Car Rental at San Francisco Airport
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 02:03 on 2021-03-01. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
USD
Country code
1
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 Francisco Airport! Then head to the city and drive over the famous Golden Gate Bridge. From there, go to Fort Mason and the Presidio—the views are beautiful, and there’s plenty to explore, from museums and a wildlife sanctuary to hiking trails and culture and history walks. Then eat at a seafood restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf and tour turn-of-the-century ships at Hyde Street Pier. Check out the art scene and neighborhood bars in the Mission District and Bernal Heights and the panoramic views in Nob Hill.
The city’s surrounded by water, so how about some beach time? You can easily drive your rental to Ocean Beach, China Beach, or Baker Beach. Up for a museum? The M.H. de Young Memorial Museum exhibits contemporary and indigenous art, and everyone will enjoy the hands-on science fun at the Exploratorium.
San Francisco’s a great destination, but the surrounding area has even more to offer. With a longer term car rental you can head south to Monterrey and even Los Angeles, explore inland California, or take a road trip to the Pacific Northwest. Picking up your rental car at San Francisco Airport and dropping it off at a different location is easy. Start planning your vacation today!
San Francisco Airport, first known as Mills Field Municipal Airport, was built in 1927 on a 150-acre cow pasture.
Top international routes
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Seattle
- Las Vegas
- New York City
- Denver
Main airlines
United Airlines, United Express, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines
Terminals
The four terminals (T1, T2, T3, and International) are all connected by AirTrain, with station departures every 4–5 minutes. It’s also possible to walk between terminals, although parts of T1 are currently under construction.
Location
The airport is 13 mi (21 km) from downtown San Francisco. Highway 101 is the main road connecting San Francisco Airport to the city.
Most popular types of rental car
- Convertibles - from $162 per day
- Large cars - from $62 per day
- Medium cars - from $49 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $132 per day
- Premium cars - from $94 per day
- Small cars - from $48 per day
- SUVs - from $94 per day
Car rental desks
All car rental offices are located in the separate Rental Cars Center (RCC) that can be reached by taking AirTrain Blue Line.
Services and facilities
You’ll find many bars, cafeterias, and restaurants, some serving Mexican and Asian food, as well as a number of duty-free outlets, stores, and gift shops. There are also ATMs, eight lounges, baby care facilities, a children’s play area, a medical clinic, a reading room, a yoga room, spa, reflection room for meditation, hydration station to refill water bottles, aquarium, airport museum, and permanent art exhibitions. You’ll find luggage storage and lockers at the Airport Travel Agency in the main hall of the International terminal. San Francisco Airport is fully equipped for passengers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.
Nearest gas station
Costco Gasoline, located at 451 Airport Boulevard, is on the way to the city. It can be reached in less than ten minutes and is open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on workdays, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Sundays. There are many other gas stations near the airport.
Popular one-way rentals
- Los Angeles (384 mi / 618 km)
- Las Vegas (571 mi / 919 km)
- San Diego (503 mi / 809 km)
- Reno (229 mi / 368 km)
- Oakland (23 mi / 37 km)
- Fresno (188 mi / 302 km)
Airport info
San Francisco Airport (SFO)
- IATA: SFO
- ICAO: KSFO
- Name: San Francisco Airport (SFO)
- Size: Large Airport
- Passengers (per year): 55,832,518
- Distance from City: 8 miles / 12.9 km SE of town
- Working hours: 24 hours a day
Top 19 Locations near San Francisco Airport
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Car Rental in San Francisco South from $33.26 per day14.4 km / 9.0 miles away
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Car Rental at Oakland Airport from $27.99 per day17.8 km / 11.1 miles away
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Car Rental at San Jose Airport from $27.99 per day62.9 km / 39.1 miles away
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Car Rental at Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport from $27.99 per day88.2 km / 54.8 miles away
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Car Rental at Sacramento International Airport from $27.99 per day124.1 km / 77.1 miles away
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Car Rental at Monterey Airport from $27.99 per day142.0 km / 88.2 miles away
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Car Rental at Fresno Airport from $27.99 per day262.9 km / 163.4 miles away
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Car Rental at Arcata-Eureka Airport from $88.04 per day384.2 km / 238.8 miles away
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Car Rental at Meadows Field Airport from $84.73 per day396.9 km / 246.6 miles away
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Car Rental at Santa Barbara Airport from $27.99 per day438.6 km / 272.5 miles away
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Car Rental at Burbank Airport from $27.99 per day539.6 km / 335.3 miles away
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Car Rental at Los Angeles Airport from $27.99 per day558.7 km / 347.1 miles away
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Car Rental in Westchester from $51.79 per day559.1 km / 347.4 miles away
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Car Rental at Long Beach Airport from $27.99 per day584.4 km / 363.1 miles away
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Car Rental at Ontario Airport from $27.99 per day599.0 km / 372.2 miles away
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Car Rental at John Wayne Airport from $27.99 per day613.4 km / 381.1 miles away
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Car Rental at Palm Springs Airport from $27.99 per day689.9 km / 428.7 miles away
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Car Rental at San Diego Airport from $27.99 per day734.3 km / 456.3 miles away
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Car Rental at San Diego Cross Border Xpress from $30.96 per day763.0 km / 474.1 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
When are car rental prices cheapest at San Francisco Airport?
The cost of renting a car at San Francisco 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 Francisco Airport
The cheapest time of the year to rent a vehicle at San Francisco Airport is October when prices for an Economy class start from $42.95. You can see that this is 31% cheaper than the yearly average and 57% cheaper than renting a car in August (when rental prices start at $98.85 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 Francisco Airport?
Travel length differs from one month to another: in November the average rental period is 12 days, while in July, the average rental period is only 6 days.
Average Rental Length
Which is the busiest car rental month at San Francisco Airport?
Travelers are most likely to rent a car at San Francisco Airport in July, while the fewest number of travelers rent in November.
Popularity by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis | Kia Rio | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Avis | Toyota Camry | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| FOX | Kia Sportage | 5 | 4 | SUVs |
| Europcar | Dodge Grand Caravan | 5 | 3 | People Carriers/Vans |
| Europcar | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Avis | Ford Mustang Convertible | 2 | 1 | Convertibles |
| FOX | Toyota Yaris | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Europcar | Jeep Compass | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
| Europcar | Dodge Journey | 5 | 4 | SUVs |
| FOX | Toyota Camry | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
FAQ
I am neither American nor Canadian; will I need to purchase insurance at the rental desk.?
If you search on our website using your country of residence, the search results will only include offers for international renters, all of which include basic coverage like a collision damage waiver, theft protection, and third-party insurance. We suggest that you purchase our Full Coverage to cover the deductible of the basic coverage.
What is the minimum age at which you are allowed to rent a car in California?
In California, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a car. Note that drivers under 25 are almost always charged an additional young driver fee.
Will I need an International Driving Permit if I am not from the US?
If your license is in English, you will not need an IDP at SFO. However, if your license is in any other language, you most likely will need to have an International Driving Permit in addition to your driver's license.
Is sales tax included in the rental rates shown on the website?
Yes, state sales tax for California and the local sales tax for San Francisco are included in the rental rates shown. Other taxes like the tourism tax may not be included, though. Be sure to check the rental conditions to find out what is and isn't included for the car of your choice.
Are one-way rentals possible from San Francisco Airport?
Yes, it is possible to pick up a car at SFO and drop it off somewhere else. The most popular one-way rental route is to Los Angeles. There is an additional fee for this service which depends both on the company and car you choose. You can search for the place you would like to drop off the car on our website and the prices will include this fee to make for easy comparison.
Can I add additional drivers to the rental contract?
Yes, you may request to add additional drivers on the booking page. If you do not do so at the time of booking, you may also request such at the rental desk. Keep in mind that all requirements for the main driver will also apply to any additional drivers including the additional fee for young and senior drivers.
Our Customers Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
AO
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
December 12, 2019
SF was fun, and driving out to Yosemite made for a wonderful trip. Renting a car there is horrendously expensive though.
AG
Thailand
Toyota Corolla
October 22, 2019
I rent a car at the San Francisco Airport because that is where I fly into. What I don't like is all the tax's I have to pay. The taxes came to 1/3 of my car rental. But I guess there's not to much the car rental companies can do about that.
GJ
United Kingdom
Ford Explorer 5+2
June 27, 2019
Although I booked car hire in San Francisco, I drove out of the city to other destinations, so cannot comment too much driving around in the city.
MM
United States of America (USA)
Kia Forte
May 1, 2019
Great city, tons of things to see and do
HS
United Kingdom
Toyota Yaris
April 24, 2019
You don't need a car to drive around San Francisco - public transport is great and parking is very expensive. It's well worth hiring one to drive out to Yosemite though!
Top 15 Suppliers at San Francisco Airport in 2021
+18443708302
780 N McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128
$64 - $269
+18443708301
780 N McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128
$77 - $289
NUCarrentals
+18005568227
1409 Rollins Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010
+18336350431
780 N McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128
$71 - $265
+18887498227
San Francisco Int. Airport Rental Car Center 780 N McDonnell Rd 94128 San Francisco
$39 - $76
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:00
Tue:07:00-23:00
Wed:07:00-23:00
Thu:07:00-23:00
Fri:07:00-23:00
Sat:07:00-23:00
Sun:07:00-23:00
+18664342226
780 McDonnell Rd, San Francisco, CA 94128, USA
$33 - $41
+14159172713 / +18002254369
780 N. McDonnell Road, San Francisco.
$33 - $37
Working hours
Mon:00:00-00:30
Tue:00:00-00:30
Wed:00:00-00:30
Thu:00:00-00:30
Fri:00:00-00:30
Sat:00:00-00:30
Sun:00:00-00:30
+18443708302
780 NORTH MCDONNELL RD
Working hours
Mon:06:00-22:00
Tue:06:00-22:00
Wed:06:00-22:00
Thu:06:00-22:00
Fri:06:00-22:00
Sat:06:00-22:00
Sun:06:00-22:00
Dollar
+18664342226
780 Mcdonnell Rd
Working hours
Mon:06:30-22:00
Tue:06:30-22:00
Wed:06:30-22:00
Thu:06:30-22:00
Fri:06:30-22:00
Sat:06:30-22:00
Sun:06:30-22:00
Avis
+16508776780
780 Mcdonnell Road
$28 - $103
Working hours
Mon:05:00-23:59
Tue:05:00-23:59
Wed:05:00-23:59
Thu:05:00-23:59
Fri:05:00-23:59
Sat:05:00-23:59
Sun:05:00-23:59
Thrifty
+18772830898
780 Mcdonnell Rd
Working hours
Mon:06:30-22:00
Tue:06:30-22:00
Wed:06:30-22:00
Thu:06:30-22:00
Fri:06:30-22:00
Sat:06:30-22:00
Sun:06:30-22:00
Budget
+16508770998
780 Mcdonnell Road San Francisco Intl Apo
Working hours
Mon:05:00-23:59
Tue:05:00-23:59
Wed:05:00-23:59
Thu:05:00-23:59
Fri:05:00-23:59
Sat:05:00-23:59
Sun:05:00-23:59
+16503433052 / +18007775500
323 S Canal St suite a, South San Francisco, CA 94080
$36 - $53
Working hours
Mon:05:00-23:59
Tue:05:00-23:59
Wed:05:00-23:59
Thu:05:00-23:59
Fri:05:00-23:59
Sat:05:00-23:59
Sun:05:00-23:59
NUCarrentals
+16506517145
1409 Rollins Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010
$60 - $77
Working hours
Mon:08:00-16:00
Tue:08:00-16:00
Wed:08:00-16:00
Thu:08:00-16:00
Fri:08:00-16:00
Sat:08:00-16:00
Sun:08:00-16:00
Ace Rent a car
6507317266 / 3172487251
820 Malcolm Rd
Working hours
Mon:08:00-16:00
Tue:08:00-16:00
Wed:08:00-16:00
Thu:08:00-16:00
Fri:08:00-16:00
Sat:08:00-16:00
Sun:08:00-16:00