EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Find competitive rental car prices in Santa Clara, CA with Road Genius. Compare live rates for SUVs, compact cars, minivans and reserve with no reservation fees. Grab your keys in town or at San Jose Airport and head straight to Levi's Stadium, Silicon Valley offices or Highway 101, often skipping the extra airport surcharges and lines.
| Rental Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara Local Rentals | • Lower rates than airport locations • No airport fees or surcharges • Convenient for visitors staying in Santa Clara |
• Limited hours (often weekdays until 6PM, Saturday until noon) • Smaller vehicle selection • May require advance reservation |
| San Jose Airport (SJC) | • Largest vehicle selection in area • 24/7 availability at most agencies • Immediate access upon arrival |
• Airport fees increase costs by approximately 11% • 4 miles (6 km) from Santa Clara • Shuttle or taxi required from terminal to rental center |
| Great America/Convention Center Area | • Business center accessibility • Extended hours during events • Walking distance from major hotels |
• Higher rates during major events • Limited availability during conventions • Event traffic can delay pickup/drop-off |
Additional Notes:
On average, car rentals in Santa Clara cost around $80 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $42 per day.
Pick up in Santa Clara, not at SJC – city branches skip the ~11% airport surcharge, so a quick rideshare from the terminal can save 10-15%.
Dodge event spikes – rates jump during 49ers games and big conventions. Shift your pickup a day earlier/later or search nearby cities like Mountain View to keep prices normal.
Toggle "weekly" rates – in Silicon Valley a 7-day bundle can beat 4-5 separate daily prices. Always check both options.
Change the clock, not the plan – moving pickup to after noon Saturday or any Sunday often taps into weekend promos and avoids weekday business demand.
| Area | Parking Availability | Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Levi's Stadium Area | Event parking lots | Very expensive during events; limited options |
| Santa Clara Town Center | Free parking structures | Time limits in some areas; generally plenty of space |
| Great America Theme Park | Large paid parking lot | Daily fee during operating hours |
Local Driving Rules:
Important:
A rental car unlocks Silicon Valley and Northern California day-trip favorites beyond the reach of local transit.
Rent a car to visit:
San Jose – SAP Center, Downtown, Winchester Mystery House
Silicon Valley campuses – Googleplex Mountain View, Apple Park Cupertino
Santa Cruz – beaches, Boardwalk
San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf
How do I handle parking during a 49ers game at Levi's Stadium? You can buy parking passes online beforehand or find another way to get there. Parking at the stadium costs $40 to $100, depending on the game and how close you are. Many fans park at VTA light-rail stations for about $5 and take the train to the stadium to avoid traffic and high parking fees.
What's the best way to get around Silicon Valley traffic from Santa Clara? Use a navigation app that shows you live traffic. You can take Lawrence Expressway, San Tomas Expressway and Central Expressway to avoid the highways during rush hour. If you can, plan your meetings and trips outside of the busiest times (avoid 7-9 AM and 4-7 PM).
Is it better to rent a car at San Jose Airport or in Santa Clara? If you're flying into San Jose Airport, it's most convenient to rent your car right there. However, if you're already in Santa Clara or staying for several days, you can save about 10-15% by renting a car in town and avoiding airport fees.
What kind of car is best for getting around Silicon Valley? A standard sedan or compact car works great for driving around Silicon Valley and finding parking at tech campuses or shopping centers. Electric cars are also a good choice because you can find many charging stations in the area.
How do I pay for tolls in my rental car? Bay Area bridges and express lanes have all-electronic tolls, so you can't pay with cash. Most rental companies offer a toll package for a daily fee that covers all your crossings. You can also pay tolls online yourself within 48 hours of crossing, using the car's license plate number.
Are there any scenic drives near Santa Clara? You can drive Highway 9 through Saratoga into the Santa Cruz Mountains for beautiful forest views and wineries. On Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35), you'll get amazing views of the Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The drive to Half Moon Bay on Highway 92 shows you both mountain and coastal scenery.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support