San Francisco car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in San Francisco
The best car rental companies in San Francisco are Enterprise, Alamo, Hertz. Prices start from $48/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 11%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in San Francisco
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Enterprise
Editor's pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From$50/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#2
Alamo
Best valueFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$48/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From$52/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$55/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#5
Sixt
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From$55/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#6
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From$50/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#7
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$47/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#8
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$46/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
#9
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$49/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#10
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from $350Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From$46/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-05 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in San Francisco
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | $48 | Toyota Yaris | 5 |
| Compact | $57 | Honda Civic | 5 |
| SUV | $82 | Toyota RAV4 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | $105 | Toyota Sienna | 7 |
| Luxury | $135 | Tesla Model S | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in San Francisco
Airport — San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
All major rental companies are in the consolidated Rental Car Center accessible via the free AirTrain from any terminal. A 10-minute ride.
Downtown — Downtown San Francisco / Union Square
Several agencies near Union Square and SOMA. Parking in SF is expensive — consider picking up outside the city.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport concession fee | ~11% of base rate | Airport pickups at SFO |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | $25–35/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | $10–15/day | Per extra driver |
| Bay Bridge toll | $7 (E-ZPass) / $9.50 (cash) | Crossing from Oakland to SF or vice versa |
| Golden Gate Bridge toll | $8.80 (all electronic) | Northbound crossing only; no cash accepted — FasTrak or online payment required |
| SF parking garage | $30–55/day | Central San Francisco garages |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in San Francisco
- The Golden Gate Bridge charges a toll northbound only ($8.80) via all-electronic collection — no cash booths. Rental companies bill this through the transponder system.
- San Francisco's hills require hill-start skill — automatic transmission is standard and recommended. Manual on steep grades is challenging for unfamiliar drivers.
- California law allows you to waive CDW if your credit card or personal auto insurance covers rentals — confirm before paying at the counter.
- EV rentals are widely available in the Bay Area thanks to California's incentive programmes. Tesla and other EVs are offered by multiple agencies.
- Minimum age is 21; young-driver fee applies under 25. California has some of the strictest consumer protection laws for rental companies.
- The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) south to Big Sur is one of the world's great drives — most rental contracts permit this; confirm with your supplier.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in San Francisco
What is the minimum age to rent a car in San Francisco?
You must be at least 21. Drivers 21–24 pay a young-driver surcharge of $25–35/day. Most luxury and specialty cars require 25+.
How do I get from SFO to the rental car centre?
Take the free AirTrain from any terminal to the Rental Car Center stop (about 10 minutes). All major brands are housed in one building.
How does the Golden Gate Bridge toll work in a rental car?
The toll ($8.80 northbound) is all-electronic — no cash booths. If your rental car has a FasTrak transponder, it charges automatically. Otherwise you must pay online at bayareafastrak.org within 48 hours of crossing, or face a penalty.
Can I drive to Big Sur or Napa Valley from San Francisco?
Yes — Napa Valley is about 1 hour north, and Big Sur is about 3 hours south along Highway 1. Most standard rental contracts allow these roads; confirm if driving on unpaved roads.
What is the cheapest car type in San Francisco?
Economy cars start around $48/day. EVs (including Teslas) are available from around $65/day — unusually affordable given SF's tech-friendly market and CA EV incentives.
Nearby trips
