KAYAK’s insights & trends for Downtown car rentals
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Downtown with confidence.
Which car rental company in Downtown is best rated?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK.
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Downtown are Sixt (7.4/10, 81 reviews), Avis (6.4/10, 223 reviews), and Budget (6.4/10, 231 reviews).
Downtown car rental price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right rental car in Downtown by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
$26 - $35
All Car Types
$58 - $73
How much does it cost to rent a small car in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a medium car in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a large car in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent an SUV in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a van in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car in Downtown?
How much does it cost to rent a convertible in Downtown?
Small car rentals in Downtown typically cost around $31 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $26 per day which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 54% cheaper than the average rental in Downtown, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Medium car rentals in Downtown typically cost around $61 per day. The best time to book is May, when prices average $46 per day which is about 25% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 9% cheaper than the average rental in Downtown, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car rentals in Downtown typically cost around $56 per day. The best time to book is September, when prices average $44 per day which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 17% cheaper than the average rental in Downtown, offering more comfort for longer trips at a valuable price.
SUV rentals in Downtown typically cost around $70 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $57 per day which is about 19% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 5% more expensive than the average rental in Downtown, but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van rentals in Downtown typically cost around $105 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $89 per day which is about 16% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 37% more expensive than the average rental in Downtown, but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck rentals in Downtown typically cost around $63 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $51 per day which is about 20% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 6% cheaper than the average rental in Downtown, a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car rentals in Downtown typically cost around $80 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $61 per day which is about 24% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 17% more expensive than the average rental in Downtown, but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible rentals in Downtown typically cost around $96 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $88 per day which is about 9% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 31% more expensive than the average rental in Downtown, perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Top tips for renting a car in Downtown, San Diego
If you’re looking to save money and don’t mind renting a car in another neighborhood in San Diego, look for deals in Otay Mesa, where daily prices are around $40/day, or Little Italy (average of $41/day).
FAQs about renting a car in Downtown (San Diego)
Are car rentals cheaper in other San Diego neighborhoods?
Yes. Based on our information, GREENMOTION in Midtown is the cheapest car rental location in San Diego. It is located at 1025 W Laurel St.
Tank was half full on pick up and they tried to charge me for returning it at half. Charged my card the full booking amount twice for the same booking. Car needed maintenance 2 days into a 30+ day booking. Tires were flat.
8.0 Very good
Anonymous, Jul 2024
Compact
Vincent and Lauren both helped us a ton when a pickup error caused our reservation to go sideways. There needed to be a better explanation online that there are multiple pickup locations right by the airport that have different hours of operation.
6.0 Okay
James, Jan 2024
Intermediate SUV
It was the fastest I was in and out of a rental office. The individual working at the drop off in Palm Springs was really nice. I can't tell you how disappointed I was that the type of car I reserved was not there since I made the reservation ahead of time.
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Jan 2024
Minivan
I’ve been overcharged by hundreds of dollars and yet to see confirmation of a refund
The car wasn’t full of gas. Only had 1/4 of a tank. The last thing I wanted to do was go to the gas station. Doesn’t make sense to me. Isn’t that a rule??? And they didn’t have a reservation because they said kayak canceled it!!!
6.0 Okay
Anonymous, Jun 2025
Passenger van
Everything was mostly great, especially the customer service. Only frustrating part was the vehicle was received with the gas gauge on empty. I had to pay a high price for gas in the city before I was able to leave downtown. The return was a bit challenging (since I had to drop it off at another location) because my flight was prior to the office opening. Whoever helped me behind the counter was excellent.
2.0 Poor
Lindsay, Jan 2025
Supplier choice
There was no rental available! Kayak - and every third party rental system - LIES! The most affordable car was not available until 1pm. It was 9am. Budget's only available rental vehicle was an extra $100. So I cancelled. I returned to computer to find a vehicle available near downtown San Diego and ..... The Budget location I was at came up again on Kayak! Kayak said a vehicle was available to rent at that moment. The Budget staff member running that office verified it was not correct, and there is still no vehicle. And I purchased the third party insurance via the Kayak website. Though I cancelled the car reservation because no car was available.... I did not receive a refund for the insurance.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Feb 2024
Coupe
It was fantastic.
2.0 Poor
Shahrouz, Nov 2023
Pickup truck
I friendly staff The truck was beat up lots of dents Got overcharged Drop off was confusing and inconvenient
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2022
I booked the car with Kayak and they allowed me to book it at a rental location that closes at 5pm, when my flight arrived at 5pm. Therefore, I missed the pickup, and when I went to get it the next day the price was twice as much as the original.
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