Book Economy Rent a Car hire cars in San Diego

• Can I choose the model of the car when I book Economy Rent a Car car rentals in San Diego, California?

  When you make your reservation through KAYAK for any Economy rental car in San Diego, you will select the make and model of the vehicle you want to rent. However, it is possible that the exact model you want will not be available when you arrive to pick up your car. In this case, Economy will do its best to provide you with a similar vehicle.

• Do I have to pay for roadside services when I rent from Economy Rent a Car car rentals in San Diego, California?

  Economy Rent a Car agencies provide jumpstarts, gas service, and getting locked keys out of cars at no additional charge. For a minimal daily fee that is automatically included in your rental contract, you get the benefit of emergency roadside assistance. If you do not want emergency roadside assistance, you must mention this when you pick up your rental vehicle, so you do not incur that fee on your rental contract.

• Where can I park my Economy Rent a Car car rental in San Diego, California?

  If you are in the Port of San Diego area, the San Diego hood neighborhoods of Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, or National City, you will likely find free parking. This area boasts around 3,000 parking spaces that are free to the public. If you want to park your car in a garage in San Diego, prices generally start around $5 an hour. Metered parking spots on the street cost about $1 per hour. 

• What is the most popular car hire from Economy Rent a Car in San Diego?

  Small hire cars (Toyota Corolla or similar) are the most frequently booked hire car types from Economy Rent a Car in San Diego.

• How many car hire locations does Economy Rent a Car have in San Diego?

  Economy Rent a Car has 1 hire location in San Diego. Take a look at our Economy Rent a Car hire location map to find the best car hire near you.

• Does Economy Rent a Car have a car hire location at the airport: San Diego airport (SAN)?

  Yes

• Does Economy Rent a Car offer shuttle or airport pick-up services from San Diego airport (SAN)?

  Yes

Reviews for Economy Rent a Car in San Diego

Recent reviews

Traveller rating

Wonderful

20

Very Good

4

Good

0

Okay

10

Fair

0

Mediocre

0

Poor

46

2.0

ACTUAL charges were DOUBLE what was quoted online for booking the reservation. The “pick-up” at the airport required 1.5 hours of time, i.e. 6 phone calls to the rental car office, taking a bus to the Rental Car Center, then another car shuttle to the rental car office. Will be the LAST time I use their serviceReviewed Aug 24 2026

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6.0

What I like is that the whole process of pick up and drop-off was easy enough. What I don’t like is that the staff was so pushy in trying to convince me to upgrade the car I rented. He wasn’t happy when I said no.Reviewed Jul 23 2026

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2.0

Car wasn’t given because of the credit card. Still waiting for the refundReviewed Jun 4 2026

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2.0

The pickup process was SO LONG! We were probably in line for two hours to pick up our car. We also needed to provide insurance information that required me to log in and find dates, amounts, etc. If I'd known this in advance, it could've sped things up.Reviewed Feb 24 2026

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2.0

I told them that ld only rented a car once in my life, I'm 74, my family and friends don't rent cars. My car broke down and I needed transportation. I'd rented a car from a online service, maybe yours, from Fox rental car company for two days and they changed me $29.99 per day for insurance when I had my own and so did Economy which add up to over $500.00 that I didn't know that I didn't have to pay and none of the people helped. After I went back to the rental car companies and they said that after I returned the car there was nothing they could do. What the entire car booking and car rental companies can and should do is created information banners on all of the websites with simple information on how to navigate a car rental. But I understand why there isn't that banner. Dishonest, disceetful, amoral people wouldn't want one.Reviewed Feb 4 2026

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6.0

The car was pretty stained up between all the seats. I was required to pay additional collusion coverage even after I explained that I had purchased the one kayak offered. Still, I was made to purchase the basic coverage. That should be explicitly stated. Other car rentals I've used have not added any additional coverage as required.Reviewed Feb 3 2026

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2.0

Even though I had personal insurance that would cover the car if anything happened, they required me to purchase their insurance to rent the car. That DOUBLED the price of the rental.Reviewed Jul 8 2025

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6.0

The car, itself, was the best part. Pickup and drop off was a bit of an annoyance. When I search for rental cars via search engine such as Kayak, I expect it give me options that match my pickup/drop off locations. Economy Rent a Car is not at the Rental Car Facility; you need to get a Lyft/Uber to Economy. And, Economy’s drop off directions for where the key goes was poorly written and confusing.Reviewed Apr 24 2025

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2.0

I arrived after they closed, was unable to pick up my car, the reservation was then canceled without a refund. 100% frustration and anger. I will never, ever rent from them again. Will be attempting to get a refund via my credit card company.Reviewed Apr 21 2025

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2.0

Car was give to us dirty on the outside and full of scratches nicks and dents. There are many surprise fees Also as an airport rent-a-car it is not adjacent to the airport at all. No public bathrooms is insulting after you took a long trip. Never againReviewed Apr 19 2025

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8.0

The process went smooth. Nice vehicle. Process to pick up care was a bit of a hassle as its location needs an uber to get to, and then you wait in a line. Same for going back. Plan accordingly.Reviewed Apr 1 2025

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2.0

When I landed, I called to pick up the rental car and was just told they had no cars left and that I needed to contact corporate to get a refund. The agent was very blunt and didn’t offer any real apology. I was left stranded with a 7 month old baby. We ended up having to pay $50 for a taxi to my hotel and the next morning got a rental car from enterprise costing us $280. My original reservation was meant to be $140 For the entire week. I will not risk booking a car again through Economy. I am now having to work with another agent from corporate for a refund and it has just been so much more work.Reviewed Nov 3 2024

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