Car Rental at John Wayne Airport
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
John Wayne Airport
Standard
Volkswagen Jetta
or similar
$46.49
/ per day
John Wayne Airport
Economy
Chevrolet Spark
or similar
$48.89
/ per day
John Wayne Airport
Intermediate SUV
Toyota RAV4
or similar
$76.14
/ per day
John Wayne Airport
Compact SUV
Nissan Kicks
or similar
$89.84
/ per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
John Wayne Airport
Full-size
Chevrolet Malibu
or similar
$96.21
/ per day
John Wayne Airport
Premium
Nissan Maxima
or similar
$102.99
/ per day
John Wayne Airport
Standard Elite SUV
Audi Q3
or similar
$102.13
/ per day
John Wayne Airport
Luxury
Buick Lacrosse
or similar
$102.97
/ per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 01:11 on 2024-04-18. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Languages
English, Spanish
Currency
USD
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+1
Average car rental price
$83 per day
Average car rental length
6 days
Speed limit within town
40 - 48 km/h or 25 - 30 mph
Speed limit out of town
88 - 104 km/h or 55 - 65 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Average gasoline price
$1.26 per liter or $4.77 / 1 gallon
Lowest gasoline price
$1.11 per liter or $4.20 / 1 gallon
Highest gasoline price
$1.59 per liter or $6.02 / 1 gallon
Airport Car Rental
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the only commercial airport serving Orange County. Previously called Orange County Airport, this airport was renamed after the legendary movie star, John Wayne, who is buried in nearby Newport Beach.
Orange County, which is mostly suburban, lies south of Los Angeles. It is a popular tourist destination for various reasons. Its miles and miles of beautiful sandy beaches and rocky cliffs are famous for great surf, wondrous sunsets, and frequent marine life sightings. Disneyland, one of the world’s most popular theme parks, is located in Orange County’s city of Anaheim.
With your rental car, some must-visit beach towns in Orange County include Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, and San Clemente.
This California Bucket List covers 50 incredible things to do on a road trip through Orange County, and beyond!
Top international routes
- Las Vegas
- Seattle
- Phoenix
- Denver
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Oakland
- Dallas
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
Main airlines
The low-cost airline Southwest is the largest airline at the airport with almost 3 million passengers using it every year. It flies to Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, Oakland, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Jose, and St. Louis, in addition to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
United is the second-busiest airline at SNA. Its primary destination is San Francisco which is its main West Coast hub. It also flies to Aspen, Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Newark.
American is also a popular airline at SNA, flying to Austin, Chicago, New York, Phoenix, and its hub, Dallas/Fort Worth.
Alaska and Delta also handle many passengers at the airport. Alaska flies to destinations on the West Coast and Delta’s most popular routes are to Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.
Allegiant, Breeze, Frontier, JSX, Spirit, and WestJet also fly out of John Wayne.
United is the second-busiest airline at SNA. Its primary destination is San Francisco which is its main West Coast hub. It also flies to Aspen, Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Newark.
American is also a popular airline at SNA, flying to Austin, Chicago, New York, Phoenix, and its hub, Dallas/Fort Worth.
Alaska and Delta also handle many passengers at the airport. Alaska flies to destinations on the West Coast and Delta’s most popular routes are to Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.
Allegiant, Breeze, Frontier, JSX, Spirit, and WestJet also fly out of John Wayne.
Terminals
There are three terminals at John Wayne Airport, though they are all in the same building. American, Delta, and WestJet use Terminal A. Alaska, Frontier, Southwest, and United use Terminals B and C. Terminal C also has specific commuter gates. It is also the international terminal for all flights without preclearance.
Location
The airport sits at the heart of Orange County, and though its address is officially Santa Ana, it is actually located south of the city. It is also surrounded by the cities of Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach. The airport is about 15 miles away from Disneyland, a 20-minute drive(without any rush-hour traffic).
Most popular types of rental car
- Convertibles - from $71 per day
- Large cars - from $46 per day
- Medium cars - from $48 per day
- Vans - from $107 per day
- Premium cars - from $56 per day
- Small cars - from $47 per day
- SUVs - from $50 per day
Car rental desks
Some rental companies have rental desks at the airport while others are located near the airport. Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar, and National all have desks in the airport’s arrival area between terminals A and B. Once the paperwork is completed, renters must proceed to the parking garage which is also where they’ll have to return their rental.
Fox is located away from the airport and provide shuttles from the terminal to their locations. Allow extra time when returning vehicles to these companies’ locations, though. The shuttle can add up to thirty minutes.
Fox is located away from the airport and provide shuttles from the terminal to their locations. Allow extra time when returning vehicles to these companies’ locations, though. The shuttle can add up to thirty minutes.
Services and facilities
John Wayne Airport has all of the services and amenities one would expect of an Orange County airport.
The airport has rotating art exhibitions throughout the terminal and baggage claim area. The artworks are of museum-quality given that they are judged by a specific commission. Free Wifi is available throughout the airport.
The airport has two lounges, an American Airlines Admirals Club near Gate 8 and United Airlines United Club near Gate 9. A USO lounge for members of the military and their families can be found in Terminal B near the baggage claim area. While there are no hotels at the airport, three can be found just across the street and a few more can be found just off the 405.
Finally, there is no need to go hungry or thirsty at the airport. There are plenty of dining options throughout all terminals, including both fast food places like CarlsJr and table-service restaurants such as Ruby’s Diner and Hobie Sand Bar. Coffee shops can also be found throughout the terminals.
The airport has rotating art exhibitions throughout the terminal and baggage claim area. The artworks are of museum-quality given that they are judged by a specific commission. Free Wifi is available throughout the airport.
The airport has two lounges, an American Airlines Admirals Club near Gate 8 and United Airlines United Club near Gate 9. A USO lounge for members of the military and their families can be found in Terminal B near the baggage claim area. While there are no hotels at the airport, three can be found just across the street and a few more can be found just off the 405.
Finally, there is no need to go hungry or thirsty at the airport. There are plenty of dining options throughout all terminals, including both fast food places like CarlsJr and table-service restaurants such as Ruby’s Diner and Hobie Sand Bar. Coffee shops can also be found throughout the terminals.
Nearest gas station
There is a Chevron Station on MacArthur Blvd. almost directly in front of the airport. It is also convenient for most (depending on which direction they are coming from) returning cars to off-airport locations.
Another option is a different Chevron station at the intersection of Bristol Street and Red Hill Avenue at the exit from the Corona Del Mar Freeway. Just down the street, there is an Arco station whose gas is typically 20 cents cheaper, though it would require a slight circle to turn around to get back to the road to the airport.
Another option is a different Chevron station at the intersection of Bristol Street and Red Hill Avenue at the exit from the Corona Del Mar Freeway. Just down the street, there is an Arco station whose gas is typically 20 cents cheaper, though it would require a slight circle to turn around to get back to the road to the airport.
Popular one-way rentals
- Los Angeles (39 miles / 63 km)
- San Diego (87 miles / 140 km)
- Long Beach (32 miles / 51 km)
- Las Vegas (272 miles / 438 km)
- Santa Monica (52 miles / 84 km)
- Bakersfield (151 miles / 243 km)
Fact checked by
Maddy Cornelius
Maddy is the blogger, world explorer, cook, and photographer behind Maddy’s Avenue. Originally from the sunny shores of California, Maddy has lived around the world, from Australia and New Zealand to Mexico and Costa Rica. She lives on the road as a digital nomad. Her travel & food blog, Maddy’s Avenue, is here to inspire you to live a bold life; to discover yourself and the world around you at greater depths - one forkful, or one plane ticket, at a time.
Airport info
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
- IATA: SNA
- ICAO: KSNA
- Name: John Wayne Airport (SNA)
- Distance from city: 4 miles / 6.4 km
Top 20 Locations near John Wayne Airport
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30.6 km / 19 miles
-
49 km / 30.4 miles
-
55 km / 34.2 miles
-
56.6 km / 35.2 miles
-
58 km / 36 miles
-
73.9 km / 45.9 miles
-
74.8 km / 46.5 miles
-
122.3 km / 76 miles
-
127 km / 78.9 miles
-
150.5 km / 93.5 miles
-
200 km / 124.3 miles
-
224 km / 139.2 miles
-
383.5 km / 238.3 miles
-
485.1 km / 301.4 miles
-
550.5 km / 342.1 miles
-
597.2 km / 371.1 miles
-
598.2 km / 371.7 miles
-
613.8 km / 381.4 miles
-
650.4 km / 404.1 miles
-
697 km / 433.1 miles
Map of Car Rental Locations
When are car rental prices the lowest at John Wayne Airport?
The cost of renting a car at John Wayne Airport varies by season. This graph compares prices from month to month in order to help you find the best time of year.
Average rental costs per day at John Wayne Airport
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at John Wayne Airport is November — when rental costs average $36.15 per day. This is 26% cheaper than the yearly average and 42% cheaper than renting a car in August (when prices average $62.54 per day).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
For how long do renters keep their vehicles at John Wayne Airport?
How long travelers keep their rental cars varies by the time of year: in January the average rental period is 17 days, while in March, the average rental period is only 4 days.
Average number of rental days at John Wayne Airport
What is the most popular time of year to rent a car at John Wayne Airport?
Based on how many users search for a car in at John Wayne Airport, travelers are most likely to rent a car at John Wayne Airport in June, while they are least likely to rent in in October.
Monthly searches at John Wayne Airport by pick-up date relative to the average
Car Rental Information
| Popular suppliers | GreenMotion, Thrifty, Dollar, Enterprise, Alamo |
| Popular car categories | Large cars, Small cars, , SUVs |
| Lowest price | $46 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Thrifty |
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GreenMotion | Nissan Versa | 5 | 1 | |
| GreenMotion | Hyundai Accent | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| GreenMotion | Nissan Altima | 4 | 3 | Large cars |
| GreenMotion | Dodge Caravan | 5 | 3 | Vans |
| Thrifty | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| GreenMotion | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| GreenMotion | Nissan Sentra | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Chevrolet Malibu | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Volkswagen Jetta | 2 | 2 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Chevrolet Spark | 2 | 1 | Small cars |
FAQ
How old do I have to be to rent a car in California?
You have to be at least 21 years old and will be charged a Young Driver's Fee if under the age of 25.
Will I be charged for an additional driver?
No, in California, additional drivers can be added to your rental contract without any additional cost.
Are there toll roads in Orange County?
Yes, there are toll roads in Orange County — Highways 241,261, 73, and 133 (but not I-5 or I-405).
How do I pay for Orange County's toll roads?
You can either use a toll pass provided by the rental company (at an increased cost) or pay online directly.
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 car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
CL
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Versa
May 26, 2023
Good car but not clean
EB
Italy
Toyota Yaris
March 31, 2022
The location was perfect and out of all the airport confusion. The office was clean and the service was very helpful. I would recommend using this service
DL
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Camry
February 17, 2021
Think that the staff of Fox do a great job....but if they don't have the cars ...👎
JM
United States of America (USA)
Toyota Corolla
October 26, 2020
First of all it was very quick, quicker than going to the airport & also finding a parking space & the airport you don't find that, also I like the fact that their is a shuttle waiting for you how awesome is that! You just can't beat that.
DS
United Kingdom
Toyota Corolla
June 24, 2019
Santa Ana, and by extension Los Angeles, are both very large and whilst you can get around by public transport I would strongly recommend hiring a car.
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Car Rental Statistics
Highest rated company
Alamo
8.4 / 10
Lowest rated company
GreenMotion
6.7 / 10
Total number of reviews
5
Total rental companies
11
Average daily price
$83.21
Lowest daily price
$46.49
Total cars available
608
Top 11 Suppliers at John Wayne Airport in 2024
8336792046
19051 AIRPORT WAY NORTH,
$90 - $196
Enterprise
+19492539155 / +18336591917
18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707
$94 - $214
+18888266890 / +18336792045
18601 Airport Way North, Santa Ana, CA 92707
$96 - $204
Hertz
+19492246700
18601 AIRPORT W. NORTH, Santa Ana, CA 92707, United States
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
Budget
+19492526240
18601 Airport Way, Suite 73
$76 - $125
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
Avis
+19496605200
18601 Airport Way
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
Dollar
+18664342226
18601 AIRPORT WAY
$48 - $120
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
Thrifty
+18772830898
18601 AIRPORT W. NORTH, Santa Ana, CA 92707, United States
$46 - $148
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:00
Tue:06:00-23:00
Wed:06:00-23:00
Thu:06:00-23:00
Fri:06:00-23:00
Sat:06:00-23:00
Sun:06:00-23:00
+17148745322
325 Baker St E, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:30
Tue:06:00-23:30
Wed:06:00-23:30
Thu:06:00-23:30
Fri:06:00-23:30
Sat:06:00-23:30
Sun:06:00-23:30
NUCarrentals
8557887030
4120 BIRCH STREET STE 111
Working hours
Mon:07:00-20:00
Tue:07:00-20:00
Wed:07:00-20:00
Thu:07:00-20:00
Fri:07:00-20:00
Sat:08:00-19:00
Sun:08:00-19:00
+19497526664
Atrium Hotel, 18700 MacArthur Blvd, Irvine, CA 92612
Working hours
Mon:07:00-20:00
Tue:07:00-20:00
Wed:07:00-20:00
Thu:07:00-20:00
Fri:07:00-20:00
Sat:07:00-17:00
Sun:07:00-17:00
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 150k+ total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2023
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Highly recommended by our customers
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