Cheapflights insights for Santa Barbara car hires
Get relevant, data-driven information to help you hire a car in Santa Barbara, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should I hire a car in Santa Barbara?
Book your car hire in Santa Barbara 87 days before your pickup date to maximise your savings. Car hire prices are around $78/day on average when booked 87 days ahead, which saves you 18% off the average price.
What is the best car rental company in Santa Barbara?
Based on Cheapflights user feedback, the highest-rated car hire company in Santa Barbara is Budget (rated 6.8/10 with 49 reviews). Avis (rated 8.6/10 with 16 reviews) is also highly rated by our users.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Santa Barbara?
Planning to hire a car in Santa Barbara? February is the cheapest month, costing about $90 per day. In contrast, July is the most expensive, with an average daily rate of $111. Monthly average car hire prices are listed below. Remember, prices can change based on when you book, the type of car, and availability.
January
$91
February
$90
March
$96
April
$97
May
$93
June
$106
July
$111
August
$100
September
$102
October
$102
November
$99
December
$102
What car do most people hire in Santa Barbara?
Economy cars (Kia Rio or similar) are the most popular option for those visiting Santa Barbara. Compact cars (Ford Focus or similar) are also a popular choice, followed by SUV cars (Ford Edge or similar).
Which car hire company has the most locations in Santa Barbara?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 3 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Avis has the second-highest number of locations in Santa Barbara at 2.
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 2 July 2025.
Choose from the top car hire agencies available in Santa Barbara, including Budget, Avis and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Be sure to do your research on pricing, reviews, pickup locations, and other important criteria before choosing.
Budget
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Avis
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car
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Alamo
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Hertz
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National
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Dollar
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 2 July 2025.
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 $342 per week.
Can I rent a car for a month in Santa Barbara?
Yes, hiring a vehicle in Santa Barbara for a month is certainly possible.