However, confirming your San Francisco airport car rental in advance is a better idea as it saves time and money.
Can I pick up the car in San Francisco and return it to a different location?
Yes. Use our booking engine to know the best car rentals in San Francisco available at your drop-off location.   One-way rental rate may be higher. Check the policy and fee of the car rental company before confirming your rental booking.
Note: Car rental rates mentioned in the content body are based on the search criteria – pick up/drop off location San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and date (pickup/drop-off) a month later in March. Rates vary based on availability and demand at the time of search.