Find Rentals
Popular Cars
Price Trends
Agencies
Rental Deals
FAQs
California

Cheap Car Rentals in California from HK$185

This price is the cheapest per day rate found by a Cheapflights user in the last 48 hours by searching for a car hire in California with a pick-up date of 20-4 and drop-off date of 27-4. Fares are subject to change and may not be available at all agencies or on all dates of hire. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
Driver's age: 26-65
Here’s why our users search for rental cars through Cheapflights

Price trackingHolding out for a great deal? Get notified when prices are reduced.

Customized resultsFilter by rental agency, car type, price range and more.

Unlimited free useSearch as many times as you want with no hidden charges or fees.

California car rentals in 2025

Get helpful information to start your search for the perfect car rental in California. The average price data is based on the last 12 months and was last updated on 21 Mac 2025.

Most popular company

Dollar

Most common car type

Standard

Average price per day

HK$343

Cheapest price per day

HK$185

What are the car hire prices for popular cities in California?

Discover the price range for renting a car in popular cities across California, helping you budget and make informed decisions for your upcoming travel. There are 380 pickup locations in California to choose from. Price data has been averaged over the last 12 months and was last updated on 21 Mac 2025.

Price

HK$148 - HK$477

Out of all the popular cities in California, Los Angeles is the cheapest city to rent a car in at just HK$148/day. Renting a car in Los Angeles is 69% cheaper than renting one in San Diego where the per day rate is around HK$477. Other fairly inexpensive cities in California to get a rental car in are: San Francisco (HK$241/day), Redding (HK$319/day), and San Diego (HK$477/day). While these cities typically have cheaper prices than the rest of the country, travelers looking to rent a car in San Francisco should expect to spend around HK$241/day on their transportation. The most popular city to rent a car in California is San Francisco.

What is the cheapest time to rent a car in California?

Discover the most affordable period to rent a car in California and save money on your trip. The monthly average price data is based on historical data over the last year and was last updated on 21 Mac 2025.

January

HK$279

February

HK$279

March

HK$349

April

HK$357

May

HK$334

June

HK$341

July

HK$396

August

HK$380

September

HK$341

October

HK$357

November

HK$318

December

HK$396

Currently, the cheapest month to rent a car in California is January. The most expensive time to rent a car is July. The cheapest prices for each month are shown above, but prices will vary based on availability, how far out you book your rental car, and of course, car type.

Popular car types in California

Explore the most popular car models available for rent in California and choose the one that suits your needs. The price data is sourced from various car rental companies and was last updated on 21 Mac 2025.

At HK$185/day, small car is the cheapest car type available for hire in California in the past week. Out of 344 car hire agencies operating in California, there are, in total, 17,265 hire locations. View below for 5 offered car types:

Economy

Economy

HK$185+

Compact

Compact

HK$185+

Intermediate

Intermediate

HK$219+

Standard

Standard

HK$219+

Full-size

Full-size

HK$232+

People carrier

People carrier

HK$395+

Full-size SUV

Full-size SUV

HK$403+

Premium

Premium

HK$232+

Luxury

Luxury

HK$389+

Convertible

Convertible

HK$400+

Standard SUV

Standard SUV

HK$215+

Compact SUV

Compact SUV

HK$219+

Intermediate SUV

Intermediate SUV

HK$221+

Supplier choice

Supplier choice

HK$265+

Compare available car types for rental in California

Compare and contrast the various car types offered for rental in California to find the perfect fit for your trip. Price data is based on averages over the last 12 months and was last updated on 21 Mac 2025.

Small cars

HK$278 - HK$528

All Car Types

HK$339 - HK$560

To hire a small car in California, you would pay an average price of HK$385/day. February is the cheapest month to hire a small car in California (~HK$278/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~HK$528/day). In fact, February is about 28% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a small car hire for California. When comparing with other car types available for hire in California, hiring a small car saves you 11% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best California small car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a medium car in California, you would pay an average price of HK$373/day. January is the cheapest month to hire a medium car in California (~HK$306/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~HK$429/day). In fact, January is about 18% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a medium car hire for California. When comparing with other car types available for hire in California, hiring a medium car saves you 14% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best California medium car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a large car in California, you would pay an average price of HK$554/day. February is the cheapest month to hire a large car in California (~HK$367/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is July (~HK$716/day). In fact, February is about 34% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a large car hire for California. When comparing with other car types available for hire in California, hiring a large car is 23% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best California large car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a SUV in California, you would pay an average price of HK$432/day. February is the cheapest month to hire a SUV in California (~HK$320/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~HK$518/day). In fact, February is about 26% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a SUV hire for California. When comparing with other car types available for hire in California, hiring a SUV is 0% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

To hire a van in California, you would pay an average price of HK$580/day. February is the cheapest month to hire a van in California (~HK$384/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is April (~HK$879/day). In fact, February is about 34% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a van hire for California. When comparing with other car types available for hire in California, hiring a van is 26% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

To hire a luxury car in California, you would pay an average price of HK$596/day. September is the cheapest month to hire a luxury car in California (~HK$158/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is October (~HK$1,175/day). In fact, September is about 74% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a luxury car hire for California. When comparing with other car types available for hire in California, hiring a luxury car is 28% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best California luxury car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a convertible in California, you would pay an average price of HK$616/day. January is the cheapest month to hire a convertible in California (~HK$350/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is July (~HK$1,070/day). In fact, January is about 44% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a convertible hire for California. When comparing with other car types available for hire in California, hiring a convertible is 30% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best California convertible hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

Hyundai i20HK$185/day
4
M
A/C
Hyundai i20

Top rental agencies in California

Explore the leading car rental agencies in California known for their outstanding service and extensive range of vehicles to choose from. There are currently 8 car rental companies in California. Reviews were last updated on 21 Mac 2025.
Book your reservation with one of the top rental car agencies located in California, including those serving the greater Los Angeles, San Francisco and Roseville area. See what past customers have to say, compare prices, and review other key details before deciding.

Hertz

5.9
Fair
1158 reviews87 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.7

Overall

5.9

Pick-up/drop-off

5.9

Value

6.1

Alamo

8.4
Very Good
175 reviews13 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

8.7

Comfort

8.6

Overall

8.3

Pick-up/drop-off

8.4

Value

8.0

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.6
Good
391 reviews107 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.9

Comfort

7.8

Overall

7.6

Pick-up/drop-off

7.5

Value

7.5

Sixt

7.3
Good
366 reviews15 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.9

Comfort

7.8

Overall

7.3

Pick-up/drop-off

7.2

Value

7.1

Budget

6.3
Okay
853 reviews51 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.0

Comfort

7.1

Overall

6.3

Pick-up/drop-off

6.3

Value

6.3

Avis

6.3
Okay
498 reviews50 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

7.1

Overall

6.3

Pick-up/drop-off

6.4

Value

6.4

Midway

6.2
Okay
491 reviews11 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

7.1

Comfort

6.8

Overall

6.2

Pick-up/drop-off

5.8

Value

6.7

Dollar

5.5
Fair
448 reviews46 locations
Overview

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

6.6

Overall

5.5

Pick-up/drop-off

5.5

Value

5.9

Best California car rental deals found

Browse through a selection of recently found affordable car rental deals in California. Plan your trip with ease and find the perfect rental option for your needs. There are currently 8 rental car agencies in California with an average daily rate of HK$295. Data was last updated on 21 Mac 2025.
Take a peek at some options we've found for car rentals in California, including locations near Los Angeles, San Francisco and Roseville. To make sure you find the deal you're looking for, verify the details of the renal, such as car type, price, and pickup address.
Hyundai i20HK$185/day
4
M
A/C
Hyundai i20
Toyota CorollaHK$205/day
4
M
A/C
Toyota Corolla
Toyota CorollaHK$219/day
5
M
A/C
Toyota Corolla

Car rental FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about car rentals in California, including policies, requirements, and more. FAQs were last updated on 21 Mac 2025.
  • What is the cheapest hire car found in California?

    In the past two weeks, Cheapflights users have found many deals under HK$216/day when booking a car hire in California. The absolute best deal a user found was for HK$164/day from Ace, booked on Mar. 16.

  • What car hire company is typically the cheapest in California?

    According to our data, users have found the cheapest deals when booking a rental car in California from the following companies over the past two weeks: Fox (HK$185/day), Dollar (HK$219/day), and Thrifty (HK$232/day).

  • Which car hire company is considered to be the best in California?

    Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, Resla (10.0 rating), Silvercar (9.1 rating) and Alamo (8.4 rating) seem to be the best car hire companies in California.

  • What are petrol prices like in California?

    The average price of petrol in California is HK$7.00/litre over the past month, costing you anywhere between HK$315 and HK$455 to fill up a car’s fuel tank.

  • How much does it cost to hire a car in California for a week from Dollar?

    Hiring a car in California for a week can be a great option for travel. Dollar, the most popular car hire company for this area, offers hire cars for around HK$2,169/week on average.

  • How far in advance should I hire a car in California for the best price?

    Generally, for a better deal in California it’s recommended to book in a timely manner (to save up to 34%). Cheapflights recommends you book around 7 days prior to your pickup date. Booking as early as you can also increases the likelihood that you’ll get the ideal car.

  • Can I rent a car for a month in California?

    Typically, how long you can rent a car for depends on the inventory of the supplier. For California however, it is certainly possible to rent a car for an entire month.

  • How much does it cost to rent a car in California for a month?

    You can potentially save up to 60% on a month-long rental by booking with Ace. Ace is the cheapest rental company available within the next few months. Renting a car in California can cost you on average HK$9,295 a month or HK$310 a day. For extended stays in a location, this option will usually save you the most.

Luxury car rentals in California

Find luxury car rental deals in California from well-known providers in the area and save on gas mileage with the options provided below. luxury car hires in California cost an average of HK$494 per day. Price data was last updated on 21 Mac 2025.
These are some of the best deals we've detected on luxury car rentals in California, including options near Los Angeles, San Francisco and Roseville. While researching the different options available, make sure to confirm the details of each offer to ensure they match your needs.
Mercedes-Benz E-ClassHK$309/day
5
M
A/C
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz E-ClassHK$310/day
5
M
A/C
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz E-ClassHK$321/day
5
M
A/C
Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Car rentals by fuel type in California

Browse car rentals by fuel type in California. Currently, Electric cars are the cheapest to rent in California. Deals were last updated on 21 Mac 2025.

Browse through car rental deals by fuel type in California. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Electric being the cheapest (HK$30+).

Electric

Electric

HK$30+

Hybrid

Hybrid

HK$63+

Petrol/Diesel

Petrol/Diesel

HK$53+

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.
Best Car Hire Deals
We make it easy and fast to find and compare deals from 70,000+ hire locations and hundreds of agencies.
No Surprises
Prices shown to you will be completely in full, without any hidden charges or fees.
Free cancellation
Plans change — we get it. And that’s why you can search and book car hire on Cheapflights from agencies that offer free cancellation