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Carlsbad car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car rentals in Carlsbad

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Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
M
Full-size car
Full-size
M
Luxury car
Luxury
M
People carrier car
People carrier
M
Passenger van car
Passenger van
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
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KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Carlsbad

  • Using car hire in Carlsbad allows you to fully experience the city popular for its sandy beaches, lagoons, and world-class sporting events. A hire car will provide convenience and comfort that public transportation cannot. They give you control over your travel experience. Drive your hire car and experience attractions such as LEGOLAND California, 4.8 km (3 miles away from Carlsbad), Joshua Tree National Park, 225 km (139.5 miles) away, and Museum of Making Music, 6.3 km (3.9 miles) away.
  • You will likely land at San Diego International Airport (SAN), about 55.2 km (34.3 miles) from Carlsbad. All car hire agencies at the airport have their pick-up points at the Consolidated Hire Car Centre. For convenience, free shuttle buses run continually to take passengers from the airport terminals to the hire car centre. Some available Carlsbad car hire companies include Dollar, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, SIXT, Hertz, Enterprise, Payless, and ZipCar. If you want cheaper deals, there are several off-site car hire agencies, such as Nur Car Hire.
  • When using car hire in Carlsbad, you will notice that roads can get congested, especially along the beaches, due to the tourist influx. California has a Freedom to Walk Act that allows passengers to cross roads in places with no crossings. Therefore, you should be alert when driving through Carlsbad to avoid hitting anyone. Generally, though, this city has well-maintained roads that can handle traffic flow, so you won’t find driving here difficult.
  • Major roads in Carlsbad can get congested, especially during morning and evening rush hour. The peak hours are usually between 07:30 to 09:00 and 16:00 to 18:30. Driving during these hours can be challenging and inconvenient, especially if you are in a hurry. Consider planning your trips to and avoiding major roads like Highway 101. To beat Carlsbad traffic, you can use alternative roads and backstreets or start your journey before peak hours.
  • Book your rental car in Carlsbad at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Premium rental cars in Carlsbad are around 3% more expensive than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in Carlsbad

  • How much is the price of fuel in Carlsbad?

    The average price of fuel in Carlsbad is S$ 4.91 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between S$ 59 and S$ 78, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Carlsbad?

    Premium (BMW X3 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Carlsbad.

  • Which car rental companies are at Los Angeles airport (LAX)?

    Car hire companies onsite at Los Angeles airport include Dollar, Thrifty, Hertz, Fox, Avis, Budget, Sixt, Ace and Europcar.

  • Which car rental companies will pick you up at Los Angeles airport (LAX)?

    Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Los Angeles airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Carlsbad?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Premium car rental cost in Carlsbad?

    A Premium car rental in Carlsbad costs S$ 123 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Carlsbad?

    An Intermediate car rental in Carlsbad costs S$ 130 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Compact car rental cost in Carlsbad?

    A Compact car rental in Carlsbad costs S$ 85 per day, on average.

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Carlsbad?

    This depends on the weather, travel needs, and budget. However, a small car will help you easily navigate Carlsbad streets and park, even in tight spaces. Compact cars are also cheaper to hire and fuel-efficient, helping you to cover more distance. It is important to consider the number of people you are travelling with. Consider a large car for its space, traction, and reliability if you have a large group. It is also ideal if you are planning long trips.

  • What’s the speed limit in Carlsbad?

    The city of Carlsbad has set the speed limit of residential districts to 40.2 km/h (25 mph) unless stated otherwise by road signs to ensure the safety of pedestrians. The speed limit of most highways in the city is 105 km/h (65 mph), but on some, it is stated as 112 km/h (70 mph). In special areas like school zones, near children’s playgrounds or parks, the speed limit comes down to 40.2 km/h (25 mph) to ensure children’s safety. It is important to always adhere to these speed limits when using car hire in Carlsbad, to avoid getting into legal trouble.

  • Where are the best places to park in Carlsbad?

    Finding a car park in Carlsbad is easy, as there are several options with easy access. If you visit Carlsbad State Beach, you can park your car for free at the end of Tamarack Avenue and along Highway 101. From here, the beach is just a short walk away. Hyatt House - 5010 Avenida Encinas Parking charges $6 (£4.66) for three hours, and Cape Rey Hilton Resort charges $30 (£23.4) for overnight parking. If you park in car parks outside the city, you can get into the city by bus.

Carlsbad car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car rental booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Hertz

9.2

Wonderful

Read 1 review
Best rated

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

10.0

3 locations in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

2100 Palomar Airport Rd

+1 760 930 0123

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 16:00

2198 Palomar Airport Rd

+1 760 603 8005

Monday07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday07:30 - 17:30
Thursday07:30 - 17:30
Friday07:30 - 17:30
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday09:00 - 16:00

6030 Avenida Encinas, Ste E

+1 760 579 0072

Monday07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday07:30 - 17:30
Thursday07:30 - 17:30
Friday07:30 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 16:00

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Show reviews that mention

Reviews

9.2 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff was friendly but not very helpful.

Cons:

I had to make a damage claim and the staff didn't seem to be prepared to handle the process properly.

1 out of 1

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.7

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

9.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.3

Value for money

8.5

2 locations in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

5245 Car Country Dr

+1 760 931 1111

Monday07:30 - 17:30
Tuesday07:30 - 17:30
Wednesday07:30 - 17:30
Thursday07:30 - 17:30
Friday07:30 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

6050 Avenida Encinas

+1 760 918 0883

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Brian, Mar 2024

Premium SUV

KAYAK
Great car. Fast efficient friendly service both pick up and drop off.

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, May 2023

Economy

KAYAK
The pick up process took a long time. There seemed to only be one person out of the 3-4 working that could get the keys for my car. Drop off was fine. The car also felt old and I was worried about breaking down on the way to Vegas with the hills and heat. I didn’t breakdown but usually cars I’ve rented at other companies the cars were newer or felt newer at least.

7.9 Good

Anonymous, Aug 2021

KAYAK
Watch the signs in Carlsbad several locations closed and they do not tell you when you rent. All locations have been centralized to one in Carlsbad

1 out of 1

Budget

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

7.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.0

Value for money

6.9

One location in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

2198 Palomar Airport Road

+1 760 931 2469

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 16:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2022

KAYAK
We reserved the car with kayak and the company didn’t have cars available. I think kayak could’ve done a better job in this transaction. Kayak allowed us to make a reservation with the car company without cars available. Very poor communication and costumer service. The car company was nice to make a phone call to us to tell us they didn’t have cars at their location and couldn’t understand why kayak would allow this.

2.0 Poor

Olga, May 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

Rathe was $134 and was changed $356

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Nov 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

After trying several rental car companies directly without success, Kayak was able to get me several options for my trip. It seems that rental car companies are not overly excited to rent cars for one way, day trips. I needed to travel 200 miles, one way, to pick up my new car. Kayak was able to find cheap rentals with major companies that I just couldn't get directly. Thanks Kayak!

Cons:

You should have been there earlier! Oh, wait, no that was my fault. Next time I know where I will check first.

10.0 Wonderful

katie, Mar 2023

Compact

KAYAK
Loved the ease of pick and drop off. Really couldn’t be smoother!

2.0 Poor

Dilbert, Jun 2022

KAYAK
Tires were worn down Car needs alignment, was banking left. Unexplained 200 charges. Unhelpful agents on the counter Nobody ever picks up on Customer care

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, May 2022

KAYAK
Absolutely horrendous. I have never rented a car before and they gave me little to no information about the return process. When driving to return the car I called customer service for some clarity on what to do and it was awful. The guy didnt answer a single question I had which were pretty straight forward questions. Instead he kept saying “Mhm mhm good question” and rambled on about nothing I asked. I ended up hanging up because I was getting no where. They charged me $685 to rent the car for 2 days. $300 one way fee was tacked on during drop off because I dropped it off at the airport. I was never informed I couldn’t drop it off at another location. I thought it was a chain and they all shared cars. Terrible terrible terrible!! $685 DOLLARS is absolutely unacceptable for a 2 day rental. I would have dropped it off at the same location I got it had I known prior to returning that I had to, but I couldn’t go back once I arrived at the airport because I would have missed my flight back home! I feel completely taken advantage of.

1 out of 3

Avis

Cleanliness

6.9

Comfort

6.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.5

Value for money

5.9

One location in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

2198 Palomar Airport Road

+1 760 931 1393

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday09:00 - 16:00

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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Easy pick up and drop off with free parking patrolled by security on site

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Apr 2023

KAYAK
Avis gave me a reservation for 36 days of renting a car at a specific price. Some days after the car was returned, I realized they had split the 36 days into two separate rentals, with a total price increase of $69, about 7.5%, The rental office at McCellan Palomar airport in Carlsbad, CA, has not been helpful. Partly they do not recognize that their charges should simply be equal to their reservation. Partly they do not recognize that a limitation in their billing system (no rentals longer than 31 days) does not entitle Avis to increase its price. Lastly they claim that only Corpoate can adjust the second rental to make the total price equal to the reservation. So now I must chase at another place.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2022

KAYAK
I get there with my reservation and they said they had no car for me. You guys took $44 from me for no reason and I was left with no more options because everywhere else was closing. you guys are horrible

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Mar 2022

KAYAK
No cars!!! I paid $45. for a cab from Cardiff to Palomar for my noon pickup of rental car. NO CARS!!!!!!!!!!! It was a nightmare to be stuck.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Mar 2022

KAYAK
They did have my reservation

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2022

KAYAK
Called me the night before my trip to tell me they didn’t have any cars available. Cost me $600 in plane tickets to correct.

1 out of 3

Zeeba Rent-A-Van

No score available yet

2 locations in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

4901 El Camino Real Carlsbad, Ca ,charleston,sc,us

+1 800 761 8913

Opening times not available

800 Grand Avenue

+1 800 940 9332

Opening times not available

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No reviews available

EZ Van

No score available yet

One location in Carlsbad

Show locations

Locations in Carlsbad

6511 Avenida Encinas

+1 866 735 8267

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

34 travellers who rented a car in Carlsbad gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.0

Car hire locations in or near Carlsbad

Good to know

Most popular car type

Premium

When to book a car hire in Carlsbad

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Carlsbad car hire information

Pick-up locationCarlsbad
Car types
Hire locations10
Airport locations5