Car Rentals in San Jose

San Jose is located in Santa Clara Valley, at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area, in a region referred to as Silicon Valley. A San Jose rent a car is your most flexible option for getting around the center of the booming local technology industry. Save money on San Jose car rentals and visit local attractions like California's Great America theme park or the Winchester Mystery House.

Now the third largest city in California, San Jose was once just a small farming community. The city is served by Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), located two miles northwest of downtown. San Jose rent a car agencies at SJC include: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. Try Enterprise, Thrifty, or Dollar for the lowest rates. Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, and Avis all offer additional locations downtown, usually with lower rates than those in the airport. Check out Enterprise and Hertz for the best deals. San Jose residents also use Reid-Hillview Airport in Santa Clara County, San Francisco International Airport, a major international hub located 35 miles to the northwest, and Oakland International Airport, another major international airport located 35 miles to the north. Most of the major car rental agencies offer locations at all of these, as well. By car San Jose is about an hour from San Francisco and Oakland, but the trip can be much longer during rush hour on US-101 and Interstate 880, so plan accordingly.

You must present a valid driver's license and credit card issued in your name at most rental car agencies, along with proof of insurance if you decline the vendor's coverage options. Usually age requirements are 21 for compact and economy cars, 25 for all others, and an additional young driver charge may apply for anyone under 25. All San Jose car rentals must be kept within California state lines with exceptions for Reno, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, Nevada, after advance notification and approval from the rental company.