South Lake Tahoe car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Car Rental Deals

Cheap car hire in South Lake Tahoe

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

Good to know

Most popular car type

Standard

KAYAK’s insights & trends for South Lake Tahoe car hire

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to hire a car in South Lake Tahoe with confidence.

How far in advance should you book car hire in South Lake Tahoe?

You should book your car hire in South Lake Tahoe around 54 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price.

What is the best car hire company in South Lake Tahoe?

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in South Lake Tahoe are Enterprise Rent-A-Car (8.3, 5 reviews), Easirent (4.6), and Hertz (0.0).
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Rated 8.3/10
Easirent
Easirent
Rated 4.6/10
Hertz
Hertz
Rated 0.0/10
Avis
Avis
Rated 0.0/10

What is the most popular car to hire in South Lake Tahoe?

Intermediate cars (Toyota RAV4 or similar) are the most popular type of vehicle to hire in South Lake Tahoe. Intermediate cars in South Lake Tahoe cost R1 497/day on average, though some users have found deals as low as R981/day.

What is the cheapest month to hire a car in South Lake Tahoe?

The cheapest month to hire a car in South Lake Tahoe is November at an average cost of R1 175/day. July is the most expensive month to hire a car in South Lake Tahoe when prices are R1 788/day on average, which tends to be 2 080% above the yearly average hire price for South Lake Tahoe.

Which car hire company in South Lake Tahoe has the most locations?

Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates 3 locations in South Lake Tahoe, more than any other car hire company.

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in South Lake Tahoe

  • Renting a car in South Lake Tahoe provides a comfortable and convenient way of getting around the city. South Lake Tahoe car rentals also give you the freedom to explore the city by visiting places such as Rubicon Trail, Van Sickle Bi-State Park, and the Gondola at Heavenly. Most public transport options have larger vehicles that are only limited to city roads. A ride from car rentals in South Lake Tahoe allows you to maneuver through mountain roads to get to you even to a remote destination quickly.
  • Visitors flying to South Lake Tahoe arrive at the Lake Tahoe Airport, located about 3 miles from the city center. No car rentals in South Lake Tahoe agencies have offices at the airport, but the flight hub partners with various reputable companies to deliver your rental car at the Airport's FBO, Mountain West Aviation for pickup. Easirent, Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, and Avis car rentals operate in the region.
  • South Lake Tahoe residents love to ski and snowboard, and most of them drive to ski destinations on the weekends during the winter months. The traffic heading and within the main roads can be a little bit congested, especially on I-80 and Highway 50. These roads are typically busy in the afternoon and Friday evenings. At this time, children leave school, and it is critical to be watchful as they tend to be playful even along the roads.
  • In a resort city like South Lake Tahoe, highways have bends as they wind through the mountainous region, and you must maintain safe speeds. Winter weather in the city can make the road slippery. You are advised to inspect your vehicle's condition before driving. Some roads might have 10'-17' snow cover, and snowplows often clear the ice, especially on main and feeder roads. Ensure you keep behind the snow removal machine for road safety. It is also advisable to travel before or after rush hours (around 7am to 8am, and 5:30pm to 7pm).
  • Intermediate hire cars in South Lake Tahoe are around 65% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in South Lake Tahoe

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in South Lake Tahoe?

    Snow and ice are inconstant weather conditions in South Lake Tahoe, and driving may need a powerful off-road rental vehicle. Choose a compact 4x4 SUV if you’re traveling as a family/group or a winter-ready truck if you’re hauling your snow toys. An AWD car provides the required traction for stability on the road and comfort on off-road tracks. It also alleviates the need to mount chains on tires. During warm seasons, you can opt for a compact or mid-sized car for easy navigation and parking in the streets.

  • What’s the speed limit in South Lake Tahoe?

    It is critical to adhere to South Lake Tahoe's speed limits to ensure safety and stay on the safe side of the law. On Highway 50, motorists must maintain 35mph to 40mph. In summer, the speed limit of the passing lane at Tahoe Ski Resort is 55mph, as the lane heads downhill. If you drive on Highway 89 between the Y intersection of H-50 and Camp Richardson, you must not exceed 35mph. Drivers using Highway 50 (as it approaches Meyers) must quickly lower their speeds to 40mph because it is a downhill drive. Before this section, the limit is above 55mph.

  • Where are the best places to park in South Lake Tahoe?

    The city of South Lake Tahoe manages the Heavenly Village Parking Lot at 1 Bellamy Court. With a ride from South Lake Tahoe car rentals, parking will cost you about $1.25/20min, $3.75/h, and about $25 per day. The facility has an online charging system that bills drivers using their license plates and phone numbers.

  • Which car hire agencies are at Reno airport (RNO)?

    The only car hire company onsite at Reno airport is Avis.

  • Which car hire companies will pick you up at Reno airport (RNO)?

    The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Reno airport to off-airport locations is Avis.

  • How can I find car hires near me in South Lake Tahoe?

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

  • How much does a Standard car hire cost in South Lake Tahoe?

    A Standard car hire in South Lake Tahoe costs R1 549 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Full Size car hire cost in South Lake Tahoe?

    A Full Size car hire in South Lake Tahoe costs R2 797 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in South Lake Tahoe?

    An Intermediate car hire in South Lake Tahoe costs R2 020 per day, on average.

South Lake Tahoe 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

8,3

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.3

Value for money

9.0

3 locations in South Lake Tahoe

Show locations

Locations in South Lake Tahoe

1287 Hwy 395

+1 775 782 7752

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

18 Hwy 50

+1 775 339 3458

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday09:00 - 14:00
Wednesday09:00 - 14:00
Thursday09:00 - 14:00
Friday09:00 - 14:00
Saturday09:00 - 14:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

2281 Lake Tahoe Blvd

+1 530 544 8844

Monday09:00 - 14:00
Tuesday09:00 - 14:00
Wednesday09:00 - 14:00
Thursday09:00 - 14:00
Friday09:00 - 14:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2025

Intermediate

KAYAK
Noah took great care of us.

2,0 Poor

Kiefer, Feb 2024

Standard

KAYAK
All locations of Enterprise in Tahoe were closed all weekend - I was unable to even get a car

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Sept 2023

Economy

KAYAK
They did not have any rental car for us, even though we reserved one.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Oct 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

When I got to the South Lake Tahoe rental location they had a small car for me. Monday morning and lots of cars to go out. I asked for different, larger car and they were very happy to find me and my wife another vehicle. It was cleaned and ready to go in a matter of 15 minutes and we were very happy.

Cons:

They did great and we recommend Enterprise to all our friends.

1 out of 2

Easirent

4,6

Mediocre

2 locations in South Lake Tahoe

Show locations

Locations in South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe Airport

Opening times not available

Minden-Tahoe Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Hertz

No score available yet

2 locations in South Lake Tahoe

Show locations

Locations in South Lake Tahoe

1138 Airport Rd Ste 3

+1 775 841 8002

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

18 Highway 50

+1 775 586 0041

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

Filters

No reviews available

Avis

No score available yet

One location in South Lake Tahoe

Locations in South Lake Tahoe

50 Highway 50

+1 530 544 5289

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

Budget

No score available yet

One location in South Lake Tahoe

Locations in South Lake Tahoe

50 Highway 50

+1 530 544 3439

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

Eagle Rent A Car

No score available yet

One location in South Lake Tahoe

Locations in South Lake Tahoe

1001 Heavenly Village Way

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

6 travellers who hired a car in South Lake Tahoe gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.6

Car hire locations in or near South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe car hire information

Pick-up locationSouth Lake Tahoe
Car types
Hire locations3
Airport locations1

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