Useful insights to help you book the perfect car hire in Santa Barbara
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What is the cheapest car hire agency in Santa Barbara?
The cheapest car hire in Santa Barbara are generally found through Budget. When booking with Budget, you may be able to find car hire prices for as low as £20/day. The average price to hire a car in Santa Barbara is £25/day.
What car do most people hire in Santa Barbara?
Toyota RAV4 hire and Chevrolet Colorado hire in Santa Barbara are the two most popular car models, according to our data. Toyota RAV4 hire prices in Santa Barbara can vary depending on what company you hire from, but our users have found that prices average £33/day and can be as low as £24/day. Chevrolet Colorado hire prices can also vary, but tend to average £46/day, with the cheapest deals as low as £46/day.
Santa Barbara, California car hire deals found on momondo
Find the car hire in Santa Barbara that's right for you
Small cars
£23 - £69
All Car Types
£30 - £61
The average price of a small car hire in Santa Barbara, the United States is £35. The cheapest time to hire a small car in Santa Barbara, the United States is in August. The price is 35% lower than the rest of the year at just £23 per day. A small car rental is typically 13% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a car hire in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara small car hire found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a medium car hire in Santa Barbara, the United States is £37. The cheapest time to hire a medium car in Santa Barbara, the United States is in June. The price is 22% lower than the rest of the year at just £30 per day. A medium car rental is typically 5% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a car hire in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara medium car hire found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a large car hire in Santa Barbara, the United States is £37. The cheapest time to hire a large car in Santa Barbara, the United States is in October. The price is 38% lower than the rest of the year at just £23 per day. A large car rental is typically 8% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a car hire in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara large car hire found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a SUV hire in Santa Barbara, the United States is £34. The cheapest time to hire a SUV in Santa Barbara, the United States is in October. The price is 24% lower than the rest of the year at just £26 per day. A SUV rental is typically 15% less expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a car hire in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire. Below are the best prices for Santa Barbara SUV hire found on momondo in the past week.
The average price of a convertible hire in Santa Barbara, the United States is £42. The cheapest time to hire a convertible in Santa Barbara, the United States is in November. The price is 10% lower than the rest of the year at just £39 per day. A convertible rental is typically 7% more expensive than the average rental car in Santa Barbara. The average price of a car hire in Santa Barbara can vary based on a number of factors including supply, popularity of the vehicle, and how far out you book your car hire.
Excellent customer service at the Santa Barbara airport location.
2.0
Poor|May 2023
Didn’t have the car I ordered. Car they gave me hadn’t been cleaned and it was blocked in by 5 other cars, so took 30 minutes to get out.
10.0
Wonderful|Apr 2023
Friendly helpful staff
2.0
Poor|Mar 2023
We asked for no insurance as we carry our own. It was added and at $25 a day it added 25% to our total bill. As a courtesy the return assistant deducted $40.
Able to pick up downtown Santa Barbara on a Saturday. Friendly staff, easy pick up and drop off, brand new car (1700 mi). No hassle rental.
10.0
Wonderful|Sept 2022
Easy pick and up and drop off. New and clean car, gas tank full, great experience as always!
8.0
Very Good|Jul 2022
The pick up line was pretty Long at SBC. Attendant worked as best as able with number of people.
10.0
Wonderful|Jul 2022
Seth was excellent
6.0
Okay|Jul 2022
Loved the Mustang. Perfect car for a California road trip. I had reserved a convertible, however, and because I arrived 6 hours after my reserved pick-up time, I had to settle for a hardtop. My fault (though I really had no idea about timing when I booked the trip months ago), but I felt a bit overcharged paying the same price as a convertible. Sure, Avis puts them in the same class, but obviously, convertibles are far rarer as leased vehicles and should cost more. That's life, I guess. My other comment is I dearly wish Avis rented vehicles with manual transmissions. I realize it's a dying breed because fat, lazy Americans only know how to drive automatics, but why encourage such sloth? Distinguish yourselves in the marketplace by offering a few sticks. At purchase, such cars are a bit cheaper anyway, and you can rent them for the same or more than an automatic, so it's win-win for everyone. Giving in to American tastes is just lowering the bar. These people still buy minivans and eat at McDonald's, and no one ever went broke underestimating consumers in this nation. All of which is to say, offer more manuals, please.
They were short cars but still made sure I got a nice car and on my way. Very nice at the Santa Barbara location and Santa Maria as well. Thank you. Both agents super helpful.
10.0
Wonderful|Apr 2023
Great team. Thanks!
2.0
Poor|Nov 2022
They did not have a car available and we could not reach our destination as scheduled. Our vacation was ruined.
4.0
Mediocre|Oct 2022
The car we had reserved was not available and the only other car was a mini-van. We went to another car rental agency.
6.0
Okay|Jun 2022
Was ok.. was told didnt have a van at first then i got a bit bothered and a van showed up.. lady that helped me at last was nice
10.0
Wonderful|Apr 2022
The staff was fantastic! Did not get his name but he was superior! He had been there a year& he us currently assistant manager! Tall very sociable knowledgeable person! Will try to get his name & send in to you!
Terrible booking , no explanation why I could not book , left counter walked next counter to hertz to get a car … Fk Alamo
10.0
Wonderful|Aug 2022
easy processing. great staff.
1.9
Poor|Sept 2021
Despite having a confirmed reservation, there was no cars available to me when I arrived at the counter. I was referred to a competitor at the next door counter where I ended up paying more, but at least I got a car!
5.9
Fair|Aug 2021
My rental car was not clean on the inside or outside. I’m not as concerned with the outside because I understand that’s harder to control, but I expected the inside to be spotless given the current state of the world. Instead, it was dusty, had sticky spots from a spilled beverage (I’m assuming), & dirt footprints throughout the car, such as on the passenger side (where I have not been sitting, or had a passenger). Additionally, there were no disinfecting wipes in the car for me to use to clean, which I’ve received in other rentals during the pandemic, so I had to use the ones I’d packed myself to clean the inside of the car to my comfort. It felt as if the car had just been dropped off by the previous renter, then handed off to me. I know there is a rental car shortage, & cars are in much higher demand right now as travel resumes, but as a renter I would hope that my safety is the highest priority! Adding this on top of what I paid for this rental car, I will not rent from Alamo again.
2.0
Poor|Jun 2021
I only had a debit card, no notes were given on needing a actual credit card online ( unless you are flying into SB airport lol) but was told that the down town location would take debit. ( which makes no sense.) Desk person would not help call downtown location to see if they had any vehicles like I had reserved at the airport location. Not willing to help. Poor customer service.
Learn everything there is to know about hiring a car in Santa Barbara so you can be properly prepared for your next trip
Is there a fee to cancel my Santa Barbara, California car hire?
When you hire a car in Santa Barbara, popular agencies such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget, and Hertz will generally offer free cancellation. While momondo does not have any control over cancellation policies for rental cars in Santa Barbara, we can help you find the cheapest car to hire for your upcoming trip.
What is the best type of car to hire in Santa Barbara during September?
During the month of September in Santa Barbara, temperatures hover around 16 °C - which is perfect for hiring a convertible. With precipitation only averaging 10 mm during September in Santa Barbara, a convertible will allow you to truly enjoy the sites while cruising down the streets. Keep in mind that you may want to check the weather before your trip, just in case. Hiring a Convertible in Santa Barbara will cost you £60/day on average.
What is the speed limit in Santa Barbara, California?
Travellers who hire a car in Santa Barbara should be aware that the city’s speed limit is 25 mph. Suburban speed limits around Santa Barbara are generally 75 mph, whereas speed limits on motorways are 75 mph. Keep in mind that speeds may change depending on what road you’re travelling on, so be on the lookout for posted signage.
What car hire company has the Jeep Compass in Santa Barbara?
Dollar is the most popular car hire company offering Jeep Compass hire in Santa Barbara. The cost to hire the Jeep Compass from Dollar is £32/day on average.The agency also has other SUV car hires available, like the Chevrolet Equinox, in Santa Barbara if you’re unable to book the Jeep Compass hire.
What is the weather like in Santa Barbara, CA in August?
In August, Santa Barbara usually gets 0 mm of precipitation and has an average temperature of 17 °C. This information can be very helpful when looking at hire cars in Santa Barbara as it can help you make the best decision.
Is the weather in Santa Barbara similar to the rest of California?
Travellers looking to leave from Santa Barbara on a road trip around California or the surrounding areas during the month of August should expect temperatures around 23 °C and about 1.9 mm of possible rain through the month.
When did momondo last update prices for cars in Santa Barbara?
Prices for cars in Santa Barbara were last updated today.
How many operators does momondo search for cars in Santa Barbara?
There are 12 operators available for cars in Santa Barbara as of August 2025.
How old do you have to be to hire a car in Santa Barbara?
The minimum age for drivers varies by country, including Santa Barbara. In numerous EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. To rent a car overseas, you'll generally need to be at least 21, and if you're under 25, a young driver surcharge may be applied. We advise that you read the policy of your chosen rental company before making a reservation.
What documentation or ID do you need to rent a car in Santa Barbara?
All drivers must have a valid full driving license when renting a car in Santa Barbara. If the license is written in a different language from the country of rental, an International Driving Permit may be required to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you're renting a car overseas, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. It is always advisable to check with the individual rental company you're booking with.
Travelling to a place near Santa Barbara?
Hire a car at Santa Barbara if you plan to visit one of these locations
Malibu
Carpinteria
Universal City
Agoura Hills
Big Bear Lake
Stanton
Downey
Redondo Beach
Carson
Sherman Oaks
Encinitas
Laguna Beach
Garden Grove
Marina del Rey
Goleta
Manhattan Beach
Cerritos
Norwalk
Woodland Hills
Dana Point
Why use momondo?
Why should I use momondo to book a car hire in Santa Barbara?
momondo finds and compares thousands of car hire websites to provide you with the best selection of policies and car hire in Santa Barbara. Finding a car hire is quick and free of charge, so using momondo for your booking makes sense.
How does momondo help me find the best car hire deal in Santa Barbara?
momondo helps you find the best car hire deal in Santa Barbara by allowing you to filter results by price, capacity, car features, drop off, pick-up location and many more.
Does momondo show car hire deals in Santa Barbara with free cancellation?
Yes, momondo allows you to filter specifically for car hire companies in Santa Barbara offering free cancellation.
Can I hire a car with a fair fuel policy in Santa Barbara on momondo?
Fair fuel policies are specifically available to select on momondo, allowing you to refine your search for car hire in Santa Barbara.
Can I find a car hire in Santa Barbara which offers enhanced cleaning on momondo?
You certainly can. momondo has a dedicated filter for enhanced cleaning services for all car hire locations including Santa Barbara.
Can I search for car hire in Santa Barbara with unlimited mileage on momondo?
Yes, car hire deals in Santa Barbara with unlimited mileage can be found on momondo.
An easier way to manage your Santa Barbara trip
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