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No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find great car hire offers in San Francisco. Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Simple. Pick up at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with 24/7 AirTrain access and round-the-clock returns, or often save on fees at city centre depots. Compare deals from major brands, filter by economy, SUV, convertible or EV and see key costs like young driver and one-way fees before you book.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | • Large selection of vehicles • Major providers on-site • 24/7 AirTrain connects terminals to Hire Car Centre • Some providers offer 24-hour service (Budget) |
• 10% airport concession fee • Potential long wait times during peak hours • Higher base rates than city centre locations |
| San Francisco City Centre | • Potentially lower rates (no airport fees) • Convenient if staying in the city and hiring a car later • Often less crowded than airport |
• Limited operating hours (usually 8am-6pm) • Smaller vehicle selection • Need to arrange transportation to hire office • No after-hours pickup available |
On average, car rentals in San Francisco cost around USD $78 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from USD $30 per day.
Compare SFO vs city centre pickups. Airport is easy 24/7 but adds a ~10% concession and usually higher base rates. City centre can be cheaper, just watch limited hours and smaller fleets.
Book by season, not always “early.” In SF, summer and holidays sell out, so book 1-3 months ahead. Winter is quieter, and booking 2-3 weeks out often works. Midweek hires are usually cheaper than weekends.
Pick the smallest car that fits. Compacts are cheaper, easier to park on SF’s tight streets, and sip less petrol. Hybrids/EVs can save more, and the Bay Area has plenty of chargers.
Trim add-on fees. In California, spouses/immediate family are free as additional drivers. Under 25? Expect about $25/day. Same pickup and drop-off spots are usually cheaper than one-way.
Cut running costs. Refuel yourself before returning, ideally outside the city where petrol is cheaper. Pay bridge tolls online (Golden Gate within 48 hours, other bridges via FasTrak) to skip daily hire toll programme fees.
Hire only for the days you’re driving. Use SF transit while in the city, then pick up the car the day you head to Napa, Monterey, Yosemite, or Tahoe to avoid hotel parking charges of $40-65 per night.
Finding a Spot:
| Type | Cost | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Street Parking | Varies | • Limited to 2 hours in many areas • Read signs carefully for restrictions • Meters accept coins or cards |
| City Centre Garages | Varies | • Sutter-Stockton Garage and Fifth & Mission Garage are centrally located |
| Hotel Parking | Varies | • Valet service common at city centre hotels |
| Airport Parking | Varies | • Mobile Phone Waiting Lot available for free temporary waiting |
Important Local Driving Rules:
Hire a car to get to:
Yosemite National Park – CA-120, Yosemite Valley
Lake Tahoe (South) – I-80, US-50
Do I need an International Driving Permit to hire a car in San Francisco?
If your licence is in English, you don't need an IDP. For non-English licences, we strongly recommend you get an IDP because it gives you an official English translation. You must always carry your original licence with the IDP.
What's the most economical way to handle bridge tolls?
You can avoid the hire company's convenience fees (usually around $5.95 a day) by paying tolls yourself online. For the Golden Gate Bridge, you can pay on their website within 48 hours. You can pay for other Bay Area bridges through the FasTrak website using your hire car's licence plate.
Are there any driving restrictions I should know about?
San Francisco doesn't have any congestion charges or emission zones. However, the city restricts private cars on some streets, like parts of Market Street. To use carpool lanes on highways during busy commute times, you need 2 or 3 people in the car. Always check parking signs carefully, as the rules are different for each location and time.
What insurance cover do I need?
Under California law, hire companies only give you basic liability protection. You should consider getting Supplemental Liability Insurance if your personal car policy or credit card doesn't offer enough protection. Many premium credit cards give you a Collision Damage Waiver if you turn down the hire company's offer.
Is it difficult to drive in San Francisco with its hills?
New drivers might find San Francisco's hills challenging. When you park on a hill, turn your wheels toward the kerb when facing downhill and away from the kerb (toward the street) when facing uphill. This stops the car from rolling away. Hire cars are usually automatic, which makes driving on hills easier.
What are the age requirements for hiring a car?
Most companies will hire you a car if you're 21 or older, but they charge an extra fee of about $25 per day for drivers under 25. A few companies might hire to drivers aged 18 to 20 for an even higher fee. These age rules apply no matter what your home country's licensing age is.
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