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 San Mateo with a pick-up date of 10/31 and drop-off date of 11/29. 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 San Mateo
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours.
Booking Insights
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Most popular agency
Most popular car type
Average price
Good deal
Budget
Medium
$56/day
$39/day
KAYAK’s insights & trends for San Mateo car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in San Mateo with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in San Mateo?
You should book your rental car in San Mateo around 49 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in San Mateo?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Hertz ($23.62/day), Thrifty ($31.89/day) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car ($46.16/day).
What is the best rental car company in San Mateo?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in San Mateo are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (10.0, 3 reviews), State Van Rental (8.9), and Budget (6.2).
Rentals in the Small category (Chrysler Pacifica or similar) are the most popular option in San Mateo, costing $88/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $26/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in San Mateo?
The cheapest month to rent a car in San Mateo is February at an average cost of $41/day. July is the most expensive month to rent a car in San Mateo when prices are $66/day on average, which tends to be 32% above the yearly average rental price for San Mateo.
What rental car company in San Mateo has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 3 locations in San Mateo, more than any other rental company.
There are multiple reasons as to why you should consider renting a car in one of the car rentals in San Mateo, such as maximum flexibility when exploring the city, as well as providing an ideal atmosphere for tourists who want to get a feel of the culture. There are a few major airports located not far from San Mateo, such as Oakland International Airport (OAK), which is around 12.4 miles away, and the San Jose International Airport (SJC), approximately 25.8 miles, which is not a long drive when using a personal vehicle. Some popular tourist attractions further from the city center include Bair Island, whose habitats have multiple diverse ecosystems, and is located between San Mateo to the north and Palo Alto to the south.
The closest airport to San Mateo is San Francisco International Airport (SFO) which is 4.7 miles away and has several car rentals on-site, such as Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, NU Car, Avis, and State Van Rental. The agencies can be found by following the signs to the baggage claim area, then following the airport signs to the Air Train, and boarding the Blue Line train to the Rental Car Center, which is approximately 10min away. The Oakland International Airport also has on-site rentals that can be reached by following the signs to the baggage claim area, then heading to the common Rental Car Shuttle Bus which takes you to the rental car facility. Off-site San Mateo car rentals can be easily accessed using one of the multiple shuttle services or cabs.
Like many roads in the Bay Area, you are bound to find a few traffic violators when driving in San Mateo. Drivers are warned to be cautious of jaywalkers who can hop on busy roads without warning, especially during rush hours. San Mateo is also filled with several cyclists, therefore you are advised to drive prudently, especially near trails.
Typical rush hour in San Mateo, like many counties in the Bay Area region, starts at about 7am to 9am, then picks back up between 4pm to 6pm when people are heading home from work, with individuals spending an average of about 40-60min on the road. Commute times are likely to be extended on days which special events or festivals are being held in the city. It is recommended that visitors choose car rentals in San Mateo with navigation systems, to aid when moving on unfamiliar roads.
When driving cheap car rentals in San Mateo, always remember to operate on your right and pass on the left. The San Mateo driving laws allow you to pass on the right when driving on an open highway marked for two or more lanes in your direction. The streets of San Mateo are relatively narrow. Therefore, if you are driving on a steep road and you meet with a vehicle going uphill, you are to yield to that vehicle and backup.
When driving a San Mateo car rental on a narrow mountain road, always remember to keep right as much as possible. Moreover, if your visibility is less than 200 feet, always drive while sounding your horn to warn oncoming traffic and other road users. Visibility is quite limited at night. Thus, always turn on your headlights thirty minutes before sunrise or after sunset. If the weather conditions get harsh, turn on your low-beam headlights and windshield wipers during the day or night.
Making a U-turn in San Mateo is restricted to only four scenarios. When legal and safe, you can make a U-turn with San Mateo car rentals across a double yellow line. If you are in a residential district, you can turn your cheap San Mateo car rental when no vehicles are approaching you within 200 feet or when there is a signal, light, or traffic sign protecting you from oncoming traffic. Be extremely cautious when making a U-turn and avoid any distractions in the car while driving. This includes using your phone while driving. San Mateo driving laws attract hefty fines. For example, if you are on your phone in cheap car rentals in San Mateo for about 10 to fifteen minutes while driving can get you a distracted driving ticket that is about $120.
25% of our users found rental cars in San Mateo for $39 or less
Small rental cars in San Mateo are around 55% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in San Mateo
What type of car is recommended for driving in San Mateo?
For small groups of people, such as couples or solo travelers, it is more convenient to choose small compact vehicles or convertibles while cruising through California, while larger SUVs are better options for larger groups and are more comfortable when touring the plains of San Mateo.
What’s the speed limit in San Mateo?
The speed limit on most residential roads is 25mph unless otherwise posted. The San Mateo Bridge is set at 65mph, while highways have multiple test areas marked 55mph. School zones have a speed limit of 25mph when driving within 500-1000 feet while children are outside or crossing the street.
Where are the best places to park in San Mateo?
There are several parking options available in San Mateo, for both flash parking and long-term parking. All parking facilities offer free parking on Sundays, holidays and after 6pm every day. The Central garage offers 3h and 10h parking spaces, which charge at around $1.25 per hour, Main Street Garage costs approximately $0.75 per hour, Kinko’s Lot charge around $0.25 per hour while South Railroad Ave, Tennis Court Garage, and Transit Center Garage all charge about $0.75 per hour.
How much does it cost to rent a car in San Mateo?
On average a rental car in San Mateo costs $56 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 San Mateo found in the last 2 weeks is $27.
Which car rental companies are at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
Which car rental companies will pick you up at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from San Francisco airport to off-airport locations include Thrifty, Europcar, Fox, and Budget.
How much does a Medium car rental cost in San Mateo?
A Medium car rental in San Mateo costs $45 per day, on average.
How much does a Large car rental cost in San Mateo?
A Large car rental in San Mateo costs $196 per day, on average.
How much does a Luxury car rental cost in San Mateo?
A Luxury car rental in San Mateo costs $150 per day, on average.
Should I get insurance when renting a car in San Mateo?
Most car rental providers in San Mateo offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in San Mateo, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in San Mateo?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 1 car rental agencies in San Mateo.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in San Mateo?
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 San Mateo?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in San Mateo so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Can I turn left or right at a red light in San Mateo?
The driving laws in San Mateo only allow you to turn right at a red light if there are no signs prohibiting you. On the other hand, you can only make a left turn at a red light when you are moving from a one-way street to another.
How much is a speeding ticket in San Mateo?
A first-time offender can get fined a base fine of 35 dollars. However, the ticket can cost about $710, depending on your excess speed limit. Additionally, if you are assigned demerits on your license, they will stay on your record for three to seven years.
Everything was about the experience was outstanding. Person who took care of me was very professional and very helpful. She did an outstanding job from getting the vehicle to returning the vehicle.
Cons:
Nothing could have been better. It was so easy to rent a car from Enterprise.
The vehicle had a bad smell and multiple software issues
NU Car
No score available yet
One location in San Mateo
Locations in San Mateo
1409 Rollins Rd
+1 650 651 7145
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Saturday
08:00 - 17:00
Sunday
08:00 - 17:00
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Kim, Oct 2023
Minivan
a
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2023
Economy
Aweful
8.0 Very good
Ari, Jun 2023
Full-size
Very fast check-in and check-out. The rental car advertised was an Altima, but the car rented was a Malibu which is not as nice.
8.0 Very good
Steven, Mar 2021
Cons:
The shuttle was cumbersome.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Mar 2021
Pros:
The Staff was Very Professional Patient and just overall cool. They Gave me Great Prices when I had to extend my Rental.
Cons:
The Deposit should be Only $200 for any Car or Truck as Long As your Card is on File.
8.0 Very good
Heather, Feb 2021
Cons:
The only downside was waiting 30 minutes for the shuttle to take you off site to office. It added additional time on trip, but overall they were very efficient and friendly.
One traveler who rented a car in San Mateo gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.0
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