Car hire at San Diego Airport from €40/day

Kia Soul

or similar SMALL

€40/day

Toyota Camry

or similar MEDIUM

€43/day

Toyota Camry

or similar LARGE

€41/day

Chrysler Pacifica

or similar VAN

€61/day

Toyota Sequoia

or similar SUV

€68/day

Chrysler 300

or similar LUXURY

€59/day

Ford Mustang Convertible

or similar CONVERTIBLE

€64/day

Toyota RAV4

or similar SUV

€42/day

Hyundai Tucson

or similar SUV

€50/day

Toyota 4Runner

or similar SUV

€58/day

Best prices found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.

If you’re looking for car hire at San Diego Airport, you’ll be pleased to learn that it’s really straightforward to find the car hire companies based at the airport. Once you’re through customs and passport control and you’ve collected your baggage, follow the Transportation Plaza signs in the Arrivals Hall. All car hire companies are based at the Car Rental Centre, which is around 3 miles from the airport terminal, and takes about 10min to drive. There is a dedicated shuttle service run by each company, that regularly departs the terminal and operates 24h a day.
San Diego Airport car hire is a great way to travel around the city, Southern California and even driving into Mexico if you’re looking to be extra adventurous. There are many advantages that hiring a car has over relying on public transportation. Though public buses and trains are reliable from the airport, getting into the city can be simple, but the city is also very drivable, and most tourists prefer to hire a car than to depend on bus schedules. You’ll save time and have a sense of more freedom and control with your hands at the wheel. If you do want to drive over the border to Mexico, then you will need to agree to additional insurance as part of your rental agreement. To be sure, check directly with your car hire company.
Getting to and from San Diego Airport by car is convenient and quick, especially as there is a huge network of highways linking the city, the airport, and surrounding areas. Downtown San Diego is only 10min away, less than 3 miles in distance. Once you’ve collected your vehicle turn onto Admiral Boland Way, connecting with Kettner Boulevard, onto the I-5S and finally Fourth Avenue and you’ll be in the heart of the city in next to no time. You can even reach Tijuana in Mexico within 40min via the I-5S highway, and if you want to drive along the Californian coast taking in the beaches along the way, just take the I-5N. Options in this region are almost endless.
With car hire at San Diego Airport, make sure you know the operating hours of your chose car hire company, it’s very important as this may affect the time in which you need to return your vehicle. Some companies based at the Car Rental Centre close between 21:00-24:00, whilst others are open for 24h. When you’re booking your car hire, check the returns policy regarding time and drop-off points, as it may differ from the collection point. You can check out car hire deals through KAYAK and you’ll see which companies will include an out-of-hours fee as part of their deal.
25% of our users found a car hire at San Diego Airport for €42 or less
Book your car hire at San Diego Airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

What documents do I need to provide to hire a car at San Diego Airport?
For car hire at San Diego Airport, make sure that you provide your booking confirmation number, present your driving licence, a valid form of identification like your passport, and a major credit card to arrange payment and process your deposit. Depending on the company you’re dealing with, you may need to present proof of your US ESTA travel visa, this will be included in your passport and are required by law for foreign nationals entering the United States from abroad.
Which car hire companies are the easiest at San Diego Airport?
For a stress-free and easy car hire experience at San Diego Airport, look no further than National, Alamo and Enterprise. These companies have by far the best customer service ratings, providing extremely thorough services with friendly staff and an impressive array of vehicles.
What types of vehicles can I hire at San Diego Airport?
Due to the sheer number of car hire companies based at San Diego Airport, you’re likely to come across a huge fleet of vehicles, including compact, medium-sized and large vehicles, so you’re sure to find something to your liking. Other options include SUVs, pick-up trucks, vans, luxury vehicles and even convertibles. If you book and pay for your vehicle online through KAYAK prior to your travel dates, you are more likely to get a great deal on all types of vehicles, so keep this in mind.
How much does it cost to hire a car at San Diego Airport?
On average a car hire at San Diego Airport costs €48 per day.
What is the cheapest car hire company at San Diego Airport?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Budget (€49/day), Avis (€58/day) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (€66/day).
What is the best car hire company at San Diego Airport?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies at San Diego Airport are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (9.2, 50 reviews), Alamo (8.7, 112 reviews), and Budget (7.5, 57 reviews).
Which car hire companies will pick you up at San Diego Airport?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from San Diego Airport to off-airport locations include Dollar, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, and Thrifty.

Alamo

8.7

Very Good

Read 55 reviews

Cleanliness

8.9

Comfort

8.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.9

Value for money

8.3

One location in San Diego Airport

Locations in San Diego Airport

3355 Admiral Boland Way

+1 833 763 1741

Monday	04:30 - 23:59
Tuesday	04:30 - 23:59
Wednesday	04:30 - 23:59
Thursday	04:30 - 23:59
Friday	04:30 - 23:59
Saturday	04:30 - 23:59
Sunday	04:30 - 23:59

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Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Economy

Liked: Clorox wipe - great touch. Friendly staff After hours drop off Convenient (for us) pick up / drop off locations Could be better: Cost - we only needed the car for a few hours but had to rent it for the entire day. I get it, but would be nice to have a 1/2 day option. 😊

10.0 Wonderful

Jeremy, Jun 2024

Full-size

Great car. Great service. Done well.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2024

Compact SUV

Quick pickup, so easy very well organized. Best car rental expetience ever. San Diego Airport.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2024

Luxury

A-1 customer service from everyone who worked there

6.0 Okay

Harmin, Jun 2024

Intermediate SUV

Need to be honest with clients. When I picked up the vehicle I was offered to pay $8.00 dls and not need to worry to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas which I agreed to pay the $8 dls. After i returned it I noticed they charged me $98.00 dls extra for filling up the tank when i returned the car with a 3/4 of the tank full. I’m very disappointed with Alamo how they still money.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2021

Pros:

I was able to pick up the car the night before and saved money

Sixt

6.9

Okay

Read 89 reviews

Cleanliness

7.4

Comfort

7.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.9

Value for money

6.7

One location in San Diego Airport

Locations in San Diego Airport

3355 Admiral Boland Way

+1 888 749 8227

Monday	07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Tuesday	00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Thursday	07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday	07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Saturday	00:00 - 01:0007:00 - 23:59
Sunday	07:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00

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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Convertible

The drop off was complicated moving the charges to another credit card despite our telling them our intentions before we took the car and as we dropped it off. It required a manager and quite a bit of time. Fortunately, we didn’t miss our flight but it was close despite the extra time we allocated and TSA-Pre.

10.0 Wonderful

Ricardo, Dec 2023

Standard SUV

Great service. Easy pickup and drop off.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2023

Full-size

The front desk employe was very polite and helpful. She answered all our questions without any problem.

10.0 Wonderful

Patrick, Oct 2022

Nice car. Fast service

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2022

Excellent service from check in to check out. I could not have been happier with my experience.

10.0 Wonderful

Terence, Oct 2022

Professional people at the airport. Great vehicle. All-around good experience

Thrifty

6.0

Okay

Read 72 reviews

Cleanliness

7.0

Comfort

6.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.1

Value for money

6.1

One location in San Diego Airport

from€42/day

Locations in San Diego Airport

3355 Admiral Boland Way

+1 877 283 0898

Monday	00:00 - 01:0006:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Wednesday	00:00 - 01:0006:00 - 23:59
Thursday	06:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Friday	00:00 - 01:0006:00 - 23:59
Saturday	06:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00
Sunday	06:00 - 23:5900:00 - 01:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Deborah, Sept 2024

Intermediate SUV

They had a 1.5 hour line and were out of the car type we reserved. They advised us to come back the next day and even then they didn’t have the car we reserved. So we ended up having to make a new reservation with a different company.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Intermediate

Didn't end up completing reservation because they didn't have a car.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Mar 2024

Economy

Inside the car was a mold

4.0 Mediocre

Elvira, Feb 2024

Supplier choice

Was not charged the same and the return was totally incorrect. Also I mentioned I have car insurance and still had it charged. How can you fix this

10.0 Wonderful

Tom, Jan 2024

Compact SUV

The wait in line was long. There could have been more customer service agents.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Compact SUV

We arrived to a line of 100 people and they had run out of cars so we didn’t get one.

Economy Rent a Car

5.7

Fair

Read 95 reviews

Cleanliness

7.2

Comfort

6.8

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.5

Value for money

6.1

One location in San Diego Airport

Locations in San Diego Airport

2367 India Street

Opening times not available

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Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Economy

I rented with them to pick up the car at 12pm. On August 28, 2024 They took my money and they cancel the rent of the car because I didn't pick up the car at 12pm even though I gave them the flight and the airline that will be there at 5:20pm, until today I'm not receiving my reimbursement, I called again customer service and said that I have to e-mail to a different place. Waisting so much time because of the company incompetency.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Intermediate

The staff working at Economy were courteous, professional, polite, personable… really helpful in every way.

2.0 Poor

Omar, Jul 2024

People carrier

Charged fees for little thing (which were either not explained or hidden until after drop-off) and were not honest about the drop-off process. I was told I could drop the car off without issue after hours (flight at 10PM on Sunday, 7/28), however, they don't have after hours drop-off at their lot and I almost missed my flight due to not having any idea where to return the car.

8.0 Very Good

Lisa, Jul 2024

Intermediate

Pick up was great, car was great! Drop off the shuttle driver was rude and also drove like a maniac. Everyone else was great to work with and good communication.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2024

Compact SUV

They were not open when I arrived and there was no answer on the number provided. I left two messages and never a call back! Very disappointed!

6.0 Okay

Caroline, Jun 2024

Compact

The check-in line was long, which is understandable. However, the staff was so uninterested in welcoming people or talking at all. They just seemed like robots processing forms. At drop-off, they tried to suggest damage, which was already there, and mentioned dog hair in the car...which was somewhat offensive because we didn't have a dog in the car. The value, the shuttle to and from, and the car were excellent. Just have nicer employees, and it would be great!

Payless

4.5

Mediocre

Read 589 reviews

Cleanliness

5.3

Comfort

5.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.3

Value for money

4.5

One location in San Diego Airport

Locations in San Diego Airport

3355 Admiral Boland Way

+1 619 296 4966

Monday	06:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:59
Thursday	06:00 - 23:59
Friday	06:00 - 23:59
Saturday	06:00 - 23:59
Sunday	06:00 - 23:59

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Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Intermediate

Car was old, had significant mechanical issues, and was dirty. Were I not expecting to drive less than 10 miles, I wouldn't have accepted it. It was also significantly dirty inside and had trim pieces loose.

2.0 Poor

Matt, Sept 2024

Intermediate SUV

They charged me extra $250 while I am picking the car. Literally fraud, I will dispute the charge. Probably I will never use kayak again for any rentals.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Intermediate

Beware! Deceptive pricing. Forced me to take minimum coverage costing an extra $150 even though I explained I already had insurance. When I called to complain, they asked me to bring the car in for inspection and if there was no damage they would refund one day. This is crazy. Don’t rent from this company.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Intermediate

Person at pick up is unethical and takes advantage of people with up charges. I was a little early and he claimed that he didn’t have a mid size car and that I had to pay for an upgrade. Bill was 150 more than what I signed up for and when I got to the pickup area it was a Hundai Elantra - a mid size car. These people are cheats and manipulators. Don’t rent from them!

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Intermediate

The pick up and drop off from the airport was very easy. All the rental car places are in a big hub and there’s a shuttle from the airport. The person who checked us in was like an auctioneer - he talked a mile a minute to us while talking to his co-workers on either side. We declined the collision and told us the he upgraded us at no cost. But in fact, he charged us for both of these. When I asked why to total was so high he said that there is a 38% airport tax! ( which there is but I can’t do math that fast). It ended up being $350 for a compact for 3 days. The car was fine. The service was super shady and I was scammed.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Intermediate

Effective and efficient - can't ask for more. Seamless. A well oiled machine for renting out cars. Great job, and thanks!

Ace

4.2

Mediocre

Read 107 reviews

Cleanliness

4.9

Comfort

4.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

3.9

Value for money

4.4

One location in San Diego Airport

Locations in San Diego Airport

1002 West Juniper Street

+1 619 323 3100

Monday	08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 18:00
Thursday	08:00 - 18:00
Friday	08:00 - 18:00
Saturday	08:00 - 18:00
Sunday	08:00 - 18:00