Cheap Car Rentals in Santa Barbara from $31
This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car rental in Santa Barbara with a pick-up date of 8/18 and drop-off date of 10/20. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of rental.
Santa Barbara car rentals in 2026
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 July 27, 2026.
Most popular company | TURO |
|---|---|
Price of gas per gallon | $4.24 |
Average price per day | $54 |
Cheapest price per day | $31 |
Best car rental deals found in Santa Barbara
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 8 rental car agencies in Santa Barbara with an average daily rate of $44. Data was last updated on July 27, 2026.
Cheapflights insights for Santa Barbara car rentals
Get relevant, data-driven information to help you rent a car in Santa Barbara, including pricing trends, ideal booking times, and more.
How far in advance should I rent a car in Santa Barbara?
For the best savings on car rentals in Santa Barbara, make your reservation 88 days before pickup. The average price then is just $50/day—about 25% less than the yearly average.
What is the cheapest rental car company in Santa Barbara?
Looking to rent a car in Santa Barbara? Budget had the lowest prices in the past two weeks, starting at only $29.60/day. Hertz also offers competitive rates, with deals beginning at $34.65/day.
What is the best car rental company in Santa Barbara?
Based on Cheapflights user feedback, the highest rated car rental company in Santa Barbara is Budget (rated 7.0/10 with 42 reviews). Avis (rated 8.9/10 with 15 reviews) is also highly rated by our users.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Santa Barbara?
Planning a car rental in Santa Barbara? January is the cheapest month, costing about $56 per day. In contrast, September is the most expensive, with an average daily rate of $72. Monthly average rental prices are listed below. Remember, prices can change based on when you book, the type of car, and availability.
January
$56
February
$66
March
$71
April
$65
May
$65
June
$67
July
$66
August
$67
September
$72
October
$72
November
$67
December
$68
What car do most people rent in Santa Barbara?
SUV rentals (Dodge Durango or similar) are the most popular option for those visiting Santa Barbara. Intermediate rentals (Tesla Model 3 or similar) are also a popular choice, followed by Mini rentals (Fiat 500 or similar).
Which car rental company has the most locations in Santa Barbara?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 3 locations throughout the area, more than any other company. Avis has the second highest number of locations in Santa Barbara at 2.
Tips for renting a car in Santa Barbara
Browse helpful tips for renting a car in Santa Barbara including age restrictions, car type suggestions and more. Tips were last updated on July 27, 2026.
- In the modern and luxurious single-terminal Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), you can easily access on-site car rental agency counters in the arrivals area near baggage claim. Agencies on-site include Enterprise, Budget, Hertz, Avis, Alamo, Dollar, and National. Once you are in your rental vehicle, exit the airport and follow signs for the Pacific Coast Highway South, which is both Highway 1 and US Highway 101 in Santa Barbara. Exit at Garden Street and turn left, which will take you straight into downtown Santa Barbara, where you can visit the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, the Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, and Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786.
- Driving around Santa Barbara in a car rental is by far the best way to see this gem along the California coast. Drive along the shores of the Pacific and enjoy Butterfly Beach, Santa Barbara Beach, and East Beach. Shop, eat, and enjoy the views of Stearns Wharf or visit the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Or, you could drive downtown where you can visit the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, the Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, and Old Mission Santa Barbara 1786. From there, you can head into the mountains to soak up the scenic views.
- If you are looking to secure a car rental in Santa Barbara from someplace other than the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), you're in luck. You'll find Zipcar agencies near Leadbetter Beach, four different locations downtown, one a bit farther south on N. Milpas Street, and one towards the north of the city on Castillo Street. In the center of downtown is an Enterprise on Chapala St. and an Avis and a Budget on East Haley Street. There is also a Hertz agency between downtown and the airport on La Cumbre Road.
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 8 car rental companies in Santa Barbara. Reviews were last updated on July 27, 2026.
Budget
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
Recent reviews
View Budget Locations in Santa Barbara
Avis
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
View Avis Locations in Santa Barbara
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
View Enterprise Rent-A-Car Locations in Santa Barbara
Alamo
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
Recent reviews
View Alamo Locations in Santa Barbara
Hertz
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
View Hertz Locations in Santa Barbara
National
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
Recent reviews
View National Locations in Santa Barbara
Thrifty
View Thrifty Locations in Santa Barbara
Dollar
Overview
Cleanliness
Comfort
Overall
Pick-up/drop-off
Value
View Dollar Locations in Santa Barbara
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 July 27, 2026.
Should I reserve an add-on navigation device to drive around Santa Barbara?
A navigation device could be very helpful in a number of situations. It could help you find alternative routes to US Highway 101 during peak rush hour from about 6:30 am to 9:30 am and then again from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. It could also keep you headed in the right direction when you drive along the narrower, more twisty roads in the hills and mountains, where signage is scarce. A navigation device could also help you find alternative routes when you are confronted with traffic congestion due to road work. However, it cannot predict wildlife darting into the road, so stay vigilant, especially at night.
How old do I have to be to rent a car in Santa Barbara?
To rent a car in Santa Barbara, you need to be at least 21 years old. However, if you are age 21 through 24, most car rental agencies will charge you a daily fee for being a Young Renter. To secure your car rental, you need to have a driver's license and a credit card in your name. If you want to use a debit card, first check with your rental car agency to make sure that they accept them. If you are not going to opt for the insurance offered by the rental car company, bring proof of your own insurance. Otherwise, you may not be allowed to leave the lot with the rental vehicle unless you purchase the car rental agency’s insurance.
What interesting places can I visit around Santa Barbara in my rental car?
Because Santa Barbara is situated right along the Pacific Coast Highway, you can drive up and down the coast of California, seeing renowned sites of nature and culture. In 3 hours, you can drive up US Highway 101 to visit Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Along the way, you can visit Solvang, a quaint California town fashioned after a Danish village. A little further north, on the way to Hearst Castle, you can stop at Sycamore Minerals Springs Resort and Spa, an indulgent resort that catered to the Hollywood elite in the '30s and '40s. Heading south from Santa Barbara, you can reach Malibu in 1h 30min and Los Angeles in 2 hours.
What is the cheapest rental car found in Santa Barbara?
In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under $54/day when booking a rental car in Santa Barbara. The best deal a user found was for $19/day from Turo, booked on Jul. 25.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Santa Barbara for a week from Turo?
Turo is one of the top picks in Santa Barbara. They can have you in a rental car for about $376 per week on average.
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 $1,610 if you consider booking with Turo. That price represents savings of 67% compared to the Santa Barbara average. The monthly cost of a car rental in Santa Barbara is on average $1,610 ($54/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 $72. Renting a Economy is your cheapest option if you’ve looking to save money on your weekend car rental in Santa Barbara. For the month of August, Cheapflights users have found rental cars in Santa Barbara for as low as $59/day.
Car rentals by fuel type in Santa Barbara
Browse car rentals by fuel type in Santa Barbara. Currently, Electric cars are the cheapest to rent in Santa Barbara. Deals were last updated on July 27, 2026.
Browse through car rental deals by fuel type in Santa Barbara. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Electric being the cheapest ($32+).
Electric
$32+
Gas/Diesel
$472+
Hybrid
$34+