Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in Palo Alto with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in Palo Alto?
You should book your car hire in Palo Alto around 58 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car hire company in Palo Alto?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest hire cars were found at Thrifty (R26,28/day), Hertz (R26,40/day), and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (R31,84/day). The cheapest car hire price was found at Thrifty 816 San Antonio Road (4,2 km from city centre).
What is the most popular car to hire in Palo Alto?
Hires in the Medium category (Hyundai Elantra or similar) are the most popular option in Palo Alto, costing R759/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as R391/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in Palo Alto?
The cheapest month to hire a car in Palo Alto is January at an average cost of R579/day. August is the most expensive month to hire a car in Palo Alto when prices are R877/day on average, which tends to be 1 763% above the yearly average hire price for Palo Alto.
Which car hire company in Palo Alto has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Avis each operate 2 locations in Palo Alto, more than any other car hire company.
Palo Alto car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in Palo Alto by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
4x4
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
R463 - R769
All Car Types
R753 - R1 265
How much does it cost to hire a small car in Palo Alto?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in Palo Alto?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in Palo Alto?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in Palo Alto?
How much does it cost to hire a van in Palo Alto?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in Palo Alto?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in Palo Alto?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in Palo Alto?
Small car hire in Palo Alto typically costs around R590 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R463 per day, which is about 22% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 47% cheaper than the average car hire in Palo Alto, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in Palo Alto typically costs around R817 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average R620 per day, which is about 25% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 26% cheaper than the average car hire in Palo Alto, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in Palo Alto typically cost around R979 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average R716 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 11% cheaper than the average car hire in Palo Alto, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV hire in Palo Alto typically costs around R1 152 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R937 per day, which is about 19% less than the yearly average. SUVs are typically 6% more expensive than the average car hire in Palo Alto but provide extra space and capability for groups or road trips.
Van hire in Palo Alto typically costs around R1 663 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R794 per day, which is about 53% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 35% more expensive than the average car hire in Palo Alto but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in Palo Alto typically costs around R1 074 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average R512 per day, which is about 53% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are 2% cheaper than the average car hire in Palo Alto, making them a practical choice for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in Palo Alto typically costs around R1 322 per day. The best time to book is June, when prices average R1 080 per day, which is about 19% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 18% more expensive than the average car hire in Palo Alto but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in Palo Alto typically costs around R2 138 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average R1 604 per day, which is about 25% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 49% more expensive than the average car hire in Palo Alto but are perfect for scenic drives and warm-weather destinations.
Good to know
Most popular car type
Medium
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Palo Alto
Consider renting a car during your stay in Palo Alto to experience the convenience and flexibility of exploring the city and getting a feel of the culture, rather than dealing with expensive taxis or fixed routes using the public transportation system. There are a few airports near Palo Alto, with the closest one being around 13 miles away from the town center, which is a short drive for anyone who rents a car from one of the car rentals in Palo Alto. You can also choose to visit some of the popular tourist destinations near Palo Alto, such as Baylands Nature Reserve, which borders the San Francisco Bay, or the Pearsin-Arastradero Preserve, located south of the city opposite Interstate 280.
There are a few airports near Palo Alto, such as the San Jose (SJC) Airport, which conveniently has several Palo Alto car rentals on-site, such as Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and Hertz. The Rental Car Center is located across the street from Terminal B, and from Terminal A can be accessed via the bus shuttle which picks you up from baggage claim. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is approximately 18 miles away and has multiple car rental agencies on site as well, situated at the SFO Rental Car Center on the first and fourth floor. Off-airport agencies are served by free shuttle services, which stop at the south curb of the car rental center.
Like most busy cities, there are a few people who opt to not follow traffic rules. Drivers are warned to be cautious of jaywalkers who hop on busy roads without warning, as well as pedestrians and cyclists who don’t use their respective lanes. There are also a few cases of distracted driving. Visitors who opt for car rentals in Palo Alto are advised to consider getting vehicles that have built in GPS monitors to navigate through unacquainted roads.
The rush hour in Palo Alto city is not the worst, since it is a primarily residential area. In the morning when people are heading to work, rush hour starts at around 7am to 10am with people spending an average of around 45min on the road. It usually picks back up at around 3pm. Since the climate is mostly warm, there are usually no cases of weather-related accidents.
Medium hire cars in Palo Alto are around 47% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Palo Alto
What type of car is recommended for driving in Palo Alto?
Due to the congestion that can occur on the roads especially during rush hours, small compact vehicles are recommended for solo travelers or couples and are ideal for visiting local sights such as the Palo Alto Farmers Market. Large SUVs are recommended for larger groups of people and are more comfortable for visiting the outskirts of the city.
What’s the speed limit in Palo Alto?
The speed limit at Palo Alto is set at 35mph on the general business district. Roads that connect local streets to heavy arterials usually known as collectors have a speed limit of 40mph. School zones operate with a speed limit of 25mph. Roads that have not been posted also have a set speed limit of 25mph.
Where are the best places to park in Palo Alto?
There are several options available in the city of Palo Alto. Free parking is provided for visitors and customers in the downtown area, with 2h free parking on surface lots and 3h free parking in parking garages except designated areas, effective between 8am to 5pm on weekends. Visitors can also purchase all-day parking permits which are valid in all off-street parking lots and garages but are not valid for on-street parking spots.
Which car hire agencies are at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
Which car hire companies will pick you up at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from San Francisco airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Europcar, Avis, Hertz, National, Dollar and Fox.
How can I find car hires near me in Palo Alto?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Medium car hire cost in Palo Alto?
A Medium car hire in Palo Alto costs R960 per day, on average.
How much does a Large car hire cost in Palo Alto?
A Large car hire in Palo Alto costs R1 212 per day, on average.
How much does a Small car hire cost in Palo Alto?
A Small car hire in Palo Alto costs R757 per day, on average.
The email confirmation took me to an old address which is now a hertz. Thankfully a hertz worker was there while they were closed to directed me to the correct address almost a mile away. I had to walk there in unideal weather. Then the car I reserved was not available. I was also charged for a car seat which I did not use and was not provided to me.
2,0 Poor
Anonymous, Oct 2023
Passenger van
ORDERED A 12 PASSENGER VAN FOR A GROUP OUTING, ORDERED CONFIRMED. AFTER SETTING EVERYTHING UP I GET A CALL THE NEXT DAY , SORRY WE DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE FOR YOU, TAKE MY ORDER, CONFIRM MY ORDER, CANCEL MY ORDER "1 STAR"
I had some trouble with the card reading machine but the agent was able to show me another way to complete my transaction.
2,0 Poor
Anonymous, Nov 2021
Staff member provided a vehicle that was a size smaller than what the reservation indicated, then lied about it when asked. I was eventually allowed to switch vehicles.
1 out of 3
Avis
6,4
Okay
One location in Palo Alto
Locations in Palo Alto
4230 El Camino Real
+1 650 493 8888
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Saturday
08:00 - 17:00
Sunday
08:00 - 17:00
Filters
No reviews available
Dollar
5,3
Fair
One location in Palo Alto
Locations in Palo Alto
816 San Antonio Road
+1 650 739 0370
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Filters
No reviews available
Thrifty
5,2
Fair
One location in Palo Alto
Locations in Palo Alto
816 San Antonio Road
+1 650 739 0370
Monday
08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday
08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday
08:00 - 17:00
Thursday
08:00 - 17:00
Friday
08:00 - 17:00
Filters
No reviews available
24 travellers who hired a car in Palo Alto gave the car agency they used an average rating of 5,8
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