Car Rental at 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 seasonal dynamics of car hire rate variations 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

A rental car typically costs 25$ a day. However, the costs start at 9$ per day and can go as high as 100$ per day. The final price is directly influenced by the category of rental vehicles, the vehicle's features, your age, the date of booking, the length of the rental, etc.

Even if you caused the damage, third-party insurance is usually included in the rental price. This insurance does not cover car or driver damage.
Many base contracts include a large deductible (damages not insured by the rental provider). If you cause an accident, you must pay the contract's deductible to repair the rental car. You can add extra insurance to your rental to cover car damage. Did you know that some banks cover you when traveling if you used your card to pay?
Purchase insurance while booking your car:

Car rental insurance

When going on vacation, renting a car in San Francisco airport gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, and on your own schedule. Because of this, it is virtually always a smart decision to get behind the wheel.It is always beneficial to have the freedom to travel during times that are less likely to be crowded on public transportation, such as early in the morning or late at night, should you find that to be more convenient.

You can rent almost any kind of car in San Francisco airport, from small, cheap cars to high-end ones. Here are some things you might want to think about:

A size of the car: A bigger car may be more comfortable on the highway, but many beautiful villages in San Francisco airport have narrow streets. Parking garages are often small, and getting in and out of them can be a nightmare. Ford Ka is the most well-liked model among economy classes in San Francisco airport. From EUROPCAR the daily rate for this vehicle begins at 14$. For those who want some extra comfort and have the appropriate budget, EAST COAST is ready to offer a Business-class model - BMW 5 series, price starts at 52$ per day.
Most rental cars in San Francisco airport are manual, but more and more automatic cars are becoming available. Automatic cars usually cost more to rent, and if your license only lets you drive an automatic car, you won't be able to rent a stick shift car.

All car rental agencies allow booking the vehicle's main features but not a specific model. Because a specific model can break, be in an accident, be kept by the prior tenant, etc. Your voucher code sets the main parameters (e.g. CDAR). Code decoding:

Car rental models

For online payments, we accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Please be aware that the local supplier will demand that you leave a security deposit for the car when you take it up. This manifests as a minimal amount (Excess + VAT) being put on the primary driver's credit card as a block. At the rental desk, you must have a credit card with you.
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

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Reviews

John
5
The car rental process was smooth and hassle-free, with a wide selection of vehicles to choose from and excellent customer service
Mary
4.5
I was impressed by the cleanliness and condition of the car, as well as the ease of pick-up and drop-off at convenient locations
Michael
4.5
Affordable rates and a user-friendly booking system made my car rental experience enjoyable and stress-free
Jessica
4
The staff was friendly and helpful, ensuring that I had all the information I needed for a seamless rental experience
David
5
I appreciated the flexibility in rental options and the transparent pricing with no hidden fees
Emily
4.5
The vehicle performed well throughout my trip, providing a comfortable and reliable means of transportation