Rent a car San Francisco airport

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Car Rental Options at San Francisco Airport

Whether you are visiting San Francisco or flying in from elsewhere in the country, the San Francisco airport offers a range of car rental options to make traveling in the Bay Area easier. Several popular rental companies are located on the airport grounds, with others extending their services to off-airport locations. Having a rental car in the San Francisco area makes travel more convenient, especially for those with several pieces of luggage or those who want to explore the city's neighborhoods.

SFO's main rental car center is located just off of the Blue Line of the AirTrain. The Center has an on-site parking garage with attendants available 24 hours a day.

The center is also accessible by the AirTrain, which operates 24 hours a day and connects all of the airport's terminals. The AirTrain is an automated people mover that links each terminal with the center.

A shuttle is available from the rental car center to five off-airport locations. The SFO Rental Car Center is the busiest location at SFO, with approximately 28,000 passengers traveling in and out each day. The shuttles are free of charge.

When renting a car at the San Francisco airport, customers can choose from a variety of models, including SUVs and compact cars. These are ideal for those who need to carry luggage and gear, and are a good choice for sunny weather.

The San Francisco International Airport's Rental Car Center is open from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm. It includes Alamo, Budget, Avis, Enterprise, National, and Sixt counters.
San Francisco

San Francisco Airport Transport Information

Whether you are a frequent visitor or just have a short layover, you can make your trip to San Francisco more comfortable by taking advantage of the various forms of airport transport available. From taxis to shuttle services and even BART trains, there are many ways to travel between SFO and the rest of the city.

Shuttle services are cheaper than taxis

Choosing an airport shuttle service is one of the most convenient and inexpensive ways to get to and from the San Francisco International Airport. Unlike other methods, they are not only cheaper, but they are also more efficient.

You can expect to spend around $15 to $25 for a ride to downtown San Francisco, depending on the traffic situation. In the most extreme conditions, the journey time can be as long as 40 minutes.

An app-based transportation service such as Uber and Lyft can be a more economical alternative to a traditional taxi. The app tells you which car you are getting and where you can find it. Using a smartphone's GPS, the ride app locates you and your fellow passengers, making the experience safer and more fun.
San Francisco

BART trains serve SFO directly

Using the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, you can take a train from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to any destination within the Bay Area. The BART stations are close to Union Square, the Civic Center, the Asian Art Museum, and the Ferry Building. You can also catch an express train to Gilroy.

You can ride BART to and from SFO with a Clipper card. This is a contactless smart card that acts as a debit card, digital wallet, and fare payment system. Tickets can be purchased at vending machines located at the station. You can also use paper tickets if you don't have a card.

SamTrans bus system

Located near the San Francisco International Airport, the SamTrans bus system provides service to many locations in the Bay Area. SamTrans is a public transportation district operating around the clock. It's a fast and reliable way to get from the airport to downtown San Francisco.

There are six lines operated by SamTrans. They include the SamTrans Route SFO, which runs to the San Francisco International Airport. The line has 26 stops. The travel time from SFO to the city center is approximately 30 minutes.

The SamTrans route SFO provides free service to passengers with a Caltrain 2-zone+ monthly pass. The line picks up Caltrain passengers on the southbound platform and delivers them to all terminals at SFO.

Rental car center

During your trip to San Francisco, you may need to rent a car. You can do so at the SFO Rental Car Center. This is a convenient location that allows travelers to pick up their rental vehicles at one location.

The SFO Rental Car Center is located a short distance away from the airport. You can use the AirTrain Blue Line to reach the center. This line operates every four to five minutes, and the journey time is about 10 minutes.

The SFO Rental Car Center is accessible 24 hours a day, allowing you to return your rental car during the late afternoon hours or after midnight. The Center is also accessible via the free shuttles.

Pre-arranged vans provide service between SFO and passenger-specified locations in shared ride vans

Whether you are looking for a quick way to get to the San Francisco Airport or you are traveling to another city, there are a number of transportation options that will take you to the airport. However, before you decide on a service, you should research which one is best for you. There are a variety of options, including private jitney and shuttle services, shared ride vans and Uber.

Private jitney and shuttle services provide transportation between airports within a specific area. They provide service in a variable mode, which means that you may need to wait for a bus, but you can also request an immediate ride.

Transfer easily between SFO and Oakland Airport transportation

Getting from SFO to Oakland airport transportation can be a pain, but there are ways to do it in a streamlined way. You can take a taxi, use a rideshare app, or even get a private car service. The best option is the BART system, though.

The BART system connects Oakland airport with various Bay Area destinations. It takes approximately 40 minutes to reach downtown San Francisco. The Coliseum station is located about an 8-minute ride from both airline terminals. You can get a $10 ticket for a one-way trip, which is enough to cover the cost of the return trip.

Using the BART system will also keep you from dealing with the Bay Area traffic. If you are staying in the Peninsula, you can also take the Caltrain to BART. The ride is quick, but not quite as convenient.

Parking at San Francisco Airport

Whether you are flying out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), or just landing in town, you will find a variety of parking options at the airport. You can park for as little as two hours, or as long as seven days. The best option for short-term parking is Economy Parking. This option is located just outside the main road entrance to the airport, and is accessible 24 hours a day.

  • If you plan on flying out of SFO, it is a good idea to take advantage of the airport's Park 'N Fly service. This service allows you to park your car for as long as you like, and you can even use the valet service. You also have the choice of paying with cash or using a credit card.
  • The SFO airport has an impressive array of on-site parking options, including four types of parking garages. In addition, SFO has two dedicated parking garages for international flights.
  • One of the most important aspects of parking at SFO is the convenience of having your car ready for you when you arrive. Many air travelers want to be able to pick up their luggage and head off to their destination without having to spend their valuable time searching for a space. These options are perfect for those who aren't looking to pay a lot for airport parking.
  • There are three main types of parking at SFO, each of which offers a unique set of benefits. The most notable is the ParkFAST facility, which provides automated entry and exit, as well as an impressive $2 per 15 minutes savings.

The dynamics of price changes based on season in San Francisco airport

Average price for 7 days rental:

  • 0$ –
  • 22$ –
  • 72$ –
  • 122$ –
  • 172$ –
  • 222$ –
  • 272$ –
  • 322$ –
  • January
    154$
  • February
    133$
  • March
    154$
  • April
    189$
  • May
    224$
  • June
    245$
  • July
    287$
  • August
    322$
  • September
    224$
  • October
    224$
  • November
    154$
  • December
    245$
  • Jan -
    154$
  • Feb -
    133$
  • Mar -
    154$
  • Apr -
    189$
  • May -
    224$
  • Jun -
    245$
  • Jul -
    287$
  • Aug -
    322$
  • Sep -
    224$
  • Oct -
    224$
  • Nov -
    154$
  • Dec -
    245$

List of required documents

Attention!

A valid international driving license is required

1. Driver license
2. Credit card
3. Voucher
4. Passport

Answers to popular questions

The lowest daily rates ranging from 29$. You might wish to select a smaller vehicle because big cars tend to cost more to operate due to their higher fuel consumption.
Summertime in San Francisco airport is always a time of increased demand for car rentals, which raises costs. Prices are markedly reduced in the off-season, particularly in the winter.The length of your rental also influences the overall cost.

There are several insurance tiers available. The various insurance categories in San Francisco airport are described as follows:

  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) - It restricts the customer's liability throughout the rental period and establishes the maximum sum that the customer will be required to pay in the event of damages.
  • Theft Protection (TP) - If your automobile is stolen, this waiver reduces your liability to the vehicle's deductible/excess amount (proof required are a police report and the car keys). TP is typically included in the cost of renting a car.
  • Third Party Liability (TPL) - often referred to as Supplemental Liability Insurance, Extended Protection, Liability Protection, etc., covers both material and intangible losses caused to other people's vehicles, property, and even medical costs.

Unlimited third-party liability insurance is required in San Francisco airport and is automatically bundled into the cost of all car rentals. Don't forget to carry evidence of insurance if you are traveling with your own vehicle.
Purchase insurance while booking your car:

Car rental insurance

The freedom to see sights at your own pace and on your own timetable is a major perk of having a rental car while on vacation. It's nice to be able to schedule your travel whenever you'd like, whether that's at the crack of dawn or after midnight to avoid crowded bus or train times.

It depends on the number of passengers and the amount of luggage each person is carrying. However, the following factors to think about before vacationing in San Francisco airport:

Size: Our major suggestion is to choose a car that is not excessively wide. There are some tiny streets when you are driving through old towns or historical villages. It will be less stressful in a narrower automobile. Audi A1 is the most well-liked model among economy classes in San Francisco airport. From EUROPCAR the daily rate for this vehicle begins at 14$.

Power: Any size car will be able to travel the entire country. However, if you choose an engine that is not the smallest, it will be more comfortable in the highlands.

The search result and your voucher both show the most likely model. The car class is reserved at all rental car agencies, nonetheless, in accordance with global car rental regulations. When you arrive at the office, you can choice the color and model of the car you want. Here is an explanation of the various car classes:

Car rental models

However, in some cases you can reserve a particular model. If such an option is available, a special notation will appear next to the car in the search results.

When you pick up the vehicle, the same card must be used to guarantee the rental agreement. There are two card kinds we accept:

  • We will accept a credit card as a guarantee.
  • We will accept a debit card if purchase our Platinum Insurance plan for the duration of your rental period.

Rent a car without a deposit

Just bear in mind that the cardholder/renter and any additional drivers must sign the rental agreement in person at the time of pick-up.

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