Deals from rental companies in 70,000+ locations.
Economy | $19/day |
Compact | $28/day |
Intermediate | $24/day |
Standard | $23/day |
Full-size | $30/day |
Minivan | $33/day |
Full-size SUV | $29/day |
Premium SUV | $40/day |
Intermediate SUV | $34/day |
Standard SUV | $38/day |
The Santa Cruz airport (SJC) is a good ways northeast of the city. There are multiple options for transportation from the airport to the car-rental center. Renting a car from the airport may be one of the best solutions. Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National are the rental businesses available at the airport. The rental-vehicle center is directly across the road from the airport terminals, while a complimentary airport shuttle is also available to transport people to different locations. You can also take a taxi or a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber to travel from the terminal to the rental-car center. Taxis and rideshare services are available outside the baggage claim in the ground transportation area. Taking a bus is another alternative. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) offers a bus from the airport to Santa Cruz, stopping at the Santa Cruz Metro Center. You can then take the local bus to the car-rental center.
You'll need a driver's license and a credit card when renting a car in Santa Cruz, California. Your home state or country's driver's license should be in English, or otherwise, you must have an international driver's permit. Also required is proof of insurance, which can be either your private insurance or a plan acquired through the rental-car company. Make sure you know if your vehicle’s insurance coverage will cover a rental car. Rental-car agencies might ask for additional verification, like a passport or proof of residency. Before picking up your rental car, call the agency to find out what forms of identification are needed.
Several essential laws will be of primary importance to you when you drive in Santa Cruz, California. All drivers and passengers in a moving vehicle must wear safety belts at all times. According to the law, using a mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited. When you’re behind the wheel, you may only use hands-free devices. Pay attention to local speed limits, which may differ from city to city. Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol is against the law. In the state of California, the BAC limit for driving is 0.08%. California also has a statute mandating the use of hands-free equipment while operating a motor vehicle. Make sure that your rental car follows the state's demanding gas-emissions laws before you hit the road in California.
Yes, it is possible to take a rental vehicle from Santa Cruz, California, to other states, regions, or even countries, but the specifics are subject to the policies of the rental-car company, as well as the conditions of your rental agreement. You should give the rental-car company advance notice if you have plans to go outside of California; inquire first about any limitations or additional costs associated with doing so. When renting a car from some companies, you’ll find that you’re subject to certain driving restrictions if you leave the state, or you might be required to obtain additional insurance coverage. If you intend to drive to a country outside the USA, you will need to get the green light first with the rental company. The agency will determine whether you may cross international borders and what kind of additional information is necessary. You may also need to acquire an international driver's permit or buy specific insurance coverage.
Small cars | $46 - $81 | |
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All Car Types | $62 - $97 |
The average price of a small car rental in Santa Cruz, the United States is $59. The cheapest time to rent a small car in Santa Cruz, the United States is in January. The price is 24% lower than the rest of the year at just $46 per day. A small car rental is typically 25% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Cruz. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Cruz can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Cruz small car rentals found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a medium car rental in Santa Cruz, the United States is $69. The cheapest time to rent a medium car in Santa Cruz, the United States is in February. The price is 20% lower than the rest of the year at just $56 per day. A medium car rental is typically 12% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Cruz. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Cruz can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Cruz medium car rentals found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a large car rental in Santa Cruz, the United States is $99. The cheapest time to rent a large car in Santa Cruz, the United States is in February. The price is 31% lower than the rest of the year at just $69 per day. A large car rental is typically 21% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Cruz. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Cruz can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Cruz large car rentals found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a SUV rental in Santa Cruz, the United States is $80. The cheapest time to rent a SUV in Santa Cruz, the United States is in November. The price is 30% lower than the rest of the year at just $56 per day. A SUV rental is typically 2% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Cruz. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Cruz can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Cruz SUV rentals found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a van rental in Santa Cruz, the United States is $135. The cheapest time to rent a van in Santa Cruz, the United States is in February. The price is 27% lower than the rest of the year at just $100 per day. A van rental is typically 42% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Cruz. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Cruz can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car. Below are the best prices for Santa Cruz van rentals found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a pickup truck rental in Santa Cruz, the United States is $65. The cheapest time to rent a pickup truck in Santa Cruz, the United States is in August. The price is 4% lower than the rest of the year at just $64 per day. A pickup truck rental is typically 17% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Cruz. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Cruz can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car.
The average price of a luxury car rental in Santa Cruz, the United States is $75. The cheapest time to rent a luxury car in Santa Cruz, the United States is in March. The price is 29% lower than the rest of the year at just $54 per day. A luxury car rental is typically 4% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Cruz. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Cruz can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car.
The average price of a convertible rental in Santa Cruz, the United States is $96. The cheapest time to rent a convertible in Santa Cruz, the United States is in July. The price is 57% lower than the rest of the year at just $42 per day. A convertible rental is typically 19% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Cruz. The average price of a vehicle rental in Santa Cruz can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your rental car.
$19/day
1 Apr - 15 Apr$28/day
1 Apr - 15 Apr$37/day
25 Mar - 29 AprHertz
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Most Popular Agency | Hertz |
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Popular Car Types | Economy, SUV, Intermediate |
Cheapest Rental Car | $32 |
Most Popular Model | Volkswagen Golf |
Nearby attractions:
Nickelodeon Theatre | 48.8 mi | |
Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Laboratory | 49.4 mi | |
Main Beach | 49.5 mi | |
Natural Bridges State Park | 49.6 mi |
Nearby attractions:
Nickelodeon Theatre | 27.4 mi | |
Main Beach | 28.0 mi | |
Natural Bridges State Park | 29.3 mi | |
Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Laboratory | 29.4 mi |
Nearby attractions:
Nickelodeon Theatre | 52.1 mi | |
Main Beach | 52.8 mi | |
Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Laboratory | 53.2 mi | |
Natural Bridges State Park | 53.3 mi |
To rent a car in Santa Cruz for a weekend in April, we found prices as low as $29 with an average of $65. For a one-week car rental, Santa Cruz prices in April average $47 with the best deals starting at $20.
The majority of car rental agencies in Santa Cruz offer free cancellation. momondo will always tell you whether or not rental car centers such as Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Avis have a cancellation fee for travelers who have last-minute itinerary changes.
A Standard car is the ideal car to rent when visiting Santa Cruz in April. On average, Santa Cruz receives 0.8″ of precipitation and temperatures hover around 59 °F during the month of April. These conditions are well-suited for a standard, which can easily handle a bit of rain and even hold up well when temperatures fall. Renting a Standard in Santa Cruz will cost you $65/day on average.
Travelers who rent a car in Santa Cruz should be aware that the city’s speed limit is 25 mph. Suburban speed limits around Santa Cruz are generally 75 mph, whereas speed limits on highways are 75 mph. Keep in mind that speeds may change depending on what road you’re traveling on, so be on the lookout for posted signage.
Hertz has Jeep Grand Cherokee rentals available in Santa Cruz for $91/day on average. Availability for the Jeep Grand Cherokee rental in Santa Cruz may vary, so try not to schedule your car rental last-minute.The agency also has other SUV car rentals available, like the Lincoln Continental, in Santa Cruz if you’re unable to book the Jeep Grand Cherokee rental.
In March, Santa Cruz usually gets 4.3″ of precipitation and has an average temperature of 53.6 °F. This information can be very helpful when looking at rental cars in Santa Cruz as it can help you make the best decision.
The climate in California during March is usually 57.2 °F with an expected 2.2″ of precipitation throughout the month. Those looking to rent a car and leave from Santa Cruz on a road trip to the surrounding area should take note of this information.
Prices for cars in Santa Cruz were last updated today.
The number of operators available for cars in Santa Cruz is 16 as of March 2024.
Age requirements for drivers vary depending on the country, including Santa Cruz. In several EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. Generally, to rent a car overseas, you must be at least 21 years old, and if you're under 25, you may be charged a young driver surcharge. It's recommended that you review the policy of your preferred rental company before booking.
When renting a car in Santa Cruz, all drivers must present a full valid driving license. An International Driving Permit is required if the driving license is written in a language different to that of the country of rental and may be necessary to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you are renting abroad, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. We always recommend checking with the individual rental company you are booking with.
momondo finds and compares thousands of car rental websites to provide you with the best selection of policies and car rentals in Santa Cruz. Finding a rental car is quick and free of charge, so using momondo for your booking makes sense.
Once you have performed a search for a car rental in Santa Cruz, momondo will show the results and enable you to find the best deal by using our filters; here you can narrow your search down by vehicle type, price, agencies and a multitude of policies that can apply.
Of course! momondo has a dedicated filter for users to specifically look at car rentals in Santa Cruz which offer free cancellation.
Fair fuel policies are specifically available to select on momondo, allowing you to refine your search for rental cars in Santa Cruz.
You can specifically filter for enhanced cleaning on rental cars in Santa Cruz on momondo.
Yes, unlimited mileage options can be found on rental cars in Santa Cruz on momondo.