Car hire at Mineta San Jose Airport from $46/day

Kia Soul

or similar Small

$47/day

Mitsubishi Mirage

or similar Small

$48/day

Kia Soul

or similar Small

$47/day

* These are the best rates found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours and may change

Useful Info

Most popular car type
Intermediate

KAYAK’s insights & trends for San Jose Airport car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in San Jose Airport with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in San Jose Airport?

You should book your car hire in San Jose Airport around 0 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best car hire company in San Jose Airport?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in San Jose Airport are Fox (6.7, 113 reviews), Alamo (8.6, 21 reviews), and Sixt (7.5, 26 reviews).

What is the most popular car to hire in San Jose Airport?

Full-size cars (Ford Transit or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to hire in San Jose Airport. Full-size cars in San Jose Airport cost $146/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as $114/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in San Jose Airport?

The cheapest month to hire a car in San Jose Airport is January at an average cost of $59/day. August is the most expensive month to hire a car in San Jose Airport when prices are $94/day on average, which tends to be 91% above the yearly average hire price for San Jose Airport.

Which rental car company has the most locations in in in?

Zeeba Rent-A-Van operates 3 locations in San Jose Airport, more than any other car hire company.

Find deals

Car rental at San Jose Airport (SJC) is convenient compared to other options because the airport is located right in the heart of Silicon Valley. A car rental from this airport gives you the opportunity to drive around and explore Silicon Valley at your pace. You can park your car rental at San Jose Airport securely and conveniently, which is why San Jose Airport remains such an excellent choice of destination when considering renting a car for your vacation or business trip.
The main car rental center at San Jose Airport is located on the lower level of Terminal A. From the arrivals hall, you can walk directly to the rental car center by going down the escalators. Alternatively, you can go to Terminal B or C for a few minutes and take the free shuttle bus service from there. The free bus service can be very handy if you are arriving at Terminal B or C.
Once you are through and need to return your rental car as per the terms of the rental agreement, you can do so at any of the car return booths. These are located in the parking lot and in Terminal B and C. You can also return your car at any of the other Rental Car Centers located outside SJC property, but you will be charged a fee for this service and it is not recommended if you can avoid it.
Beware that some car rental companies charge an advance reservation fee for booking your vehicle before your arrival at SJC. It is also possible to reserve a vehicle if you wish but there will be no upfront cost with this option. If reserving your vehicle in advance, you will have to find out the rental company's phone number and call them.
Book your car hire at Mineta San Jose Airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

What type of documentation is required to rent a car at SJC?
You will need to provide a valid driver's license and your credit card. If you are not renting the car from one of the international companies, then it is possible that other documentation may be required, such as an an international driver’s permit or passport. The exact list of requirements will depend on which company you rent with so ensure you check with the company before arriving. All renters are required to be at least 25 years of age and have held a driver's license for the last three years. Make sure to leave a copy of your driver’s license with the agent when you pick up the vehicle. You may need it if there is an issue in returning or picking up the car so have it on hand.
What amenities are available at San Jose Airport's car rental center?
The SJC car rental center is equipped with a gift shop, restaurant and other conveniences. Other amenities at or near the center include an ATM machine and plenty of seating for those waiting to pick up passengers or dealing with their luggage upon arrival. Most companies at the center offer client-friendly services like complimentary car washes and guaranteed airport shuttle buses.
What car rental companies offer free shuttle service at JSC?
Some car rental companies offer free shuttle service from SJC. The most prominent of these is National Car Rental, which offers a free bus transfer between terminals for all their customers. Additionally, you can find a free shuttle service for Avis and Enterprise at Terminal C. However, this does not mean that these companies offer free shuttle service for all their customers. There may be a charge if you do not book in advance or have the Gold Plus membership with them.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Mineta San Jose Airport?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Mineta San Jose Airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, and Sixt.

Fox

6.7

Okay

Read 113 reviews

Best rated

Cleanliness

6.9

Comfort

7.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.9

Value for money

6.9

One location in San Jose Airport

Locations in San Jose Airport

1659 Airport Boulevard

+1 408 709 2950

Monday	07:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	07:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	07:00 - 23:59
Thursday	07:00 - 23:59
Friday	07:00 - 23:59
Saturday	07:00 - 23:59
Sunday	07:00 - 23:59

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Full-size

Pickup took over an hour while other desks filled up and emptied in a quarter of the time. Not sure why the process was so lengthy.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Luxury

It was way better than I expected. Thank you for the great service.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Dec 2023

Intermediate

Much expensive

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Nov 2023

Full-size

Best priced rental car with no shuttle needed! Car is at the airport for easy pickup and drop off.

10.0 Wonderful

lillian, Sept 2023

People mover

Check in was easy. Friendly agent. Return to rent a car center was a breeze- follow airport signs and not goggle maps once you get to the airport. Car return agent was friendly. Walked across street to southwest terminal for flight.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, June 2023

Compact SUV

Our experience with Fox was wonderful. However, as it was our first time renting a car and our first time in California, we bought way more “packages” than needed. Next time, we will know before hand what is needed and what is not.

Alamo

8.6

Very Good

Read 21 reviews

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

8.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.4

Value for money

8.2

One location in San Jose Airport

Locations in San Jose Airport

1659 Airport Blvd

+1 844 370 8303

Monday	06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:00
Thursday	06:00 - 23:00
Friday	06:00 - 23:00
Saturday	06:00 - 23:00
Sunday	06:00 - 23:00

Filters

Reviews

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Dec 2024

Standard SUV

Right from the start of the rental the vehicle was indicating need of engine oil change. An indicator on engine oil efficiency was showing 0%.

10.0 Wonderful

Tim, Oct 2024

Intermediate SUV

The lady who helped me at 1045pm was great! The process was seamless and so easy! Car return was simple and quick. I would recommend Alamo at SJC!

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2024

Compact SUV

Pick up with debit at checkout

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, July 2024

People mover

Great experience in pick up p and drop off. I think the car was brand new, which was great, and awesome if it wasn't.

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, June 2024

Intermediate

Website says Alamo closes at 11 PM on Sunday. All flights into San Jose were delayed Sunday night, June 9. No options were listed for car pickup on your website. After a wait while the agent checked somethings, he told me to go to Enterprise, and the Alamo contract would be honored. And that is what happened. Might be helpful to put something on your website about your brother/sister agencies!

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, June 2024

Intermediate SUV

Quick pickup and drop off. Nice people. Clean and smoke smell free car.

Sixt

7.5

Good

Read 26 reviews

Cleanliness

8.1

Comfort

7.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.6

Value for money

7.4

One location in San Jose Airport

Locations in San Jose Airport

1659 Airport Blvd

+1 888 749 8227

Monday	07:00 - 23:59
Tuesday	07:00 - 23:59
Wednesday	07:00 - 23:59
Thursday	07:00 - 23:59
Friday	07:00 - 23:59
Saturday	07:00 - 23:59
Sunday	07:00 - 23:59

Filters

Reviews

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Apr 2025

Intermediate SUV

Too much fees

2.0 Poor

Fabian, May 2024

Intermediate SUV

Car rental was fine. Don't use affirm to pay as sixt requires you to use the card you paid with for a deposit upon pickup and was not able to process it so I had to use my own debit card and now I'm trying to dispute the charge with affirm since I paid out of my own pocket

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Standard SUV

One of the employees helped me figure out how to put the back row down to put in my luggage. Very helpful

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Intermediate SUV

I ended up canceling my reservation because of the unhelpful conduct of the sixt employee at the rental counter.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2022

Smooth process from the rental desk to the vehicle pickup and the return process.

4.0 Mediocre

sharrin, Oct 2022

the agents were slow and no helpful much. no real assistance in pick up of car.

Dollar

7.2

Good

Read 18 reviews

Cleanliness

8.2

Comfort

8.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.1

Value for money

7.4

One location in San Jose Airport

Locations in San Jose Airport

1659 Airport Blvd

+1 408 999 6561

Monday	06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:00
Thursday	06:00 - 23:00
Friday	06:00 - 23:00
Saturday	06:00 - 23:00
Sunday	06:00 - 23:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Full-size SUV

Everything is good

6.0 Okay

Thomas, Apr 2021

Pros:

The car was clean and the price was very fair. However, see below...

Cons:

I rented a certain class for not only the luxury comfort, but for the size. However, Dollar did not have the car I rented. They first tried to down grade me to a lower class, but larger car. I did not think this was fair so I did not agree. We went through the options and I explained, due to having two of my elder uncles with me and their need for a larger car, I needed something larger. Eventually a larger car was offered, but at a much higher rate. Again, I did not agree as a car in my category should have been available to me. Eventually I was offered another luxury vehicle (supposedly in the same class), but much smaller and the entire weekend we had difficulty getting my uncles in and out of it. Due to the inability to have a car ready for me in the class I rented I would have preferred the “upgrade” to an adequate car but the agent would not agree without additional payment to which I did not think was fair.

Budget

6.3

Okay

Read 48 reviews

Cleanliness

7.6

Comfort

7.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.5

Value for money

6.2

One location in San Jose Airport

Locations in San Jose Airport

1659 Airport Boulevard, Ste 3

+1 408 286 7850

Monday	06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:00
Thursday	06:00 - 23:00
Friday	06:00 - 23:00
Saturday	06:00 - 23:00
Sunday	06:00 - 23:00

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, June 2025

Supplier choice

All good but EV car charging is expensive and slow. No more EV promo :(

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, June 2025

Supplier choice

Pickup at SJC a nightmare

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Feb 2025

Open-air all-terrain

Gas charge, got fixed by customer support.

4.0 Mediocre

M. Jamshed, Dec 2024

Intermediate SUV

I was given the vehicle half full. I realized this after picking up the vehicle. Didn't want to go back and argue with the staff on Christmas eve, so continued with my journey.

2.0 Poor

Anonymous, Dec 2024

Intermediate SUV

The reservation was not honored when I showed up at the rental store.

6.0 Okay

Anonymous, Dec 2024

Passenger van

Staff was very friendly and helpful, vehicle was not in good condition. The “needs oil” light was on, the rear right brake light and turn signal did not work which made it very stressful and dangerous to be driving especially at night in extremely heavy traffic thru Los Angeles. Trying to change lanes without a working blinker was very stressful and dangerous especially with a vehicle of this size (12 passenger van ). Daily maintenance checks on these standard yet important functions should be required

National

10.0

Wonderful

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in San Jose Airport

Locations in San Jose Airport

1659 Airport Blvd Ste 8

+1 844 370 8304

Monday	06:00 - 23:00
Tuesday	06:00 - 23:00
Wednesday	06:00 - 23:00
Thursday	06:00 - 23:00
Friday	06:00 - 23:00
Saturday	06:00 - 23:00
Sunday	06:00 - 23:00