Cheap Budget Car Hire in San Francisco

Before traveling, familiarize yourself with local driving laws and regulations. This can help you avoid fines and ensure a safe driving experience.

Steer clear of peak traffic times to minimize delays and frustration.

Be aware that some rental companies impose age restrictions or additional fees for drivers under 25. Make sure to check the company’s age policy when booking.

When hiring a car, especially if you’re arriving in San Francisco by flight, plan for extra time at pickup to accommodate any potential delays. Suppliers like Budget typically offer a grace period of 30-60 minutes. Providing your flight number can be helpful, but if you’re running late, be sure to call the supplier to inform them.

If you're looking for more comfort or features, inquire about upgrade options at the rental desk. Sometimes, upgrades are offered at a discounted rate at pickup.

If you are travelling to San Francisco and considering hiring a car, choosing an in-terminal car hire supplier can save you time and hassle. Suppliers like Budget have locations right at the airport, allowing you to avoid shuttle buses or meet-and-greet services and ensuring a quicker and more convenient pickup.

Choose car hire suppliers with high ratings, as these often indicate better service, newer cars, and more convenient pickup locations. For San Francisco, we have car hire deals from 19 suppliers. Among them, Budget has a rating of 4.6, britz_motorhome has a rating of 4.9, AVIS has a rating of 4.6 and Alamo has a rating of 4.6.

When hiring a car in San Francisco, choose a car hire deal with a “Full-to-Full” or “Same-to-Same” fuel policy from suppliers like Budget. These policies ensure you only pay for the fuel you use, helping you avoid unnecessary costs. While a “Full-to-Empty” policy might seem convenient, it can often be more expensive if you don’t use all the fuel.