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 Santa Cruz with a pick-up date of 9/28 and drop-off date of 10/14. 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 Santa Cruz
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 car type
Average price
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Turo
Standard
$46/day
$42/day
KAYAK’s insights & trends for Santa Cruz car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Santa Cruz with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Santa Cruz?
You should book your rental car in Santa Cruz around 74 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Santa Cruz?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Budget ($34.16/day), Hertz ($34.99/day) and Thrifty ($39.84/day). The cheapest rental car price was found at Budget 630 Ocean Street (0.6 mi from city center).
What is the best rental car company in Santa Cruz?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Santa Cruz are Budget (10.0, 2 reviews), Avis (8.0, 3 reviews), and Hertz (7.6, 10 reviews).
What is the most popular rental car in Santa Cruz?
Intermediate rentals (Tesla Model 3 or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to rent in Santa Cruz. Intermediate rentals in Santa Cruz cost $83/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as $69/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Cruz?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Cruz is January at an average cost of $46/day. June is the most expensive month to rent a car in Santa Cruz when prices are $68/day on average, which tends to be 19% above the yearly average rental price for Santa Cruz.
What rental car company in Santa Cruz has the most locations?
Hertz operates 4 locations in Santa Cruz, more than any other rental company.
If you're planning to visit the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Wharf, having a rental will ease your trip and make everything seamless. Sometimes when traveling, using public transportation means wasting time and possibly confusing routes when trying to get to various attractions. Getting a vehicle from car rentals in Santa Cruz is a smart decision because you can incorporate nearly everything in your itinerary and meet your travel goals on time and at your convenience. If you're here on a business trip, then you won't have to worry about missing the bus and being late for that meeting you've been looking forward to. Even better, you can skip town and check out the Winchester Mystery House, just 29 miles away, or even the Golden Gate Bridge about 75 miles away, at your own convenience and get back in the city before evening.
When you get to the Rental Car Center in San Jose International Airport, go directly across Terminal B. If you come from Terminal B, walk across the airport drive from baggage claim, where you'll find the facility. If you come from Terminal A, you'll find an airport blue shuttle bus that will take you to the rental car center. Some of the Santa Cruz car rentals you'll find at the facility include Enterprise, Avis, and Hertz.
Pedestrians in Santa Cruz are so used to jaywalking that the city had to write reminders on the curb not to do it, so be watchful, especially on crosswalks and intersections. You should be careful when driving on Highway 17 as it can get congested with commuters to and from San Jose and sees frequent coastal fog.
Traffic in Downtown Santa Cruz can be fairly normal, but the rush hours can be packed with cars, especially on Highways 1, 9, and 17. Highway 17 can be quite busy northbound in the morning and southbound in the evening as more people commute to and from San Jose, more so on Fridays. Rush hours start from 7am to 9am and from 3pm to 8pm in the evening. Having a traffic app for real-time information will go a long way. You can also listen to the local radio.
Many visitors to Santa Cruz will fly into the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located about an hour's drive north of Santa Cruz. SFO is an easy and convenient place to both pick up and drop off Santa Cruz car rentals because almost all the rental car agencies at SFO are located at the Rental Car Center. Once you land, proceed to the AirTrain station in your terminal and take the Blue Line people mover to the Rental Car Center. The AirTrain runs every few minutes, 24 hours a day. At the Rental Car Center, you will find car rental agencies including Budget, Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, SIXT, and others.
If you are looking into cheap car rentals in Santa Cruz, it is important to be aware of California's laws about wearing earbuds or AirPods while driving. According to the California Vehicle Code, you are prohibited from wearing a headset covering, ear plugs in, or earphones inserted in or resting on your ears. If you get stopped and cited for wearing earbuds, AirPods, or something similar, you will most likely receive a fine in the neighborhood of $200, though this amount can vary case by case. You will also, most likely, get points on your driver's license.
Santa Cruz experiences rain at various times from October to May and tends to get foggy in the morning, especially in the spring and summer. When you opt for cheap car rentals in Santa Cruz, make sure that your windshield wiper blades are in proper working order before you leave the rental car lot. And when you are driving in the fog, remember to put your low beams on, even during the day. This means your tail lights will be on as well, and the combination of the low-beam headlights and the tail lights will make your car more visible in the fog.
25% of our users found rental cars in Santa Cruz for $42 or less
Mini rental cars in Santa Cruz are around 48% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Santa Cruz
What type of car is recommended for driving in Santa Cruz?
Nearly any on-road vehicle will do well in Santa Cruz. Our recommendation would be to choose a vehicle that suits your needs, so you can go with anything from a standard car like a sedan to a minivan. If your budget allows it, you can even get a luxury vehicle to cruise around the coast from car rentals in Santa Cruz.
What’s the speed limit in Santa Cruz?
The maximum speed limit on California highways stands at 65mph, and you can drive at 70mph where posted. On two-lane undivided highways, the maximum speed limit is 55mph, unless posted otherwise, and 25mph in school zones. Watch out for blind intersections where the speed limit falls at 15mph, which also applies to alleys. Business and residential areas have a limit of 25mph.
Where are the best places to park in Santa Cruz?
The city of Santa Cruz has several downtown public parking lots that offer a free 3h time limit parking from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm. Downtown parking meters charge anywhere between $1 an hour to $8 per day, depending on where you park. Parking meters operate every day between 8am and 8pm.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Santa Cruz?
On average a rental car in Santa Cruz costs $46 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 Santa Cruz found in the last 2 weeks is $40.
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 Standard car rental cost in Santa Cruz?
A Standard car rental in Santa Cruz costs $80 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car rental cost in Santa Cruz?
A Special car rental in Santa Cruz costs $64 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Santa Cruz?
A Compact car rental in Santa Cruz costs $73 per day, on average.
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Santa Cruz?
Most car rental providers in Santa Cruz offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car rental in Santa Cruz, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Santa Cruz?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 6 car rental agencies in Santa Cruz.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Santa Cruz?
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 Santa Cruz?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Santa Cruz so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Do 7-year-olds need a booster seat in a Santa Cruz rental?
It depends. According to California law, children younger than eight must be secured in either a booster seat or car seat in the back seat of the vehicle. However, once a child reaches the height of 4 feet 9 inches, a seat belt will suffice.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Santa Cruz?
To rent a car in California, you have to be at least 21. However, if you are younger than 25, you will most likely be charged a Young Renter daily fee and be limited as to what class of vehicle you may rent.
Had car reserved but no cars there when I arrived Had to wait an hour
2.0 Poor
Curt, Apr 2024
Minivan
Car rental.com is a scam. Don’t ever use them.
8.0 Very good
Paul, Apr 2021
Pros:
Simple, limited-contact pick up and drop off.
Cons:
When I returned the car two days early, the staff at Hertz were unable to do a refund for those extra days. This isn't a criticism of Hertz -- just know that when you book through Kayak, they don't have as much flexibility for extending or shortening a rental. Note that this Hertz location does not do after-hours drop-off. You must return the car before closing time.
4.0 Mediocre
Anonymous, Mar 2021
Pros:
The two ladies who checked me in were a delight to deal with. Very professional and personable as they went through all the paperwork and what not.
Cons:
My pre-paid 1pm reservation was for a Mid-size Car, and when I got there at 1:30pm they had rented my car and had no Midsize cars left, so I was stuck with an economy car that felt like I was driving a go-kart on steroids or tin can on wheels. That was total BS!! Also, they closed the location close to my house, but it is still listed on their website, Yahoo, Waze, Google, etcetera, so when I drove over there to swap cars, there was a sign on the keys drop box saying to drop off cars across town, at the location where I picked up the car. Again, total BS!! Then when I returned the car they ran my credit card before talking to me at all, and I wanted to use my debit car. When I asked to cancel the charge and put it on my debit card, she said it was too late, she couldn't do that. Third strike of total BS. Even if it costs more and is farther away, I will never again rent a car for Hertz!!
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