Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in San Mateo with confidence.
How far in advance should you book car hire in San Mateo?
You should book your car hire in San Mateo around 90 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
What is the cheapest car hire company in San Mateo?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest hire cars were found at Thrifty (R33,29/day), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (R35,06/day), and Hertz (R64,79/day).
What is the most popular car to hire in San Mateo?
Hires in the Medium category (Hyundai Elantra or similar) are the most popular option in San Mateo, costing R868/day on average. Some users have found deals as low as R442/day.
What is the cheapest month to hire a car in San Mateo?
The cheapest month to hire a car in San Mateo is January at an average cost of R647/day. March is the most expensive month to hire a car in San Mateo when prices are R1 035/day on average, which tends to be 1 781% above the yearly average hire price for San Mateo.
Which car hire company in San Mateo has the most locations?
Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 2 locations in San Mateo, more than any other car hire company.
San Mateo car hire price comparison by vehicle type
Find the right car hire in San Mateo by comparing prices across vehicle types.
Small
Medium
Large
4x4
Van
Pickup truck
Luxury
Convertible
Small cars
R436 - R913
All Car Types
R858 - R1 539
How much does it cost to hire a small car in San Mateo?
How much does it cost to hire a medium car in San Mateo?
How much does it cost to hire a large car in San Mateo?
How much does it cost to hire an SUV in San Mateo?
How much does it cost to hire a van in San Mateo?
How much does it cost to hire a pickup truck in San Mateo?
How much does it cost to hire a luxury car in San Mateo?
How much does it cost to hire a convertible in San Mateo?
Small car hire in San Mateo typically costs around R615 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R436 per day, which is about 30% less than the yearly average. Small cars are usually 47% cheaper than the average car hire in San Mateo, making them ideal for budget-conscious travellers.
Medium car hire in San Mateo typically costs around R1 001 per day. The best time to book is April, when prices average R659 per day, which is about 35% less than the yearly average. Medium cars are usually 13% cheaper than the average car hire in San Mateo, offering a good balance of space and value.
Large car hire in San Mateo typically cost around R1 111 per day. The best time to book is April, when prices average R622 per day, which is about 45% less than the yearly average. Large cars can be 3% cheaper than the average car hire in San Mateo, offering more comfort for longer trips at a reasonable price.
SUV hire in San Mateo typically costs around R1 110 per day. The best time to book is January, when prices average R873 per day, which is about 22% less than the yearly average. SUVs can be 4% cheaper than the average car hire in San Mateo, providing extra space and capability for groups or road trips at a reasonable price.
Van hire in San Mateo typically costs around R1 546 per day. The best time to book is April, when prices average R897 per day, which is about 42% less than the yearly average. Vans are typically 26% more expensive than the average car hire in San Mateo but are the best choice for families or groups needing maximum passenger capacity.
Pickup truck hire in San Mateo typically costs around R1 171 per day. The best time to book is February, when prices average R469 per day, which is about 60% less than the yearly average. Pickup trucks are typically 3% more expensive than the average car hire in San Mateo but are ideal for hauling gear or outdoor adventures.
Luxury car hire in San Mateo typically costs around R1 314 per day. The best time to book is March, when prices average R962 per day, which is about 27% less than the yearly average. Luxury cars are typically 13% more expensive than the average car hire in San Mateo but deliver premium comfort and style for special occasions.
Convertible hire in San Mateo typically costs around R2 328 per day. The best time to book is October, when prices average R598 per day, which is about 75% less than the yearly average. Convertibles are typically 51% more expensive than the average car hire in San Mateo 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 San Mateo
There are multiple reasons as to why you should consider renting a car in one of the car rentals in San Mateo, such as maximum flexibility when exploring the city, as well as providing an ideal atmosphere for tourists who want to get a feel of the culture. There are a few major airports located not far from San Mateo, such as Oakland International Airport (OAK), which is around 12.4 miles away, and the San Jose International Airport (SJC), approximately 25.8 miles, which is not a long drive when using a personal vehicle. Some popular tourist attractions further from the city center include Bair Island, whose habitats have multiple diverse ecosystems, and is located between San Mateo to the north and Palo Alto to the south.
The closest airport to San Mateo is San Francisco International Airport (SFO) which is 4.7 miles away and has several car rentals on-site, such as Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, NU Car, Avis, and State Van Rental. The agencies can be found by following the signs to the baggage claim area, then following the airport signs to the Air Train, and boarding the Blue Line train to the Rental Car Center, which is approximately 10min away. The Oakland International Airport also has on-site rentals that can be reached by following the signs to the baggage claim area, then heading to the common Rental Car Shuttle Bus which takes you to the rental car facility. Off-site San Mateo car rentals can be easily accessed using one of the multiple shuttle services or cabs.
Like many roads in the Bay Area, you are bound to find a few traffic violators when driving in San Mateo. Drivers are warned to be cautious of jaywalkers who can hop on busy roads without warning, especially during rush hours. San Mateo is also filled with several cyclists, therefore you are advised to drive prudently, especially near trails.
Typical rush hour in San Mateo, like many counties in the Bay Area region, starts at about 7am to 9am, then picks back up between 4pm to 6pm when people are heading home from work, with individuals spending an average of about 40-60min on the road. Commute times are likely to be extended on days which special events or festivals are being held in the city. It is recommended that visitors choose car rentals in San Mateo with navigation systems, to aid when moving on unfamiliar roads.
Medium hire cars in San Mateo are around 36% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in San Mateo
What type of car is recommended for driving in San Mateo?
For small groups of people, such as couples or solo travelers, it is more convenient to choose small compact vehicles or convertibles while cruising through California, while larger SUVs are better options for larger groups and are more comfortable when touring the plains of San Mateo.
What’s the speed limit in San Mateo?
The speed limit on most residential roads is 25mph unless otherwise posted. The San Mateo Bridge is set at 65mph, while highways have multiple test areas marked 55mph. School zones have a speed limit of 25mph when driving within 500-1000 feet while children are outside or crossing the street.
Where are the best places to park in San Mateo?
There are several parking options available in San Mateo, for both flash parking and long-term parking. All parking facilities offer free parking on Sundays, holidays and after 6pm every day. The Central garage offers 3h and 10h parking spaces, which charge at around $1.25 per hour, Main Street Garage costs approximately $0.75 per hour, Kinko’s Lot charge around $0.25 per hour while South Railroad Ave, Tennis Court Garage, and Transit Center Garage all charge about $0.75 per hour.
Which car hire agencies are at San Francisco airport (SFO)?
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