Prices are in AUD
Santa Barbara

Cheap Car Hire in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA, United States
2 May — 9 May
Driver's age: 26-65
Santa Barbara, CA, United States
Thu 2/5
Noon
Thu 9/5
Noon

What is the cheapest time to rent a car in Santa Barbara?

Discover the most affordable period to rent a car in Santa Barbara and save money on your trip. The monthly average price data is based on historical data over the last year and was last updated on 25 April 2024.

January

$72

February

$86

March

$87

April

$86

May

$86

June

$90

July

$96

August

$92

September

$89

October

$89

November

$79

December

$81

Currently, the cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Barbara is January. The most expensive time to rent a car is July. The cheapest prices for each month are shown above, but prices will vary based on availability, how far out you book your rental car, and of course, car type.

Compare available car types for hire in Santa Barbara

Compare and contrast the various car types offered for hire in Santa Barbara to find the perfect fit for your trip. Price data is based on averages over the last 12 months and was last updated on 25 April 2024.

Small cars

$50 - $146

All Car Types

$58 - $128

To hire a small car in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $49/day. January is the cheapest month to hire a small car in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$50/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is June (~$146/day). In fact, January is about 2% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a small car hire for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Santa Barbara, hiring a small car saves you 39% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

To hire a medium car in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $67/day. November is the cheapest month to hire a medium car in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$58/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is May (~$159/day). In fact, November is about 15% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a medium car hire for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Santa Barbara, hiring a medium car saves you 15% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

To hire a SUV in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $42/day. December is the cheapest month to hire a SUV in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$38/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is September (~$142/day). In fact, December is about 12% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a SUV hire for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Santa Barbara, hiring a SUV saves you 47% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

Top hire agencies in Santa Barbara

Explore the leading car hire agencies in Santa Barbara known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 7 car hire companies in Santa Barbara. Reviews were last updated on 25 April 2024.
Choose from the top car hire agencies available in Santa Barbara, including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget and Hertz. Be sure to do your research on pricing, reviews, pickup locations, and other important criteria before choosing.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.1
Very Good
44 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.8

Comfort

8.0

Overall

8.2

Pick-up/drop-off

7.9

Value

7.7

Budget

7.1
Good
91 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.4

Comfort

7.7

Overall

7.1

Pick-up/drop-off

7.1

Value

7.1

Hertz

6.2
Okay
85 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.9

Overall

6.1

Pick-up/drop-off

6.1

Value

6.3

Avis

8.5
Very Good
23 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.1

Comfort

8.8

Overall

8.4

Pick-up/drop-off

8.5

Value

8.3

Alamo

8.0
Very Good
28 reviews1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

7.8

Comfort

8.3

Overall

7.9

Pick-up/drop-off

8.1

Value

8.1

National

2.0
Poor
1 review1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Overall

2.0

Pick-up/drop-off

2.0

Value

2.0

Sunnycars

1 location

Car hire FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car hires in Santa Barbara, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 25 April 2024.
  • Which car hire company is considered to be the best in Santa Barbara?

    Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, Avis (8.5 rating), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.1 rating) and Alamo (7.9 rating) seem to be the best car hire companies in Santa Barbara.

  • What are petrol prices like in Santa Barbara?

    The average price of petrol in Santa Barbara is $1.59/litre over the past month, costing you anywhere between $71 and $103 to fill up a car’s fuel tank.

  • How much does it cost to hire a car in Santa Barbara for a week from Dollar?

    Dollar is a popular option for travellers looking for car hire in Santa Barbara. You can expect the average cost of car hire to be about $548 per week.

  • How far in advance should I hire a car in Santa Barbara for the best price?

    Booking your car hire early can save you up to 36%. Aim to book your car hire at least 7 days in advance to take advantage of a below average price in Santa Barbara.

  • Can I rent a car for a month in Santa Barbara?

    Yes, hiring a vehicle in Santa Barbara for a month is certainly possible.

  • What car do most people hire in Santa Barbara?

    The majority of Cheapflights travellers prefer to hire a Standard (Hyundai Santa Fe) in Santa Barbara, making it the most popular option.

See more FAQs
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