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 Monica with a pick-up date of 5/8 and drop-off date of 5/15. 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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Booking Insights
KAYAK’s insights & trends for Santa Monica car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Santa Monica with confidence.
How far in advance should you book a rental car in Santa Monica?
You should book your rental car in Santa Monica around 76 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Santa Monica?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Budget ($27.49/day), Midway ($30.56/day) and Avis ($32.58/day). The cheapest rental car price was found at Budget, 1027 Broadway (0.6 mi from city center).
What is the most popular rental car in Santa Monica?
Rentals in the Small category (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are the most popular option in Santa Monica, costing $38/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $16/day.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Monica?
The cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Monica is January at an average cost of $42/day. March is the most expensive month to rent a car in Santa Monica when prices are $59/day on average, which tends to be 22% above the yearly average rental price for Santa Monica.
What rental car company in Santa Monica has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 5 locations in Santa Monica, more than any other rental company.
KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Santa Monica
Car rentals in Santa Monica can provide you with the ease and flexibility you need to explore all of the popular attractions within the city and the surrounding areas. Head to the famous city of Beverly Hills that is about 10 miles away and best reached by car. If you like being active and are interested in going on a hike, you can visit the scenic Topanga State Park that spans across 14,000 acres and is around a half-hour drive from the city.
Visitors can pick up their Santa Monica car rentals directly from Los Angeles International Airport. While there are no rental car offices located on airport property, many of them provide complimentary shuttle services that depart from just outside the Arrivals terminal under the purple sign marked as "Rental Car Shuttles." There are over 40 different companies for you to choose from, including Thrifty, Budget, and Hertz.
The city center is known for having many pedestrians and cyclists, so always be on the lookout for them when you are driving car rentals in Santa Monica. Motorcycles are also legally allowed to drive in between traffic lanes in California, so make sure to drive cautiously in case one of them is in your blind spot. As Santa Monica is such a large city, it can be easy to get lost, so consider adding a GPS system to your rental in order to help with navigation.
All of Los Angeles County, including Santa Monica, is known for having heavy traffic, particularly during rush hour. If you don’t want to find yourself stuck in a traffic jam, avoiding driving on the Pacific Coast Highway and freeways 10 and 405 between the hours of 8am to 9:30am and 5pm to 6:30pm. The roads also tend to be particularly slippery when it rains, so drive extra cautiously during this type of weather.
Santa Monica Airport is an ideal place to get cheap car rentals in Santa Monica. Once you are at the airport and need to move around the city, you won’t have to worry about where to get a car rental. There are several car rental agencies at the terminals of this airport, such as Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Midway, and Hertz. The offices of these car rental agencies are located at Terminal A and Terminal B of Santa Monica Airport. When picked up at Santa Monica Airport, these car rentals provide flexible and comfortable movement within the city at a pocket-friendly cost.
It is essential to have a glimpse of traffic when getting Santa Monica car rentals. The city is famous for several events and festivals that may hinder you from moving comfortably around the city with your car rental. For example, on the 7th of August in every year, the people of Santa Monica celebrate the Ecuadorian Annual Festive and Parade. The festival's timing causes notable traffic interruption for the whole day, for it begins in the morning and ends in the late evening. The Venice Musicfest events also happen within the year in the city; thus, it is essential to know these events while using your car rental.
If you are driving your car rental from Santa Monica Airport to the city center, you may consider using the two routes to run out of traffic lanes. The first route is through I-10E, which you will cover a distance of 11.7mi and spend about 21 minutes to the city center. If the route has heavy traffic and you need to avoid it, you may use the second route through I-10E and Washington Blvd, which you will cover a distance of 11.2mi and spend about 20 minutes.
25% of our users found rental cars in Santa Monica for $28 or less
Small rental cars in Santa Monica are around 57% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Santa Monica
What type of car is recommended for driving in Santa Monica?
As Santa Monica is a busy city with limited parking, a compact vehicle can be a convenient choice for a rental car. Not only will it be easier for you to weave in and out of traffic, you will also be able to better navigate the narrow streets in the city’s downtown area.
What’s the speed limit in Santa Monica?
Speed limits for streets within the city often range from 25 to 45mph depending on where they are located and how busy they are. If you are driving near a school, you can expect the speed limit to drop to 20mph. Freeways usually have a maximum of 65mph, while the maximum for the Pacific Coast Highway is closer to 55mph, depending on how windy the section of road is. Many of the city’s intersections have their own traffic cameras, and police officers are frequently stationed both within the city and along the main freeways. Always make sure to follow traffic laws in order to drive safely and avoid receiving a fine.
Where are the best places to park in Santa Monica?
While you might be able to find some free street parking in Santa Monica, it is usually easiest to opt for a paid parking lot or garage. The Santa Monica Pier deck parking lot is open 24h a day, with fees ranging from around $2.50 to $3.75 per hour. There are also several beach parking lots, such as the Annenberg Community Beach House, which is open from 6am to midnight and charges approximately $3 per hour. Parking is available 24h a day at the Civic Center and Main Library, and the first 30min are free.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Santa Monica?
On average a rental car in Santa Monica costs $40 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 Monica found in the last 2 weeks is $15.
Which car rental companies are at Los Angeles airport (LAX)?
How much does a Medium car rental cost in Santa Monica?
A Medium car rental in Santa Monica costs $64 per day, on average.
How much does a Special car rental cost in Santa Monica?
A Special car rental in Santa Monica costs $49 per day, on average.
How much does a Luxury car rental cost in Santa Monica?
A Luxury car rental in Santa Monica costs $105 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Santa Monica?
In Santa Monica, cars are most frequently rented at Economy Rent a Car 10209 S La Cienaga Blvd (9 miles from city center).
Should I get insurance when renting a car in Santa Monica?
Most car rental providers in Santa Monica 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 Monica, check out KAYAK's car rental insurance guide.
How many car agencies are operating in Santa Monica?
KAYAK has deals for you to compare from 11 car rental agencies in Santa Monica.
What do I need to know before booking a car rental in Santa Monica?
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 Monica?
KAYAK searches thousands of car rental agencies to provide you with offers from all car rental agencies operating in Santa Monica so that you can compare car rental rates, reviews and pick-up and drop-off locations to find the best deal for you.
Are there car rentals in the train station in Santa Monica?
If you are at downtown Santa Monica train station and need a car rental, you should consider getting one at Midway car rental agency just at the station's entrance. The offices of other agencies such as Hertz, Enterprise, and Budget are a 2min walk from the train station.
Which places can you visit with your cheap Santa Monica car rental?
It is convenient for you to have a car rental when visiting several attraction sites in the city, such as Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica State Beach, and downtown Santa Monica. It will take you around 4min to drive from Santa Monica to Santa Monica Pier, around 3min to Santa Monica State Beach, and about 4min to downtown Santa Monica.
Finding car drop off at LAX not very clear but otherwise easy, convenient and affordable
10.0 Wonderful
Robert, Mar 2025
Intermediate
Excellent rental experience all the way around. The customer service and general manager were terrific. She upgraded me because they did not have the car rented currently on the lot. It was a The customer service and general manager were terrific. She upgraded me because they did not have the car rented currently on the lot. It was an excellent Experience and a great value. Midway is the best.!
Paid for a car was told he didn’t have any and to call customer services for a refund then told me he had electric I said that’s not what I ordered and isn’t any good.
2.0 Poor
Gia, Feb 2024
Intermediate SUV
Did not have car available for us that we rented and pre paid for. Only car available was $40 more dollars a day. Total rip off. Terrible service. Never using Hertz again. Not surprised they are bankrupt.
The rental office was closed at the time of my reservation. I waited for 25 minutes then called Budget. The phone rep said he would transfer my reservation to another location 15 miles away “for no charge” and then put me on hold. 10 minutes later (still on hold) someone showed up. At this point we were running more than 30 minutes behind schedule and I had to press the agent to confirm that I would be returning the car 30 minutes later as well. She begrudgingly adjusted the contract. She told me the car’s fuel tank was at 3/4 and to return it with 3/4 full. When I returned the car, a different agent checked everything and noticed the fuel tank wasn’t full, it was 7/8 full and that I would be charged to top it up. I told him that I actually was returning it with more gas than I got it with and also 30 minutes early and that I should be charging him for my time and the extra fuel I just gifted Budget. Every single person I interacted with at Budget was completely sour, confrontational and trying to nickel and dime me out of time, money and fuel. This was a very expensive rate and at that price point, you really need to show up on time and not threaten charges when you are being gifted fuel and given an early return. What you should really do is say “thank you.”
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Oct 2023
Intermediate SUV
Nothing really
1 out of 1
Dollar
5.4
Fair
One location in Santa Monica
Locations in Santa Monica
1426 Santa Monica Blvd
+1 310 394 2449
Monday
08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 18:00
Thursday
08:00 - 18:00
Friday
08:00 - 18:00
Saturday
09:00 - 13:00
Sunday
09:00 - 13:00
Filters
No reviews available
Thrifty
5.2
Fair
One location in Santa Monica
Locations in Santa Monica
1426 Santa Monica Boulevard
+1 310 394 2449
Monday
08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 18:00
Thursday
08:00 - 18:00
Friday
08:00 - 18:00
Saturday
09:00 - 13:00
Sunday
09:00 - 13:00
Filters
No reviews available
Eagle Rent A Car
No score available yet
3 locations in Santa Monica
Locations in Santa Monica
4110 Lincoln Blvd
Opening times not available
Santa Monica Airport
Opening times not available
Santa Monica airport
Opening times not available
Filters
No reviews available
Rent-4-Less
No score available yet
One location in Santa Monica
Locations in Santa Monica
3202 Lincoln Blvd
(310) 395 8010
Opening times not available
Filters
No reviews available
VIPCars Recommendation
No score available yet
One location in Santa Monica
Locations in Santa Monica
1901 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica CA UNITED STATES
+1 914 368 0091
Monday
08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 18:00
Thursday
08:00 - 18:00
Friday
08:00 - 18:00
Saturday
09:00 - 13:00
Filters
No reviews available
38 travelers who rented a car in Santa Monica gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5.3
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