Car rental in San Francisco, United States

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Choose from 113 pickup spots

Find cheap car rentals in San Francisco

These are the cheapest San Francisco car rental prices we found over the next 30 days and are subject to change.

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There are 113 car rental providers in San Francisco. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pickup spot.

Driving in San Francisco: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
You'll need a driver's license, passport, and a credit card to rent a car in San Francisco.
Most visitors can use their regular driver's license. If it isn't in English, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP). Rental companies also check that your ID matches your booking and payment card.
Navigating city driving
San Francisco has steep hills, one-way streets, and busy intersections.
Navigation apps help you avoid the steepest routes and guide you through the city's grid. Traffic slows near Union Square and the Embarcadero, especially during peak hours.
Tolls, emissions zones, and charges
Several bridges around San Francisco have tolls.
Tolls are collected electronically and billed to your rental car. The city has no emissions zones, and driving is free apart from parking fees.
Parking your car in San Francisco
Parking is limited in central areas, so parking lots are easiest.
Street spaces fill quickly near major attractions. Multi-story parking garages offer safer options around downtown and Fisherman's Wharf. Always check signs, as time limits and fees vary.
Finding fuel or charging points
Fuel is easy to find, and EV charging stations in San Francisco are widespread.
Gas stations are located on main roads and in suburbs. The city has many chargers, including fast options in parking lots. Apps like PlugShare help you find available chargers.
Local driving style and tips
Drivers are steady, but hills and traffic need extra attention.
Use low gear on steep descents and take care at four-way stops. Traffic can be heavy downtown, and cable car crossings require caution. Keep speeds steady and watch for quick lane changes.
Find San Francisco car rental deals

The most popular car rental companies in San Francisco

Renting a car in San Francisco: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car rental companyDollar
Most popular carIntermediate/Standard, SUV
Average daily price¥772
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in San Francisco

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car rental rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your San Francisco car rental search.

Book now, cancel later

We clearly highlight car and van rental options in San Francisco that have free cancellation. So you can bag the best deal with total flexibility to change your plans if you need to.

Rent a car in San Francisco for a whole month

Want to rent a car for almost a month? Often, car rental companies in San Francisco avoid costly admin in between pickups by renting out cars for longer periods. So see whether monthly car rental is cheaper than the three weeks needed by selecting 30 days.

Compare fuel policies

To save money on filling up the tank as you take off in San Francisco, look out for deals with a "full to full" fuel policy, as opposed to a "half-full to full" one.

Skip the lines

We call out keyless pickup when you search for cars with us. No keys to pick up means no lines. Just turn up at your preferred San Francisco car rental location, hop in, and hit the road.

Frequently asked questions

On average, renting a car in San Francisco will set you back around ¥772 per day or ¥1,375 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in San Francisco is a compact hatchback (sometimes known as a station wagon). The most popular is Intermediate/Standard, SUV.
The cheapest car rental companies in San Francisco are currently Europcar and Hertz.
Scoring the best car rental deal depends on when you book – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. However, according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in San Francisco is currently November.
On average, around ¥1,375. But the best price we found for a car rental for a week in San Francisco is ¥1,375.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to rent a car in San Francisco for a whole month is ¥9,474. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore San Francisco, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car rental deals with a "full to full" fuel policy as opposed to a "half-full to full" one.

We also clearly highlight car and van rental options in San Francisco that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car rental companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select "Return car to a different location" when you search with us.
Public transportation can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, and for as long as you want. You'll also be able to discover more outside of San Francisco.
Most places – San Francisco included – allow people under the age of 25 to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance deductible for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is ¥273 per day. The average price per day is around ¥529.
Of course. Most major car rental companies like Dollar, Thrifty and Avis offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travelers rated Alamo as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van rental is available in San Francisco.