Santa Fe car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Recommended by KAYAK
Useful Info
Recommended by KAYAK

Cheap car hire in Santa Fe

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

Intermediate

When to book a car hire in Santa Fe

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Santa Fe car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travellers who hired a car in Santa Fe 
Verified travelerOct 2024
If you're going to explore, make sure you have high clearance.
Verified travelerMar 2024
If you want to book a specific size/type of car, there is no guarantee of what you’ll get. Just be prepared for that.
Verified travelerAug 2023
Could use people to use blinker more...

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Santa Fe

  • As the capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe has lots to offer tourists. Along with historical attractions like Loretto Chapel and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, there are a number of theatrical performances and concerts held at the Santa Fe Opera House. If you have a hire car, you might also enjoy a drive along the Turquoise Trail for nice scenery and the opportunity to shop at a variety of antique and boutique stores.
  • Many major airlines, including Delta and American, fly in and out of Santa Fe Regional Airport. It offers numerous amenities and services for passengers including car hire services. Located in the baggage claim area, car hire offices for Avis, Enterprise, and Hertz can be found here.
  • When driving in Santa Fe, you should be aware that there are several traffic cameras in and around the city. Via these cameras police look for drivers who exceed the speed limit or run lights, so drive with caution. Additionally, the sun in Santa Fe can be blinding, especially in the summertime. Be sure to have your sunglasses handy.
  • Rush hour is really not that bad in Santa Fe. Many workers do commute from Albuquerque to Santa Fe for work, however; so I-25 (the route between these two cities) is often the busiest. The morning commute begins early (around 6:30 a.m.) and continues through 8 a.m. In the evening, traffic slows down between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
  • Book your car hire in Santa Fe at least 2 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Intermediate hire cars in Santa Fe are around 49% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Santa Fe

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Santa Fe?

    New Mexico and the Santa Fe area have several beautiful beaches. If you plan to stroll along the beach, you should consider renting a convertible or Jeep to add to your fun. However, if you are planning a visit to Santa Fe National Forest or will be driving on some of Santa Fe’s back roads, you might consider renting a sport utility vehicle. Otherwise, any car will do for your visit.

  • What’s the speed limit in Santa Fe?

    Santa Fe is well developed with many highways to help locals and visitors to get around town. If you are on the interstate, you’ll be able to drive at speeds of up to 75 mph. If you are on the local expressway, however, the speed limit will drop to 55 mph.

  • Where are the best places to park in Santa Fe?

    Parking shouldn’t be a problem in downtown Santa Fe. You’ll find parking available on streets for a small fee. These same spots offer free parking after 6 p.m. and all day on Sundays. There are also plenty of paid parking lots and garages in the area, including the garage at Canyon Road, Water Street, and the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.

  • What is the best car hire company in Santa Fe?

    Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire in Santa Fe is Avis (6,4, 58 reviews).

  • How much is the price of fuel in Santa Fe?

    The average price of fuel in Santa Fe is R63,22 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R759 and R1 011, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Santa Fe?

    Intermediate (Hyundai Elantra or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Santa Fe.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Santa Fe?

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

  • How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Santa Fe?

    An Intermediate car hire in Santa Fe costs R1 674 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Special car hire cost in Santa Fe?

    A Special car hire in Santa Fe costs R1 607 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in Santa Fe?

    A Standard car hire in Santa Fe costs R1 569 per day, on average.

Santa Fe 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.

Hertz

Cleanliness

7.6

Comfort

7.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.4

Value for money

6.7

5 locations in Santa Fe

Show locations

Locations in Santa Fe

100 E San Francisco St

+1 505 238 7836

Monday09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday09:00 - 16:00
Thursday09:00 - 16:00
Friday09:00 - 16:00

121 Aviation Dr Bldg 303 Ste 6

+1 505 471 7189

Monday08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:00
Friday08:00 - 22:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

20 Buffalo Thunder Trail

+1 505 438 4650

Monday09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday09:00 - 16:00
Thursday09:00 - 16:00
Friday09:00 - 16:00

2010 Cerrillos Road

+1 505 438 4650

Monday07:30 - 17:00
Tuesday07:30 - 17:00
Wednesday07:30 - 17:00
Thursday07:30 - 17:00
Friday07:30 - 17:00

309 W.san Francisco Street

+1 505 995 4514

Opening times not available

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Nov 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
The car was not what we were told. It was very dirty, and was completely empty of windshield washer fluid. The drop-off was confusing.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Supplier choice

KAYAK
Elaine, who checked us out was great, teaching a new recruit and handling our car rental with a smile at the Santa Fe Regional Airport.

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Intermediate

KAYAK
No cars when I showed up to pickup. Awful.

2,0 Poor

Miguel, Jun 2024

Compact SUV

KAYAK
Unable to use full rental because of hours, also price listed in kayak does not reflect actual price by almos $100. Deceitful practice.

2,0 Poor

Robert, Apr 2024

Supplier choice

KAYAK
Terrible. Was unable to pick up car under l reservation bc I used a virtual Credit card and couldn’t present that same card physically. Hertz would not allow me to update the payment source on my reservation so I was forced to cancel and rebook as a walk up. Terrible.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Nov 2023

Premium

KAYAK
Friendliest staff ever. I did have to return the vehicle off-hours, which meant no shuttle service and a long, cold walk from parking lot to terminal. Other than that, everything was great.

1 out of 10

Avis

Cleanliness

6.9

Comfort

7.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.3

Value for money

6.4

2 locations in Santa Fe

Show locations

Locations in Santa Fe

121 Aviation Drive, Unit 3

+1 505 471 5892

Monday09:30 - 22:30
Tuesday09:30 - 22:30
Wednesday09:30 - 22:30
Thursday09:30 - 22:30
Friday09:30 - 22:30
Saturday09:30 - 22:30
Sunday09:30 - 22:30

1946 Cerrillos Rd

+1 505 820 7943

Monday08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:00
Friday08:00 - 22:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

Filters

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Reviews

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Jan 2025

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
Avis added a change of $15 for gas AFTER I refilled it before returning.

2,0 Poor

Paige, Oct 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
There was one employee at the airport pickup counter for over 20 guests. I was only third in line, and it took over 30 minutes to be seen. I can only imagine how long other guests waited. The car we received wouldn't accelerate at a reasonable rate, making driving on the highway or merging extremely dangerous. No instructions were provided for dropoff and the only inclination we had of where to go was a measly paper sign in a parking lot that said Avis. Never received an itemized receipt by email, only the charge on my card which verified it was returned. I still have no idea what I was charged for. I rent with Avis whenever I need a car rental because they are typically so reliable. However, my experience in Santa Fe has me rethinking which company I will book with in the future.

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Jun 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
Super rude staff in Santa Fe.

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2024

Full-size

KAYAK
Vehicle picked up was not cleaned or washed, customer service at location was horrible. I would call multiple times and was placed directly on hold by store manager Rachel advising “ im with a customer please hold” didn’t even get an opportunity to ask or state a word.

8,0 Very Good

Anonymous, Nov 2023

People carrier

KAYAK
The dropoff was supposed to be at the Albequerque airport but the address given was several miles away and provided no shuttle to the airport. Fortunately, we were smart enough to call and got the drop off changed to the airport.

6,0 Okay

Anonymous, Oct 2023

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
Car drove well, but was washed very poorly, the seats were all stained, and the car had extensive surface scratches, along with some dents on the hood.

1 out of 11

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Cleanliness

6.6

Comfort

6.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.6

Value for money

6.6

2 locations in Santa Fe

Show locations

Locations in Santa Fe

1611 St Michaels Dr

+1 505 986 1414

Monday08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:00
Friday08:00 - 22:00
Saturday09:00 - 16:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

3961 Cerrillos Rd

+1 505 424 1134

Monday08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:00
Friday08:00 - 22:00
Saturday10:00 - 14:00
Sunday10:00 - 14:00

Filters

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Reviews

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Aug 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

I wasn't aware there was an additional deposit fee for the rental -- if there was information or details about this it wasn't noted or highlighted enough to inform my decision/commitment of renting from here

10,0 Wonderful

Casey, Jul 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Fast service; friendly, efficient staff

Cons:

Great experience - they did everything right.

1 out of 2

Budget

Cleanliness

5.4

Comfort

5.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.3

Value for money

4.5

2 locations in Santa Fe

Show locations

Locations in Santa Fe

121 Aviation Drive, Unit 3

+1 505 471 5892

Monday09:30 - 22:30
Tuesday09:30 - 22:30
Wednesday09:30 - 22:30
Thursday09:30 - 22:30
Friday09:30 - 22:30
Saturday09:30 - 22:30
Sunday09:30 - 22:30

1946 Cerrillos Rd

+1 505 984 1596

Monday08:00 - 22:00
Tuesday08:00 - 22:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:00
Friday08:00 - 22:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:00
Sunday08:00 - 22:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Oct 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
I called twice before arriving to confirm the rental. Both times I was informed that my noon rental was at the only location in downtown Santa Fe, and that it was open only 8am to noon but that my rental could be transferred to the airport upon my 3pm arrival. Turns out that was incomplete information, as it would have cost an additional $500 to rent from the airport. So, I called back customer service, requested a manager and was promised a call back I never got. I stayed overnight in town and got to the rental place when they opened at 8am. They didn't have the car I rented, despite the rental time being when they were closed the previous day and my arrival upon their opening. They only had one other AWD and they charged me extra for it. It kept beeping and warning that the charging system needed service. Overall this was a terrible experience. When I told friends about it they said they NEVER rent from Budget. I guess that's true for me too now.

6,0 Okay

Carl, Aug 2024

Economy

KAYAK
Poor. Problem was due to construction at airport as well as poor customer service.

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

We got to the Santa Fe airport at 5:25 pm local time. When we called about picking up our car, we were told the office had closed at 5 pm and we could not get the car. So we had to rent a car from someone else.

Cons:

How about staying open during reasonable business hours? Closing at 5 pm for an airport rental car service? Are you serious? But if you can't be open during reasonable business hours, how about advising us in advance what the closing time is? Overall, have to give you guys a POOR rating.

4,4 Mediocre

Anonymous, Oct 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The car was good.

Cons:

They overcharged me. They said the cost was $571 and then charged me for an extra day for no reason.

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Sept 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The guy we picked up from

Cons:

The guy we dropped off to

1 out of 3

Easirent

4,6

Mediocre

One location in Santa Fe

Show locations

Locations in Santa Fe

Santa Fe Municipal Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

132 travellers who hired a car in Santa Fe gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.7

Car hire locations in or near Santa Fe

Santa Fe car hire information

Pick-up locationSanta Fe
Car types
Hire locations12
Airport locations5

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