KAYAK’s insights & trends for Santa Barbara car hire
Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Santa Barbara with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in Santa Barbara?
You should book your car hire in Santa Barbara around 88 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the most popular car to hire in Santa Barbara?
Hires in the SUV category (Dodge Durango or similar) are the most popular option in Santa Barbara, costing $105/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as $51/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Santa Barbara?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Santa Barbara is January at an average cost of $78/day. March is the most expensive month to hire a car in Santa Barbara when prices are $98/day on average, which tends to be 7% above the yearly average hire price for Santa Barbara.
Which car hire company in Santa Barbara has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 3 locations in Santa Barbara, more than any other car hire company.
Santa Barbara car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in Santa Barbara by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
SUV
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
$66 - $83
All Car Types
$104 - $136
How much does it cost to hire a small car in Santa Barbara?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Santa Barbara?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in Santa Barbara?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Santa Barbara?
How much does it cost to hire a van in Santa Barbara?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Santa Barbara?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Santa Barbara?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in Santa Barbara?
Small car hire in Santa Barbara typically costs around $75 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $66 per day, which is about 12% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 39% cheaper than the average car hire in Santa Barbara, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in Santa Barbara typically costs around $98 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $82 per day, which is about 17% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 20% cheaper than the average car hire in Santa Barbara, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in Santa Barbara typically cost around $103 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $87 per day, which is about 16% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 16% cheaper than the average car hire in Santa Barbara, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV hire in Santa Barbara typically costs around $132 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $110 per day, which is about 17% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 8% more expensive than the average car hire in Santa Barbara but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van hire in Santa Barbara typically costs around $202 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average $175 per day, which is about 14% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 40% more expensive than the average car hire in Santa Barbara but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in Santa Barbara typically costs around $111 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $83 per day, which is about 26% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 10% cheaper than the average car hire in Santa Barbara, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in Santa Barbara typically costs around $140 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $116 per day, which is about 18% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 13% more expensive than the average car hire in Santa Barbara but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in Santa Barbara typically costs around $153 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average $134 per day, which is about 13% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 21% more expensive than the average car hire in Santa Barbara but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular car type
Small
Santa Barbara car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
Insights shared by verified travellers who hired a car in Santa Barbara
The airport location provides the best selection of both agencies and cars, especially with the newly renovated rental car area. The in-town locations may be more convenient, but they are often more expensive.
Verified travelerJune 2024
First go to the airport desk, don't head to the parking lot. They don't have signs about this.
sabrinaOct 2023
The signage of Avis in SB is a little tricky to find. The parked cars are located around the corner on the back side of some hedges… friendly and efficient service.
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Santa Barbara
A hire car is the most comfortable and practical way to explore not only the city of Santa Barbara, but also nearby Los Angeles and other major destinations along the Californian coast. A car allows you to explore the city’s attractions at your own pace, including the Santa Barbara Harbor and the Maritime Museum. Los Angeles is a two-hour drive away, while San Francisco is five hours away.
All of the big car hire companies, including Alamo, Avis, and Hertz, can be found at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), which is about 7 miles west of the city center. The hire car counters are located in the hire Car Building, which is right next to the airport terminal. Simply exit the terminal, go right, and follow the RCB signs.
Santa Barbara is at the base of the Santa Ynez Mountains, with some roads being quite hilly. Because it’s a colonial town, it still maintains some of its older characteristics, including narrow cobblestone streets with winding turns. If you’re not used to that type of driving, it’s best to park the car in one of the many lots and explore the Old Town by foot.
Traffic jams in California are a given, but Santa Barbara is easier to navigate. Traffic gets worse in the morning on the 101 heading north to Santa Barbara from other towns such as Carpinteria and Ventura, and on the opposite direction in the evening. Avoid driving within the rush hour periods, between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and then again between 4 and 7 p.m.
Small hire cars in Santa Barbara are around 31% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Santa Barbara
What type of car is recommended for driving in Santa Barbara?
A hybrid car is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while driving through Santa Barbara, but a convertible is a great option when cruising along the coast, especially in the summer, as you can drop the top and enjoy some scenic views. If you're going on a road trip with family or friends, a minivan offers more comfort and space for all the passengers.
What’s the speed limit in Santa Barbara?
The speed limit in Californian cities is usually 25 mph, unless the posted signs say otherwise, particularly in school zones and other residential areas. Two-lane highways have a speed limit of 55 mph, while most highways have a 65 mph limit. However, some highways allow drivers to go a maximum speed of 70 mph.
Where are the best places to park in Santa Barbara?
There are several parking lots in the downtown and waterfront areas. Downtown parking also provides access to State Street and its surroundings, the Old Town, and the Waterfront areas. Parking is paid between 7:30 a.m. and 11 p.m., Sunday to Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The first 75 minutes are free and the following hours have a $1.50 hourly rate.
Which car hire agencies are at Los Angeles airport (LAX)?
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, June 2026
Intermediate SUV
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
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
Nothing
10.0 Wonderful
Margaret, Oct 2025
Luxury
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
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
Monday
09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 17:00
Thursday
09:00 - 17:00
Friday
09:00 - 17:00
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
Locations in Santa Barbara
305 East Haley Street
+1 805 965 1079
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Saturday
08:00 - 14:00
Sunday
10:00 - 16:00
500 Fowler Road
+1 805 964 4848
Monday
08:00 - 21:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 21:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 21:00
Thursday
08:00 - 21:00
Friday
08:00 - 21:00
Saturday
08:00 - 18:00
Sunday
08:00 - 21:00
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Tariq, Dec 2025
Compact SUV
Good
4.0 Mediocre
Ahmed, Oct 2024
Economy
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, Sept 2024
Intermediate
Car could have been cleaner inside. Otherwise all was good.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Feb 2024
Intermediate
Great!
1 out of 5
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8.7
Very Good
Cleanliness
8.7
Comfort
8.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.3
Value for money
8.4
3 locations in Santa Barbara
Locations in Santa Barbara
3210 State St
+1 805 966 3097
Opening times not available
500 James Fowler Rd
+1 805 683 3012
Monday
08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 22:00
Thursday
08:00 - 22:00
Friday
08:00 - 22:00
Saturday
08:00 - 22:00
Sunday
08:00 - 22:00
601 Chapala St
+1 805 966 3097
Monday
08:00 - 17:30
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:30
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:30
Thursday
08:00 - 17:30
Friday
08:00 - 17:30
Saturday
09:00 - 13:00
Sunday
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Robert, Oct 2024
Economy
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
Easy to reserve online, location is close by.
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, Oct 2023
Standard SUV
The employees went out of their way to make this a super easy, efficient and pleasant experience.
10.0 Wonderful
Rebecca, Sept 2023
Standard
Car needed a vacuum, windows were dirty inside. Outside was kinda dirty.
1 out of 4
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
Locations in Santa Barbara
500 James Fowler Rd
+1 805 692 0939
Monday
08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 22:00
Thursday
08:00 - 22:00
Friday
08:00 - 22:00
Saturday
08:00 - 22:00
Sunday
08:00 - 22:00
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2025
Standard SUV
Alamo didn't have the car i reserved. Didn’t have any cars for that matter.
1 out of 2
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
Monday
08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 22:00
Thursday
08:00 - 22:00
Friday
08:00 - 22:00
Saturday
08:00 - 22:00
Sunday
08:00 - 22:00
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Anonymous, June 2024
Intermediate
Amazing!
1 out of 1
Dollar
5.0
Fair
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
4.0
Value for money
5.0
One location in Santa Barbara
Locations in Santa Barbara
500 Fowler Road
+1 866 434 2226
Monday
07:00 - 21:00
Tuesday
07:00 - 21:00
Wednesday
07:00 - 21:00
Thursday
07:00 - 21:00
Friday
07:00 - 21:00
Saturday
07:00 - 18:00
Sunday
07:00 - 18:00
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Anonymous, Apr 2024
Economy
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
Monday
07:00 - 21:00
Tuesday
07:00 - 21:00
Wednesday
07:00 - 21:00
Thursday
07:00 - 21:00
Friday
07:00 - 21:00
Saturday
07:00 - 18:00
Sunday
07:00 - 18:00
Filters
No reviews available
156 travellers who hired a car in Santa Barbara gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5.7
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