This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a KAYAK user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car rental in Palo Alto with a pick-up date of 10/1 and drop-off date of 10/31. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
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Cheap car rentals in Palo Alto
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
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Most popular agency
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Hertz
$47/day
$36/day
KAYAK’s insights & trends for Palo Alto car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Palo Alto with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Palo Alto?
You should book your rental car in Palo Alto around 62 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Palo Alto?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Thrifty ($25.18/day), Hertz ($25.98/day) and Budget ($26.57/day). The cheapest rental car price was found at Thrifty 816 San Antonio Road (2.6 mi from city center).
What is the best rental car company in Palo Alto?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Palo Alto are Budget (10.0, 1 review), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.3, 5 reviews), and Hertz (5.9, 10 reviews).
Passenger van rentals (Chrysler Pacifica or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in Palo Alto. Passenger van rentals in Palo Alto cost $142/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as $116/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Palo Alto?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Palo Alto is January at an average cost of $35/day. August is the most expensive month to rent a car in Palo Alto when prices are $52/day on average, which tends to be 18% above the yearly average rental price for Palo Alto.
What rental car company in Palo Alto has the most locations?
Hertz operates 4 locations in Palo Alto, more than any other rental company.
Consider renting a car during your stay in Palo Alto to experience the convenience and flexibility of exploring the city and getting a feel of the culture, rather than dealing with expensive taxis or fixed routes using the public transportation system. There are a few airports near Palo Alto, with the closest one being around 13 miles away from the town center, which is a short drive for anyone who rents a car from one of the car rentals in Palo Alto. You can also choose to visit some of the popular tourist destinations near Palo Alto, such as Baylands Nature Reserve, which borders the San Francisco Bay, or the Pearsin-Arastradero Preserve, located south of the city opposite Interstate 280.
There are a few airports near Palo Alto, such as the San Jose (SJC) Airport, which conveniently has several Palo Alto car rentals on-site, such as Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and Hertz. The Rental Car Center is located across the street from Terminal B, and from Terminal A can be accessed via the bus shuttle which picks you up from baggage claim. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is approximately 18 miles away and has multiple car rental agencies on site as well, situated at the SFO Rental Car Center on the first and fourth floor. Off-airport agencies are served by free shuttle services, which stop at the south curb of the car rental center.
Like most busy cities, there are a few people who opt to not follow traffic rules. Drivers are warned to be cautious of jaywalkers who hop on busy roads without warning, as well as pedestrians and cyclists who don’t use their respective lanes. There are also a few cases of distracted driving. Visitors who opt for car rentals in Palo Alto are advised to consider getting vehicles that have built in GPS monitors to navigate through unacquainted roads.
The rush hour in Palo Alto city is not the worst, since it is a primarily residential area. In the morning when people are heading to work, rush hour starts at around 7am to 10am with people spending an average of around 45min on the road. It usually picks back up at around 3pm. Since the climate is mostly warm, there are usually no cases of weather-related accidents.
Picking a vehicle from Palo Alto car rentals allows you to visit and navigate several attraction sites conveniently, such as Mountain View's Computer History Museum, where Hewlett Packard began, which is 6.8 miles from Palo Alto city center, and The Museum of American Heritage which is 5 miles from Palo Alto, the Junior Museum and Zoo which is located near Rinconada Park and Embarcadero Road is 5 miles from the town center. The Hiller Aviation Museum is within an easy driving distance of around 14 minutes. The journey time between Hillsdale Shopping Center and Palo Alto by car is around 11 miles, around 38 minutes.
You can enjoy family-friendly rental cars in Palo Alto that offer SUVs where you can have all the kids' gear, fuel-efficient sedans, and minivans with space for the furry friend. A convenient pick-up service is offered for your flexibility. Instead of taking inconvenient mass transit and pricey taxis around the city, your rental car from Palo Alto offers you comfort for your family. If you need enough space for your camping gear or a built-in DVD player for your kids, the rental company can arrange that and accommodate all your needs.
While Palo Alto has incredible transport infrastructure, you may not miss traffic buildups during annual festivals such as the Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, which is held in July. It offers great food, beautiful paintings, and excellent concert music. Roads around the event may cause road closures causing traffic in the city. But with the help of the navigation system installed in your cheap car rentals in Palo Alto, you can find lesser congested roads and streets. To avoid jaywalkers be careful while driving.
25% of our users found rental cars in Palo Alto for $36 or less
Economy rental cars in Palo Alto are around 40% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Palo Alto
What type of car is recommended for driving in Palo Alto?
Due to the congestion that can occur on the roads especially during rush hours, small compact vehicles are recommended for solo travelers or couples and are ideal for visiting local sights such as the Palo Alto Farmers Market. Large SUVs are recommended for larger groups of people and are more comfortable for visiting the outskirts of the city.
What’s the speed limit in Palo Alto?
The speed limit at Palo Alto is set at 35mph on the general business district. Roads that connect local streets to heavy arterials usually known as collectors have a speed limit of 40mph. School zones operate with a speed limit of 25mph. Roads that have not been posted also have a set speed limit of 25mph.
Where are the best places to park in Palo Alto?
There are several options available in the city of Palo Alto. Free parking is provided for visitors and customers in the downtown area, with 2h free parking on surface lots and 3h free parking in parking garages except designated areas, effective between 8am to 5pm on weekends. Visitors can also purchase all-day parking permits which are valid in all off-street parking lots and garages but are not valid for on-street parking spots.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Palo Alto?
On average a rental car in Palo Alto costs $47 per day. But prices differ between operators and you can save money through a price comparison of car rental deals from different agencies. The cheapest price for a car rental in Palo Alto found in the last 2 weeks is $29.
Which car rental companies are at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
The only car rental company onsite at San Francisco airport is National.
Which car rental companies will pick you up at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
The only car rental company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from San Francisco airport to off-airport locations is National.
How much does a Special car rental cost in Palo Alto?
A Special car rental in Palo Alto costs $35 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Palo Alto?
An Intermediate car rental in Palo Alto costs $34 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Palo Alto?
A Standard car rental in Palo Alto costs $63 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Palo Alto?
In Palo Alto, cars are most frequently rented at Enterprise Rent-A-Car 2243 Old Middlefield Way (3 miles from city center).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Palo Alto?
Most car rental providers in Palo Alto offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Palo Alto, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Palo Alto?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 5 car rental agencies in Palo Alto.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Palo Alto?
Finding the right price, understanding the add-ons and staying up to date with policy changes can be a challenge. That’s why KAYAK has produced the ultimate guide to renting a car to help you cut though the jargon and make the right choice for your rental car. Find tips and insights for how to book your rental, what car rental insurance you’ll need, how to deal with a car rental agency and what extra fees to expect (and avoid!).
Why should I use KAYAK to rent a car in Palo Alto?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Palo Alto so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Is carpooling allowed in Palo Alto?
You can lower your car rental cost by sharing your vehicle with a few friends in Palo Alto. The arrangements are flexible and mutually agreeable. The city allows carpooling during designated hours for three-plus people. The city encourages this act for its benefits, including environmental preservation and fuel conservation. For more on their regulations and standards regarding carpooling, you can inquire with the rental company.
Does Palo Alto have curbside rentals?
For the protection of both customers and employees, there are cheap car rentals that are also curbside. Curbside rentals ensure and promote social distancing while avoiding foot traffic by getting you quickly on your journey. The car rentals also offer car delivery at your convenience.
The email confirmation took me to an old address which is now a hertz. Thankfully a hertz worker was there while they were closed to directed me to the correct address almost a mile away. I had to walk there in unideal weather. Then the car I reserved was not available. I was also charged for a car seat which I did not use and was not provided to me.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2023
Passenger van
ORDERED A 12 PASSENGER VAN FOR A GROUP OUTING, ORDERED CONFIRMED. AFTER SETTING EVERYTHING UP I GET A CALL THE NEXT DAY , SORRY WE DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE FOR YOU, TAKE MY ORDER, CONFIRM MY ORDER, CANCEL MY ORDER "1 STAR"
I had some trouble with the card reading machine but the agent was able to show me another way to complete my transaction.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Nov 2021
Staff member provided a vehicle that was a size smaller than what the reservation indicated, then lied about it when asked. I was eventually allowed to switch vehicles.
5.2 Fair
Gabriel, Oct 2020
Cons:
Staff at Hertz Palo Alto were quite unhelpful. Among other things, they failed to provide minimum docs needed for drop-off.
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