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Santa Clara car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car rentals in Santa Clara

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

  • If you have previously been inconvenienced by public transport when traveling or paid exorbitant taxi prices, then you may want to opt for a rental car when traveling to Santa Clara, CA. Driving can be a great way to experience the city without needing to worry about when or where to start or stop your daily journey. It’s a good way to take in what Santa Clara has to offer, which is quite substantial, at your own convenience. Imagine having the flexibility to drive as far as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is about 78 miles away, in just an hour, or driving to Big Sur, about 99 miles away, at your own pace.
  • Once you arrive at the San Jose International Airport, you’ll find the Rental Car Center across from Terminal B. If you arrive at Terminal B, it’s a short walk across Airport Drive from the baggage claim, and if you arrive at Terminal A, take the airport blue shuttle bus directly to the Rental Car Center. From here, pick up the car you rented through KAYAK from Santa Clara car rentals, including Alamo, Avis, Hertz, and National. These companies have a wide range of cars that will suit your budget and capacity needs.
  • It’s understandable that in a new city, you may want to use your phone in transit. However, throughout all of California, it’s prohibited to use your phone while driving. Getting a cell phone ticket in Santa Clara is as easy as getting a red-light ticket, both of which you should avoid to fully enjoy your trip. When driving through Palo Alto in your rental car, be wary of cyclists that may get too close without warning.
  • Hwy 17 can be quite congested in the morning and evening rush hour, which could be anywhere from 6am to 9am and 3pm and 7pm. If you need to travel during these times, give yourself extra time, especially if it rains, if there’s an accident, or if there’s ongoing construction. If possible, it would be ideal to stay in the right lane to be more comfortable as a driver in a new city. The same case applies for Hwy 1 on all counts.
  • Book your rental car in Santa Clara at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Standard rental cars in Santa Clara are around 3% more expensive than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in Santa Clara

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Santa Clara?

    Santa Clara is a city for on-road vehicles. With minimal traffic and many parking areas, you can rent nearly any car you need from car rentals in Santa Clara. If you’re here with your family, consider getting an SUV or a minivan, and if you’re here alone, a coupe or sedan will do just fine.

  • What’s the speed limit in Santa Clara?

    Once you pick your vehicle from car rentals in Santa Clara, be watchful of the speed limits stipulated in the city. The school zones areas are especially strict with speed limits of 25mph, while others may have as low as 15mph. Watch for posted speed signs or children crossing the streets. The default speed limit on highways is 55mph and 25mph in residential areas, while alleys, blind intersections, and railroad crossings are 15mph. Beyond that, you should decrease to 10mph when passing streetcars, trolleys, and buses. Be careful as there are live traffic cameras in various parts of the city.

  • Where are the best places to park in Santa Clara?

    In Santa Clara, you’ll find that there are parking meters all over the city. A majority of them run for 1h-2h, but you may be able to find one that runs for half an hour or one that goes as far as 4h. Parking meters charge between $1 and $2 per hour, depending on location. Be sure to read the posted signs at meters to understand how long you have. You’ll find free 2h parking at 70W, next to the West Wing.

  • How much is the price of fuel in Santa Clara?

    The average price of fuel in Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara?

    Standard (Mazda CX-5 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Santa Clara.

  • Which car rental companies are at San Francisco airport (SFO)?

    Car hire companies onsite at San Francisco airport include Thrifty, Hertz, Dollar, Budget, Alamo, Sixt and Fox.

  • Which car rental companies will pick you up at San Francisco airport (SFO)?

    Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from San Francisco airport to off-airport locations include Thrifty, Hertz, Dollar, Budget, Alamo, Sixt and Fox.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Santa Clara?

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

  • How much does a Standard car rental cost in Santa Clara?

    A Standard car rental in Santa Clara costs S$ 71 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Full Size car rental cost in Santa Clara?

    A Full Size car rental in Santa Clara costs S$ 78 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Economy car rental cost in Santa Clara?

    An Economy car rental in Santa Clara costs S$ 87 per day, on average.

Santa Clara 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

Cleanliness

7.7

Comfort

7.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.2

Value for money

6.7

3 locations in Santa Clara

Show locations

Locations in Santa Clara

1000 Walsh Avenue

+1 408 450 6025

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00

323 Martin Avenue

+1 408 924 0935

Monday09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
Thursday09:00 - 17:00
Friday09:00 - 17:00

3565 Stevens Creek

+1 408 260 2912

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday10:00 - 18:00
Sunday10:00 - 18:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was polite and answered questions

8.4 Very Good

Anonymous, Jan 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The vehicle performed nicely throughout the trip.

Cons:

Both pick up and drop off were less than stellar experiences. In pick up, I felt jerked around a bit when they offered me an upgrade with unsuitable price increases. Also, when I picked up the vehicle, it had a distinct smell of cigarettes which I find quite distasteful. Fortunately, the smell went away after driving it for a few hours. More problematic however was that the gas tank was not full. This was during the time when PG&E was shutting down power throughout CA. I felt lucky to make it out of the state without running out of gas and finding myself stuck because stations wouldn't be able to use their pumps. On drop off, the town of Everett was completely torn up with construction. It would have been nice if Hertz had provided me with instructions in advance for how to get to the rental office. Also, the agent tried a joke which completely backfired. We worked through it, but it was not fun.

4.0 Mediocre

Anonymous, May 2022

KAYAK
I dislike all whole experince

7.9 Good

Anonymous, Aug 2021

KAYAK
overpriced

1 out of 2

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

4.6

Cleanliness

4.6

Comfort

4.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.6

Value for money

4.6

3 locations in Santa Clara

Show locations

Locations in Santa Clara

2750 De La Cruz Blvd

+1 408 492 0501

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

4767 Lafayette St

+1 408 492 0012

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

4785 Stevens Creek Blvd

+1 408 246 2100

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Dec 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Definitely none. Vehicle was not at the agreed location confirmation.

Cons:

Besides vehicle being in the wrong location confirmed, the agent tried to give me a standard truck instead of a premium. I rent often with Hertz or Enterprise primarily and am usually satisfied. I chose not to take the rental this time. VERY DISAPPOINTED !!! Waste of my time...

1 out of 1

Budget

2.0

Poor

Cleanliness

2.0

Comfort

2.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

2.0

Value for money

2.0

2 locations in Santa Clara

Show locations

Locations in Santa Clara

2390 Lafayette St

+1 408 445 2330

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

2895 El Camino Real

+1 408 445 2330

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday09:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

National

7.8

Good

Best rated

One location in Santa Clara

Show locations

Locations in Santa Clara

323 Martin Ave

+1 888 826 6890

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Avis

6.4

Okay

2 locations in Santa Clara

Show locations

Locations in Santa Clara

2390 Lafayette St

+1 408 246 7900

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

2895 El Camino Real

+1 408 246 7900

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday09:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Airport Van

4.7

Mediocre

One location in Santa Clara

Show locations

Locations in Santa Clara

312 Brokaw Road

+1 408 573 7111

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Ace

4.5

Mediocre

One location in Santa Clara

Locations in Santa Clara

312 Brokaw Road

+1 408 212 7385

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

keddy by Europcar

6.3

Okay

One location in Santa Clara

Locations in Santa Clara

Please Go To Fox Counter

+1 408 709 2950

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

AutoEurope

No score available yet

One location in Santa Clara

Locations in Santa Clara

San Jose International Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Avalon Transportation Service

No score available yet

One location in Santa Clara

Locations in Santa Clara

312 Martin Avenue

+1 408 834 3855

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Fox Autorent

No score available yet

One location in Santa Clara

Locations in Santa Clara

San Jose Airport Mineta International SJC

+1 408 709 2950

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Priceline

No score available yet

One location in Santa Clara

Locations in Santa Clara

Airport Boulevard

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Reach Rental

No score available yet

One location in Santa Clara

Locations in Santa Clara

1701 Airport Blvd, San Jose, Ca ,san Jose,ca,us

+1 800 761 8913

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

TravelCar

No score available yet

One location in Santa Clara

Locations in Santa Clara

1250 Brokaw Road

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

VIPCars Recommendation

No score available yet

One location in Santa Clara

Locations in Santa Clara

San Jose Intl Arpt, 2300 Airport Blvd, Ste 120 -

+1 914 368 0091

Monday06:00 - 22:00
Tuesday06:00 - 22:00
Wednesday06:00 - 22:00
Thursday06:00 - 22:00
Friday06:00 - 22:00
Saturday06:00 - 22:00
Sunday06:00 - 22:00

Filters

No reviews available

10 travellers who rented a car in Santa Clara gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5.8

Car hire locations in or near Santa Clara

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

When to book a car hire in Santa Clara

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

Santa Clara car hire information

Pick-up locationSanta Clara
Car types
Hire locations22
Airport locations9