Santa Barbara

Cheap Car Rentals in Santa Barbara from $21

Santa Barbara, CA
Wed 12/13
Noon
Wed 12/20
Noon
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Santa Barbara car rentals in 2023

Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car rental in Santa Barbara. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on December 6, 2023.

Most popular company

HERTZ

Price of gas per gallon

$3.52

Average price per day

$57

Cheapest price per day

$29

What is the cheapest time to rent a car in Santa Barbara?

Discover the most affordable period to rent a car in Santa Barbara and save money on your trip. The monthly average price data is based on historical data over the last year and was last updated on December 6, 2023.

January

$58

February

$64

March

$65

April

$63

May

$56

June

$62

July

$64

August

$60

September

$58

October

$58

November

$53

December

$65

Currently, the cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Barbara is November. The most expensive time to rent a car is March. The cheapest prices for each month are shown above, but prices will vary based on availability, how far out you book your rental car, and of course, car type.

Popular car types in Santa Barbara

Explore the most popular car models available for rent in Santa Barbara and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car rental companies and was last updated on December 6, 2023.

medium car is the cheapest car type you can rent in Santa Barbara this past week from 13 rental locations out of 7 rental agencies. Prices for a Santa Barbara medium car rental start from $21/day. Check out available deals for 7 car types currently offered at listed car rental agencies here:

Compare available car types for rental in Santa Barbara

Compare and contrast the various car types offered for rental in Santa Barbara to find the perfect fit for your trip. Price data is based on averages over the last 12 months and was last updated on December 6, 2023.

Small cars

$51 - $82

All Car Types

$87 - $108

To rent a small car in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $63/day. November is the cheapest month to rent a small car in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$51/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is June (~$82/day). In fact, November is about 20% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a small car rental for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Santa Barbara, renting a small car saves you 37% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Santa Barbara small car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a medium car in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $73/day. June is the cheapest month to rent a medium car in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$61/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is March (~$89/day). In fact, June is about 17% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a medium car rental for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Santa Barbara, renting a medium car saves you 27% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Santa Barbara medium car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a large car in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $108/day. January is the cheapest month to rent a large car in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$97/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is September (~$135/day). In fact, January is about 11% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a large car rental for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Santa Barbara, renting a large car is 9% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Santa Barbara large car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a SUV in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $90/day. June is the cheapest month to rent a SUV in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$68/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is March (~$112/day). In fact, June is about 25% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a SUV rental for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Santa Barbara, renting a SUV saves you 10% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Santa Barbara SUV rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a van in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $130/day. December is the cheapest month to rent a van in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$116/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is February (~$144/day). In fact, December is about 12% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a van rental for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Santa Barbara, renting a van is 25% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Santa Barbara van rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a luxury car in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $109/day. November is the cheapest month to rent a luxury car in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$93/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is June (~$140/day). In fact, November is about 16% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a luxury car rental for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Santa Barbara, renting a luxury car is 10% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Santa Barbara luxury car rental prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To rent a convertible in Santa Barbara, the United States, you would pay an average price of $122/day. January is the cheapest month to rent a convertible in Santa Barbara, the United States (~$80/day), while the most expensive month to rent that same car type is July (~$155/day). In fact, January is about 35% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a convertible rental for Santa Barbara. When comparing with other car types available for rental in Santa Barbara, renting a convertible is 19% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

Ford Fiesta$25/day
4
M
A/C
Ford Fiesta
Toyota Yaris$27/day
2
M
A/C
Toyota Yaris

Top rental agencies in Santa Barbara

Explore the leading car rental agencies in Santa Barbara known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 7 car rental companies in Santa Barbara. Reviews were last updated on December 6, 2023.
Book your reservation with one of the top rental car agencies located in Santa Barbara, including Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget and Hertz. Make sure to read reviews, pricing info, location, and other important details before choosing a rental car agency.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.8
Good
44 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.6

Comfort

7.8

Overall

8.0

Pick-up/drop-off

7.7

Value

7.6

Budget

7.1
Good
90 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.4

Comfort

7.6

Overall

7.1

Pick-up/drop-off

7.1

Value

7.0

Hertz

6.3
Okay
84 reviews3 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.9

Comfort

7.0

Overall

6.3

Pick-up/drop-off

6.2

Value

6.4

Avis

8.5
Very good
22 reviews2 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

9.2

Comfort

8.8

Overall

8.5

Pick-up/drop-off

8.6

Value

8.4

Alamo

8.0
Very good
28 reviews1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

7.7

Comfort

8.2

Overall

8.0

Pick-up/drop-off

8.1

Value

8.1

National

2.0
Poor
1 review1 location
Overview

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Overall

2.0

Pick-up/drop-off

2.0

Value

2.0

Sunnycars

1 location

Best Santa Barbara car rental deals found

Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car rental deals in Santa Barbara. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect rental option for your needs. There are currently 7 rental car agencies in Santa Barbara with an average daily rate of $32. Data was last updated on December 6, 2023.
Peruse the best Santa Barbara car rental deals we've found. If these deals don't completely appeal to you, check back soon for alternative offers.

Car rental FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car rentals in Santa Barbara, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on December 6, 2023.

What is the cheapest rental car found in Santa Barbara?

In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $57/day when booking a rental car in Santa Barbara. The best deal a user found was for $29/day from Turo, booked on Nov. 26.

What car rental company is typically the cheapest in Santa Barbara?

According to our data, users have found the cheapest deals when booking a rental car in Santa Barbara from the following companies over the past two weeks: Turo ($21/day), Hertz ($25/day), and Budget ($41/day).

Which car rental company is considered to be the best in Santa Barbara?

Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, Avis (8.5 rating), Alamo (8.0 rating) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.8 rating) seem to be the best rental car companies in Santa Barbara.

What are gas prices like in Santa Barbara?

The average gas price in Santa Barbara is $3.52/gallon over the past month, costing you anywhere between $42 and $60 to fill up a car’s gas tank.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Santa Barbara for a week from Hertz?

Hertz is one of the top picks in Santa Barbara. They can have you in a rental car for about $338 per week on average.

How far in advance should I rent a car in Santa Barbara for the best price?

Renting your favorite car model can become more difficult the closer you are to your desired travel date. It’s ideal to book early to have that peace of mind. An early booking can save you up to 36% in Santa Barbara - we recommend booking at least 7days in advance.

Can I rent a car for a month in Santa Barbara?

Yes, you can rent a car for a month in Santa Barbara. Check Cheapflights for the latest prices and car type availability.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Santa Barbara for a month?

Prices can be as low as $1,448 if you consider booking with Turo. That price represents savings of 55% compared to the Santa Barbara average. The monthly cost of a car rental in Santa Barbara is on average $1,448 ($48/day).

How much is a car rental in Santa Barbara for a weekend?

The average price for a weekend car rental in Santa Barbara is $59. Renting a Intermediate is your cheapest option if you’ve looking to save money on your weekend car rental in Santa Barbara. For the month of January, Cheapflights users have found rental cars in Santa Barbara for as low as $54/day.

What car do most people rent in Santa Barbara?

The majority of Cheapflights travelers prefer to rent a Economy (Honda Fit) in Santa Barbara, making it the most popular option.

Small car rentals in Santa Barbara

Find small car rental deals in Santa Barbara from well-known providers in the area and save on gas mileage with the options provided below. small car rentals in Santa Barbara cost an average of $40 per day. Price data was last updated on December 6, 2023.

Luxury car rentals in Santa Barbara

Find luxury car rental deals in Santa Barbara from well-known providers in the area and save on gas mileage with the options provided below. luxury car rentals in Santa Barbara cost an average of $42 per day. Price data was last updated on December 6, 2023.
Some of the most suitable options we've found on luxury car rentals within Santa Barbara. Be sure that the car type, dates, pickup location and other key details suit your needs.

Van rentals in Santa Barbara

Find van rental deals in Santa Barbara from well-known providers in the area and save on gas mileage with the options provided below. van rentals in Santa Barbara cost an average of $38 per day. Price data was last updated on December 6, 2023.
Check out some of the best options we've found on van rentals in Santa Barbara. If you're not finding the right deal for your van rental, check back soon as deals are constantly being refreshed.
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