Monterey car rentals

Driver's age: 26-65
Fri 26.04
Fri 03.05

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Monterey car rental information

Pick-up locationMonterey
Car types
Rental locations9
Airport locations8

Cheap car rentals in Monterey

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Mini
Economy
Compact
Intermediate
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KAYAK’s top tips for renting a car in Monterey

  • One of the wonderful aspects of visiting Monterey, California, is the beautiful scenery you get to enjoy while driving up and down the coast. If you are trying to decide whether to rent a car in Monterey, consider what you could miss if you don’t. Many of the popular sites and areas surrounding the city are much more available when you rent a car. Coastal drives, beaches, and tourist attractions can all be reached on your own schedule without having to rely on the fixed schedules of public transportation. Car rentals in Monterey can help you visit sites like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, and the San Carlos Beach.
  • As you descend to the first floor of the Monterey Regional Airport, you will find the counters for car rental companies next to the baggage claim. These are conveniently located so visitors can pick up their bags and go straight to the counter of the rental company to check in. The Monterey Regional Airport houses major rental car companies like Avis, Enterprise, Alamo, and Hertz. The rental car lots are situated close to the terminal for easy loading and departure.
  • Visitors interested in Monterey car rentals should be aware that the city follows regular rush hour times. This means that during the hours of 6:30am to 9:30am and 4:30pm to 7:30pm, the roadways are typically quite congested. You will find busy roads around the beaches and along the coast. Del Monte Avenue, in particular, can get congested during rush hour times. Also, travelers should be aware of Highway 1. This famous coastal drive can be dangerous due to narrow roads and frequent stops by travelers to take pictures.
  • Monterey has pleasant weather all year round. If you experience a rain shower by chance, you should be careful to drive safely and slowly. Visitors should also watch out for added congestion on roads during the summer months due to the tourist season. While Monterey has an abundance of beautiful vistas and picture-worthy scenes, drivers should be careful not to disrupt traffic by stopping unexpectedly or pulling off to the side of the road without warning.
  • Book your rental car in Monterey at least 7 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Supplier choice rental cars in Monterey are around 20% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about renting a car in Monterey

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Monterey?

    Trying to decide what type of car to get from car rentals in Monterey can be tricky. Smaller groups can be better served with a more compact vehicle. Some of the scenic drives have narrow, winding two-lane roads, which can be handled well by a sedan. These cars typically have good gas mileage and are handy during high-traffic times.

  • What’s the speed limit in Monterey?

    While in residential and other highly trafficked areas in the city, the speed limits will range from 20 to 40mph. However, as drivers venture out onto the faster speedways, interstates, and highways, the speed limit can range from around 55mph to 75mph. School zones and parks will have the lowest speed limits and drivers should be exceptionally vigilant in these populated areas due to an abundance of foot traffic.

  • Where are the best places to park in Monterey?

    Monterey has over 30 parking garages. Visitors should expect to pay between approximately $1.75 and $2.25 an hour. Most garages have day passes for about $15 a day. Most beaches and other public destinations have parking nearby. The Cannery Row Parking Garage boasts over 1,000 spaces, making it likely that you’ll find a spot here. These parking facilities are scattered throughout the city for the convenience of locals and tourists. It may be worthwhile to check the size of the parking garage you plan to use as smaller garages will have limited availability.

  • How much is gas price in Monterey?

    The average gas price in Monterey is ₪14.60 per gallon over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between ₪175 and ₪234, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular rental car in Monterey?

    Supplier choice (Class Special Car or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Monterey.

  • Which car rental companies are at San Francisco airport (SFO)?

    Car rental companies onsite at San Francisco airport include Alamo, Dollar, Avis, Thrifty, Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Fox and Sixt.

  • Which car rental companies will pick you up at San Francisco airport (SFO)?

    Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from San Francisco airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Dollar, Avis, Thrifty, Budget, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Fox, and Sixt.

  • How can I find car rentals near me in Monterey?

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

  • How much does a Special car rental cost in Monterey?

    A Special car rental in Monterey costs ₪276 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Monterey?

    An Intermediate car rental in Monterey costs ₪380 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Economy car rental cost in Monterey?

    An Economy car rental in Monterey costs ₪316 per day, on average.

Monterey car rental reviews and directory

Alamo

8.0

Very good

37 reviews

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.2

Value for money

8.0

One location in Monterey

Show locations

Locations in Monterey

200 Fred Kane Dr Ste 108

+1 844 370 1084

Monday08:00 - 22:30
Tuesday08:00 - 22:30
Wednesday08:00 - 22:30
Thursday08:00 - 22:30
Friday08:00 - 22:30
Saturday08:00 - 22:30
Sunday08:00 - 22:30

Filters

Reviews

2.0 Poor

Feb 2024

KAYAK
I made the reservation through Kayak, they called me 1 hour before the pick up time and told me they don’t have the car. The person I talked to was very rude, refused to let me talk to his manager, refused to tell me his full name, and at the end told me his is not going to do anything for me.

10.0 Wonderful

Aug 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Everything was excellent, from booking the car online to the locations and staff, the vehicle too.

Cons:

Can’t think of anything.

10.0 Wonderful

Aug 2019

KAYAK

Cons:

Nothing. Time spent getting my vehicle, and returning my vehicle, was much less than any other rental car company. I will be choosing Alamo for my rental car needs.

10.0 Wonderful

Jan 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Estoy muy contento con su atención al alquilar el carro

2.0 Poor

Dec 2018

KAYAK

Cons:

They rented out my car before I arrived. I never got a car.

10.0 Wonderful

Feb 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

Able to reserve the all-wheel drive, large-size SUV the day before I needed it and at a very good rate on kayak.com, far less than I expect to pay (40% less than several direct car rental websites). Vehicle was in excellent condition with only 8,000 miles on it. Ran beautifully from Monterey to Tahoe and back through some pretty rough storm conditions. Easy pick-up and return at the Monterey Regional Airport.

Cons:

There was nothing I didn't like about the rental car or the company, or the process of getting it online through kayak.com.

1 out of 5

Budget

7.9

Best rated

Cleanliness

8.4

Comfort

8.6

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.6

Value for money

7.6

One location in Monterey

Show locations

Locations in Monterey

200 Fred Kane Drive, Suite 105

+1 831 373 1899

Monday20:00 - 21:0008:00 - 22:30
Tuesday08:00 - 22:3020:00 - 21:00
Wednesday08:00 - 22:3020:00 - 21:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:3020:00 - 21:00
Friday08:00 - 22:3020:00 - 21:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:30
Sunday20:00 - 21:0008:00 - 22:30

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very good

Oct 2022

KAYAK
As soon as we got the Highway for our trip the “low tire pressure”light came on. We checked and filled in multiples gas stations to make sure our tires where safe enough for our family

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

The person at the counter was super friendly, getting the car was easy.

Cons:

The car smelled like cigarettes.

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

I went through Kayak and ended with Priceline I wanted to change my itinerary and called Priceline who asked me to call Kayak that has no phone connection.

Cons:

Book directly through Budget

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Easy process and great staff

6.0 Okay

Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

No, I tried to call their office various times the day before, and they put me on hold for a long time twice, then just hung up the 3rd try. After that it just went to corporate.

Cons:

The young man I encountered upon arrival was very brusque. Whipped thru the paperwork, and when I asked to confirm the quoted price, he said a price of $40 more. I asked why and he said it was because I was picking it up early (less than an hour difference, the flight was a bit early). He re-did it all to reflect the price I was quoted. Never had anything like that happen before.

2.0 Poor

Mar 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Nothing! Didn’t even rent the vehicle!

Cons:

No where in the rental agreement did it say there would be a rental car deposit?!! Therefore I was not prepared with a credit card that could hold that amount of money!! Very disappointed!!

1 out of 13

Hertz

7.9

Cleanliness

8.6

Comfort

7.9

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.1

Value for money

7.6

One location in Monterey

Show locations

Locations in Monterey

200 Fred Kane Ste 104

+1 831 373 3318

Monday08:00 - 22:30
Tuesday08:00 - 22:30
Wednesday08:00 - 22:30
Thursday08:00 - 22:30
Friday08:00 - 22:30
Saturday08:00 - 22:30
Sunday08:00 - 22:30

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Yes

2.0 Poor

Dec 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

Rental was for 08:00 am, but the car was not ready until 09:00. Was told they do not have the staff and he could not tell me when the car would be ready. Once the car was delivered, still had trash in the back from prior rental.

8.0 Very good

Oct 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff was great, the service was excellent - easy pick up and drop-off (and the woman staffing the desk remembered me three days later!). I found the entire experience to be easy and understandable (where to go, what to do, etc.) from beginning to end.

Cons:

The car wasn't all that great. It was safe, it was functional, and it was most definitely clean. However, I would have preferred something a little more comfortable and modern, even at my small-car/low-level need.

9.2 Wonderful

Sep 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

easy pick-up and drop-off

Cons:

cost was a bit high for the duration and distance I drove

10.0 Wonderful

Aug 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Yes very friendly and helpful.

8.8 Very good

Jul 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Cons:

I would truly appreciate if I could drop the car at my address within 5 miles of Monterey Airport.

1 out of 8

National

9.1

Wonderful

1 review

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

9.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.1

Value for money

8.5

One location in Monterey

Show locations

Locations in Monterey

200 Fred Kane Dr Ste 108

+1 844 370 1083

Monday08:00 - 22:30
Tuesday08:00 - 22:30
Wednesday08:00 - 22:30
Thursday08:00 - 22:30
Friday08:00 - 22:30
Saturday08:00 - 22:30
Sunday08:00 - 22:30

Filters

No reviews available

Avis

8.5

Very good

21 reviews

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.2

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Monterey

Show locations

Locations in Monterey

200 Fred Kane Drive Suite 106

+1 831 647 7140

Monday20:00 - 21:0008:00 - 22:30
Tuesday20:00 - 21:0008:00 - 22:30
Wednesday08:00 - 22:3020:00 - 21:00
Thursday08:00 - 22:3020:00 - 21:00
Friday08:00 - 22:3020:00 - 21:00
Saturday08:00 - 22:30
Sunday20:00 - 21:0008:00 - 22:30

Filters

Reviews

4.0 Mediocre

Sep 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Kayak

10.0 Wonderful

Oct 2017

KAYAK

Cons:

MRY is a great office

5.2 Fair

Oct 2016

KAYAK

Cons:

Rude front desk rep. But to be fair, she was your typical college student with an "whatever" attitude.

10.0 Wonderful

Jul 2022

KAYAK
I liked that the airport is so small and there were no crowds at the rental kiosk. Check out was fast and the car lot is right next door to the terminal making for a short walk to the car. Great!

10.0 Wonderful

Jun 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

It was the fastest, easiest checkin at the counter I've ever experienced.

1 out of 2

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.8

Cleanliness

8.4

Comfort

7.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.6

Value for money

7.0

2 locations in Monterey

Show locations

Locations in Monterey

1178 Del Monte Ave

+1 831 649 6300

Monday09:00 - 12:0013:00 - 16:00
Tuesday13:00 - 16:0009:00 - 12:00
Wednesday09:00 - 12:0013:00 - 16:00
Thursday13:00 - 16:0009:00 - 12:00
Friday09:00 - 12:0013:00 - 16:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

200 Fred Kane Dr

+1 831 242 2020

Monday08:00 - 22:30
Tuesday08:00 - 22:30
Wednesday08:00 - 22:30
Thursday08:00 - 22:30
Friday08:00 - 22:30
Saturday08:00 - 22:30
Sunday08:00 - 22:30

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Jul 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was super friendly and helpful. Little to no wait on the pick up. Quick Drop off and immediate shuttle service to terminal.

3.6 Poor

Aug 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

I rented an “Expedition or similar “. They delivered an Explorer and charged extra for the bigger car.

2.0 Poor

Aug 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

No cars in stock but they still let you make reservation on internet and waste so much time. Horrible. Totally unprofessional.

10.0 Wonderful

Jan 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Learning the art of advanced booking helps. Even with the pressure of the holidays, the staff maintained professionalism and tried to help others when their cars ran out. Glad I reserved earlier. Awesome ride, they suggested an upgrade which really helped because what I initially reserved, would've been a miserable fit for my size. Good team work! BUT it's a small lot and I don't think there are any other rental places nearby other than the airport, so last minute renters might continue to face off with staff there unfortunately.

Cons:

Not sure when this started but have rental car places stopped caring about the outside of their cars? The inside was ok but the outside seemed it was wiped with a muddy rag. Other than that, nothing bad about this experience for me.

10.0 Wonderful

Dec 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

No exorbitant airport fees and surcharges. This rental agency is about 3 miles from the Monterey Airport. Take a cab to the office and pick-up there.

7.2 Good

Nov 2018

KAYAK

Cons:

No information on where to drop off the ergo

1 out of 5

Easirent

4.6

Mediocre

No reviews available

One location in Monterey

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Locations in Monterey

Monterey Regional Airport

Opening times not available

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No reviews available

AutoEurope

No score available yet

One location in Monterey

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Locations in Monterey

Monterey Regional Airport

Opening times not available

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No reviews available

Sunnycars

No score available yet

One location in Monterey

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Locations in Monterey

Olmstead Road

Opening times not available

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No reviews available

VIPCars Recommendation

No score available yet

One location in Monterey

Show locations

Locations in Monterey

200 Fred Kane Dr Ste 108, Monterey, , USA California

+1 914 368 0091

Monday08:00 - 22:30
Tuesday08:00 - 22:30
Wednesday08:00 - 22:30
Thursday08:00 - 22:30
Friday08:00 - 22:30
Saturday10:00 - 16:00
Sunday10:00 - 16:00

Filters

No reviews available

222 travelers who rented a car in Monterey gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.8

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