Car Rental at John Wayne Airport
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Cheapest car rental rates
Standard
Kia K5 or similar
$56.40 per day
Economy
Chevrolet Spark or similar
$59.15 per day
Premium
Toyota Crown or similar
$65.84 per day
Compact
Nissan Versa or similar
$67.24 per day
Most popular car rental deals
Intermediate
Toyota Corolla or similar
$68.87 per day
Full-size
Toyota Camry or similar
$69.85 per day
Standard Elite SUV
Audi Q3 or similar
$83.35 per day
Luxury
Luxury (Mercedes Benz C Class) or similar
$91.18 per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 9:15 AM on 7/14/25. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel information
Languages
English, Spanish
Currency
USD
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+1
Average car rental price
$70 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 gas price
$1.25 per liter or $4.73 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$1.15 per liter or $4.35 per gallon
Highest gas price
$1.32 per liter or $5.00 per gallon
Airport travel guide
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 $162 per day
- Large cars - from $56 per day
- Medium cars - from $58 per day
- Vans - from $215 per day
- Premium cars - from $66 per day
- Small cars - from $58 per day
- SUVs - from $63 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 away
-
49 km / 30.4 miles away
-
55 km / 34.2 miles away
-
56.6 km / 35.2 miles away
-
58 km / 36 miles away
-
73.9 km / 45.9 miles away
-
74.8 km / 46.5 miles away
-
122.3 km / 76 miles away
-
127 km / 78.9 miles away
-
150.5 km / 93.5 miles away
-
200 km / 124.3 miles away
-
224 km / 139.2 miles away
-
383.5 km / 238.3 miles away
-
485.1 km / 301.4 miles away
-
550.5 km / 342.1 miles away
-
597.2 km / 371.1 miles away
-
598.2 km / 371.7 miles away
-
613.8 km / 381.4 miles away
-
650.4 km / 404.1 miles away
-
697 km / 433.1 miles away
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. The table and graph below can help you find the best time of year to save on a rental car.
Average rental costs per day at John Wayne Airport
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car at John Wayne Airport is April — when rental costs average $36.50 per day. This is 21% cheaper than the yearly average and 39% cheaper than renting a car in July (when prices average $59.97 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 February the average rental period is 7 days, while in September, 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 in March, while they are least likely to rent in in August.
Monthly searches at John Wayne Airport by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Popular suppliers | Thrifty, U-Save, Dollar, GreenMotion, Alamo |
| Popular car categories | Large cars, SUVs, Medium cars, |
| Lowest price | $56 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Thrifty |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thrifty | Mazda 3 | 5 | 3 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
| U-Save | Nissan Versa | 4 | 3 | |
| U-Save | Toyota Corolla | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Volkswagen Jetta | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
| Dollar | Mazda 3 | 2 | 2 | Large cars |
| Thrifty | Ford Focus | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| U-Save | Nissan Kicks | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Thrifty | Chevrolet Equinox | 4 | 3 | SUVs |
| U-Save | Nissan Altima | 4 | 3 | Large 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 the 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.
CL
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Versa
5/26/23
Good car but not clean
EB
Italy
Toyota Yaris
3/31/22
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
2/17/21
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
10/26/20
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
6/24/19
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.
Car rental statistics
Highest-rated company
Enterprise
8.8 / 10
Lowest-rated company
U-Save
6.6 / 10
Total number of reviews
5
Total rental companies
12
Average daily price
$70.23
Lowest daily price
$56.40
Total cars available
297
Top 12 suppliers at John Wayne Airport in 2025
Enterprise
+18336591917
18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana, CA 92707
$68 - $249
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
8336792046
19051 AIRPORT WAY NORTH,
$67 - $227
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
SIXT
+18887498227
18601 Airport Way, Orange County Airport
$71 - $286
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
+18888266890 / +18336792045
18601 Airport Way North, Santa Ana, CA 92707
$69 - $269
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
Thrifty
+18772830898
18601 AIRPORT W. NORTH, Santa Ana, CA 92707, United States
$56 - $87
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
$58 - $93
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
Hertz
+19492246700
18601 AIRPORT W. NORTH, Santa Ana, CA 92707, United States
$58 - $93
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
John Wayne Orange Co. Apt, 18601 Airport Way - Ste 73
Santa Ana
CA-92707
$66 - $298
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
John Wayne Orange County Airport, 18601 Airport Way,
Santa Ana, CA, 92707, United States
$70 - $241
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
NUCarrentals
8557887030
4120 BIRCH STREET STE 111
$70 - $241
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
$115 - $215
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
U-Save
+19497526664
3195 Airport Loop Dr. D-2, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
$116 - $215
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
Awards
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Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
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Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
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SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
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