Car Rental San Diego Airport (SAN)
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 02:02 on 2019-12-30. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
USD
Country code
1
Average car rental length
5 days
Economy car rental price
$44.92 / per day
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Speed limit out of town
72 - 120 km/h
45 - 75 mi/h
Speed limit within town
40 - 120 km/h
25 - 75 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Airport Car Rental
Get your rental car at San Diego Airport! Then head to the city to explore neighborhoods like Hillcrest, Balboa Park, and hilly seaside La Jolla. And drive to the Mission Valley—this is where the Spanish established their first settlement in California.
In Ocean Beach, enjoy excellent food and music and the laidback atmosphere. It’s the place for water sports too—scuba diving, surfing, kayaking. And make sure you drive to the San Diego Zoo where animals are free to roam large areas similar to their natural habitats. Up for something more active? Check out one of the rock climbing or hiking routes just outside the city.
San Diego’s a great destination, but the surrounding region has even more to offer. With a longer-term car rental you can drive up the coast to L.A. and San Francisco, head to Arizona, or cross the Mexican border to go to Tijuana and even farther south. Picking up your car at San Diego Airport and drop it off in a different city is easy. Start planning your adventure now!
San Diego Airport is also known as Lindbergh Field.
Top international routes
- San Francisco
- Denver
- Phoenix
- Seattle/Tacoma
- Las Vegas
- Atlanta
Main airlines
Southwest Airlines is the main airline serving SAN serving more than a third of the airport’s total passengers. Its most popular destinations are San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, San Jose, Las Vegas, and Sacramento.
The three major domestic carriers all also serve the airport with each carrying a little over 10% of the airport’s traffic each. United’s busiest routes are to and from San Francisco and Denver, its West Coast and Rocky Region hubs. American’s busiest destinations from the airport are to Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Chicago-O’Hare. Delta’s busiest routes include Seattle, its West Coast hub, and Las Vegas.
Alaska Airlines is the other major airline serving the airport. It flies to many destinations on the West Coast, to the Hawaiian Islands, and to Cabo in Mexico.
The three major domestic carriers all also serve the airport with each carrying a little over 10% of the airport’s traffic each. United’s busiest routes are to and from San Francisco and Denver, its West Coast and Rocky Region hubs. American’s busiest destinations from the airport are to Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Chicago-O’Hare. Delta’s busiest routes include Seattle, its West Coast hub, and Las Vegas.
Alaska Airlines is the other major airline serving the airport. It flies to many destinations on the West Coast, to the Hawaiian Islands, and to Cabo in Mexico.
Terminals
There are two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Each is divided into two sections, East and West. There are shuttle buses and vans that can take you from one terminal to other.
Location
The airport is just 3 miles (4.8 km) north of downtown San Diego. Harbor Drive is the main street that connects San Diego Airport to the city.
Most popular types of rental car
- Convertibles - from $106 per day
- Large cars - from $64 per day
- Medium cars - from $61 per day
- People Carriers / Vans - from $170 per day
- Premium cars - from $107 per day
- Small cars - from $54 per day
- SUVs - from $113 per day
Top car rental companies
- Alamo (Tel: +8888266893 / / +6192970311 / / +6192978701)
- GreenMotion (Tel: +18772473362 / +1877247336)
- Enterprise (Tel: +16192943313)
- SIXT (Tel: +16193636000)
- Dollar (Tel: +18664342226 / +16197260171)
- FOX (Tel: +16194320620)
- Alamo (Tel: +18888266893)
- Dollar (Tel: +18664342226)
- Avis (Tel: +16196885000)
- Thrifty (Tel: +18772830898)
- Advantage (Tel: +18007775500 / +16194913151)
- Europcar (Tel: +16193264285 / +18007775500)
- MEX RENT A CAR (Tel: +16192559094)
- GreenMotion (Tel: +18772473362)
- NuCarrentals (Tel: +18442702377)
- Ace Rent a car (Tel: 16192319700 / 3172487251)
Car rental desks
Those rental companies with on-airport locations can be found in the Consolidated Rental Car Facility at 3355 Admiral Boland Way. A free shuttle runs at all hours between the terminals and the facility.
Mex, Nu, and Ace are not located in the facility. All of them are located just east of the airport off of Pacific Highway. Each provides a shuttle for its customers.
Mex, Nu, and Ace are not located in the facility. All of them are located just east of the airport off of Pacific Highway. Each provides a shuttle for its customers.
Services and facilities
You’ll find many bars and dining opportunities, shops and stores, lounges, relaxation services, a spa, and three lactation rooms for new mothers. There are also ATMs, a currency exchange, and a lost and found office. Luggage carts can be found on the upper level of Terminal 2, near entrance doors. San Diego Airport offers help to passengers with reduced mobility, but you should contact your airline in advance if this is needed. You can find more information on the airport's official website.
Nearest gas station
If returning to the airport from downtown along Pacific Highway, there is a Mobil station between Hawthorn Street and Grape Street. There is a Shell station a few blocks to the north which is closer to the airport; however, it’s prices are significantly higher.
For those returning cars to Mex, Nu, or Ace, then the same Mobil station is the best at which to full up no matter which direction you are coming from.
If traveling to the rental car facility via I-5 from either direction, a Shell station at the corner of India and Vine Streets is very convenient. From the south take exit 18B and from the north, 18A. The rental car facility is just a block away from the station and Vine Street will lead you to Kettner Blvd. from which you can turn right to reach the facility.
For those returning cars to Mex, Nu, or Ace, then the same Mobil station is the best at which to full up no matter which direction you are coming from.
If traveling to the rental car facility via I-5 from either direction, a Shell station at the corner of India and Vine Streets is very convenient. From the south take exit 18B and from the north, 18A. The rental car facility is just a block away from the station and Vine Street will lead you to Kettner Blvd. from which you can turn right to reach the facility.
Popular one-way rentals
- Los Angeles (125 mi / 201 km)
- San Francisco (525 mi / 845 km)
- Las Vegas (334 mi / 537 km)
- Phoenix (358 mi / 576 km)
- Seattle (1,256 mi / 2,021 km)
- Palm Springs (142 mi / 228 mi)
Airport info
San Diego Airport (SAN)
- IATA: SAN
- Airport name: San Diego Airport (SAN)
- Airport Size: Large Airport
- Phone: (619) 231 2100
Top 17 Locations near San Diego Airport
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Car Rental at San Diego, Downtown from $38.57 per day
-
Car Rental at San Diego Cross Border Xpress from $102.95 per day
-
Car Rental at Santa Ana, John Wayne Airport from $25.89 per day122.3 km / 76.0 miles away
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Car Rental at Palm Springs Airport from $59.39 per day137.4 km / 85.4 miles away
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Car Rental at Long Beach Airport from $84.09 per day150.1 km / 93.3 miles away
-
Car Rental at Ontario Airport from $25.89 per day151.9 km / 94.4 miles away
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Car Rental at Los Angeles Airport from $44.25 per day175.7 km / 109.2 miles away
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Car Rental at Burbank Airport from $25.89 per day195.9 km / 121.7 miles away
-
Car Rental at Santa Barbara Airport from $84.09 per day309.5 km / 192.3 miles away
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Car Rental at Fresno Airport from $84.09 per day505.3 km / 314.0 miles away
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Car Rental at Monterey Airport from $84.09 per day603.8 km / 375.2 miles away
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Car Rental at San Jose Airport from $84.09 per day671.4 km / 417.2 miles away
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Car Rental at Oakland Airport from $57.49 per day718.4 km / 446.4 miles away
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Car Rental at San Francisco Airport from $57.49 per day718.9 km / 446.7 miles away
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Car Rental at Sacramento International Airport from $84.09 per day772.6 km / 480.1 miles away
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Car Rental at Santa Rosa, Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport from $56.82 per day818.5 km / 508.6 miles away
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Car Rental at McKinleyville, Arcata-Eureka Airport from $84.09 per day1103.4 km / 685.6 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
When are car rental prices cheapest at San Diego Airport?
The cost of renting a car at San Diego Airport depends on the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best deal.
Average Rental Price at San Diego Airport
The cheapest time of the year to rent a vehicle at San Diego Airport is December when prices for an Economy class start from $27.03. You can see that this is 20% cheaper than the yearly average and 42% cheaper than renting a car in August (when rental prices start at $46.48 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price. But remember that these are average numbers. The exact cost of your rental will depend on your rental length and on how far in advance you book the car. Enter your travel dates at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers!
What’s the most popular rental length at San Diego Airport?
Travel length differs from one month to another: in January the average rental period is 6 days, while in March, the average rental period is only 5 days.
Average Rental Length at San Diego Airport
Which is the busiest car rental month at San Diego Airport?
Travelers are most likely to rent a car at San Diego Airport in July, while the fewest number of travelers rent in September.
San Diego Airport Car Rental Popularity by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEX RENT A CAR | Kia Rio | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | VW Jetta | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Hyundai Elantra | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 3 | Medium cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Hyundai Accent | 4 | 3 | Large cars |
| MEX RENT A CAR | Kia Sportage | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Advantage | Nissan Versa | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Economy rent a car | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 1 | Large cars |
| Economy rent a car | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 3 | Large cars |
| FOX | Dodge Caravan | 4 | 4 | People Carriers / Vans |
Top 18 Suppliers for San Diego Airport in 2020
Alamo
+8888266893 / / +6192970311 / / +6192978701
San Diego Intl Arpt/Shuttle, 2942 Kettner Blvd.
National
GreenMotion
+18772473362 / +1877247336
3355 Admiral Boland Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Enterprise
+16192943313
3355 Admiral Boland Way, San Diego, CA 92101
SIXT
+16193636000
2499 Pacific Hwy
Alamo
+18888266893
3355 ADMIRAL BOLAND WAY
Avis
+16196885000
3355 Admiral Boland Way San Diego Intl Apo Ste R1
Thrifty
+18772830898
3355 Admiral Boland Way
GreenMotion
+18772473362
San Diego International Airport, Rental Car Center, 3355 Admiral Boland Way
NuCarrentals
+18442702377
2269 Pacific Hwy San Diego, CA 92101
Ace Rent a car
16192319700 / 3172487251
2367 India Street
Economy rent a car
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