Under 25 Car Rental at San Diego, California

FAQ about car rentals for under 25 at San Diego

How old do you have to be to rent a car at San Diego, CA?

According to most companies, you have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in San Diego - Airport, CA. However, you can find some companies that allow 19- and 20-year-old drivers to rent a car in San Diego - Airport, California. All car rentals for people under 25 in SAN Airport, USA imply a daily Young Driver's Fee. You have to pay it on the counter when picking up a vehicle.

How to rent a car if you’re under 25 in San Diego - Airport, FL?

To rent a car in San Diego, California if you are 24 years old or younger, you have to select your desired pick-up and return locations, dates, and time of your pick-up and drop-off and start your search. Before making your booking make sure you indicate your age and residency country correctly and proceed to reserve your vehicle.

To collect your under 25 rental car in San Diego, CA, USA successfully, you have to provide:

• a printed voucher of your booking on Rental24H.com;
• a full license held for a minimum of 1 year (sometimes 2 years) with no major endorsements;
• an International Driver’s Permit if required;
• a valid photo ID (passport or national ID);
• a debit or credit card in the name of the main driver to charge a deposit (Excess fee amount).

If you do not follow any of these requirements, you may be rejected to pick up your car and get your money back. Learner permits or photocopies are not accepted. In addition, the use of debit cards can be limited by some rental agencies.

How much to rent a car under 25 at SAN Airport, California?

The total cost of under 25 car rental in San Diego SAN Airport consists of two components: car rental under 25 no fee price you see on our website and the underage surcharge you pay at the counter. The rate of an under 25 rental car in San Diego ranges from $10 to $125 per day. It mainly depends on the company, car category, and current demand. Add to that the young driver's fee, which varies from $15 to $35 per day, and you will have a total price of under 25 car rental. If you want to enjoy cheap rental cars for under 25 years old in San Diego, CA, book your car in advance.

What car rental companies rent to under 25 in San Diego - Airport, CA?

There are under 25 providers that are located in San Diego - Airport, California and off-airport companies, which offer free shuttle bus rides to their offices. On-site under 25 car rental companies with SAN Airport, USA terminal pick-up are Thrifty, Dollar, National.

Under 25 car rental agencies with off-airport locations are Alamo, Budget, Europcar, Hertz. These companies provide free shuttle buses or pick-up services from San Diego - Airport to their off-site offices.

Which car rental company is best for under 25 in San Diego, California?

Among car rental companies that rent to under 25 drivers in San Diego, CA, USA, the best-rated supplier is National. Our customers rated it with an average score of 8.5 on a scale from 1 to 10. This rating is based on 1000+ National car rental reviews in SAN Airport, California.

What rental cars rent to under 25 in San Diego SAN Airport?

We have a huge selection of the cheapest car rental under 25 in San Diego in different vehicle categories. However, not all of them are available to young drivers due to the age restrictions of the companies.

Most providers offer only Economy, Compact, Mid-size, Standard, and Full-size vehicles to young drivers. At the same time, some are willing to provide minivans in addition to the aforementioned groups.

In case you haven't decided which car rental under age 25 to pick up in San Diego, CA, see the list of our most popular models. Check out their top specifications, including seats and doors, trunk capacity, and fuel efficiency, and maybe one of them will suit your needs.

What is the cheapest car rental for under 25 in San Diego - Airport, CA?

The cheapest rates for car rentals under 25 in San Diego - Airport, California are provided by GREEN MOTION. They provide compact class Nissan Versa or similar for $5.64 per day. You will also have to pay Under Age 25 Surcharge before collecting your car at the rental desk. With GREEN MOTION in SAN Airport, USA, it may cost you an additional $25.00 per day.

The lowest under 25 car rental fees in San Diego - Airport are offered by Avis. They charge an extra $35.00 per day if you are from 21- to 24-year-old driver. The cheapest car rental for under 25 from Avis is economy class Mitsubishi Mirage or similar from $35 per day. Please, check this information attentively in rental conditions before making a booking.

How much is the under 25 car rental fee in San Diego, California?

Renting a car for an underage driver means additional expenses. So how much is an additional rental car fee for under 25 drivers? Here is a list of companies that rent to under 25 and approximate daily Young Driver Fees. On average, car suppliers charge $35 USD per day in San Diego, CA, USA, FL. The table below will help you to find car rentals with the lowest under 25 fees in SAN Airport, California.

Rental car under 25 fee from different companies in San Diego SAN Airport

Vendor	Standard car rental age	Young driver age	Under 25 car rental fee
	25 to 70 years	21 to 24 years	$35.00
	25 to 99 years	21 to 24 years	$20.00
	26 to 99 years	21 to 25 years	$19.99
	25 to 70 years	21 to 24 years	$35.00
	25 to 99 years	21 to 24 years	$25.00

Customers who fall outside the standard rental age will not be able to rent a car unless they pay a young or senior driver fee. Please note that this fee will be payable on arrival at the rental desk in the local currency.

Why do you have to be 25 to rent a car in San Diego?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, young drivers under the age of 25 are considered to be high-risk drivers. Statistically, they are 25% more often involved in car accidents than adults over 25 years old. For this reason, rental companies claim an additional charge (Young Driver Surcharge) to cover expenses of potential damage.

How to waive the under 25 car rental fee in San Diego, CA?

Renting a car in San Diego - Airport, CA for under 25 drivers is not going to be low-cost. Drivers from 21 to 24 are obliged to pay an extra fee. However, there are some exceptions. Let’s find out how you can avoid the under 25 car rental fee in San Diego - Airport, California:

• You can get your car rental under 25 with no fee from most agencies if you are governmental or military personnel and traveling on official business. In this case, they may provide you with special government or military rates.
• You can save at Hertz (up to $25 USD per day) with AAA discounts. The AAA (American Automobile Association) has collaborated with Hertz and offers a big number of benefits to its members including AAA car rental under 25. With this membership, any licensed driver between the ages of 18-24 avoids Young Driver Fee when renting a vehicle from Hertz.
• Under 25 aged drivers can benefit from the USAA insurance program. The USAA under 25 car rental fee waivers at Avis, Budget, and Hertz for USAA members starts at age 18, while the USAA car rental under 25 fee waiver at Enterprise starts at the age of 21.

Which rental car company does not charge for under 25 in SAN Airport, USA?

Rental car companies that don't charge for under 25 in San Diego - Airport include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Enterprise if you have the USAA membership. As AAA membership, you can also avoid under 25 fee from Hertz.

What rental car companies waive under 25 fee for military in San Diego, California?

Alamo, Avis, National, and Enterprise allow the military to get under 25 car rental fee waived starting at the age of 18. Therefore, active duty military and federal employees on orders are not subject to a Young Renter Fee when picking up a car in San Diego, CA, USA.

How to rent a car under 25 with no credit card at SAN Airport, California?

The main thing is to choose a company providing car rental under 25 no credit card at San Diego SAN Airport. You can find these either in the list of all available suppliers above or through filters when searching for a car on our website. Dollar and Thrifty accept debit cards in addition to credit cards at San Diego.

Please note that there may be additional restrictions and requirements if you want to use a debit card. You can pay for car rentals under 25 at San Diego, CA on our website with any valid credit or debit card, including Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Check carefully the payment policy of the company you are going to rent a car from to avoid problems in your future trip.

What is the additional driver charge for a rental car under 25 at San Diego - Airport, CA?

Rental car additional driver under 25 is an option available at San Diego - Airport, California for $9.99-$13.90 per day. Remember that the same requirements apply to the additional young driver as to the primary driver. Therefore, if the additional drivers are under 25, they are also subject to the underage fee. You will have to pay an under 25 fee both for the main driver and for the additional one at the counter.

There are several ways to rent a car under 25 at SAN Airport, USA with an additional driver. You can add a second driver on the counter, or when booking a car on our website. We usually offer rental cars for drivers under 25 with a free additional driver option at San Diego - Airport. Use filters to sort such deals through our search engine.

How to get a cheap rental car under 25 in San Diego, California?

Don’t forget to learn our tips to save money on under 25 car rental before making a reservation in San Diego, CA, USA:

• Make your booking in advance;
• Keep tracking the changes of under 25 rental car prices after reservation. The prices may fall, and you have a free cancelation;
• Try to pick up and drop off your rental vehicle at the same time to rent for a full day;
• Collect and return your car in SAN Airport, Californiaorida to avoid one-way fee;
• Compare not only daily rental car prices but also the amount of Young Driver Fees;
• Select under 25 car rental deals with unlimited mileage or make sure you will adhere to the provider’s Mileage policy to avoid additional fees;
• Take your own GPS device from home to waive any payments for optional extras;
• Elude extra payments for rental car additional driver under 25 in San Diego SAN Airport, FL;
• Avoid being charged for missing fuel on your return. Choose a “full-to-full” fuel policy and return your rental car with the same amount of gas as you picked it up. Rent-a-car agencies charge far higher fuel prices than the local gas stations.
• Travel around the country you rented a car in. Try not to cross the borders of the neighboring countries or pay special attention to the travel restrictions of your selected under 25 car rental company to avoid cross-border fees.

How old do you have to be to rent a car in San Diego, CA?

San Diego is the perfect place to spend your holidays exploring many local beaches and other incredible attractions in a rental car. Unfortunately, age is something that can be an obstacle to your travel plans.

The good news is that under 25 car rental San Diego is a solution to the problem, as it allows having a vehicle at hand for those who are 21-24 years old. However, what if you are a little younger? Your question will probably be how can I rent a car at 20 in San Diego.

The majority of companies are ready to deal with only 21+ drivers, but Thrifty gives the green light to pick up a car even for travelers of a younger age category.

Top Attractions in San Diego for young drivers include San Diego Zoo, Cabrillo Reserve, Torrey Pines, La Jolla Cove, Coronado, Del Mar Race Track, San Diego Padres, and Balboa Park.

What companies are onsite at San Diego Airport?

Whether you are an experienced traveler or a young adventurer, the first question you will encounter after landing your flight will be ‘where is car rental in San Diego’.

The onsite rental service at the airport allows you to pick up a vehicle in the local rental department. Any of San Diego car rental under 25 providers will complete your deal quickly, and in just half an hour, you will receive the keys to your car. Among them are:

• Sixt
• Fox
• Advantage
• Hertz
• EZ

Of course, the airport is not the only place in the surrounding area to pick up a vehicle – many urban locations are also at your disposal. Below find a list of companies that operate offsite:

• National
• Avis
• Budget
• Thrifty
• Alamo

• Silvercar
• Enterprise
• Ace
• Dollar

Driving directions: where is Car Rental facility at San Diego Airport?

You’ll find it at 3355 Admiral Boland Way - add this address to your GPS to get to the point quickly. Use the Interstate 5 exits when approaching from the northwest, or San Diego Freeway if traveling from the south.

How to get to the onsite Rental Facility in San Diego International airport?

A branded free shuttle will take you to the right place in less than 5 minutes. Don’t know where Alamo car rental is at San Diego Airport, or you wish to deal with a particular company? The vendor counters are conveniently located on the 1st floor of the complex.

Shuttles continuously run between the airport and the Rental center, which doesn’t cause you any waiting and trouble.

Where can a young driver return a rented car in San Diego?

Drop off is as easy and fast as a pickup, and you won’t need to worry about how long it takes to return a rental car at San Diego Airport – 15-20 minutes are enough.

If you still don’t know where to return a rental car at San Diego airport, then head to 3355 Admiral Boland Way. Set off to the drop-off garage to return a rental car at San Diego airport, and then go up to the 2nd floor of the Rental facility.

Where can I rent a manual transmission car in San Diego Airport?

Driving stick shift vehicles are not easy for young renters who do this for the first time.

In most cases, manual transmission comes with exotic and sports cars. Unfortunately, this vehicle category is not a cheap car rental under 25 San Diego, and sometimes it’s generally impossible due to age restrictions.

If you still find a suitable deal with a non-automatic gearbox, then get ready for some limitations:

• Auto with a stick shift can’t be used for training;
• One way trips are forbidden on manual transmission vehicles.

What are taxes and fees to rent a car in San Diego, CA, for young renters?

Our car rental prices always include all necessary additional fees and, in some cases, taxes. This is especially true in airport locations, where even a larger number of variables influence the cost. You probably ask how much is the airport tax on a rental car in San Diego?

First of all, the regular sales tax of 7.25% is added to the net value of the vehicle. Another factor that increases the price is the tourist tax, which applies to car rental. It operates in California and is around 3.5%.

NOTE: when you search for a car on our site, the price is shown with all taxes already included.

What is the most popular rental car type in San Diego?

Most often, travelers prefer the SUV class for under 25 car rental San Diego.

How much does an Economy car rental cost at San Diego Airport?

The approximate basic rate for an Economy vehicle rental in San Diego is $35 per day. Extra fees may apply if you’re younger than 21-25 years.

How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in San Diego Airport?

The weekly cost of under 25 car rental in San Diego ranges from $198 to $290 depending on the car type and supplier.

Keep in mind that if you book in advance, the rate is likely to be lower.

Where can I rent a car with cash near San Diego Airport under 25?

Most often, cash is an unacceptable payment method for almost every provider, because it makes impossible to block a deposit to compensate for potential damage to the company’s property.

Of course, it’s still possible to find small local services that accept cash, but their reputation may be doubtful, and service quality is likely to be low. So we would recommend renting from major providers that are reliable and accept credit or debit cards for the payment.

How to pay the rental car toll for I-15 San Diego if you're a student driver?

Interstate-15 itself is free of charge, but it has several expressways for which you will have to pay. Just choose regular traffic lanes to save your wallet from unnecessary expenses, even if you need to get to such remote places as Escondido or Tamecula.

Another toll road is the South Bay Expressway, which connects Spring Valley and Otay Mesa. However, be sure to find an alternative route through Interstate 805.

If a young renter still needs to drive on a toll road, or did it unintentionally, then there are 2 payment methods:

• Log in to your FasTrak account, fill out the application, and pay by credit card.
• Use your phone to contact FasTrak, follow the voice prompts, and pay by credit card.

Can a young driver rent a car in San Diego and drive to Mexico?

Border crossing with Mexico is a hassle for the agency. That’s why some suppliers, including Alamo and Avis, ban this opportunity without any compromise. Others may require special insurance to be pre-ordered in advance.

Despite the negative aspects, your car rental in San Diego Airport under 25 can be driven in Mexico, although with additional conditions:

• You will need to notify the provider about your border-crossing intentions;
• Travel distance in Mexico will be limited to 250 miles;
• Crossing the border will increase your spending.

How are gas prices in San Diego for students?

1 gallon of regular fuel in California will cost you about $3.6. This is slightly more than the national average. Chevron, Costco, and Pearson Fuels are the cheapest stations in the area.

Top tips for San Diego Airport car rental under 25

Driving within the city will be pleasant and non-problematic. The road system has clear interchanges, but we still recommend adding a GPS navigator to your best car rental San Diego under 25 deal.

You should always be careful and obey the speed limits, parking rules, and priority signs. Many drivers sometimes perform dangerous maneuvers, thus, stay on the lookout.

Usually, city streets don’t suffer from excessive traffic. Still, it’s always better to avoid trips during peak hours from 6.30 till 10 in the morning and from 3.30 to 6.30 in the evening if you don’t want to lose time. Popular Interstates 5 and 15 are also quite busy on the weekend – keep this in mind when planning your journey.

Also, if you intend to cross the Mexican border, it’s recommended that you notify the company in advance. But if your destination is Tijuana, then park the vehicle at the border, and walk through the crossing point.

Road trip from San Diego Airport for a student car rental driver

Tired of the noisy metropolis and its trivial sights? California Highway 1 invites you to an unforgettable and vibrant ride in an exotic convertible to San Francisco.

Before leaving the airport pick-up point, pay attention to the unique installation located to the left of the exit from the parking garage. You will be amazed at what are the two art pieces at the San Diego Car Rental center.

This eccentric exposition represents 2 identical huge lamps with sharp and long spiers that are not fixed motionless, but fluctuate from gusts of wind. This makes them very similar to garden gnomes in the backyard of German rural houses.

The entire San Diego to San Francisco route will take about 8 hours without taking into account the time for an overnight stay and sightseeing. That is, you will travel more than 500 miles.

First, you should drive about 60 miles along Interstate 5 towards San Clemente. Then take the 79th exit at Capistrano Beach to enter Pacific Coast Highway and see the breathtaking scenery of the ocean. Continue and check out the most worthwhile places to stop on your way…

Malibu

The first magnetic point on the route will be Malibu with its endless snow-white beaches. Local cuisine will also delight young renter’s taste buds – visit the Malibu Farm Restaurant at 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy to make sure of this.

Santa Barbara

After approximately 75 miles, you will arrive at Santa Barbara, where we recommend to stay overnight. There are several cozy culinary establishments on the waterfront, so choose something to have a bite.

Then, head to State Street to inspect a large number of shops, galleries, museums, and other fascinating local points.

San Luis Obispo

Start your day with a trip to San Luis Obispo. This destination has something to show you in its collection. Among them is Bubblegum Alley, as well as Mount Bishop, which is an excellent hiking trail opening up incredible panoramas of the surrounding landscapes.

Monterey

Next, a student driver can drop into Monterey. However, 18 miles earlier, you will see the Bixby Creek Bridge, providing incredible pictures for your Instagram account.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-visit local point. It's a marine research center and, at the same time – a place to explore the unique underwater life. After that, it's time to keep your way to the final point of San Francisco.

San Francisco

The road will run through a redwood forest, which is a unique background for photos. Already in the city, we recommend spending a few days enjoying local attractions. Alcatraz Prison, Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Pier 39 - the list seems to be endless.

Popular one way routes from San Diego Airport for young renters

The southernmost point of California is an excellent starting position for traveling across the country. Thus, it’s an outstanding idea to choose a car rental under 25 San Diego with the possibility of returning a car somewhere in New York, Austin, Miami, or Seattle.

However, the most frequent one-way route is the road to Las Vegas. The entire distance is about 350 miles, while travel time is not more than 6 hours. Although this route can’t boast of iconic sights along with it, the fantastic hot deserted landscapes of the Mojave Preserve more than compensate for this shortcoming.

Choosing to rent a car in San Diego under 25, look at the details about the provider, since not every company has the one-way option in its arsenal.