Car rental prices at San Francisco Airport

At San Francisco Airport, budget around $50 a day for an Intermediate, the Volkswagen Jetta size, in November 2026 when you book around a month before your trip. An Economy car, such as a Mitsubishi Mirage, and a Compact car, such as a Nissan Versa, both average $48 a day at that lead time. In the last 2 weeks, an Intermediate car averages $60 a day, which is $10 more a day. Use the price checker to compare your quote with prices for your exact dates.

For November 2026 at San Francisco Airport, book around a month before your trip: an Intermediate car averages $50 a day then, against $60 a day in the last 2 weeks. Across the year, an Intermediate car averages $81 a day around 9 months before pickup and $60 around 2 weeks before, so you have not necessarily missed a lower price by leaving booking late. Across the 395 airports we track car hire prices for, 65% of our customers book within a month of pickup, so booking at that point is common.

Budget is cheapest at San Francisco Airport for an Intermediate car, averaging $54 a day over the last 12 months from 1,689 prices, but you need a credit card. Budget scores 76/100 from 42 recent reviews, and its desk wait averages 29 minutes, so allow time after landing. Alamo averages $63 a day for an Intermediate car over the last 12 months from 3,584 prices, which is $9 more a day, and scores 100/100 from 62 reviews. Choose Alamo if you need debit-card acceptance or prefer its average 3-minute desk wait.

The cheapest company can cost you a longer queue or a bigger deposit, so check the review score and desk wait beside each car in the results before you book.

Alamo is the best-reviewed company at San Francisco Airport, scoring 100/100 from 62 recent reviews with an average 3-minute desk wait, making it worth considering if you want a quick pickup. Alamo is not the cheapest: an Intermediate car averages $63 a day over the last 12 months from 3,584 prices. Budget is cheapest for an Intermediate car at $54 a day over the same period from 1,689 prices, but scores 76/100 from 42 reviews and averages a 29-minute desk wait. Decide whether Alamo's shorter desk wait is worth the higher daily price to you.

Review scores are CarTrawler customers' own, from the last five months; the score and the desk wait sit beside each car in the results.

At San Francisco Airport, checked deposits range from $0 with Europcar to $300 with Avis, but only 4 of the 10 companies accept debit cards for all cars, so check card eligibility before booking. Another 3 companies accept debit cards for some cars only, while 3 require a credit card. If you need to use a debit card, filter for it before comparing prices and check the deposit and card rule beside each car. Extras charged at the desk are listed under each car with their price.

If you bring your own child seat, check your airline's rules first: most carry one free, some charge.

At San Francisco Airport, watch out for credit-card-only rentals and desk queues, because either can delay your departure after landing. Budget, Avis and Europcar require a credit card, so do not choose them if you only have a debit card. Hertz, Dollar and Sixt accept debit cards for some cars only; check your selected car's rule before booking. Budget's desk wait averages 29 minutes against Alamo's 3 minutes, so allow more pickup time if you choose Budget.

Only 52% of prices at San Francisco Airport are full tank out, full tank back, so read the fuel line under the car before you book.

At San Francisco Airport, choose an Intermediate car such as a Volkswagen Jetta for up to 5 people: it takes 4 bags and averages $50 a day in November 2026, booked around a month before your trip. A Compact car such as a Nissan Versa averages $48 a day at that lead time, which is $2 less a day, but takes only 3 bags, so choose it only if your luggage fits. A Fullsize car such as a Chevrolet Malibu averages $61 a day, which is $11 more a day, and seats 6 but still takes only 4 bags, so the extra seat does not add luggage space. Over the last 12 months, 100% of cars offered are automatic, so you do not need to filter out manuals. Electric and hybrid cars are not offered, so do not plan your rental around either.