SAN Rental Car Guide: San Diego International Airport
Renting a car at San Diego International Airport (SAN) in San Diego, California. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at SAN that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at SAN
Consolidated rental facility 1.5 miles from terminals, reached by free CONRAC shuttle (10 minutes).
CONRAC shuttle stops at every terminal door 7. Free, every 5 minutes.
SAN pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $55-$80 economy, $100-$160 SUV (cheapest of major California airports).
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 11.11%, customer facility charge $9/day, CA state tax 7.75% + tourism fee 3.5%.
That means a $50/day economy rental at SAN actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at SAN
SAN hosts 11 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Sixt
- Fox
- Payless
Best for premium service: Hertz (largest fleet)
Cheapest base rates: Fox (typically 25% below majors)
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
SAN-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
SAN CONRAC is fast. Off-airport rarely worth the time savings.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Mission Valley (15 min) for cheaper week+ rentals.
How to save the most at SAN
- Compare across all 11 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at SAN.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at SAN?
Consolidated rental facility 1.5 miles from terminals, reached by free CONRAC shuttle (10 minutes). CONRAC shuttle stops at every terminal door 7. Free, every 5 minutes.
What is the average rental car price at SAN?
$55-$80 economy, $100-$160 SUV (cheapest of major California airports). Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at SAN?
Concession recovery 11.11%, customer facility charge $9/day, CA state tax 7.75% + tourism fee 3.5%. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at SAN?
For premium fleet and reliability: Hertz (largest fleet). For cheapest base rates: Fox (typically 25% below majors). Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from SAN?
SAN CONRAC is fast. Off-airport rarely worth the time savings. Specifically: Mission Valley (15 min) for cheaper week+ rentals.
Are there any quirks to renting at SAN?
SAN is one of the few airports where the rental car center is across a major highway from the terminal. Free shuttles run continuously, but allow 30 min for return.