San Mateo car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Useful Info
Car Rental Deals

Cheap car hire in San Mateo

Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.
Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
M
Full-size car
Full-size
M
Luxury car
Luxury
M
People carrier car
People carrier
M
Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
Commercial car
Commercial
M
Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
M
Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular car type

Mini

KAYAK’s insights & trends for San Mateo car hire

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 40 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best car hire company in San Mateo?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in San Mateo are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (10.0, 3 reviews), State Van Rental (8.2), and Budget (6.4).
State Van Rental
State Van Rental
Rated 8.2/10
Budget
Budget
Rated 6.4/10
Hertz
Hertz
Rated 5.9/10

What is the most popular car to hire in San Mateo?

SUV cars (Mitsubishi Outlander or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to hire in San Mateo. SUV cars in San Mateo cost R2 022/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as R593/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in San Mateo?

The cheapest month to hire a car in San Mateo is February at an average cost of R722/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in San Mateo when prices are R1 092/day on average, which tends to be 2 041% 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 3 locations in San Mateo, more than any other car hire company.

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.
  • Standard hire cars in San Mateo are around 56% 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.

  • How can I find car hires near me in San Mateo?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Mini car hire cost in San Mateo?

    A Mini car hire in San Mateo costs R2 086 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in San Mateo?

    A Standard car hire in San Mateo costs R1 238 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Full Size car hire cost in San Mateo?

    A Full Size car hire in San Mateo costs R2 958 per day, on average.

San Mateo car rental reviews and directory

 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

10,0

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

3 locations in San Mateo

Show locations

Locations in San Mateo

477 East Hillsdale Blvd

+1 650 570 6677

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

778 Burlway Rd

+1 650 344 6000

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

923a South Claremont

+1 650 570 6677

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Jose, Dec 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Everything was about the experience was outstanding. Person who took care of me was very professional and very helpful. She did an outstanding job from getting the vehicle to returning the vehicle.

Cons:

Nothing could have been better. It was so easy to rent a car from Enterprise.

8,0 Very Good

Nancy, Dec 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Less pressure from sales

1 out of 1

State Van Rental

8,2

Very Good

One location in San Mateo

Show locations

Locations in San Mateo

1288 Old Bayshore Hwy

+1 888 315 6888

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Budget

6,4

Okay

One location in San Mateo

Show locations

Locations in San Mateo

1133 Chess Drive

+1 650 287 2680

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

No reviews available

Hertz

5,9

Fair

One location in San Mateo

Show locations

Locations in San Mateo

1333 Old Bayshore Highway

+1 650 579 7783

Monday13:00 - 16:3007:30 - 12:00
Tuesday13:00 - 16:3007:30 - 12:00
Wednesday07:30 - 12:0013:00 - 16:30
Thursday13:00 - 16:3007:30 - 12:00
Friday13:00 - 16:3007:30 - 12:00
Saturday09:00 - 13:00

Filters

No reviews available

Elita Rent A Car

4,0

Mediocre

One location in San Mateo

Show locations

Locations in San Mateo

San Francisco Airport International SFO

+1 650 343 3052

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Advance Van Rental

No score available yet

One location in San Mateo

Show locations

Locations in San Mateo

820 Malcolm Road

+1 650 731 7266

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Avis

No score available yet

One location in San Mateo

Locations in San Mateo

1133 Chess Drive

+1 650 287 2677

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

Reviews

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
The vehicle had a bad smell and multiple software issues

NU Car

No score available yet

One location in San Mateo

Locations in San Mateo

1409 Rollins Rd

+1 650 651 7145

Monday08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday08:00 - 17:00
Thursday08:00 - 17:00
Friday08:00 - 17:00
Saturday08:00 - 17:00
Sunday08:00 - 17:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Kim, Oct 2023

People carrier

KAYAK
a

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Economy

KAYAK
Aweful

8,0 Very Good

Ari, Jun 2023

Full-size

KAYAK
Very fast check-in and check-out. The rental car advertised was an Altima, but the car rented was a Malibu which is not as nice.

8,0 Very Good

Steven, Mar 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

The shuttle was cumbersome.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Mar 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The Staff was Very Professional Patient and just overall cool. They Gave me Great Prices when I had to extend my Rental.

Cons:

The Deposit should be Only $200 for any Car or Truck as Long As your Card is on File.

8,0 Very Good

Heather, Feb 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

The only downside was waiting 30 minutes for the shuttle to take you off site to office. It added additional time on trip, but overall they were very efficient and friendly.
One traveller who hired a car in San Mateo gave the car agency they used an average rating of 6.1

Car hire locations in or near San Mateo

San Mateo car hire information

Pick-up locationSan Mateo
Car types
Hire locations2
Airport locations0

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