EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Finding a rental car in Santa Fe is easy with Road Genius. Compare prices from dozens of brands around New Mexico with no booking fees. Pick up in downtown Santa Fe, at the regional airport or in nearby Albuquerque, then cruise the Turquoise Trail, explore Bandelier and Taos, or tackle winter roads to Ski Santa Fe. Just remember to book your car early for festival and ski season rushes.
Santa Fe provides multiple car rental options, both at the airport and throughout the city.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Downtown/City | • Avoid airport fees • Multiple companies available • Convenient for train arrivals |
• Limited hours (often close by 5-6pm) • Smaller fleet selection • Transportation needed from airport |
| Albuquerque Airport (1 hour away) | • Larger selection • Competitive rates • 24/7 operations |
• 1-hour drive to Santa Fe • Airport fees added to rates |
Downtown Agency Locations: Hertz, Avis, Budget and Enterprise have offices in central Santa Fe, many near the Plaza area or along Cerrillos Road. Toyota of Santa Fe also offers rentals.
On average, car rentals in Santa Fe cost around $80 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $57 per day.
Compare Santa Fe city pickups vs Albuquerque Airport. ABQ often has lower base rates even after the 1-hour drive, while downtown Santa Fe avoids airport surcharges. Price both before you lock anything in.
Time your visit for shoulder months. April–May and October–November (non-festival weekends) see softer demand and friendlier prices on rentals and hotels.
Aim for a weekly rate if you'll be here 4+ days. In Santa Fe the weekly price often beats 5 separate daily rates by a noticeable chunk.
Go small unless you're skiing. Compact cars squeeze through the historic district's narrow adobe streets and are cheaper to rent and fuel. Upgrade only if winter mountain runs are on your agenda.
Park once, then ride the free Santa Fe Pickup shuttle. Dodging metered re-parking saves a couple bucks an hour and a lot of circling the Plaza.
Mind agency hours. Downtown desks often close by 6 pm. If you land late, compare the price of an extra airport fee versus a hotel night plus next-morning pickup.
Downtown Santa Fe/Plaza Area:
Museum Hill:
Canyon Road Art District:
Alternative Options:
Local Driving Regulations:
Get a car so you can see:
Taos – villages, Rio Grande gorge
Bandelier National Monument – cliff dwellings, canyon trails
Turquoise Trail – Cerrillos, Madrid
Ski Santa Fe – ski area, trailheads
Chimayó – Santuario, weaving shops
Los Alamos – Manhattan Project sites, science museum
Is it necessary to have a car in Santa Fe?
While you can walk around downtown Santa Fe, you'll need a car to explore attractions beyond the Plaza area, like Museum Hill, Canyon Road's upper sections and regional day trips.
Where is the best place to park near the Plaza?
You can find convenient covered parking at the Sandoval Garage, just one block from the Plaza. It costs about $1 – $2 per hour, and the most you'll pay for a day is about $12. Street parking is also an option, but you can only stay for two hours.
Do I need an SUV or 4WD vehicle in Santa Fe?
For most city driving and summer trips, you'll be fine with a standard car. However, we recommend an AWD vehicle if you visit in the winter, especially if you plan to drive on mountain roads or go to the ski area.
How far in advance should I book a rental car?
You should book your rental car two to four weeks ahead for normal periods. For busy times like Indian Market in August or the holiday ski season, you should reserve it two to three months in advance.
Can I manage with street parking in downtown Santa Fe?
You can find street parking, but it's limited to two hours near the Plaza and can be hard to find during the busy tourist season. Public garages are a better bet for longer visits.
Is driving difficult in the historic district?
Santa Fe's historic district has narrow and sometimes one-way streets that can be tricky for new visitors. We suggest you drive slowly, watch for people walking and consider parking your car to explore the central area on foot.
How is the drive to Taos from Santa Fe?
You can choose between two routes to get there. The High Road takes about two hours and winds through mountain villages with cultural stops. The Low Road is about 1.5 hours and follows the Rio Grande for amazing scenery. Both roads are well-maintained, but you need to drive carefully on curves and mountain parts.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support