Santa Barbara Van Rentals

Save up to 40% on car rentals. Compare deals from all over the web.

Never overpay with our price tracking tools.

Filter searches by price, agency and more to find your best car rental.

Car Rental Deals
Useful Info
Car Rental Deals

Cheap Van Rentals in Santa Barbara

Chrysler Pacifica car
Chrysler Pacifica
or similar Van
7
5
4-5
$67/day
Honda Odyssey car
Honda Odyssey
or similar Van
8
2
4-5
$104/day
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular agency

Average price

Good deal

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
$141/day
$117/day

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Santa Barbara car rentals

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Santa Barbara with confidence.

How far in advance should you book a van rental in Santa Barbara?

To get the best price on a van rental in Santa Barbara, you should book around 51 days before your trip. This could save you approximately 53% compared to booking last minute.

Which company offers the cheapest van rental in Santa Barbara?

The cheapest van rental company in Santa Barbara is Enterprise Rent-A-Car at $36/day on average, followed by Turo ($55/day) and Avis ($59/day).

Which van car rental company in Santa Barbara is best rated?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best van car rental companies in Santa Barbara are Budget (6.9/10, 61 reviews), Avis (9.0/10, 26 reviews) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.7/10, 20 reviews).

How much does it cost to rent a van in Santa Barbara per month?

On average, a van rental in Santa Barbara costs $146 per day. November is the most expensive month when prices are $168/day on average.

Which company has the most van rental locations in Santa Barbara?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has the most van rental locations in Santa Barbara with 3 locations, followed by Budget (2 locations) and Avis (2 locations).

Top Tips for Renting a Van in Santa Barbara

  • The viability of a Santa Barbara van rental is beyond doubt. If you are carting with your friends, a van rental will be your priority as it has enough seating. A van rental gives you the freedom to discover not only Santa Barbara’s famed attractions but also other must-see sites along the coast of California. Top cultural attractions in Santa Barbara include the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Old Mission Santa Barbara, Arlington Theater, Sunken Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. If your destination is a beach, you will want a van rental that can accommodate umbrellas, surfboards, and coolers.
  • Suppose you are looking to book a van rental after landing at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). In that case, you will be relieved to know that numerous major rental companies are nestled at the heart of the airline hub. Once you have alighted, go to the terminal building's first floor. Several car rental companies have kiosks opposite the baggage claim area. You will then pick up your car from the airport’s parking garage.
  • Cruising around Santa Barbara roads, like Highway 101, offers stunning coast views. However, there are a few tips for driving in Santa Barbara that you should be familiar with for a safe trip. Santa Barbara has standard speed limits for residential areas, highways, and school zones that drivers must follow even if they are not posted. Drive your Santa Barbara van rental on the right and watch for distracted drivers and unexpected pedestrians.
  • Traffic congestion in California is inevitable, but Santa Barbara is easier to manoeuver. Morning traffic is severe on the 101 from 6:30 am to 9:30 am when driving North to Santa Barbara from areas like Ventura and Carpinteria and in the evening from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the opposite direction. Also, Santa Barbara is found near Santa Ynez Mountains, and some roads are hilly. Therefore, driving may be difficult for newcomers.
  • 25% of our users found a van rental in Santa Barbara for $117 or less
  • Book your van rental in Santa Barbara at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • March is typically the cheapest month to rent a van in Santa Barbara, with prices around $127 per day. The most expensive month is November, with average prices of $168 per day.

FAQs About Renting a Van in Santa Barbara

  • What is the best place for me to rent a van in Santa Barbara?

    Picking up your van rental from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is a reliable alternative for passengers alighting at the airline hub from abroad. The airport houses all the big car rental firms like Hertz, Alamo, and Budget, so you will be spoiled for choices. If you would prefer to pick up your Santa Barbara van rental when you have recovered from your flight, there are over 10 car rental locations in the downtown area. Avis car rental is found at 305 E Haley St., Enterprise at 601 Chapala St., and Budget at 500 James Fowler Rd.

  • What is the most reliable type of van I can choose when visiting Santa Barbara?

    You will want a reliable Santa Barbara van rental that can comfortably fit your group and has enough cargo space for your bags while exploring the beaches, museums, galleries, and restaurants in Santa Barbara. Some good brands to consider when booking your van rental include Chrysler and Toyota. For example, models like Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna are easy to handle and have spacious interiors. Do you wish to seat a dozen or more? A reliable model from Chevrolet, like the Chevrolet Express, can fit up to 15 travelers and their stuff.

  • What is the best place to park my Santa Barbara van rental?

    One of the main perks of getting a Santa Barbara van rental is that parking in the downtown area is easy to come by and situated in regular intervals close to all major attractions. The city boasts over 10 parking garages with pocket-friendly charges. Parking lots include the Granada Garage on 1221 Anacapa St., Lot #12 at 11 W Gutierrez St., and Paseo Nuevo Parking on 723 Chapala St. Pay heed to signs as certain parking areas require a permit and are only available to city residents.

  • How does KAYAK find such low van rental prices?

    KAYAK compares van rental prices from all major car rental companies such as Thrifty, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Payless and more to find you the best deal.

  • How much does a van rental cost in Santa Barbara?

    On average a van rental in Santa Barbara costs $141 per day.

  • Which car rental companies in Santa Barbara rent vans?

    Car rental companies in Santa Barbara that rent vans include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

  • How much does it cost to rent a van for a week in Santa Barbara?

    On average a van in Santa Barbara costs $985 per week ($141 per day) to rent.

  • How much does it cost to rent a van long term for a month in Santa Barbara?

    On average a van in Santa Barbara costs $4,222 per month ($985 per week) to rent.

Santa Barbara Van Rental Company Reviews

 

Budget

6.9

Okay
Best rated

Cleanliness

7.6

Comfort

7.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.3

Value for money

7.0

2 locations in Santa Barbara

from$126/day

Locations in Santa Barbara

305 East Haley Street

+1 805 965 1070

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 14:00
Sunday10:00 - 16:00
View deals

500 Fowler Road

+1 805 964 6792

Monday08:00 - 21:00
Tuesday08:00 - 21:00
Wednesday08:00 - 21:00
Thursday08:00 - 21:00
Friday08:00 - 21:00
Saturday08:00 - 18:00
Sunday08:00 - 21:00
View deals

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Dongxu, Jun 2026

Luxury

KAYAK
Promised a Tesla model 3, had no evidence available, or needed to wait for 20-30 mins. Gas car is more expensive! And charged me more to get a gas car. WTF, forgive my French.

8.0 Very good

Jason, Jun 2026

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
It.was quick and easy to rent. Employees were informed and helpful. Attaching to the car with my phone was simple.

2.0 Poor

Leslie, Apr 2026

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
The third-party that we used through Kayak (QEEC) gave us one price and then we got a bill for $100 more than we signed up for.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2026

Standard SUV

KAYAK
Nothing

10.0 Wonderful

Margaret, Oct 2025

Luxury

KAYAK
Fun driving the Telsa. A slight learning curve but I picked using all the bells and gadgets quickly. The Budget person dropping it of was excellent.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, May 2025

Intermediate

KAYAK
quick efficient rental and fair price

1 out of 14

Hertz

6.2

Okay

Cleanliness

7.4

Comfort

6.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.2

Value for money

6.5

One location in Santa Barbara

Locations in Santa Barbara

633 E Cabrillo Blvd

+1 805 962 5305

Monday09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
Thursday09:00 - 17:00
Friday09:00 - 17:00
View deals

Filters

No reviews available

Avis

9.0

Wonderful

Cleanliness

9.3

Comfort

9.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.1

Value for money

8.5

2 locations in Santa Barbara

from$127/day

Locations in Santa Barbara

305 East Haley Street

+1 805 965 1079

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 14:00
Sunday10:00 - 16:00
View deals

500 Fowler Road

+1 805 964 4848

Monday08:00 - 21:00
Tuesday08:00 - 21:00
Wednesday08:00 - 21:00
Thursday08:00 - 21:00
Friday08:00 - 21:00
Saturday08:00 - 18:00
Sunday08:00 - 21:00
View deals

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Tariq, Dec 2025

Compact SUV

KAYAK
Good

4.0 Mediocre

Ahmed, Oct 2024

Economy

KAYAK
I was given a Ford F250 truck instead of economy car. The agent was rude and insisted that it's my only option or a minivan. The lot was full of cars and despite asking several times I was told this is the only option, or wait for 40 minutes or more to see if anything comes available. Very disappointed with the customer service, However drop off was smooth.

8.0 Very good

Mike, Sep 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
Car could have been cleaner inside. Otherwise all was good.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
Great!

1 out of 5

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.7

Very good
Most popular

Cleanliness

8.7

Comfort

8.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.3

Value for money

8.4

3 locations in Santa Barbara

from$95/day

Locations in Santa Barbara

3210 State St

+1 805 966 3097

Opening times not available

500 James Fowler Rd

+1 805 683 3012

Monday08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:00
Friday08:00 - 22:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

601 Chapala St

+1 805 966 3097

Monday08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday08:00 - 17:30
Thursday08:00 - 17:30
Friday08:00 - 17:30
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Robert, Oct 2024

Economy

KAYAK
Enterprise has always been good for me. Being able to drop off at SB airport would be a great service.

8.0 Very good

Tonise, Aug 2024

Economy

KAYAK
Easy to reserve online, location is close by.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Standard SUV

KAYAK
The employees went out of their way to make this a super easy, efficient and pleasant experience.

10.0 Wonderful

Rebecca, Sep 2023

Standard

KAYAK
Car needed a vacuum, windows were dirty inside. Outside was kinda dirty.

Alamo

8.1

Very good

Cleanliness

7.9

Comfort

7.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.9

Value for money

7.8

One location in Santa Barbara

from$212/day

Locations in Santa Barbara

500 James Fowler Rd

+1 805 692 0939

Monday08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:00
Friday08:00 - 22:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2025

Standard SUV

KAYAK
Alamo didn't have the car i reserved. Didn’t have any cars for that matter.

National

6.0

Okay

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.0

Value for money

6.0

One location in Santa Barbara

Locations in Santa Barbara

500 James Fowler Rd

+1 805 692 0939

Monday08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:00
Friday08:00 - 22:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jun 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
Amazing!

Dollar

5.0

Fair
Cheapest deal

Cleanliness

5.0

Comfort

5.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.0

Value for money

5.0

One location in Santa Barbara

from$89/day

Locations in Santa Barbara

500 Fowler Road

+1 866 434 2226

Monday07:00 - 21:00
Tuesday07:00 - 21:00
Wednesday07:00 - 21:00
Thursday07:00 - 21:00
Friday07:00 - 21:00
Saturday07:00 - 18:00
Sunday07:00 - 18:00

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Apr 2024

Economy

KAYAK
We had to rent somewhere else. There was a line that the person in front of me said they had been waiting over an hour in. There was only one person at the counter and over 10 parties in line. The other car companies had no wait. I paid slightly more but it was worth not waiting over and hour

Thrifty

5.3

Fair

One location in Santa Barbara

Locations in Santa Barbara

500 Fowler Road

+1 866 434 2226

Monday07:00 - 21:00
Tuesday07:00 - 21:00
Wednesday07:00 - 21:00
Thursday07:00 - 21:00
Friday07:00 - 21:00
Saturday07:00 - 18:00
Sunday07:00 - 18:00

Filters

No reviews available

156 travelers who rented a car in Santa Barbara gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5.7

Car rental locations in or near Santa Barbara

More options for your van rental in Santa Barbara

Complete your trip to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Van Rental Information

Pick-up locationSanta Barbara
Car typesVan
Rental locations11
Airport locations8
Popular agenciesHertz, Dollar, Alamo, Thrifty, Budget