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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 rental deals at Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). Compare prices and book in one place. Browse real-time rates from Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise and more, secure your vehicle before you land and hit Highway 101 to downtown Santa Barbara, UCSB or the Santa Ynez wine country in minutes.
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Available Companies at SBA:
Additional Notes: Rental car counters are located inside the main terminal at SBA, and rental car lots are within easy walking distance. The airport's beautiful Spanish-style architecture makes even the rental experience more pleasant than at many larger airports.
On average, car rentals at Santa Barbara Airport cost around $76 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $29 per day.
Check both airport and downtown quotes – SBA is only 9 miles from the city center. Sometimes a quick rideshare to a downtown counter beats the airport surcharge. Run both options through the comparison tool before committing.
Lock in early for peak weeks, watch-and-rebook in winter – Fiesta (Aug), film fest (Jan / Feb) and summer weekends spike prices. Grab a cancellable booking 2-3 weeks out, then set a price alert. In the quieter "June Gloom" and winter months rates can drop, so rebook if you spot a deal.
Play with pickup/return times – Shifting your reservation by a couple of hours can push you into a cheaper 24-hour band or qualify for weekly pricing that's 15-25 % lower at SBA.
Go small, gamble on the upgrade – Compact cars are usually the cheapest class and the tiny SBA fleet often runs short, so free or low-cost upgrades happen a lot. Book the smallest ride that still fits your crew.
Airport Parking (for reference):
Local Driving Rules from SBA:
With wheels from SBA you can easily reach coastal cities, wine country and inland towns.
Rent a car to drive to:
Downtown Santa Barbara – beaches, State Street, pier
Santa Ynez Valley – wineries, vineyards
Solvang – Danish village, bakeries, museums
Goleta – UCSB campus, parks, coastal trails
How much time should I allow for picking up a rental car at SBA?
SBA is a small airport, so you can usually get your rental car in about 15–20 minutes once you're at the counter. You won't find long lines, even when it's busy.
What's the best vehicle for exploring Santa Barbara and wine country?
Most visitors find a standard sedan works just fine. You might want a convertible to enjoy the famous scenic drives along the coast and through wine country. An SUV can give you a better view on mountain roads and might be more comfortable on longer day trips.
Is it necessary to have a car in Santa Barbara?
You can walk around downtown Santa Barbara and use public transit, but we recommend you get a car to explore the whole area. It's hard to get to the wine country, beaches outside the city center and mountain areas without your own car.
What is the drive like from SBA to downtown Santa Barbara?
The drive from SBA to downtown is pretty easy and takes about 15–20 minutes on Highway 101 south. You'll see the ocean as you get close to downtown. If you're driving during rush hour (7:30–9:00 AM and 4:30–6:00 PM on weekdays), you should plan for extra time because traffic can slow down.
Can I return my rental outside of business hours at SBA?
Yes, most rental companies at SBA let you return your car after hours. Usually, you will park the car in a certain spot and put the keys in a secure drop box. You should check the exact steps for your rental company, since each one has a different process.
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